Want a NOOK? Explore Now
To: You (you)
From: Human Resources (human.resources@thenyjournal.com)
Subject: This Book
Dear Reader,
This is an automated message from the Human Resources Division of the New York Journal, New York City’s leading photo-newspaper. Please be aware that according to our records you have not yet read this book. What exactly are you waiting for? This book has it all:
If you wish to read about any of the above, please do not hesitate to head to the checkout counter, where you will be paired with a sales associate who will work to help you buy this book.
We here at the New York Journal are a team. We win as a team, and lose as one as well. Don’t you want to be on the winning team?
Sincerely,
Human Resources Division
New York Journal
Please note that failure to read this book may result in suspension or dismissal from this store.
*********This e-mail is confidential and should not be used by anyone who is not the original intended recipient. If you have received this e-mail in error please inform the sender and delete it from your mailbox or any other storage mechanism.*********
Melissa Fuller, 20-something scandalmonger for a New York newspaper, is nicer than most Manhattanites, since she hails from a small town in Illinois. She actually likes her parents, has never attempted suicide, and is sincerely interested in the celebrities she writes about. Her woes are on the wee side: pesky workplace rules about punctuality, a grumpy boss, a nervous about-to-be-married girlfriend. Her boyfriend, reporter Aaron Spender, just dumped her for a luscious foreign correspondent, to Mel’s chagrin. But she has more important things to think about when Helen Friedlander, her neighbor, is whacked on the head by an unknown intruder and left for dead. Apparently the old lady’s only relative is a famous male model and photographer on assignment in Key West. Gee whiz, how is Mel ever going to find Max Friedlander? If she can’t, she’ll have to walk Helen’s Great Dane and take care of those crazy cats all by herself until the old lady is out of the hospital. Ooh! Looks like Max just came back and he is soooooooooooo handsome, even though he has a playboy reputation. If only Mel knew that he was really John Trent, total dream dude, responsible human being, and scion of a wealthy midwestern family. John is returning a favor he owes his scurrilous buddy Max by pretending to be him while Max romps in the surf with a silly supermodel. Mel is smitten, though her girlfriend frets, parents cluck, and grumpy boss sounds off in the e-mails that comprise this cutesy romance. All counsel caution, as Mel begins to suspect that her new boyfriend just might be Helen’s attacker . . . or a transvestite killer . . . or a copycat criminal. As chick sleuths go,she hasn’t got a clue.
Clean-scrubbed, girlish romp from the author of the Princess Diaries YA series—as well as seven historical romancers under the pseudonym of Patricia Cabot.
Meg Cabot was born in Bloomington, Indiana. In addition to her adult contemporary fiction, she is the author of the bestselling young adult fiction series The Princess Diaries. She lives in Key West, Florida, with her husband.
Cabot, a native of Indiana weaned on Judy Blume and Barbara Cartland, was already a successful romance novelist (as Patricia Cabot) before she began writing for young adults; her alter-alter ego, Jenny Carroll, began a new series shortly after The Princess Diaries debuted. The Carroll books are divided between the Mediator series, starring a girl who can communicate with restless ghosts; and the 1-800-WHERE-R-YOU books, in which a girl struck by lightning acquires the ability to locate missing people.
Cabot writes her books in a conspiratorial, first-person style that resonates with her readers. She has obviously kept a grip on the vernacular and the key issues of adolescence; but what makes her books so irresistible is the mixing of the mundane with the fantastic. After all, who wouldn't like to wake up and be a princess all of a sudden, or a seer? Cabot takes such offhand notions and roots them firmly in the details of average, middle-class American life. She has also tiptoed into mystery and paranormal suspense with other YA novels and series installments.
Cabot continues to write adult novels under various permutations of her given name (Meggin Patricia Cabot): from 19th-century historical romances to contemporary chick lit. And, as with her books for teens, these romances have earned praise for their lighthearted humor and well drawn characters.
"I am left handed."
"I hate tomatoes of any kind."
"I really wanted to be veterinarian, but I got a 410 on my math SATs."
"Writing used to be my hobby, but now that it's my job, I have no hobby -- except watching TV and laying around the pool reading US Weekly. I have tried many hobbies, such as knitting, Pilates, ballet, yoga, and guitar, but none of them have taken. So I guess I'm stuck with no hobby.
To: Mel Fuller melissa.fuller@thenyjournal.com
From: Human Resources human.resources@thenyjournal.com
Subject: Tardiness
Dear Melissa Fuller,
This is an automated message from the Human Resources Division of the New York Journal, New York City's leading photo-newspaper. Please be aware that according to your supervisor, managing editor George Sanchez, your workday here at the Journal begins promptly at 9 AM, making you 68 minutes tardy today. This is your 37th tardy exceeding twenty minutes so far this year, Melissa Fuller.
We in the Human Resources Division are not "out to get" tardy employees, as was mentioned in last week's unfairly worded employee newsletter. Tardiness is a serious and expensive issue facing employers all over America. Employees often make light of tardiness, but routine lateness can often be a symptom of a more serious issue, such as
and any number of other conditions. If you are suffering from any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact your Human Resources Representative, Amy Jenkins. Your Human Resources Representative will be only too happy to enroll you in the New York Journal's Staff Assistance Program, where you will be paired with a mental health professional who will work to help you achieve your full potential.
