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Our MEG-nificent Meg Cabot Read-Along Continues with Our Discussion of Size 12 and Ready to Rock, Plus a Reminder that Meg Cabot Joins Book Club Girl on Air Tonight at 7pm ET!

I can’t believe we’ve come to the end of our Meg Cabot Read-Along! Today we’re discussing Size 12 and Ready to Rock, the latest book in the Heather Wells series, and tonight we’re talking about the book with Meg Cabot live on Book Club Girl on Air at 7pm ET!

It’s been so much fun discussing some of Meg Cabot’s most beloved books this summer, and the Heather Wells books have definitely been some of my favorites. If you haven’t read the entire Heather Wells series yet, right now you can download the first 3 books for just $4.99 as e-books and Size 12 and Ready to Rock for just $7.99 as an e-book.  Click here to start downloading for your e-reader.

Size 12 and Ready to Rock

Summer break . . . and the livin' ain't easy!

Just because the students at New York College have flown the coop doesn't mean assistant residence hall director Heather Wells can relax. Fischer Hall is busier than ever, filled with squealing thirteen- and fourteen-year-old girls attending the first ever Tania Trace Teen Rock Camp, hosted by pop sensation Tania Trace herself—who just happens to be newly married to Heather's ex-boyfriend, heartthrob Jordan Cartwright. But the real headache begins when the producer of a reality TV show starring Tania winds up dead . . . and it's clear that the star was the intended victim.

Grant Cartwright, head of Cartwright Records, wants to keep his daughter-in-law (and his highest-earning performer) alive. So he hires his oldest son, black sheep of the family and private investigator Cooper Cartwright—who just happens to be Heather's new fiancé. Heather should leave the detecting to Cooper. But with a dorm full of hysterical mini-divas-in-training, she can't help but get involved. And after Tania shares a really shocking secret with her, this reality suddenly becomes more dangerously real than anyone ever anticipated.

Questions for Discussion

1. I was thrilled to see that Cooper and Heather have finally gotten together! I'm happy to see that their relationship is going strong, but it surprised me to see how much you can say the same of Jordan and Tania's marriage. Were you surprised too? What do you think they see in each other?

2. One of my favorite parts of the book was getting a closer glimpse into the life of Tania Trace, and the budding friendship between her and Heather. Was she different from what you imagined? Do you think she and Heather will remain friends?

3. What did you think of the Cartwright family? I loved seeing the famous Grant Cartwright in action, and the scenes with Jordan and Cooper's younger twin sisters were laugh-out-loud funny. 

4. Even though this book is a mystery like the other Heather Wells books, Size 12 and Ready to Rock felt much darker in tone to me, given that it touches on the issue of domestic violence. Did it feel darker to you too?

5. Some of my favorite characters in these books are the supporting ones—like Magda, Sarah, and Detective Canavan. Do you have a favorite supporting character?

6. If the Heather Wells books were being made into movies, who would you cast as Heather, Cooper, Jordan, and Tania?  

7. What's your favorite Meg Cabot book that we've read this summer?

Don’t forget to tune in tonight, Tuesday July 31^st at 7pm ET, when we’ll be chatting with Meg Cabot on Book Club Girl on Air about Size 12 and Ready to Rock! Set your reminder for the show here and return to that same link live tonight to listen.  Before the show, check out some of the other posts from our read-along.  During the live show you can send in questions via the chat function (be sure to register on the site beforehand – choose the free option) or you can call in and ask Meg a question directly by dialing 347-945-6149.  

If you have a question for Meg, but can’t make tonight’s live show, feel free to leave it in the comments section and I will ask her. Looking forward to talking to you all tonight!

Meg Cabot Joins Book Club Girl on Air on Tuesday, July 31st at 7pm ET!

It’s been so much fun discussing some of Meg Cabot’s most beloved books as part of our MEG-nificent Meg Cabot Read-Along. Last week we discussed Size 12 is Not Fat, the first Heather Wells mystery, and today, Size 12 and Ready to Rock, the latest book in the series goes on sale. On Tuesday, July 31^st, we’ll be discussing Size 12 and Ready to Rock here on the blog, and on that same day at 7 pm ET, Meg Cabot will be joining Book Club Girl on Air to discuss Size 12 and Ready to Rock and the entire Heather Wells series!

Summer break . . . and the livin' ain't easy!

Just because the students at New York College have flown the coop doesn't mean assistant residence hall director Heather Wells can relax. Fischer Hall is busier than ever, filled with squealing thirteen- and fourteen-year-old girls attending the first ever Tania Trace Teen Rock Camp, hosted by pop sensation Tania Trace herself—who just happens to be newly married to Heather's ex-boyfriend, heartthrob Jordan Cartwright. But the real headache begins when the producer of a reality TV show starring Tania winds up dead . . . and it's clear that the star was the intended victim.

