Late to the Party by Kelly Quindlen - Starting June 10th 2020

[Meaghan]

Seventeen is nothing like Codi Teller imagined.

She’s never crashed a party, never stayed out too late. She’s never even been kissed. And it’s not just because she’s gay. It’s because she and her two best friends, Maritza and JaKory, spend more time in her basement watching Netflix than engaging with the outside world.

So when Maritza and JaKory suggest crashing a party, Codi is highly skeptical. Those parties aren’t for kids like them. They’re for cool kids. Straight kids.

But then Codi stumbles upon one of those cool kids, Ricky, kissing another boy in the dark, and an unexpected friendship is formed. In return for never talking about that kiss, Ricky takes Codi under his wing and draws her into a wild summer filled with late nights, new experiences, and one really cute girl named Lydia.

The only problem? Codi never tells Maritza or JaKory about any of it.

From author Kelly Quindlen comes a poignant and deeply relatable story about friendship, self-acceptance, what it means to be a Real Teenager. Late to the Party is an ode to late bloomers and wallflowers everywhere.

[Arifah]

Starting this book today, so excited!
Can't wait to discuss it with you @Meaghan

[Arifah]

9% - up to the end of Chapter 2

(view spoiler)[I think Codi insecurity really speak out of loud. She really has this idea of being teenager comes with certain standards. I get it, when I was her age, fear of missing out is real. I just feel sad that it makes her feel tiny and no one want to understand how she felt. Is it really american culture to be this extrovert fairy with huge amount of friends and plenty love experiences? Since actually my parents prefer me to stay in the house, spend more time with family, get good grades and avoid dating (they literally lift the dating ban when I started to go to college). (hide spoiler)]

[Arifah]

18% - up to the end of Chapter 4

(view spoiler)[I find Maritza annoying sometimes, but she is right, you have to expand your friendship at some point, let it be party or not. I agree that Codi is too deep in her comfort zone. I'm glad she went to the party even to only pick up Maritza and JaKory. I think Codi could be popular girl. She is the kind of friend that you like to hangout with. People always think popular person is mean or some kind of demigod, but in real life, they are popular because they are awesome, they can get along with everyone. (hide spoiler)]

[Arifah]

29% - up to the end of Chapter 6

(view spoiler)[I just realize why it is a bit suffocating to be friend with Maritza, in my personal opinion, I think she wants to look better than Codi. She is a good friend but she needs to calm down. Flirting with a girl in the middle of noon at taco truck is creepy. I also like Codi's new friendship with Ricky. He seems more understanding and not so full of himself, maybe it's because Ricky is a little bit older, have more experience, and have nothing to proof that he is better than everyone. I start to feel that Codi doesn't really feel belong to her best friends anymore, it's normal to feel like you don't fit in anymore, but I hope she gives them good explanation and resolve their insecurity issue. (hide spoiler)]

[Arifah]

40% - up to the end of Chapter 8

(view spoiler)[Ricky and the friends are fun to hangout with. I guess it's one of cool people thing. They always have something to say, some thrilling activity that you can't wait to try with. Despite how much I like Codi's new circle, I think it's a shitty thing to lie to your friends. I know it's hard to tell them, but they are your best friends, your new friends could ditch you in a second when they find you are not always in the same page with them. (hide spoiler)]

[Arifah]

I can't stop reading, I thought that I would just read a bit, then will continue tomorrow, but I guess I will finish it today.

51% - up to the end of Chapter 10

(view spoiler)[At this point, I am afraid they just want to hangout with Codi because they want something from her (self portrait or information about Ricky). I think they know something. Cool kids are fun but I have a hard time trusting them (maybe this is my personal experience in real life), I find them ingenuine sometimes. I think Codi is still excited to come to party every week, but judging from her tendency, it will make her tired or bored soon or later. (hide spoiler)]

[Arifah]

61% - up to the end of Chapter 12

(view spoiler)[I really hope Lydia actually like Codi, not just some kind of sick prank. I know Maritza dan JaKory worry about Codi, but they need to look at the mirror. Maritza, I swear, stop being desperate for a girlfriend, she needs to take baby steps first, like being friend with them. I also worry about JaKory, I'm afraid it's just a trap or something, can't fully trust online persona. (hide spoiler)]

[Arifah]

@Meaghan Yes, I make a post every two chapters, I hope you don't find me annoying.

67% - up to the end of Chapter 14

(view spoiler)[OMG! Codi first not so official first date, it's okay Codi, you don't have to kiss at your first date. I hope Lydia don't take it wrong. I hope they can be a couple. (hide spoiler)]

[Arifah]

78% - up to the end of Chapter 16

(view spoiler)[These two chapters are intense. All of emotions that bottled up finally explode the way you open cola's bottle that has been shaked for dozen times. It must be a shitty week for Codi. First kiss didn't work out. Fight with Ricky because she felt her new didn't trust her. Fight with Maritza and JaKory because she felt tired being underestimated by her best friends. But I am glad, surprisingly her brother is there to support her, I thought he was jerk, sorry Grant. I am also happy that she and Ricky can resolve their issues. (hide spoiler)]

[Arifah]

83% - up to the end of Chapter 18.

(view spoiler)[Finally Codi got her first kiss and it was awesome. I am glad they are not shy of their new relationship. Also hope things work out between Ricky and Tucker. (hide spoiler)]

[Arifah]

Finished!!! Thank you @Meaghan for being my buddy read, I hope I can hear your opinion about this book soon. If you are currently busy, it's okay, I will wait for you, no need to feel pressured.

(view spoiler)[Happy ending for everyone. I know it's typical, but I am so happy for everyone. I get it, sometimes we don't realize the one who limit us is ourselves. Codi always think she is not cool enough, don't fit into party, weird kid. She labelled herself and thought there is only two categories in this word (cool or not). Actually world is not black and white, you don't have to choose sides. When you are with right people, you will feel like you belong with them, together you can have fun and create memorable experience. (hide spoiler)]

[Meaghan]

Dang you finished so fast!! I'll be reading the first 7 chapters in the next few days for sure :)

[Arifah]

Thanks! I think my reading pace is slower now, I remember back then I was in middle school, I could finish three books in one night lol

[Meaghan]

Arifah wrote: "9% - up to the end of Chapter 2

[spoilers removed]"

Honestly since America is such a melting pot of cultures it really varies from parent to parent what they'd rather their kid be doing! And it also varies a ton per school whether this party scene really exists/popular kids in this sense. I feel like generally the 'idea' of being a teenager by being extroverted/trying new things is definitely there though, if only because it's so widely shared and repeated in media!

[Meaghan]

Arifah wrote: "18% - up to the end of Chapter 4

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Agreed! She's awkward but I think it's mainly because she doesn't know enough/is too stuck in her own head and worries. I also agree that Maritza is right about needing to try new things if they want to change their current situation, but she's very 'my way or the highway' and I don't really like that about her. She feels manipulative at moments (hide spoiler)]

[Arifah]

Meaghan wrote: "Arifah wrote: "9% - up to the end of Chapter 2

[spoilers removed]"

Honestly since America is such a melting pot of cultures it really varies from parent to parent what they'd rather their kid be ..."

I agree, I think America's medias have a thing with teenager being popular and loving parties.

[Arifah]

Meaghan wrote: "Arifah wrote: "18% - up to the end of Chapter 4

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Maritza is kind of friend that you love and hate at the same time lol (hide spoiler)]