A Model Summer by Paulina Porizkova; Hyperion Books
Most people only dream about leading the life of author Paulina Porizkova—being “discovered” as a model and living a life of parties and glamorous magazine shoots. Porizkova captures this experience as she tells the story of Jirina, an awkward 15-year-old-girl from Sweden. Before her “model summer” she had spent most of her time avoiding the taunts of her classmates and seeking the affection of her uncaring mother—until a well-known Paris agent sees her picture and invites her to spend the summer modeling. Her struggle is palpable and her self-analyzing nature is relatable. Other than some unsatisfying loose ends, A Model Summer is an entertaining read with enough scandal to keep you turning the pages. All 322 of them. ** **** *

The Perfectly True Tales of a Perfect Size 12 by Robin Gold; Plume
The charming Perfectly True Tales tells the tale of Delilah White: a sharp, creative and spirited gal who works for Domestic Diva, a Martha Stewart-meets-Rachel Ray DIY show. Delilah and her pal Sophia head for a much needed mini-break at Sophia’s family estate, but the arrival of an unexpected guest shakes up more than just their martinis. Perfectly True Tales takes a chapter or two to get into the characters, but once you do you’ll be hooked as Delilah fights (tactfully of course) to get the promotion and guy of her dreams. *** ** * **