Grant Cartwright, head of Cartwright Records, wants to keep his daughter-in-law (and his highest-earning performer) alive. So he hires his oldest son, black sheep of the family and private investigator Cooper Cartwright—who just happens to be Heather's new fiancé. Heather should leave the detecting to Cooper. But with a dorm full of hysterical mini-divas-in-training, she can't help but get involved. And after Tania shares a really shocking secret with her, this reality suddenly becomes more dangerously real than anyone ever anticipated.

I have 10 copies of Size 12 and Ready to Rock to give to the first 10 people who comment that they can participate in the show on Tuesday, July 31^st at 7pm ET. Set your reminder for the show here, and read the first chapter of the book here.  Become a fan of the Heather Wells series on Facebook, and make sure to watch the hilarious book trailer for Size 12 and Ready to Rock. For more with Meg Cabot, visit her website, become a fan on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter.

It's MEG-nificent! The Meg Cabot Read-Along Continues with Our Discussion of Size 12 is Not Fat! Plus, Watch the Trailer for Size 12 and Ready to Rock!

In May we discussed The Boy Next Door, and in June we discussed Queen of Babble as part of our Meg Cabot Read-Along leading up to the publication of Size 12 and Ready to Rock, on sale next Tuesday, 7/10. Today, the Read-Along continues with our discussion of Size 12 is Not Fat, the first book in Meg Cabot's beloved Heather Wells series!

Heather Wells Rocks!

Or, at least, she did. That was before she left the pop-idol life behind after she gained a dress size or two -- and lost a boyfriend, a recording contract, and her life savings (when Mom took the money and ran off to Argentina). Now that the glamour and glory days of endless mall appearances are in the past, Heather's perfectly happy with her new size 12 shape (the average for the American woman!) and her new job as an assistant dorm director at one of New York's top colleges. That is, until the dead body of a female student from Heather's residence hall is discovered at the bottom of an elevator shaft.

The cops and the college president are ready to chalk the death off as an accident, the result of reckless youthful mischief. But Heather knows teenage girls . . . and girls do not elevator surf. Yet no one wants to listen -- not the police, her colleagues, or the P.I. who owns the brownstone where she lives -- even when more students start turning up dead in equally ordinary and subtly sinister ways. So Heather makes the decision to take on yet another new career: as spunky girl detective!

But her new job comes with few benefits, no cheering crowds, and lots of liabilities, some of them potentially fatal. And nothing ticks off a killer more than a portly ex-pop star who's sticking her nose where it doesn't belong . . .

Questions for Discussion

1. Heather Wells is one of Meg Cabot's most beloved heroines, and after reading the book, I can definitely see why. I found her to be so refreshing and relatable. What did you like about Heather? How did you find her different from the heroines in Meg's other books?

2. Meg Cabot wrote yesterday in a column for the Wall Street Journal's Speakeasy blog that she was taught that princesses are expected "to go to college, stand up for the things they believed in, and support the people they rule, never letting the bad guys win."  While Heather isn't a princess, how do you think she represents these qualities?

3. Heather has gained weight since she stopped recording music, and body image is a recurring theme of the book. How does Heather disprove the notion that heroines can't be a size 12?

4. Do you think Cooper likes Heather?  Do you think Heather thinks he likes her?  I was struck by how differently Heather saw herself versus how others viewed her.

5. Size 12 is Not Fat is a great mystery at heart. Without giving away any spoilers, did you have any initial suspicions about who was behind the Fischer Hall murders, and were you surprised when you found out who it was?

6. What would you like to see next for Heather? Get back together with Jordan or go after Cooper? Keep working at Fischer Hall? Get her degree? Resume her singing career? 

For now, I can't get enough of the book trailer for Size 12 and Ready to Rock. Sugar Rush, baby!

It's MEG-nificent! The Meg Cabot Read-Along:
July 10th: Size 12 and Ready to Rock goes on sale
July 31st: Size 12 and Ready to Rock discussion on Book Club Girl and Book Club Girl on Air show with Meg Cabot at 7pm ET

Follow the Read-Along on Twitter at the hashtag #megreadalong, and become a fan of Meg Cabot and Heather Wells on Facebook.

It's MEG-nificent! The Meg Cabot Read-Along Continues with our Discussion of Queen of Babble!

Last month we discussed The Boy Next Door as part of our Meg Cabot Read-Along leading up to the publication of Size 12 and Ready to Rock, the latest book in the Heather Wells series, on sale July 10th. Today, the Read-Along continues with our discussion of Queen of Babble!

Lizzie Nichols has a problem: she can't keep anything to herself. And when she opens her big mouth on a trip to London, her good intentions get her long-distance beau, Andrew, in major hot water. Now she's stuck in England with no boyfriend and no place to stay until the departure date on her nonrefundable airline ticket. Fortunately, Lizzie's best friend and college roommate, Shari, is spending her summer catering weddings in a sixteenth-century château in southern France. Who cares if Lizzie's never traveled alone in her life and only speaks rudimentary French? She's off to Souillac to lend a helping hand!

