Jersey Girls!
We have a character freebie this week, and I decided to highlight books featuring characters from my home state. I was never really a Jersey girl. I spent most of my early years in Brooklyn, but I went to high school and college here, and currently reside here, so technically, I am a Jersey girl. I don't do the shore, and am not a Springsteen fan, but I will rock out to Bon Jovi, and I still think big hair is great.
- Hope and Other Punch Lines by Julie Buxbaum
- I Wanna Be Where You Are by Kristina Forest
- Symptoms of a Heartbreak by Sona Charaipotra
- My So-Called Bollywood Life by Nisha Sharma
- Truly Madly Royally by Debbie Riguad
- You Bring the Distant Near by Mitali Perkins
- Someday, Somewhere by Lindsay Champion
- Are You There God? It's Me, Margret by Judy Blume
- Nick & Nora's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn, David Levithan
- Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer
Have you ever visited the Garden State?
Let us know in the comments!
The term "Jersey girl" comes with such a connotation, doesn't it? I have flashes of those girls from that MTV show (Jersey Girls? Jersey Shore? One of those. I'm pretty sure.) Anyway, I've read two of the ones you shared. Nick & Norah (which seemed to not get great reviews but I enjoyed it) and the Judy Blume book, which was a total staple of my childhood. (P.S> I still love big 80's hair. LOL)
ReplyDeleteThe girls on Jersey Shore weren't even from Jersey. Ick! I liked Nick & Norah too. I personally rated it high. And, yeah, Blume is a NJ hero, and I think most or all of her books are set in NJ.
DeleteNo kidding? The Jersey Shore girls aren't even from Jersey? I had no idea. And someone further down in the comments I saw someone mention not pumping their own gas... um, is there no self-service in NJ? I'm learning a lot here today. LOL
DeleteIt's illegal in NJ to pump your own gas. That's why those shirts (see above graphic) became so popular back when Jersey Shore was in its heyday.
DeleteI'm a lifelong Jersey girl - I've never pumped my own gas! Not a big fan of Springsteen or Bon Jovi, though. I'm reading Hope and Other Punch Lines now!
ReplyDeleteI lived in FL for 6.5 years, and quickly learned how to pump my gas. New skill unlocked there. I hope you are enjoying H&OPL. I really, really enjoyed that one. Lots of tears shed too.
DeleteI want to read Truly Madly Royally! And I'm with Tanya. When I think Jersey girl, I think of jersey shore. That's totally not good at all but TV presents these distorted images :/
ReplyDeleteGenesis @ Whispering Chapters
The people in Jersey Shore weren't even from NJ. I remember visiting Universal Studios at the height of Jersey Shore, and everyone would ask if I was from the shore, when I said I was NJ. It was embarrassing.
DeleteI think it's really cool that you have books that are set where you live. I live in Ohio and there are a few and far between! Great list!!
ReplyDelete~ Kendra @ Kendra Loves Books
Surprisingly, I have read several books set in OH. Yeah, it's not CA, NY, or IL, where every YA book seems to be set, but neither is NJ.
DeleteI love how you listed ten books set where you live! I haven't ready any of these books, but Hope and Other Punch Lines and You Bring the Distant Near are on my TBR.
ReplyDeleteMy TTT
Most are set in NJ. Belzhar is not, but the MC is from NJ. The others are all in the garden state at some point. You Bring the Distant Near was so good. I wish more people talked about that one. It's cross generational and spans so many years. I really loved that book.
DeleteHUZZAH! Hello fellow Jersey Girl! I lived in Central Jersey for a little while (Princeton Junction), but born, raised, and returned to Northern NJ. Love this list, obviously. I've read the last 3, but definitely going to check out the others!
ReplyDeleteI work in Pennington and am in your old neck of the wood all the time. The top row is essentially all new releases (with the exception of Sharma's book), but all were delightful, and Bollywood and Heartbreak actually take place in the Princeton area.
DeleteOOOh what a smart idea Sam! Julie Buxbaum's book is still on my TBR!
ReplyDeleteI love Buxbaum, and that book was really moving.
DeleteNice topic twist! Have to say that these are all new to me ones...which is per usual! Lol.
ReplyDeleteHere's my Tuesday Post
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
Freebies always make my head hurt, but at least I could think of something to tie a bunch of books together.
DeleteI never realized most of these were set in New Jersey. Cool!
ReplyDeleteInterestingly enough, I have been seeing more, and it's been via OwnVoices/diverse books too.
DeleteI love reading books set in my home state. I just found one a few minutes ago. The book takes place not far from where I live and the author lives in my state too!
ReplyDeleteA few of these were real delights for me, because they actually take place in Central NJ, which is hardly recognized. Everyone always talks north and south, but Central Jersey is a real place, and I was glad to find it in a few of these books.
DeleteOh I have been to New Jersey MANY times. Going to college outside of Philly, I knew many people from Jersey, and one of my best friends lived in South Jersey- but she was absolutely a Jersey Girl hahha. I have also been to the Jersey Shore quite frequently, both with that friend and her family, but also cause it's the closest beach to NEPA, so. This is such a fun take on the topic!
ReplyDeleteSouth Jersey is really different from my part of Jersey. That's probably why they always talk about separate from the rest of NJ.
DeleteI didn't know all these books were set in New Jersey! I like your take on this topic.
ReplyDeleteMost are set in NJ, but all feature young women from NJ.
DeleteMy So-Called Bollywood Life was great. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSo good. I remember it left me all smiles
DeleteI'm writing these down! I am doing a 50 state challenge this summer where you see how many books you can read from different states. I haven't read one from New Jersey yet!
ReplyDeleteAll but Belzhar taked place, at least part of the time, in NJ
DeleteFun twist on the topic!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I stink at freebies, but I was able to find something to tie some books together.
DeleteLove it! When I saw the title 'Jersey Girl' my mind jumped to the Jersey Boys musical and it just made me smile.
ReplyDeleteI really must read Hope and Other Punchlines at some point sooner rather than later.
That was a quality musical. Buxbaum books are so good. You should read it.
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