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My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters
It's the end of junior year, and summer is about to begin. The Summer of Passion, to be exact, when Jory Michaels plans to explore all the possibilities of the future--and, with any luck, score a boyfriend in the process. But Jory has a problem. A big problem. A curvy, honking, bumpy, problem in the form of her Super Schnozz, the one thing standing between Jory and happiness. And now, with the Summer of Passion stretched before her like an open road, she's determined for Super Schnozz to disappear. Jory takes a job delivering wedding cakes to save up for a nose job at the end of the summer; she even keeps a book filled with magazine cutouts of perfect noses to show the doctor. But nothing is ever easy for accident-prone Jory--and before she knows it, her Summer of Passion falls apart faster than the delivery van she crashes. In her hilarious and heartbreaking debut novel, Sydney Salter delivers a story about broadening your horizons, accepting yourself, and finding love right under your nose.
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First published January 1, 2009
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About the author
Sydney Salter
6 books104 followersSydney Salter’s writing career started with keeping a high school diary, but she now finds it even more exciting—and far less traumatic—to make stuff up. Her novels include My Big Nose And Other Natural Disasters, Jungle Crossing, and Swoon At Your Own Risk. Sydney lives in Utah with her husband and assorted dogs and cats. When not writing, she enjoys reading, cooking, working as a small claims court mediator, and traveling absolutely anywhere.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
June 14, 2009
Forget the intriguing description of the book that you just read on the back of the novel, because I can pretty much sum it up in as little as twenty words, and I don’t even get paid for this: A girl with self esteem issues complains about boys, her big nose, dying a virgin and boys again. Basically, it all comes down to boys. Which, I guess, is pretty typical in a YA novel. So, sounds good, right?
Not. It shouldn't be called My Big Nose & Other Natural Disasters; it should just be called Boys and I because of how obsessed the protagonist is with finding someone to like her. Guys popped up here and there for no apparent reason; rather, just to be fawned over by Jory. In fact, this happens so many times that I got so annoyed because I didn't know who Jory would ultimately end up with. It's like those cliched movies where all the people in the show are in love with one girl, or vice versa. So unbelievable. And it's just outright lame that one of the potential boyfriend turns out gay. Seriously, what's up with that? Not all good guys are gay. Let's not play too much into these stereotypes, alright?
Truly underdeveloped story. Actually, I wasn't even sure there was a story. It was supposed to be about so many things: self esteem, self image, friendship, love, and mother-daughter relationships, but in the end, I was left with this annoying thought that the book failed to develop any of these issues.
First, self esteem. Yeah, sure, make your protagonist super klutzy, to the extremes where I'm wondering if a person like her even exists. A ploy to try to get me to relate to Jory? Hm. Sure, I'm clumsy as hell, but do I ruin every moment of my life? I don't think so. So this attributes to her self esteem, as well as the constant mention of her nose. I don't even understand where everyone gets these ideas from. I read teen magazines constantly and honestly, I have better things to notice than the size of my nose.
And there's friendship. Did anyone hated Megan and Hannah (well, less of Hannah) as much as I did? Please say yes. Because they were just terrible. Why not just title this book The Summer We All Wanted Boyfriends? It's as simple as that. The pretty and smart girl wants a boyfriend. The sweet and safe girl wants a boyfriend. And the girl considered just cute wants a boyfriend. Bravo. So they choose boys over friends. Just typical novel behavior. But what I found annoying was the lack of explanations for each friend. If you're going to tell me about friendship problems, at least get a little in depth about the friends. If you're going to convince me that Jory is all forgiving, at least let Megan and Hannah show some compassionate and redeeming behavior after nearly destroying their friendship.
So, love. There's only one thing I can say: What is the deal with Gideon? He's like one of those characters who was just whiffed up with a potion by an amateur witch. He's in a band? Sure, play into every girl's fantasy about having a rock star boyfriend. He makes jewelry? Yup, might as well make him as sweet as my grandmother. He loves his mom? Right, go ahead and say that every teenage boy is ungrateful and does not show their affection for their parents. He just made me cringe. Really, almost everything about him made my raise my eyeballs. Who knew so many characters could get on my nerves so much in one book?
Not. It shouldn't be called My Big Nose & Other Natural Disasters; it should just be called Boys and I because of how obsessed the protagonist is with finding someone to like her. Guys popped up here and there for no apparent reason; rather, just to be fawned over by Jory. In fact, this happens so many times that I got so annoyed because I didn't know who Jory would ultimately end up with. It's like those cliched movies where all the people in the show are in love with one girl, or vice versa. So unbelievable. And it's just outright lame that one of the potential boyfriend turns out gay. Seriously, what's up with that? Not all good guys are gay. Let's not play too much into these stereotypes, alright?
Truly underdeveloped story. Actually, I wasn't even sure there was a story. It was supposed to be about so many things: self esteem, self image, friendship, love, and mother-daughter relationships, but in the end, I was left with this annoying thought that the book failed to develop any of these issues.
First, self esteem. Yeah, sure, make your protagonist super klutzy, to the extremes where I'm wondering if a person like her even exists. A ploy to try to get me to relate to Jory? Hm. Sure, I'm clumsy as hell, but do I ruin every moment of my life? I don't think so. So this attributes to her self esteem, as well as the constant mention of her nose. I don't even understand where everyone gets these ideas from. I read teen magazines constantly and honestly, I have better things to notice than the size of my nose.
And there's friendship. Did anyone hated Megan and Hannah (well, less of Hannah) as much as I did? Please say yes. Because they were just terrible. Why not just title this book The Summer We All Wanted Boyfriends? It's as simple as that. The pretty and smart girl wants a boyfriend. The sweet and safe girl wants a boyfriend. And the girl considered just cute wants a boyfriend. Bravo. So they choose boys over friends. Just typical novel behavior. But what I found annoying was the lack of explanations for each friend. If you're going to tell me about friendship problems, at least get a little in depth about the friends. If you're going to convince me that Jory is all forgiving, at least let Megan and Hannah show some compassionate and redeeming behavior after nearly destroying their friendship.
So, love. There's only one thing I can say: What is the deal with Gideon? He's like one of those characters who was just whiffed up with a potion by an amateur witch. He's in a band? Sure, play into every girl's fantasy about having a rock star boyfriend. He makes jewelry? Yup, might as well make him as sweet as my grandmother. He loves his mom? Right, go ahead and say that every teenage boy is ungrateful and does not show their affection for their parents. He just made me cringe. Really, almost everything about him made my raise my eyeballs. Who knew so many characters could get on my nerves so much in one book?
March 2, 2018
Remember Jennifer Grey from Dirty Dancing? Back then she was a cute young actress with a rather distinct nose that gave her a unique face. In the 1990s she had a nose job that so altered her appearance that she was unrecognizable with the result that her career was arguably over. I found a site with two of the most unflattering pictures of Grey I have ever seen, but they illustrate my point. The change is so great that it's hard to say what the nose job actually accomplished because the before and after photos look like different people.
While reading My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters (2009) by Sydney Salter, I kept thinking of one thing. That thing was Jennifer Grey's nose job and how it totally changed her life in a not-so-great way.
Jory Michaels desperately wants to be one of the beautiful people. Or at least one of the smart people. She'd even settle for being an athletic person. But Jory is none of those things. Instead, she is the mediocre sheep in a family of beauty and talent. All, Jory is certain, because of her big nose--another outlier in a family with cute, small noses. Like Jennifer Grey, Jory is convinced that a nose job will solve her problems and ultimately make her life better in every possible way. She will be smarter and prettier, her family will appreciate her the way they worship her little brother, and her gorgeous crush will finally realize that she is perfect for him. In other words, with a new nose, Jory will be as perfect as everyone else in her life.
In order to ensure that she and "Super Schnoz" will part ways before the start of her senior year in high school, Jory take a job as a cake delivery person to fund her cosmetic surgery. She also begins a nice nose notebook to be ready for the big day.
