Praise for It's All Your Fault:“Paul Rudnick is one of the funniest people out there and he's on fire with It's All Your Fault. This book is as fun and crazy as a wild night out. I had to know what happened next.” – Andy Cohen, host of Watch What Happens Live and New York Times bestselling author of The Andy Cohen Diaries: A Deep Look at a Shallow Year“Caution: Do not read in public. Will cause you to laugh (and possibly cry) out loud, sometimes at the same time. Screamingly funny and yet warmly touching. Buy multiple copies: You'll want to share this one with friends.” – Meg Cabot, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Princess Diaries and Mediator series*“A culture clash on steroids. Rudnick's affection for his flawed characters lends emotional depth to the skillful satire. Targets skewered include the symbiotic culture of narcissism binding celebrities and their fans, teen literary clichés, and Brooklyn. Hilarious, irresistible, and oh so timely.” – Kirkus Reviews, starred review“A laugh-out-loud, irreverent tale built on as much snarkiness as sweetness. Rudnick expertly melds the good and the bad of youth and Hollywood without going unbelievably over the edge. Eschewing common sense and exhibiting a great deal of heart, this is one riotously good read.” – Booklist“A whirlwind, laugh-a-minute escapade about a girl swept far outside her comfort zone, with real heart beneath the acid humor.” – Publishers WeeklyPraise for Gorgeous:"Gleefully wacky and irreverent . . . readers are treated to Rudnick's considerable talents as a satirist as he uproariously eviscerates our celebrity-mad, class-conscious, appearance-obsessed, reality-TV-vapid culture with puckish delight . . . a wicked good time, with moments both outlandish and touching. And as a summer beach read? Well, it's perfect." Libba Bray, New York Times Book Review"When I wasn't laughing out loud (which was often), I was wiping away a tiny tear." Meg Cabot, bestselling author of The Princess Diaries series"Paul Rudnick is a champion of truth and love and great wicked humor, whom we ignore at our peril." David Sedaris, bestselling author of Me Talk Pretty One Day"Rudnick's first Y.A. novel is full of magic, snark, style, heart, and hilarity." The Atlantic WireHuffington Post's Five Things We're Into This Week"Paul Rudnick's generous, open heart, scathing wit, encyclopedic knowledge of pop culture and droll humor are all in force in his latest creation, Gorgeous, which is aptly named. I absolutely adored this book and snort-laughed through the entire thing. You will too." Melissa de la Cruz, bestselling author of the Blue Bloods series"Paul Rudnick's young adult debut, Gorgeous, is not a fairy tale. "Because in real life, fairy tales always end badly." What it is is a satire sharp as a stiletto heel that takes on celebrity culture, the fashion industry, consumerism, and princess stories. Oh, and it's wickedly hilarious." Boston Globe*"With writing that's hilarious, profane, and profound (often within a single sentence), Rudnick casts a knowing eye on our obsession with fame, brand names, and royalty to create a feel-good story about getting what you want without letting beauty blind you to what's real." Publishers Weekly, starred review"Acute, wickedly funny observations on appearance and identity punctuate this sprawling, caustic fairy tale that cheerfully skewers the fashion and film worlds and their celebrity-culture spawn. . . . A Cinderella story with a difference, Becky's journey to reconcile her inner household drudge and outer princess starts where most fairy tales end." Kirkus Reviews"Totally irreverent and wonderfully refreshing." RT Book Reviews
12/01/2017
Gr 7 Up—Seventeen-year-old Caitlin Mary Prudence Rectitude Singleberry is part of a wholesome family singing troupe from Parsippany, NJ, and her cousin Heller Harrigan is about to be a movie star. They haven't spoken in years, since Heller accidentally almost killed Caitlin. In the meantime, Heller has gotten into so much trouble that she must be watched with hawk-like cunning lest she makes more mischief while the world awaits her debut in the most highly anticipated movie of the year. Caitlin's plan is to turn Heller into a sweet, generous, kind, God-fearing, knee sock—wearing image of perfection—like herself. Of course, it is Caitlin who finds love and trouble, but Heller isn't far behind. Stephanie Drake's narration is youthful and sweet. If she sounds a bit more Valley Girl than Morris County miss, it still works. VERDICT Though not unpredictable, the story manages to spring a few surprises. Young adults will enjoy the differences that make both cousins relatable and root-for-able.—Ellen Abrams, New York
★ 2015-10-14
Caitlin Mary Prudence Rectitude Singleberry leads a wholesome, home-schooled life in Parsippany, New Jersey, and enjoys performing with her family (the Singing Singleberries) while waiting to hear from the 12 colleges she's applied to, so what is she doing in jail with her nose pierced, neon hair, and a tattoo? Caitlin blames her cousin Heller Harrigan, who, unlike Caitlin, wasn't raised in a happy, two-parent Christian family but by a ditzy single mother who's changed her name from Nancy to Ecstasy. Until five years ago, the girls were best friends, but Caitlin hasn't seen Heller since, after achieving TV stardom in her tweens, she landed the coveted role of Lynnea in four film adaptations of the blockbuster bestselling Angel Wars trilogy. Celebrity pressures have taken a toll on Heller, just back from four months of rehab. Caitlin, who subdues her crippling anxiety and panic attacks with silent rituals, agrees to keep Heller out of trouble during the movie's premiere weekend in New York and the day Heller's going to spend with a young cancer patient. While reforming Heller, Caitlin intends to settle a few scores. What ensues is a culture clash on steroids. Rudnick's affection for his flawed characters lends emotional depth to the skillful satire. Targets skewered include the symbiotic culture of narcissism binding celebrities and their fans, teen literary clichés, and Brooklyn. Hilarious, irresistible, and oh so timely. (Fiction. 14-18)