January Books 2023
17 diaries by a wimpy kid and everything else I read this month
BOOKS
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series by Jeff Kinney
Yes, I read all 17 of them + the movie diary
I dedicated a week of my winter break to reading the entire Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, and I had so much fun. The fact that those books still hold up is incredible. Since all the books are pretty much the same thing in different fonts, I'll only cover my favourites.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid - 5/5 🪩
The first book in a series is usually the best, and DOAWK is no exception. For better or for worse, Greg is always unapologetically himself. Though he's a materialistic, pessimistic, narcissist, he's still someone you want to root for. I remember instantly connecting to him the first time I read this book, and to this day, we still see each other on a spiritual level. I'm not really sure what that says about me as a person, but I'll leave it up for interpretation.
Out-of-context GoodReads updates:
16% - the way this still holds up is insane like i still laugh at all the same parts
18% - "i'm sorry women" i'm in TEARS
37% - the wrestling unit omggg
73% - don't smoke or you'll look like me is a classic
93% - allergic to dairy??? oh he's BRUTAL
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days - 5/5 🪩
Though there's a Dog Days movie adaptation, I still feel like the book is underrated. I don't remember it ever being that funny, but I was in tears every time I turned the page. I have a lot of respect for Susan Heffley. Not only does she remind me of my mom, but her determination to have her own Family Frolic experience is admirable. Also, I don't care how bad of a guest Greg was; Mr. Jefferson was so GUTTERBUTT. I agreed with everything Greg said about him.
Out-of-context GoodReads updates:
20% - omg not the salon tabloids
22% - the marriage scandal ???
26% - not grab rowley first greg omg 😭😭😭
34% - "wanna hear about my hygiene issues?" fregley is so...
46% - not mr. jefferson pressed over $83??? like you're a country club member and can't afford a couple of smoothies? the math isn't mathing
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck - 4.5/5 🪩
Hard Luck was SO funny. I totally related to the BFF abandonment, so I felt for Greg. I get that Greg might not always be the easiest person to be friends with, but neither is Rowley. I couldn't imagine being friends with someone who runs on half a brain cell and takes credit and/or advantage of my ideas. Fun fact: I spent two years trying to get my own magic 8ball after reading this book. I eventually got one in NY during a March Break.
Out-of-context GoodReads updates:
5% - a PACK ANIMAL DJEJEKEJ
36% - FREGLEY DHDHDHDHDJ
46% - LOL
47% - I FORGOT ABOUT THE RABBIT'S FOOT OMG
51% - POOPSIE
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway - 4/5 🪩
The Susan's-dedication-to family-adventure plot will ALWAYS eat. I'm not sure what it is about the Heffley's but if there's one thing they're gonna do, it's attract Murphy's Law. I don't think they've ever enjoyed anything as a family without something going horribly wrong. Their Christmas family vacation was no exception. I'm not sure how Jeff Kinney still had enough material to write book 12, but whatever his process is, it's working.
Out-of-context GoodReads updates:
47% - 😭😭😭😭😭
The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary: How Greg Heffley Went Hollywood - 5/5 🪩
About 20 pages in, I realized that I had never actually read this book before, so it was cool getting to experience it for the first time. It was a lot more informative than I thought it would be. I never considered all the little details that go into making a movie. When it comes to costumes and sets, everything is on purpose. There are rarely any coincidences. If you're a fan of the DOAWK movies, then you should definitely give this book a read.
Out-of-context GoodReads updates:
25% - so i'm pretty sure i just looked through the pictures when i bought this...
The Rest
Other books I read this month (scored out of 5 🪩)
Finished:
Meet Me in London by Georgia Toffolo 🪩🪩🪩
Finding Me (audio) by Viola Davis 🪩🪩🪩🪩🪩
Something Fabulous (audio) by Alexis Hall 🪩🪩🪩
Still Reading:
The Secret History by Donna Tart
The Odyssey Abridged by Homer