It seems like everything is going Jory's way until an unlikely acquaintance, an unfortunate driving mishap or two, and other (natural) disasters force Jory to rethink everything she thought she knew about her nose, herself, and the perfect people she wanted so badly to emulate.
Set in Reno, Nevada My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters offers an interesting perspective on cosmetic surgery. Her hyperbolic fantasies about Super Schnoz and her new dream nose illustrate the irrational hopes Jory has pinned to the possibility of plastic surgery. At the same time, as the story progresses Jory begins to realize that there might be more to reinventing herself than restructuring her nose. That thread, set against the backdrop of friend-drama, and the social-climbing ambitions of her ever-dieting mother, gives this ostensibly quick read a fair amount of depth.
I enjoyed a lot of this book. At times the characters read younger than I would have expected for sixteen and seventeen-year-olds, but that likely says more about who I was at that age than anything else. Jory also reminded me a lot of Georgia Nicholson with her singular focus on boys but in a far less annoying way. I also had issue with the way friendships were treated. It must be the latin in me but I would have held a grudge a lot longer than Jory (and other characters in books I've read recently), but again that's probably just me.
I loved Jory's humor throughout the narrative, which made her lack of self-esteem at the beginning of the novel bearable. As part of a mother-daughter jewelery making duo, I also loved that beading came up in the story and was handled so realistically. At the start of the novel I will admit that I was not sure I could like Jory as a character, but by the end of the book I not only liked her, I was proud of her. My only disappointment was that the book didn't go on a little longer so I could spend more time with this new and improved heroine. Beyond that, My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters is a clever, humorous book about how finding beauty sometimes involves more introspection than anything else.
You can find this review and more on my blog Miss Print
While reading My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters (2009) by Sydney Salter, I kept thinking of one thing. That thing was Jennifer Grey's nose job and how it totally changed her life in a not-so-great way.
Jory Michaels desperately wants to be one of the beautiful people. Or at least one of the smart people. She'd even settle for being an athletic person. But Jory is none of those things. Instead, she is the mediocre sheep in a family of beauty and talent. All, Jory is certain, because of her big nose--another outlier in a family with cute, small noses. Like Jennifer Grey, Jory is convinced that a nose job will solve her problems and ultimately make her life better in every possible way. She will be smarter and prettier, her family will appreciate her the way they worship her little brother, and her gorgeous crush will finally realize that she is perfect for him. In other words, with a new nose, Jory will be as perfect as everyone else in her life.
In order to ensure that she and "Super Schnoz" will part ways before the start of her senior year in high school, Jory take a job as a cake delivery person to fund her cosmetic surgery. She also begins a nice nose notebook to be ready for the big day.
It seems like everything is going Jory's way until an unlikely acquaintance, an unfortunate driving mishap or two, and other (natural) disasters force Jory to rethink everything she thought she knew about her nose, herself, and the perfect people she wanted so badly to emulate.
Set in Reno, Nevada My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters offers an interesting perspective on cosmetic surgery. Her hyperbolic fantasies about Super Schnoz and her new dream nose illustrate the irrational hopes Jory has pinned to the possibility of plastic surgery. At the same time, as the story progresses Jory begins to realize that there might be more to reinventing herself than restructuring her nose. That thread, set against the backdrop of friend-drama, and the social-climbing ambitions of her ever-dieting mother, gives this ostensibly quick read a fair amount of depth.
I enjoyed a lot of this book. At times the characters read younger than I would have expected for sixteen and seventeen-year-olds, but that likely says more about who I was at that age than anything else. Jory also reminded me a lot of Georgia Nicholson with her singular focus on boys but in a far less annoying way. I also had issue with the way friendships were treated. It must be the latin in me but I would have held a grudge a lot longer than Jory (and other characters in books I've read recently), but again that's probably just me.
I loved Jory's humor throughout the narrative, which made her lack of self-esteem at the beginning of the novel bearable. As part of a mother-daughter jewelery making duo, I also loved that beading came up in the story and was handled so realistically. At the start of the novel I will admit that I was not sure I could like Jory as a character, but by the end of the book I not only liked her, I was proud of her. My only disappointment was that the book didn't go on a little longer so I could spend more time with this new and improved heroine. Beyond that, My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters is a clever, humorous book about how finding beauty sometimes involves more introspection than anything else.
You can find this review and more on my blog Miss Print
April 25, 2009
This was such a fun book to read! It was absolutely charming/hilarious/authentic throughout the entire novel! Jory’s character was phenomenal. It’s easy to relate to her and her self-esteem/self-image issues, because honestly if it’s not your big nose, it’s your big ears, your big butt, maybe even your lack of certain assets! But whatever your insecurity is we all deal with it. Salter told Jory’s story though a uniquely hilarious and heartfelt way. It was nice to see Jory overcome her issues with her nose in a way that she nor I ever expected.
There was an insane amount of layers in this novel, which I hadn’t expected at all. It was refreshing to read about a girl that wasn’t perfect, or thought she wasn’t perfect.
My only complaints were Jory’s friends and mother. Talk about some of the most unsupportive friends in the universe! Wow, I would have kicked those girls to the curb. And Jory’s mother! Here honey, let me dab some more of this nose minimizing make-up on your face! Although, I think she had more of a problem with herself and it was projected onto Jory as a result.
Overall, an awesome debut novel!
(I kinda feel bad for poor Wooster Tom! I’m sure he wasn’t expecting giggling when he whipped out his manhood!)
There was an insane amount of layers in this novel, which I hadn’t expected at all. It was refreshing to read about a girl that wasn’t perfect, or thought she wasn’t perfect.
My only complaints were Jory’s friends and mother. Talk about some of the most unsupportive friends in the universe! Wow, I would have kicked those girls to the curb. And Jory’s mother! Here honey, let me dab some more of this nose minimizing make-up on your face! Although, I think she had more of a problem with herself and it was projected onto Jory as a result.
Overall, an awesome debut novel!
(I kinda feel bad for poor Wooster Tom! I’m sure he wasn’t expecting giggling when he whipped out his manhood!)
January 12, 2016
I liked this book, I finished it quickly and it was a great time passer.
February 7, 2020
The book was very engaging and interesting to read. I’m not that into romance-centric books, but this one wasn’t all about romance, but finding the good in yourself when it seems like you have nothing. The plot was fun to follow and even at the lowest points, the main character would always pick herself back up eventually. With well-written characters who integrate themselves with each other so well, I would certainly recommend this book for others to read, especially those who are a junior or senior in high school!
January 18, 2010
My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters is downright hilarious. I had to hide my face multiple times in public when I had tears rolling down my face from stifling laughter.
The book is classified as "young adult", but I am 25 and loved it all the same. I would recommend it to all my "not-so-young-adult" friends in a heartbeat.
Sydney Salter writes about 17 year old Jory's summer before her big Senior year. Her goals are to knock boots for the first time, find a life passion, and to decide what to do with the rest of her life. She plans to do all this while saving every penny she can in her so called, New Nose Fund bank.
Jory has been lusting after Tyler for 12 months, 7 days and 45 minutes (or something close to that amount of time). She feels like this summer will be her time to shine. He's flirted with her a few times and doesn't seem to notice that shes the "ugly duckling" in her family. On the other hand, he is with a different girl all the time, and shows no desire to ask Jory out on a date anytime soon.
Jory struggles to find her identity in her home life, her friendship circle, her work life and her love life. The natural disasters she brings upon herself are hilarious, and sound to be almost a retelling of what probably actually did happen to the author herself.
I loved this book, it was fun from start to finish.
The book is classified as "young adult", but I am 25 and loved it all the same. I would recommend it to all my "not-so-young-adult" friends in a heartbeat.
Sydney Salter writes about 17 year old Jory's summer before her big Senior year. Her goals are to knock boots for the first time, find a life passion, and to decide what to do with the rest of her life. She plans to do all this while saving every penny she can in her so called, New Nose Fund bank.