Melissa Fuller, we here at the New York Journal are a team. We win as a team, and we lose as one, as well. Melissa Fuller, don't you want to be on a winning team? So please do your part to see that you arrive at work on time from now on!
Sincerely,
Human Resources Division
New York Journal
Please note that any future tardies may result in suspension or dismissal.
This e-mail is confidential and should not be used by anyone who is not the original intended recipient. If you have received this e-mail in error please inform the sender and delete it from your mailbox or any other storage mechanism.
To: Mel Fuller melissa.fuller@thenyjournal.com
From: Nadine Wilcock Nadine.wilcock@thenyjournal.com
Subject: You are in trouble
Mel, where were you? I saw that Amy Jenkins from Human Resources skulking around your cubicle. I think you're in for another one of those tardy notices. What is this, your fiftieth?
You better have a good excuse this time, because George was saying a little while ago that gossip columnists are a dime a dozen, and that he could get Liz Smith over here in a second to replace you if he wanted to. I think he was joking. It was hard to tell because the Coke machine is broken, and he hadn't had his morning Mountain Dew yet.
By the way, did something happen last night between you and Aaron? He's been playing Wagner in his cubicle again. You know how this bugs George. Did you two have another fight?
Are we doing lunch later or what?
Nad :-)
To: Mel Fuller melissa.fuller@thenyjournal.com
From: Aaron Spender aaron.spender@thenyjournal.com
Subject: Last night
Where are you, Mel? Are you going to be completely childish about this and not come into the office until you're sure I've left for the day? Is that it?
Can't we sit down and discuss this like adults?
Aaron Spender
Senior Correspondent
New York Journal
Continues...
Excerpted from Boy Next Door by Meg Cabot Copyright © 2005 by Meg Cabot. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
I liked this book because it had lots of Cabot's signature snappy dialogue. The only drawback for me was that the whole book was in e-mails. However this also made it quick read. Overall a funny original good time.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 21, 2010
i've read this book over 15 times at this point and it never fails to entertain me. my mom had given it to me as a birthday present a few years ago, and it's been my favorite ever since. the storyline is easy to follow, but far from boring. excellent book :)
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.5733026
Posted March 30, 2011
this book is amazing and occassionally makes you laugh a little yet in other parts i was weeping well done the only thing is it is ten dollars for a book you will read once
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 25, 2008
The Boy Next Door is about a girl named Mel and what¿s cool is that the book is told in emails. Mel¿s neighbor, Mrs. Friedlander, gets conked on the head by a mysterious someone, and Mel feels bad for her, so she is voluntarily taking care of her pets. Then after a while the pets start interfering with Mel¿s life, and she decides to email Mrs. Friedlander¿s only relative, Max Friedlander. He¿s busy in the Florida Keys with his supermodel girlfriend, so he asks his buddy, John Trent, to take his place for him for a while until his Aunt conks out for good. Well, Mel believes John really is Max and the two fall in love, but just as things are turning out to be perfect, a lot of changes take place for Mel, John, and Max, and the mystery of who hit Mrs. Friedlander is finally solved. This book is very interesting and is probably the type of book girls would like to read I never wanted to put it down. I rate it a 9 out of 10, because there¿s always some room for improvement!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 28, 2007
This book written by Meg or Megin Cabot is perfect. It is basically just the right mixture of Greif, Love, Humor, and Peril. If you like these like these things, I strongly recommend this book. It is one of the best things she has ever written. It is in the form of e-mails so just be sure to read who it's to and from. Also read the Subject and then the e-mail otherwise you'll be lost.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 30, 2009
I never read a book unless its a amazingly great book or/and a book you cannot put down and this is one of them! My fav book EVER! Trust me its better then twilight
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 14, 2013
Wish there were more like it!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 11, 2013
John is adorable, i wish there was a sequel. The characters are so personable! Absolutely loved it
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 30, 2012
But not one I'd put on the Keeper Shelf.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 26, 2012
Such a cute book
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.moviechic79
Posted June 25, 2012
Excellent book...makes me laugh out loud every time I read it! I also highly recommend the other 2 books in the series: "Boy Meets Girl" and "Every Boy's Got One". The book is written in emails, instant messaging, and journal formats, but it definitely didnt bother me - just made it a quicker read.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 10, 2012
Great
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 21, 2012
This is the best book ever!
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 3, 2012
Meg Cabot is one of my favorite authors. She writes amazing books and can't wait to start reading The Boy Next Door.
Anonymous
Posted December 26, 2011
Amazing book
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 21, 2011
One of my faves! Couldnt put it down.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 29, 2011
I wush there was a part two to this book! Must read!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 10, 2011
I have read this book 5 times and it never gets old it is worth the money
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 12, 2010
I Also Recommend:
i liked a lot this book, i was so unsure to read it because the email format, but had a lot of fun reading it and the story was a good one. Meg Cabot's books are so fun, easy to read and you cant stop reading it.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I really enjoyed reading this book. First, the format of the book was the main reason I decided to pick it up at a local library--it is written in all e-mails between the characters. I think this added a special touch as well as a nice change from reading dialogue the traditional ways in most books. Also, the story was enticing, funny, and easy-to-follow. I read it in two sittings in less than 24 hours--quick read!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