One glimpse of gorgeous Château Mirac—and of gorgeous Luke, the son of the château's owner—and Lizzie's smitten. But thanks to her chronic inability to keep a secret, before the first cork has been popped Luke hates her, the bride is in tears, and Château Mirac is on the road to becoming a lipo-recovery spa. Add to that the arrival of ex-beau Andrew, who's looking for "closure" (or at least a loan), and everything—including Lizzie's shot at true love—is in la toilette. . . unless she can figure out some way to use her big mouth to save the day.

Questions for Discussion

1. Lizzie tends to get herself into trouble because she can’t keep her mouth shut. I found this personality trait completely endearing and often, quite hilarious.  What did you think was the funniest situation in the book when she couldn’t keep a secret?  Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation?

2. Lizzie’s visit with Andy in England does not go according to plan.  Were you surprised he wasn’t what she expected? Do you think Lizzie was too easy on him in the end? 

3. How did you like the chapter openings from Lizzie’s senior thesis on the history of fashion? Did you learn anything new about fashion from them?

4. What did you think of Dominique’s behavior? What do you hope happens next for her? 

5. Do you think Luke and Lizzie are a good match?  Do you see them staying together when they move to New York in the fall? 

6. How do you think Lizzie changed over the course of the book?

7. How did you like Queen of Babble compared to The Boy Next Door? Did you relate more to Mel or to Lizzie?

Join us on Tuesday, July 3rd when we'll discuss the next book in the MEG-nificent Meg Cabot Read-Along, and the first title in the beloved Heather Wells series, Size 12 is Not Fat!  The first 5 people who comment here with answers to our discussion will win a copy of Size 12 is Not Fat!

It's MEG-nificent! The Meg Cabot Read-Along:

July 3rd - Size 12 is Not Fat discussion on Book Club Girl
July 10th - Size 12 and Ready to Rock goes on sale
July 31st - Size 12 and Ready to Rock discussion on Book Club Girl and Book Club Girl on Air show with Meg Cabot at 7 pm ET

Follow the Read-Along on Twitter at the hashtag #megreadalong, and become a fan of Meg Cabot on Facebook.

It’s MEG-nificent! The Meg Cabot Read-Along Discussion of THE BOY NEXT DOOR

The Meg Cabot Read-Along kicks off today with our discussion of THE BOY NEXT DOOR, the first in Meg’s “Boy” series of novels uniquely told in emails, IMs, and brief journal entries.

New York Journal gossip columnist Mel Fuller has her hands full. Her boyfriend has ‘fessed up to cheating on her, she’s just discovered next-door neighbor Mrs. Friedlander comatose on her living room floor, and now she’s taking care of said neighbor’s Great Dane and two cats. And if that wasn’t enough, she’s on her 49^th tardy notice from Human Resources. Luckily, Mrs. Friedlander’s nephew Max, a famous fashion photographer, moves in next door to take over dog-walking duties while his aunt is in the hospital. Her co-workers warn Mel about Max’s reputation but she can’t understand what they are talking about and falls for him. But on the eve of a romantic weekend away, Mel receives a strange email indicating that Max may not be who he says he is. Meanwhile, Mrs. Friedlander’s accident is looking more like the work of the transvestite serial killer…or does it?

Questions for Discussion

1. What do you think about the story being told completely in email form?  

2. The New York Journal office workers seem to be very involved in each other’s business. What is your office environment like and can you imagine the kinds of emails that would fly around about your love life?

3. The longer John keeps up the charade of being Max, the harder it is for him to tell Mel the truth. Were you sympathetic to his situation or did you think he made his own bed…? Do you think you would have responded as Mel did or would you have been more forgiving?

4. At one point Mel tells her mother she’s moving back home to tiny Lansing, Illinois. Do you think Mel could have been happy being the Arts and Entertainment correspondent at the Duane County Register?

5. Both John and Mel are getting LOTS of advice from family and co-workers about their situation. Who did you think was the most practical? And who needed to be cold cocked like Mrs. Friedlander? What advice do you think you would get from your family in a situation like this?

6. What did you think about the mystery thread through the story? Did you spot the villain right away?

7. And this one, just for fun: Do you think dolphin-shaped driftwood sculptures will catch on? :)

I'm looking forward to all of your answers - and please link to your own posts about THE BOY NEXT DOOR in your comments!

Join us next on Tuesday, June 12^th  when we'll discuss the next book in the MEG-nificent Read-Along, QUEEN OF BABBLE, as we count down to the long-awaited publication of the newest Heather Wells novel, SIZE 12 AND READY TO ROCK.

The MEG-nificent Meg Cabot Read-Along Continues!

• June 12^th – Queen of Babble discussion on Book Club Girl
• July 3rd - Size 12 is Not Fat discussion on Book Club Girl
• July 10th -Size 12 and Ready to Rock goes on sale
• July 31st -Size 12 and Ready to Rock discussion on Book Club Girl on Air, post questions for Meg’s Book Club Girl On Air interview at 7PM

Follow the read-along on Twitter at the hashtag  #megreadalong.