Jory has been lusting after Tyler for 12 months, 7 days and 45 minutes (or something close to that amount of time). She feels like this summer will be her time to shine. He's flirted with her a few times and doesn't seem to notice that shes the "ugly duckling" in her family. On the other hand, he is with a different girl all the time, and shows no desire to ask Jory out on a date anytime soon.
Jory struggles to find her identity in her home life, her friendship circle, her work life and her love life. The natural disasters she brings upon herself are hilarious, and sound to be almost a retelling of what probably actually did happen to the author herself.
I loved this book, it was fun from start to finish.
July 5, 2012
super sweet ni Gideon :) gusto ko pati yung ugali nya na wala sya pakealam basta gusto nya yung ginagawa nya. wala syang kinakahiya sa sarili nya dahil wala naman syang ginagawang masama. basta sinusunod lang nya yung passion nya na tumugtog ng violin tas ang bait pa nya sa mommy nya. hay ang sweet talaga :) gusto ko ng ganun..
FAVORITE LINES:
"i wanted to shout at them, so what if he has a big nose? are you afraid we might breed and have children with noses so big that when we all sneeze a small town floods?"
"maybe i could walk around pretending like i'm self-confident."
masaya ko para kay Jory..parang sya din ako minsan pero mejo sobra yung pagka-klutz at pagka-insecure nya..inspirational yung book para saken..nakakatawa pati sya. basta maganda :)
FAVORITE LINES:
"i wanted to shout at them, so what if he has a big nose? are you afraid we might breed and have children with noses so big that when we all sneeze a small town floods?"
"maybe i could walk around pretending like i'm self-confident."
masaya ko para kay Jory..parang sya din ako minsan pero mejo sobra yung pagka-klutz at pagka-insecure nya..inspirational yung book para saken..nakakatawa pati sya. basta maganda :)
February 23, 2009
MY BIG NOSE is such a fun book! From the first page, I was swept away in a hilarious, endearing story about accepting yourself--flaws and all. In MY BIG NOSE, Jory wants nothing more than to save enough money over her summer vacation to finance a nose job and finally be as beautiful as she wants to be, snare Mr. Right, and be good enough for her perfection-seeking-mother.
So Jory gets a job. A job involving delivering cakes and flowers--even though she has no idea how to drive a stick and she wrecked the only car she's ever owned. But it was totally an accident!
Readers will love Jory's snarky, sarcastic humor, and they'll devour the pages just like I did. Five stars!
So Jory gets a job. A job involving delivering cakes and flowers--even though she has no idea how to drive a stick and she wrecked the only car she's ever owned. But it was totally an accident!
Readers will love Jory's snarky, sarcastic humor, and they'll devour the pages just like I did. Five stars!
February 15, 2014
It's a really good book. I usually don't write reviews but, it was really annoying that in every single chapter had her mention that she was going to die a virgin. It gets annoying after a while.
December 10, 2017
My big nose and other natural disasters was a great book. It is about a teenage girl named Jory Micheals. She tries to figure out how to have the best possible summer with her final year of high school approaching. She desperately needs a job so she can save up enough money for a nose job that she insists she needs. She gets a job delivering cakes for a bakery. You could say she's not the best driver and as you could imagine that ends in a disaster and a badly damaged delivery truck. Her summer is pretty eventful with trying to balance boys, friends and work. Jory tries everything to find a hobby; yoga with her best friend Hannah, Cinema club with her other friend Megan, but the only thing that seems to interest her are boys. She learns the hard way that not all boys are going to be for her. This story is all about self-acceptance and realizing that you are perfect just the way you are. You watch Jory go through the ups and downs and realize that what she sees on the cover of magazines isn't reality, and that the perfect people she wishes to look like, really aren't as perfect as they seem. I think this story has a great message and will keep everyone who reads it laughing.
October 17, 2018
My Big Nose by far is an excellent book that I have read in a good while. The story line of the book is amazing and it hooks the reader, makes you want to keep reading page after page to find out what is happening. I recommend this book if you like to read comedies / drama.
January 11, 2018
A book about the drama and tragedy that plagues teenage girls.
For real, this book was funny (laugh out loud), and perfect for the klutzy girls you know
For real, this book was funny (laugh out loud), and perfect for the klutzy girls you know
February 12, 2019
I read this book in high school and found it to be a really quick read; I liked the character development and thought the story line had an important message to young girls.
April 28, 2021
This was a good book to read while trying to get into reading. It was pretty good
January 28, 2010
This book was one of the cutest, funniest, sweetest reads I've read in a while. Jory is funny, sincere, and honest. She made me laugh out loud countless times. I got a few strange looks when I was reading the part where Jory throws the tantrum while getting her senior photo taken and when she crashes the van. My mom looked at me like I was insane. But it was funny! I couldn't help it!
I just fell in love with some of the characters in My Big Nose! Characters like Jory, Tyler, and Gideon made my day. I was a little sad that Tyler wasn't in the picture as much as he was in the beginning/middle. I'd have liked to find out what happened with him, like if he ever told his parents that he was gay. I felt so bad for him, he seemed so sad when Jory was talking to him. He seemed a little - no, a lot - defeated when Jory, Megan, and Hannah found out his secret. I really found myself routing for him.
Gideon was a character that I can see myself being friends with. Actually, he kind of reminds me of someone I am friends with. A ton of laughs, and a down-to-earth, nice guy. He and Jory make a wonderful couple.
Two characters I started off liking, then started almost hating were Hannah and Megan. At first, they seemed like, nice, sweet friends. Then, as Megan started liking Tyler, and then after she found out about Tyler, Megan seemed not so great. There was a point where I thought that she might blab about Tyler's secret. I was happy though, when she didn't. But one thing got to me. Megan very obviously knew that Jory liked Tyler, but she still went after him. Him, of all people. And miss-I'm-not-bothering-with-boys. Even though Jory is her best friend and has liked Tyler for over a year? Um, yeah, if I was Jory I'm not so sure I would have forgave her that easily.
Hannah? Was sweet and naive and someone I'd want as a best friend. Until, you know, she dragged Jory almost against her will to the party. And then wouldn't leave with Jory when she wanted to go, even though Jory was upset. But I guess every book needs characters like that to make the books interesting.
I really liked reading about Jory's nose issues. And Jory's mother's diet issues. (Peanut butter diet? Really? I never knew such a thing even existed!) I liked how Jory's mom was trying, but she just didn't know how to tell her daughter that she was beautiful, and that her nose made her unique.
I want to talk about the cover before I go. The cover makes me laugh. It made my sister laugh, too, when she saw it. A barbie. Really? Was my first thought. I was like, why? When I finished the book I got it. Jory thought she wasn't pretty, that she wasn't prefect. Barbie's are supposed to be "perfection". Therefore, barbie. I like the idea. It also really makes you think. Is image really that important? Can we change how other's think of body image by accepting what we look like without having to change ourselves? Or are we doomed to lose our confidence because other people think we should look a certain way? I was happy when Jory finally realized that she was beautiful. That her nose made her beautiful and unique and special.
I just fell in love with some of the characters in My Big Nose! Characters like Jory, Tyler, and Gideon made my day. I was a little sad that Tyler wasn't in the picture as much as he was in the beginning/middle. I'd have liked to find out what happened with him, like if he ever told his parents that he was gay. I felt so bad for him, he seemed so sad when Jory was talking to him. He seemed a little - no, a lot - defeated when Jory, Megan, and Hannah found out his secret. I really found myself routing for him.
Gideon was a character that I can see myself being friends with. Actually, he kind of reminds me of someone I am friends with. A ton of laughs, and a down-to-earth, nice guy. He and Jory make a wonderful couple.
Two characters I started off liking, then started almost hating were Hannah and Megan. At first, they seemed like, nice, sweet friends. Then, as Megan started liking Tyler, and then after she found out about Tyler, Megan seemed not so great. There was a point where I thought that she might blab about Tyler's secret. I was happy though, when she didn't. But one thing got to me. Megan very obviously knew that Jory liked Tyler, but she still went after him. Him, of all people. And miss-I'm-not-bothering-with-boys. Even though Jory is her best friend and has liked Tyler for over a year? Um, yeah, if I was Jory I'm not so sure I would have forgave her that easily.
