Why Girls Are Weird    by Pamela Ribon Order:  USA  Can Downtown Press, 2003 (2003) Paperback, e-Book      Reviewed by Melissa Parcel Twenty-four year old Anna Koval starts an online journal, posting essays and somewhat made up information about her life. Initially, she writes it as a surprise birthday gift to her friend Dale, but she is astounded at how quickly she attracts a following. Anna's alter ego, 'Anna K', narrates her fabulous and funny relationship with her boyfriend, Ian. Never mind that the real Anna and Ian broke up a year ago and he has a new girlfriend. Anna decides to continue writing, and mingles anecdotes about her daily activities with hilarious compositions on topics that range from Barbie dolls to auto maintenance. Anna begins to get fan e-mail, and forms an instant connection with a man calling himself LDobler (yes, as in Say Anything Lloyd Dobler.) The two exchange mail daily, but Anna is unable to come clean and admit how much of her Internet journal is fiction. A tragic event causes her to re-think everything, including her job, her friends, and especially her love life. Is either man truly right for her? Is there any hope for a future with LDobler? Why Girls Are Weird is one of the freshest, funniest, and most original books I have read in a long time. I loved the fact that Anna has an atypical career in a chick lit novel, being a high school librarian. Her friends and sisters add wisdom and humor, as well as another level of intimacy. Readers will surely identify with Anna's desire to be noticed and recognized for herself and for her talent. It is interesting to watch her transformation from a woman who doesn't know what she wants from life into someone more mature and focused. The narrative passages and journal entries will touch readers' souls. Balanced with laugh out loud hilarity are deeply moving and sad portions. Anna's warmth and vulnerability give depth and meaning beyond what I expected in a book marketed as chick lit. It is fun to read the journal entries, kind of like peeking into your friend's diary and reading her innermost thoughts. I highly recommend Why Girls Are Weird and encourage everyone to pick up this sassy look at life and love. You will feel, just like Anna's Internet fans, that she's your best friend sharing secrets. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Contemporary books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews