Snapshot

After reading Louise Rennison's most famous series, Confessions of Georgia Nicolson (First book: [b:Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging|402013|Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging (Confessions of Georgia Nicolson, #1)|Louise Rennison|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1400533444l/402013._SY75_.jpg|108471]), I wanted to read more of her simply because that was one of the only book series I'd ever read that made me laugh out loud more than once per book. Obviously, I waited a long time between finishing the Georgia series and starting this series, so I was a little concerned I had outgrown the humor. Luckily, I apparently still have the comedic taste of a fourteen year old, so I found this book quite funny as well. There were a couple of things that kept this from being a favorite read for me, but overall it was very quick and enjoyable.

Yays:

1) Hilarity ensues

Tallulah is an adorably quirky and awkward character, and she (unfortunately) reminded me of me at that age, except my awkwardness meant I was a lot less social. I haven't been amused so much by a book since The Princess Diaries series, and I loved being in Tallulah's head (for the most part).

“I gave my artistic laugh and also threw in some quirky language for good measure. "Lawks-a-mercy, no! I'm going to have a long bath and..."
I looked shyly down. Which is pretty impressive to have done artistic laugh, quirky language and shyness all in the space of ten seconds.”

2) Being yourself (awww)

Although Tallulah is awkward and strange and laments this fact sometimes, it's her special talent at being able to make others laugh that gets her noticed in the end. As much as she tries to be someone else, it's her true self that gives a her a great friend group and several gentleman callers.

3) Boyz

Tallulah runs into several love interests over the course of the book, (almost) all of which I'd like to see more of. Talullah being pretty young (I think fourteen), nothing is too deep, but it's very reminiscent of first crushes and extremely sweet and entertaining.

“He had everything a dream boy should have. Back, front, sides, Everything. A head.”
There are three relationships set up in this book that I can see as being continued in the next book, and the dilemmas with all have been set up very well.

4) Girl squad

Tallulah has a great group of friends in Withering Tights, and this friendship is given equal if not more time than the myriad of love interests in the book. They annoy each other but are always there for one another, as true friends do.

“As we drew near to the gates of Dother Hall the old bell in the belfry rang out. I said, 'I must go in, it's nigh on ten of the clock.' He half-turned away from me, his jacket collar hiding his expression. Was he angry? Disappointed?"
Jo looked intently and I said, "Hungry?"
Jo ignored me, but as she passed by acting out walking away from Phil, she allowed her hand to slap against my head.”

Nays:

1) Blimey, what's a corker? Cor love a duck.

This is pretty representative of Rennison's writing style, but there is SO. MUCH. BRITISH. LINGO. The author (or "Tallulah") has helpfully placed a hilarious dictionary in the back to explain the terms, but it gets a bit exhausting to read about corkers and what larks.

2) Plot, plot. Wherefore art thou plot?

I found the book too funny to be truly bored, but not a lot happened. There's a lot of wandering around, Tallulah doing crazy bits at school, running into boys and being a spaz, and hanging out with her friends and talking about the school bits and boys. I didn't mind it much, but it'd be nice if the book were more than me giggling at whatever crazy thing Tallulah just said.

Overall, Withering Tights is just what is advertised: a light, hilarious read for the pre/early teen age range. I'll be continuing with the series, probably in 5-10 years, but I'll be laughing when I do.

Rating: 4/5 corker exercises