Hannah? Was sweet and naive and someone I'd want as a best friend. Until, you know, she dragged Jory almost against her will to the party. And then wouldn't leave with Jory when she wanted to go, even though Jory was upset. But I guess every book needs characters like that to make the books interesting.
I really liked reading about Jory's nose issues. And Jory's mother's diet issues. (Peanut butter diet? Really? I never knew such a thing even existed!) I liked how Jory's mom was trying, but she just didn't know how to tell her daughter that she was beautiful, and that her nose made her unique.
I want to talk about the cover before I go. The cover makes me laugh. It made my sister laugh, too, when she saw it. A barbie. Really? Was my first thought. I was like, why? When I finished the book I got it. Jory thought she wasn't pretty, that she wasn't prefect. Barbie's are supposed to be "perfection". Therefore, barbie. I like the idea. It also really makes you think. Is image really that important? Can we change how other's think of body image by accepting what we look like without having to change ourselves? Or are we doomed to lose our confidence because other people think we should look a certain way? I was happy when Jory finally realized that she was beautiful. That her nose made her beautiful and unique and special.
April 9, 2010
This is such a funny book!
Jory is a lovably annoying character with serious self-esteem issues. My Big Nose takes place during the summer before her senior year. The summer she wants to lose her virginity and get a nose job to fix Super Schnozz.
In the first half of the novel we watch the events unfold as Jory takes her first job. Just watching her write out the resume was funny enough and paramount to what was to come. Babysitting equalled experienced carer, and driving experience as a delivery driver came from ferrying groceries from the supermarket for her mum. Needless to say the job was an absolute disaster, and hilariously funny.
Whilst doing her job though Jory met Gideon, a moody and rather odd cafe worker who also has a Super schnozz. She befriends him thinking that he can only sympathise with her because of their mutual “problem”. Also enter Wooster Tom, a guy from the ‘burbs who sounds really nice, funny, genuine and all around good guy. Both boys a nice distraction from Tyler Briggs whom Jory has been crushing on for 12 months 16 days 3 hours and 45 minutes.
The second half of the book focuses on relationships between friends and guys. To be perfectly honest, if I had some of Jory’s friends I would want a nose job too, talk about some of the most unsupportive friends in the universe.
Jory does go through some funny things but also some very confronting ones, ones in which I was almost scared for her with what was happening. I think My Big Nose also provides us with an insight into the consequences of one’s actions, and how sometimes things can spiral very quickly out of our control. This is mainly shown at the frat party, and it was only sheer luck that kept Jory out of trouble, and her aversion to drinking “hard lemonade”.
Anyone who has ever had a problem with a certain part of their body will be able to relate to this book, it isn’t inspirational but it does provide a funny take on those who would go to extreme measures just to fit in.
Although My Big Nose is extreme, it is also believable. It is believable that someone would be so desperate for money for something that they would take a job as a driver even though they couldn’t drive a manual car. It is plausible to have issues with even your best friend because she is in your eyes so much prettier than you. It is plausible to want to change your body so badly that you would consider surgery to do it.
Overall, My Big Nose is hilarious and anyone who likes YA Fiction would love it. I would recommend this book just for the yoga scene; I was in fits of laughter for nearly an hour after Jory had cabbage soup, then went to a yoga class.
This review can be found at storywings.blogspot.com
Jory is a lovably annoying character with serious self-esteem issues. My Big Nose takes place during the summer before her senior year. The summer she wants to lose her virginity and get a nose job to fix Super Schnozz.
In the first half of the novel we watch the events unfold as Jory takes her first job. Just watching her write out the resume was funny enough and paramount to what was to come. Babysitting equalled experienced carer, and driving experience as a delivery driver came from ferrying groceries from the supermarket for her mum. Needless to say the job was an absolute disaster, and hilariously funny.
Whilst doing her job though Jory met Gideon, a moody and rather odd cafe worker who also has a Super schnozz. She befriends him thinking that he can only sympathise with her because of their mutual “problem”. Also enter Wooster Tom, a guy from the ‘burbs who sounds really nice, funny, genuine and all around good guy. Both boys a nice distraction from Tyler Briggs whom Jory has been crushing on for 12 months 16 days 3 hours and 45 minutes.
The second half of the book focuses on relationships between friends and guys. To be perfectly honest, if I had some of Jory’s friends I would want a nose job too, talk about some of the most unsupportive friends in the universe.
Jory does go through some funny things but also some very confronting ones, ones in which I was almost scared for her with what was happening. I think My Big Nose also provides us with an insight into the consequences of one’s actions, and how sometimes things can spiral very quickly out of our control. This is mainly shown at the frat party, and it was only sheer luck that kept Jory out of trouble, and her aversion to drinking “hard lemonade”.
Anyone who has ever had a problem with a certain part of their body will be able to relate to this book, it isn’t inspirational but it does provide a funny take on those who would go to extreme measures just to fit in.
Although My Big Nose is extreme, it is also believable. It is believable that someone would be so desperate for money for something that they would take a job as a driver even though they couldn’t drive a manual car. It is plausible to have issues with even your best friend because she is in your eyes so much prettier than you. It is plausible to want to change your body so badly that you would consider surgery to do it.
Overall, My Big Nose is hilarious and anyone who likes YA Fiction would love it. I would recommend this book just for the yoga scene; I was in fits of laughter for nearly an hour after Jory had cabbage soup, then went to a yoga class.
This review can be found at storywings.blogspot.com
April 10, 2009
I approached this book a little differently as I read it aloud with my roommate, and I can't imagine having read it any other way. It was so much fun to read this book with a friend and be able to share our own stories of poor self-image, lousy boy experiences and horrific summer jobs. We could totally relate to this book, and not because we had experienced some trauma that had a profound effect on our lives, but because we are every-day girls who deal with every-day life.
Jory Michaels has a problem, and it's as plain as the nose on her face, mostly because it is the nose on her face. Her two best friends have emerged from their ugly-duckling phases and are now beautiful, confident young women ready to take senior year by storm. Her little brother Finn is a soccer star two years her junior who managed to score a date to senior prom when he was still a freshman. Her mom is perfectly proportioned, her dad is a workaholic and everyone around her knows where they are going in life. If only Jory's massive shnoz and perpetual virginity would stop getting in her way.
Her summer plan includes finding summer employment to pay for a nose job, discovering a passion and having sex. But it won't be that easy when she is a horrible driver and the only job she can find is delivering cakes. Not to mention that when water skiing, yoga, soccer, reading and classical music fail to perk Jory's interest, she begins to run out of things to become passionate about. Then her best friend starts hanging out with the guy she has been crushing on for twelve months, six days and however many hours, and the only boy who seems to be taking any notice of Jory is a juvenile delinquent with a super-snout of his own.
Sure there are times when I wished Jory would shut up about her nose and get more supportive friends, and don't even get me started on her superficial mother. But isn't that how life is? We get fixated on something so securely that we can't see past it and we let it rule our lives--that is part of human nature.
At a time when YA fiction has been flooded with books about beautiful, aloof, perfect girls, Sydney Salter has written a heartwarming books about an ordinary girl with ordinary problems yet managed to make an extraordinary novel. Full for laugh-out-loud funny moments, hide-under-the-covers embarrassing moments and call-your-mom-to-tell-her-you-love-her moments, My Big Nose stands out from the crowd.
Jory Michaels has a problem, and it's as plain as the nose on her face, mostly because it is the nose on her face. Her two best friends have emerged from their ugly-duckling phases and are now beautiful, confident young women ready to take senior year by storm. Her little brother Finn is a soccer star two years her junior who managed to score a date to senior prom when he was still a freshman. Her mom is perfectly proportioned, her dad is a workaholic and everyone around her knows where they are going in life. If only Jory's massive shnoz and perpetual virginity would stop getting in her way.
