The Boy Book: A Study of Habits and Behaviors, Plus Techniques for Taming Them (Ruby Oliver #2)

What I Loved:
Lockhart's Ruby Oliver charmed me with the first book, The Boyfriend List, and the sequel completely lives up to its predecessor.

Ruby Oliver remains her charming, neurotic self, and she grows on me more the better I become acquainted with her. In The Boyfriend List, I mentioned how realistic Ruby's selfishness made her as a character. In The Boy Book, the impact of Ruby's work with her therapist Doctor Z begins to become apparent. She really matures in this installment, learning to think a little bit more about her actions and their motivations. Her progress forward into a better Ruby is not too easy, though, as she does suffer the usual setbacks. Her character arc makes a natural and uplifting progression.

Each chapter opens with a snippet of the titular "Boy Book," created by Ruby and her former friends. In this book, they compiled the sum of their knowledge about boys, from boobs to phone etiquette to their girl code. These excerpts starkly contrast Ruby's current social leprosy with the days with the strength of their former friendship. So much of the book consists of their agreements to tell one another everything and trust one another implicitly, rules made tragic by how much they failed to work.

Romantic drama may seem to take center stage in this series, but, in fact, the most core theme is that of friendship. Lockhart tackles such notions as what friends owe to one another, and what precisely makes two people friends. She investigates both how Ruby's former friendships fell apart, and what Ruby learned from that. Left without any friends, Ruby settles for the best options open to her: Meghan, Noel, and Hutch. She never hated any of them, but they did not used to matter to her much either. Watching Ruby grow closer to them, find their hidden depths and begin to develop meaningful connections with them is a thing of beauty. I especially appreciated seeing Meghan's character, previously shown largely as a Bick-obsessed airhead, given so much more substance.

As far as the romance goes, Jackson continues in his serial dating ways. That boy cannot stand to be alone for five seconds. Thankfully, part of Ruby's growing up is coming to terms with the fact that Jackson is not at all the boy she thought he was, and moving on from him. A new romance blossoms on the horizon, but with an impediment that has me chewing my nails in concern. Ruby Oliver does the right thing, rather than the easy thing, and this is the surest sign of her new maturity.

What Left Me Wanting More (or in this case Less):
The summation of book one was poorly handled and would have benefited from less infodumping. Rather than working the information in naturally, Lockhart infodumps crucial facts from book one here and there. Thankfully, this will not be an issue for those who are not reading the books back to back as I am.

The Final Verdict:
Lockhart's Ruby Oliver series shines with wit and personality, a humorous little gem. The stories are both quick and delightful to read. Next up is The Treasure Map of Boys, and I am glad I don't have to wait after that somewhat dramatic, though not cliffhanger dramatic, ending.

I know I love a book when, an hour after Ive finished reading it&and when I should be fast asleep in bed&Im thinking of ways the character could possibly get together with that guy. What if& I keep saying. Then I have to remind myself, Hey, its a fictional character, for heavens sake! Get some sleep!

Yeah, I just love Ruby Oliver. E. Lockharts heroine reads like a real person, with all the crazy, mixed-up feelings that a normal teen has. Even though Ruby herself doesnt think shes all that normal, I think she is.

Hmmmm, or maybe that says something about me.

At any rate, Ruby is back and this is her junior year after the fiasco of her sophomore year when she lost all her friends, her boyfriend, and her reputation. Shes ready for her life to settle down. Shes ready for that big red Dont Panic button to show up.

Of course, shes still beset with boy issues. Theres Noel, who she cant quite decide if she likes that way or not (and his mixed signals arent helping). Then theres Angelo, someone shes known for years&and has just started scamming with (i.e. making out with while not officially going out). And the infamous Jackson, her former boyfriend, whos mysteriously sending her notes again while her former best-friend Kim (his current girlfriend) is away in Tokyo.

As she slowly makes up with Nora (one of the lost friends), further cements her new friendship with Meghan, and develops a confusing quasi-relationship/friendship with Noel, Ruby starts to get comfortable. When things seem to be conspiring against her and she feels like she might lose all that shes gained back, what will she do? Is it time to cut and run or take a stand?

Yes, shes neurotic. But, oh, thats why I like her so much. I recommend reading the first Ruby Oliver book before this one (The Boyfriend List), though you can enjoy this one without it. Youll just enjoy it more if you have all the background info. Recommended for readers aged 12 and up, though some parents might prefer 14 and up due to a bit of boob action (Sorry, thats just what it is. What else could you call it?).