Thursday, July 17, 2008

Airhead by Meg Cabot

When I tried to explain the plot of Airhead to my husband, he just looked at me with this really weird eyebrow raised look of total disinterest and disbelief. I admit, the plot sounds ridiculous:

A gawky tomboy named Em has her brain transplanted into the body of teen supermodel Nikki Howard.

See, I told you it sounded ridiculous. The set up for how that unlikely event comes about is even more ridiculous. Still - and this is the beauty of Meg Cabot's writing - this totally implausible story is increcibly fun. The characters are well drawn, particularily the video-gaming feminist Em, who is trying to re-adjust to the fact that she's now expected to be passive and girly (something she never was) without loosing her own identity inside a borrowed life (and body).

In addition to the fact that her body is now totally different, Em also has to deal with the fact that she's mobbed by fans everywhere she goes (poor thing), her old crush doesn't remember her (poor thing), and 3 other gorgeous guys are all in love with her and fighting over her (poor thing). Oh, and her employer seems to be stalking her. But as it all this takes place in a world of poparazzi, Manhatten lofts, designer clothes, and gorgeous guys, we find ourselves torn between pitying Em and envying her. And we imagine what we might do in her shoes.

Again, that's the beauty of Meg Cabot's books - I always find myself totally caught up in the story. The only problem with this book was that I was so caught up in the story that I suddenly reached the end and the story wasn't finished. There's going to be a sequel - possibly several. So, overall, good story - totally fun beach reading - and now I will have to wait until Meg writes more...