Her summer plan includes finding summer employment to pay for a nose job, discovering a passion and having sex. But it won't be that easy when she is a horrible driver and the only job she can find is delivering cakes. Not to mention that when water skiing, yoga, soccer, reading and classical music fail to perk Jory's interest, she begins to run out of things to become passionate about. Then her best friend starts hanging out with the guy she has been crushing on for twelve months, six days and however many hours, and the only boy who seems to be taking any notice of Jory is a juvenile delinquent with a super-snout of his own.
Sure there are times when I wished Jory would shut up about her nose and get more supportive friends, and don't even get me started on her superficial mother. But isn't that how life is? We get fixated on something so securely that we can't see past it and we let it rule our lives--that is part of human nature.
At a time when YA fiction has been flooded with books about beautiful, aloof, perfect girls, Sydney Salter has written a heartwarming books about an ordinary girl with ordinary problems yet managed to make an extraordinary novel. Full for laugh-out-loud funny moments, hide-under-the-covers embarrassing moments and call-your-mom-to-tell-her-you-love-her moments, My Big Nose stands out from the crowd.
February 4, 2010
It didn't take me long to finish this book. Not because it was short, or because it read quickly, but because I couldn't put it down. Though my high school situation was probably the opposite to the MC, Jory's high school experience, I related to her so much that I had to see how it ended for her.
Let's talk about Jory, shall we? Average looking girl, big nose. Desperately pinning her happiness on getting a boyfriend and losing her virginity. She's the kind of girl who likes someone out of her league and spends hours evaluating three word sentences they may have said to her last week. She likes to like someone. She's completely boy crazy. I wasn't very boy crazy, but I do remember liking guys a little out of my league and having the fantasy that it might happen.
Jory also had 'friends' that both hindered and helped her journey. I put friends in tags because for most of the time, they didn't really act like friends. Big realistic point about this book. During high school, most girls look out for number one. They put themselves first and explain it away with feeble excuses.
Megan is smart, wants to be popular, and very pretty. But she doesn't admit wanting to be popular and instead sneers at everything school-social related. And then Tyler, the boy Jory has been crushing on for like one year, ten months blah blah starts to work at the same intern company over the summer. The author did an amazing job showing the progress between Tyler and Megan romantically without pointing it out. You question their 'friendship' because Jory does. I ended up hating Megan for taking Tyler from Jory, even though Megan's excuse is that Tyler wasn't Jory's in the first place. You sit, as the reader, and evaluate their body language, and it does leave you guessing. I felt so bad for poor Jory.
I didn't fall head over heels swoonfest for the final love interest. He was...okay. Kinda sweet, kinda weird. I did, however, like that Jory's friends weren't all supportive. Definitely another bitchy high school experience of mine. You can't say anything about their boyfriends, but they can badmouth yours down to the ground.
All in all, this was a great book about self image and finding out who you are in the midst of finding out who your true friends are. It deals with so many issues, and each one was a necessary point to the plot. Definitely read this if you have the chance. It was funny too!
Let's talk about Jory, shall we? Average looking girl, big nose. Desperately pinning her happiness on getting a boyfriend and losing her virginity. She's the kind of girl who likes someone out of her league and spends hours evaluating three word sentences they may have said to her last week. She likes to like someone. She's completely boy crazy. I wasn't very boy crazy, but I do remember liking guys a little out of my league and having the fantasy that it might happen.
Jory also had 'friends' that both hindered and helped her journey. I put friends in tags because for most of the time, they didn't really act like friends. Big realistic point about this book. During high school, most girls look out for number one. They put themselves first and explain it away with feeble excuses.
Megan is smart, wants to be popular, and very pretty. But she doesn't admit wanting to be popular and instead sneers at everything school-social related. And then Tyler, the boy Jory has been crushing on for like one year, ten months blah blah starts to work at the same intern company over the summer. The author did an amazing job showing the progress between Tyler and Megan romantically without pointing it out. You question their 'friendship' because Jory does. I ended up hating Megan for taking Tyler from Jory, even though Megan's excuse is that Tyler wasn't Jory's in the first place. You sit, as the reader, and evaluate their body language, and it does leave you guessing. I felt so bad for poor Jory.
I didn't fall head over heels swoonfest for the final love interest. He was...okay. Kinda sweet, kinda weird. I did, however, like that Jory's friends weren't all supportive. Definitely another bitchy high school experience of mine. You can't say anything about their boyfriends, but they can badmouth yours down to the ground.
All in all, this was a great book about self image and finding out who you are in the midst of finding out who your true friends are. It deals with so many issues, and each one was a necessary point to the plot. Definitely read this if you have the chance. It was funny too!
July 28, 2010
It’s the end of junior year, and summer is about to begin. The Summer of Passion, to be exact, when Jory Michaels plans to explore all the possibilities of the future--and, with any luck, score a boyfriend in the process. But Jory has a problem. A big problem. A curvy, honking, bumpy, problem in the form of her Super Schnozz, the one thing standing between Jory and happiness. And now, with the Summer of Passion stretched before her like an open road, she's determined for Super Schnozz to disappear. Jory takes a job delivering wedding cakes to save up for a nose job at the end of the summer; she even keeps a book filled with magazine cutouts of perfect noses to show the doctor. But nothing is ever easy for accident-prone Jory--and before she knows it, her Summer of Passion falls apart faster than the delivery van she crashes. In her hilarious and heartbreaking debut novel, Sydney Salter delivers a story about broadening your horizons, accepting yourself, and finding love right under your nose. From Amazon UK
This is such a brilliant book! I really loved it! Such a sweet novel! I really loved it!
Jory has two goals for the summer. Find her passion, and get a job so she can save her money for a nose job, so she can nab the gorgeous Tyler Briggs. Her passion goal is half-hearted, as that's what her friends are doing, but she is obsessed with the rest; nose jobs and Tyler - or any other cute guys who happen to be around at the time.
It's really quite sad how badly she thinks about her nose. She keeps a Nice Nose Notebook, where she keeps pictures of models with nice noses to show to the surgeon when she gets her nose job. Everything that goes wrong in her life, is down to her big nose. Her mother is constantly on a diet, and trying to get Jory to wear beauty enhancing make-up. It's just really sad.
But there is more to this book than just Jory's nose. There's friendship, family, and boy issues that go a lot deepers than a squabble and an unrequited crush. But they're all dealt with in such a brilliant way.
I don't know what else I can say about this book. So much goes on in it, and I don't want to spoil it. It really is a brilliant book, one that is right up there with my favourites! I absolutely loved it, and can't recommend it enough! I will definitely be checking out more of Sydney Salter's novels.
From Once Upon A Bookcase - YA book blog.
This is such a brilliant book! I really loved it! Such a sweet novel! I really loved it!
Jory has two goals for the summer. Find her passion, and get a job so she can save her money for a nose job, so she can nab the gorgeous Tyler Briggs. Her passion goal is half-hearted, as that's what her friends are doing, but she is obsessed with the rest; nose jobs and Tyler - or any other cute guys who happen to be around at the time.
It's really quite sad how badly she thinks about her nose. She keeps a Nice Nose Notebook, where she keeps pictures of models with nice noses to show to the surgeon when she gets her nose job. Everything that goes wrong in her life, is down to her big nose. Her mother is constantly on a diet, and trying to get Jory to wear beauty enhancing make-up. It's just really sad.
But there is more to this book than just Jory's nose. There's friendship, family, and boy issues that go a lot deepers than a squabble and an unrequited crush. But they're all dealt with in such a brilliant way.
I don't know what else I can say about this book. So much goes on in it, and I don't want to spoil it. It really is a brilliant book, one that is right up there with my favourites! I absolutely loved it, and can't recommend it enough! I will definitely be checking out more of Sydney Salter's novels.
From Once Upon A Bookcase - YA book blog.
May 9, 2009
For Jory Michaels, it’s all about the nose, that oversized facial feature of hers she’s dubbed the Super Schnoz. It’s the one thing ruining her life, making her look like the adopted daughter next to her classically good looking family and the odd one out among her gorgeous friends, and preventing her hot crush from really noticing her. If Jory could just fix her nose, she knows everything will be better. Enter the plan: Jory gets a job delivering cakes and flowers to foot the bill for her nose job. She even prepares to join the “Nice Nose Club” by compiling a Nice Nose Notebook to show the cosmetic surgeon. But is rhinoplasty really Jory’s cure all? Or will she start to accept and love herself, big nose and all?
My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters, a hilarious and sweet novel, explores personal image and identity in a heartwarming story. Jory obviously has serious issues with self esteem, and all because of her nose which she views as a supersized monstrosity. Salter portrays Jory and her insecurities well and realistically; lack of self confidence causes Jory to obsess over and exaggerate the size of her nose and makes her feel like an ugly, unloved failure. It’s so sad how most of Jory’s experiences have soured due to someone outshining her, only feeding her self-degradation. I liked how in the end, Jory and her mother together come to terms with their appearances and start to love themselves, but I was disappointed that Jory’s friends never offered her moral supposed when she truly needed it. I didn’t like how they continued to pick of Jory’s choice of a guy even after they made up from previous fights, because I’d like to think a good friend would be happy for her friend’s happiness; it’s good that at least Jory gained enough confidence at this point to not let this get to her. Despite those little things, I enjoyed reading Jory’s personal journey because even though much of it was terribly sad, the sweet and satisfying ending made it all better.
Fans of Faking 19 by Alyson Noël, A Little Friendly Advice by Siobhan Vivian, Violet on the Runway by Melissa Walker, and Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty by Jody Gehrman will also enjoy this cute story. Readers who liked this novel may also enjoy Purge by Sarah Darer Littman.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters, a hilarious and sweet novel, explores personal image and identity in a heartwarming story. Jory obviously has serious issues with self esteem, and all because of her nose which she views as a supersized monstrosity. Salter portrays Jory and her insecurities well and realistically; lack of self confidence causes Jory to obsess over and exaggerate the size of her nose and makes her feel like an ugly, unloved failure. It’s so sad how most of Jory’s experiences have soured due to someone outshining her, only feeding her self-degradation. I liked how in the end, Jory and her mother together come to terms with their appearances and start to love themselves, but I was disappointed that Jory’s friends never offered her moral supposed when she truly needed it. I didn’t like how they continued to pick of Jory’s choice of a guy even after they made up from previous fights, because I’d like to think a good friend would be happy for her friend’s happiness; it’s good that at least Jory gained enough confidence at this point to not let this get to her. Despite those little things, I enjoyed reading Jory’s personal journey because even though much of it was terribly sad, the sweet and satisfying ending made it all better.
Fans of Faking 19 by Alyson Noël, A Little Friendly Advice by Siobhan Vivian, Violet on the Runway by Melissa Walker, and Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty by Jody Gehrman will also enjoy this cute story. Readers who liked this novel may also enjoy Purge by Sarah Darer Littman.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
June 5, 2009
Courtesy of BLT: booksandliteratureforteens.blogspot.com
My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters was great narrative by an average teenage girl with some acceptance issues. (Who doesn't right? As for the people who love themselves as is: Good for you!)
After finishing her junior year of high school, seventeen year-old Jory Michaels has three things on her summer to-do list: get ride of the Super Schnozz, find her passion (aka land Tyler Briggs as boyfriend), and learn to drive a stick-shift.
When both Jory's friends, Hannah and Megan find their "passions", Jory feels she must speed things up a little; and when she does, natural disaster follows. If only she can get ride of her big nose everything will be peachy....right?
In this comedic drama about every girl's worst nightmare comes the story of accepting yourself and getting the guy without causing natural disaster.
Yes, you can take away the Barbie doll image now ladies. This girl has a serious problem. After reading the first chapter I was hooked! The humor was great, the issues surrounding Jory were so-true and relateable, but she was a little too obsessed with boys for my taste. Kinda to the point where she was getting rather ridiculous and getting way too desperate. I think girls should never get desperate over boys-especially when some girls only have boyfriends for approx. three months. Me? I'd rather skip the boyfriend fling and find my "Edward" for keeps.
How cool is this? Not only do you get to read a fun teenage novel, but you get to be introduced or re-introduced to those life lessons we keep ignoring. Now if only there was a book on how to accept those pesky black-heads. Talk about best-seller....
*Because of some sexual content and references and underage drinking, I would only recommend teen girls that are at least fifteen read this.
Pages: 345 Year Published: April 6th, 2009 Fiction: Realistic/Contemporary
Level: YA, ages 15+ This Book is For: Teen girls
Should I Waste My Eyes On This? Yes Buy or Borrow: Both
My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters was great narrative by an average teenage girl with some acceptance issues. (Who doesn't right? As for the people who love themselves as is: Good for you!)
After finishing her junior year of high school, seventeen year-old Jory Michaels has three things on her summer to-do list: get ride of the Super Schnozz, find her passion (aka land Tyler Briggs as boyfriend), and learn to drive a stick-shift.
When both Jory's friends, Hannah and Megan find their "passions", Jory feels she must speed things up a little; and when she does, natural disaster follows. If only she can get ride of her big nose everything will be peachy....right?
In this comedic drama about every girl's worst nightmare comes the story of accepting yourself and getting the guy without causing natural disaster.
Yes, you can take away the Barbie doll image now ladies. This girl has a serious problem. After reading the first chapter I was hooked! The humor was great, the issues surrounding Jory were so-true and relateable, but she was a little too obsessed with boys for my taste. Kinda to the point where she was getting rather ridiculous and getting way too desperate. I think girls should never get desperate over boys-especially when some girls only have boyfriends for approx. three months. Me? I'd rather skip the boyfriend fling and find my "Edward" for keeps.
How cool is this? Not only do you get to read a fun teenage novel, but you get to be introduced or re-introduced to those life lessons we keep ignoring. Now if only there was a book on how to accept those pesky black-heads. Talk about best-seller....
*Because of some sexual content and references and underage drinking, I would only recommend teen girls that are at least fifteen read this.
Pages: 345 Year Published: April 6th, 2009 Fiction: Realistic/Contemporary
Level: YA, ages 15+ This Book is For: Teen girls
Should I Waste My Eyes On This? Yes Buy or Borrow: Both
March 2, 2014
Posted at http://oh-my-books.blogspot.com/2010/...
I like strong women as protagonists, so maybe that's why I didn't connected with Jory. She is very self-conscious and self-doubting, and her big nose is just one of the things she hates about herself. She is very clumsy and her family seems to ignore her because she can't make anything right.
Her nose problem seemed so insignificant to me, but Jory takes it very seriously. She thinks its because of her nose that she doesn't have a boyfriend, and she is saving money for her nose job. But why does she thinks like that? Nobody criticizes her nose, except her mother. She just seemed to be very superficial, and I didn't like it, because if there is something I hate in this world, its superficial - people.
Also, I didn't liked her friends, Hannah and Meghan. They do stupid stuff, also are superficial, and choose boys over friendship. Really, I don't understand why Jory is still friends with them! I didn't like the way they threated her, and I kept waiting for her to find better friends. I couldn't stand Meghan, who thinks she is soo superior. She would have been better with more supportive friends.
Anyway, I know every teenager girl wants to have a boyfriend, but there where so many boys in this book! I didn't knew which one was going to stay: maybe super cute Tyler, or Tom, or Gideon. At least I liked Gideon, he was very cool with his band, but making jewelry and wanting to "wait" just didn't seem to me like real boy stuff.
Sadly, this book didn't grab me at the beginning. I had to read a few chapters before getting really interested on what was going on. It was in the middle that I didn't wanted to stop reading, and I must say, there are a few surprises in this book I wasn't expecting, but liked them.
The end was very sentimental. I thought it was a light reading, but in the end it became very intense. Body issues are very important, specially in teenagers, and if you have a supportive family and friends, its easier to accept yourself just as you are.
If you are looking for a summer romance story, you should read this book.
I like strong women as protagonists, so maybe that's why I didn't connected with Jory. She is very self-conscious and self-doubting, and her big nose is just one of the things she hates about herself. She is very clumsy and her family seems to ignore her because she can't make anything right.
Her nose problem seemed so insignificant to me, but Jory takes it very seriously. She thinks its because of her nose that she doesn't have a boyfriend, and she is saving money for her nose job. But why does she thinks like that? Nobody criticizes her nose, except her mother. She just seemed to be very superficial, and I didn't like it, because if there is something I hate in this world, its superficial - people.
Also, I didn't liked her friends, Hannah and Meghan. They do stupid stuff, also are superficial, and choose boys over friendship. Really, I don't understand why Jory is still friends with them! I didn't like the way they threated her, and I kept waiting for her to find better friends. I couldn't stand Meghan, who thinks she is soo superior. She would have been better with more supportive friends.
Anyway, I know every teenager girl wants to have a boyfriend, but there where so many boys in this book! I didn't knew which one was going to stay: maybe super cute Tyler, or Tom, or Gideon. At least I liked Gideon, he was very cool with his band, but making jewelry and wanting to "wait" just didn't seem to me like real boy stuff.
Sadly, this book didn't grab me at the beginning. I had to read a few chapters before getting really interested on what was going on. It was in the middle that I didn't wanted to stop reading, and I must say, there are a few surprises in this book I wasn't expecting, but liked them.
The end was very sentimental. I thought it was a light reading, but in the end it became very intense. Body issues are very important, specially in teenagers, and if you have a supportive family and friends, its easier to accept yourself just as you are.
If you are looking for a summer romance story, you should read this book.
October 6, 2015
Jory just graduated from junior year at Reno High school. Her and her friends are determined to have the best summer before senior year. The three girls; Jory, Hannah, and Megan want to find their passions this summer. Jory is saving up for a nose job at the end of the summer. Jory comes from a beautiful and talented family. Her brother has won so many awards for school and soccer and is good looking like the rest of the family. Jory is not good in school or sports and thinks she’s ugly because of her big nose. Jory feels that she is disappointing her parents. Jory gets a job as a delivery woman for a cake shop to save up for the nose job. By the end of the book, Jory finds her passion is jewelry making. She goes crazy and cuts off all her hair, gets drunk and meets with the plastic surgeon. The doctor won’t give her the procedure because she’s emotionally unstable. The book ends with Jory being comfortable with who she is, and has mended the relationship with her mom.
This book is geared more towards girls. It is very drama filled and talks about boys and stuff. Boys could like it too! This book is also for younger people because the girls are in high school and you might be able to relate. This book talks about being comfortable with who you are and how to learn to be grateful for the relationships you have and the people in your life. It sometimes got annoying because they were very self helpy but if that’s what you like, go for it.
I give this book four stars. It was a very good book and had a nice message. The book teaches to be grateful for what you have and to love yourself. Girls especially are told what they should look and act like, but everyone is beautiful so we should just love ourselves and not judge people based on what they look like. Some things I didn’t like about the book were that it was kind of easy to read and I could sometimes predict what was going to happen.
This book is geared more towards girls. It is very drama filled and talks about boys and stuff. Boys could like it too! This book is also for younger people because the girls are in high school and you might be able to relate. This book talks about being comfortable with who you are and how to learn to be grateful for the relationships you have and the people in your life. It sometimes got annoying because they were very self helpy but if that’s what you like, go for it.
I give this book four stars. It was a very good book and had a nice message. The book teaches to be grateful for what you have and to love yourself. Girls especially are told what they should look and act like, but everyone is beautiful so we should just love ourselves and not judge people based on what they look like. Some things I didn’t like about the book were that it was kind of easy to read and I could sometimes predict what was going to happen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2009
Anyone who has ever been sensitive about a part of their body can sympathise with Jory, the protagonist of this novel. But what is most magical about Jory, isn't the Super Schnozz, but how ordinary she is. Unlike many protagonists she's not gifted, fiercely intelligent or especially feisty - she's just like everyone else...with some spacial awareness issues. But like everyone else in the known world, Jory's self-conscious, self-doubting and wanting to find herself.
This novel is predictable in the events that occur in the final chapters but unpredictable in the many options that could be Jory's man of choice. That being said, I could have done without the two incidents where Jory places herself in danger of sexual assault. One would have been sufficient and no matter how dim, you'd think a girl would learn. While Jory is especially endearing with her snark and witticisms, her friends are less so. It's common for teen girls to ditch friends for boys but the callousness and selfishness displayed in this novel, while probably realistic, is quite appalling. The number of times these girls willingly and deliberately put themselves, and each other, in harm's way infuriated me.
It's the chaos that surrounds Jory that makes her even more loveable. There's her mum who is continuously inflicting weird diets on the family, the brilliantly insightful and chilled Helen, the slightly bizarre and moody Gideon, the muscle bound Wooster Tom and confused Tyler (who's presence was missed in the latter sections). The characterisation is fantastic, the tone light and humorous with enough introspection to give the character some heft. I really enjoyed this book despite my quibbles and think many others will too.
This novel is predictable in the events that occur in the final chapters but unpredictable in the many options that could be Jory's man of choice. That being said, I could have done without the two incidents where Jory places herself in danger of sexual assault. One would have been sufficient and no matter how dim, you'd think a girl would learn. While Jory is especially endearing with her snark and witticisms, her friends are less so. It's common for teen girls to ditch friends for boys but the callousness and selfishness displayed in this novel, while probably realistic, is quite appalling. The number of times these girls willingly and deliberately put themselves, and each other, in harm's way infuriated me.
It's the chaos that surrounds Jory that makes her even more loveable. There's her mum who is continuously inflicting weird diets on the family, the brilliantly insightful and chilled Helen, the slightly bizarre and moody Gideon, the muscle bound Wooster Tom and confused Tyler (who's presence was missed in the latter sections). The characterisation is fantastic, the tone light and humorous with enough introspection to give the character some heft. I really enjoyed this book despite my quibbles and think many others will too.
September 11, 2009
Reviewed by Grandma Bev for TeensReadToo.com
Jory Michaels is going to transform herself before school starts. This is going to be the Summer of Passion; the summer before senior year.
The big obstacle to making it perfect, of course, is her nose. Jory is obsessed about her big nose...she's just sure that the key to making her life perfect is getting it fixed. She plans to earn enough money for a nose job, then she will be one of the popular kids, and maybe attract the guy she has a mad crush on.
Everyone around Jory seems perfect. Her little brother, Finn, is a soccer star who managed to score a date to the senior prom when he was still a freshman. Her mom is perfectly proportioned and does everything right. Her dad is a workaholic and a great guy, and all her friends seem to know where they are going in life.
Jory finds a job delivering wedding cakes, and, oh boy....the van is a stick shift. Never mind that...she can learn quickly...she is sure that the stick shift and parallel parking will be a snap to figure out. But Jory is accident-prone and her hilarious escapades keep the action going.
Then, when her best friend begins hanging out with the guy that Jory has a crush on, emotions shift into high gear. Nothing turns out the way Jory plans.
MY BIG NOSE AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS is about learning to improve what you can and accept what you can't change, while still broadening your horizons. It's told with a great sense of humor, is a bit predictable, but still great fun. Teen girls will see themselves in Jory's desire to be prettier than she perceives herself. The characters are unique and likable, the dialogue witty and fresh, there is plenty of action to keep even reluctant readers interested, and it rushes to a very satisfying ending.
Jory Michaels is going to transform herself before school starts. This is going to be the Summer of Passion; the summer before senior year.
The big obstacle to making it perfect, of course, is her nose. Jory is obsessed about her big nose...she's just sure that the key to making her life perfect is getting it fixed. She plans to earn enough money for a nose job, then she will be one of the popular kids, and maybe attract the guy she has a mad crush on.
Everyone around Jory seems perfect. Her little brother, Finn, is a soccer star who managed to score a date to the senior prom when he was still a freshman. Her mom is perfectly proportioned and does everything right. Her dad is a workaholic and a great guy, and all her friends seem to know where they are going in life.
Jory finds a job delivering wedding cakes, and, oh boy....the van is a stick shift. Never mind that...she can learn quickly...she is sure that the stick shift and parallel parking will be a snap to figure out. But Jory is accident-prone and her hilarious escapades keep the action going.
Then, when her best friend begins hanging out with the guy that Jory has a crush on, emotions shift into high gear. Nothing turns out the way Jory plans.
MY BIG NOSE AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS is about learning to improve what you can and accept what you can't change, while still broadening your horizons. It's told with a great sense of humor, is a bit predictable, but still great fun. Teen girls will see themselves in Jory's desire to be prettier than she perceives herself. The characters are unique and likable, the dialogue witty and fresh, there is plenty of action to keep even reluctant readers interested, and it rushes to a very satisfying ending.
October 9, 2009
I really hated Jory at the beginning of the book. Hated hated hated. My desire to smack her was almost overwhelming my ability to read. It's the summer before her senior year of high school, and all she does is obsess about boys and the size of her nose. The girl has no hobbies and no interest, and she's quite naive, but not in an endearing way. She gets a summer job driving a delivery van for a cake and flower shop in order to save up for a nose job, and spends every moment obsessing about Tyler Briggs, a guy she goes to school with. This obsession causes conflict with her friends, and all Jory does is mope. It took me days to get through the first half of the book.
Everything gets more interesting in the second half, though. Jory gets over Tyler and explores other romantic possibilities, making a myriad of mistakes along the way. Her relationship with her mother becomes more complex; Jory's mom is neurotic about dieting and is very focused on social climbing, and it becomes obvious that her insecurites have had a profound impact on Jory's sense of self worth. Jory's whining starts to make more sense, and I actually began to sympathize with her. The book also portrays a positive (though somewhat painful) image of a gay teen who cannot tell his family about his sexual orientation. The second half of the book is still filled with awkward moments, but Jory comes to accept herself by the end of the book. A predictable ending, but the journey took some thought-provoking turns.
Everything gets more interesting in the second half, though. Jory gets over Tyler and explores other romantic possibilities, making a myriad of mistakes along the way. Her relationship with her mother becomes more complex; Jory's mom is neurotic about dieting and is very focused on social climbing, and it becomes obvious that her insecurites have had a profound impact on Jory's sense of self worth. Jory's whining starts to make more sense, and I actually began to sympathize with her. The book also portrays a positive (though somewhat painful) image of a gay teen who cannot tell his family about his sexual orientation. The second half of the book is still filled with awkward moments, but Jory comes to accept herself by the end of the book. A predictable ending, but the journey took some thought-provoking turns.
January 18, 2010
Although borderline way-too-long with excessive underage drinking and references to large noses, this book is, in the end, a humorous and uplifting read. I actually laughed out loud several times. Jory (the main character, a seventeen-year-old girl) and her friends make lots of bad decisions involving alcohol, college-age boys, and late-night parties; Jory makes her summer goal to not die a virgin; and practically every other sentence is Jory complaining about her "Super Schnozz." At first these aspects bothered me, seeming unrealistic and even offensive; in the end I appreciated Salter's honestly about the thoughts, feelings, and experiences that many teenagers deal with. Jory is an easy-to-relate-to teenager who doesn't have much direction from her friends, who are trying to find their identity as well, or her family, who are more worried about paying the bills (Dad), dieting and fitting in with the rich neighborhood gossips (Mom), or their own popularity (brother Finn). When all is said and done, Jory finally finds someone she can relate to and who helps her (start to) see the best in herself. The story is one of self-discovery and development of self-confidence in a impressionable teenager, and conveys a powerfully positive message for this young generation. I wouldn't recommend it to the average adult, but I might recommend it to teenagers or young adults (with "caution") or adults who are trying to better understand that age group.
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January 26, 2014I have read a Sydney Salter book before (Swoon At Your Own Risk), and I will admit that I didn't like it much. I DID finish it, though, which basically means I just thought it was ok. When I posted my review of that book, several people suggested that I try My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters, as it was a lot more funny than Swoon.
I did enjoy some of the humor here and there. I wasn't laughing out loud but some of the quips and puns were funny. Sadly, that's about where the majority of my enjoyment lies.
Jory, our main character, has two friends that I thought treated her like dirt the entire time. They would ditch her for other people, tell her the boys that she liked were stupid/nerdy/etc, and overall be really bad friends. Jory would continue to accept their apologies and they would continue to treat her like that. This was the breaking factor for me - not only is Jory having problems with her self esteem and appearance (she thinks that she has a big nose, if you couldn't tell from the title), but her friends are kind of crappy.
I did enjoy the last 1/4 of the book or so, because Jory starts to figure some things out and learn about herself - but liking only 1/4 of a book means I didn't really like it much at all. But, as with Swoon, I did manage to finish it.
This book sends some good messages about self esteem, but also gives some bad examples of relationships and friendships that don't ever totally get solved.
I did enjoy some of the humor here and there. I wasn't laughing out loud but some of the quips and puns were funny. Sadly, that's about where the majority of my enjoyment lies.
Jory, our main character, has two friends that I thought treated her like dirt the entire time. They would ditch her for other people, tell her the boys that she liked were stupid/nerdy/etc, and overall be really bad friends. Jory would continue to accept their apologies and they would continue to treat her like that. This was the breaking factor for me - not only is Jory having problems with her self esteem and appearance (she thinks that she has a big nose, if you couldn't tell from the title), but her friends are kind of crappy.
I did enjoy the last 1/4 of the book or so, because Jory starts to figure some things out and learn about herself - but liking only 1/4 of a book means I didn't really like it much at all. But, as with Swoon, I did manage to finish it.
This book sends some good messages about self esteem, but also gives some bad examples of relationships and friendships that don't ever totally get solved.
June 22, 2009
For some odd reason, I've been reading a lot of girl-focused teen lit lately...especially since I'm nowhere near the demographic. :) Salter's effort here didn't impress me at all, and I get the impression that she was trying to write the story that she *thought* she should write rather than a *good* story or an *interesting* story.
The after-school-special lessons (body image issues, friendship, responsibility, parental relationships) are so overbearing that they diminish the characters themselves. Jory, the protagonist, is depicted as being so insecure that she can barely function without an angst-ridden inner dialogue. She's likable enough, but too-easily summarized as "big-nosed worried klutz". Her friends are shallow and one-dimensional, and the male characters are ten times worse--either so oversexed that they're feral or so ambiguous that any amorous activity comes as a complete surprise to the reader when it happens.
Salter's text, as a whole, is simply too ambitious. There are enough foci here for three or four books, and if they were taken one at a time (in a series, perhaps) Jory's story would have had a chance to develop. As it stands, everything is too abrupt, too shallow, and too much. It's a decent read for the summer, but there are a lot of better books out there.
The after-school-special lessons (body image issues, friendship, responsibility, parental relationships) are so overbearing that they diminish the characters themselves. Jory, the protagonist, is depicted as being so insecure that she can barely function without an angst-ridden inner dialogue. She's likable enough, but too-easily summarized as "big-nosed worried klutz". Her friends are shallow and one-dimensional, and the male characters are ten times worse--either so oversexed that they're feral or so ambiguous that any amorous activity comes as a complete surprise to the reader when it happens.
Salter's text, as a whole, is simply too ambitious. There are enough foci here for three or four books, and if they were taken one at a time (in a series, perhaps) Jory's story would have had a chance to develop. As it stands, everything is too abrupt, too shallow, and too much. It's a decent read for the summer, but there are a lot of better books out there.
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