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Nina the Philosopher #2

Tweenache in the Time of Hashtags

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#Tweenache101: First, there's PMS (it's real and it's painful and can someone please make it stop?). Second, there's #The Boy. Yes, that's right. The BOY. And third, there's a #New Dad in the picture. Actually, he's an old dad, but if Nina's never met him before, he totally counts as new, right? And worst of all, there's the #Nerd Wars. There's a new nerd in the classroom and she might be even nerdier than Nina.
This. Can't. Be. Good.

From the author of How To Stop Your Grownup From Making Bad Decisions, here's another hilarious season in the life of #NinaThePhilosopher.

200 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2016

3 people are currently reading
55 people want to read

About the author

Judy Balan

9 books78 followers
Author of Two Fates: The Story of My Divorce, Sophie Says: Memoirs of a Breakup Coach, How to Stop Your Grownup From Making Bad Decisions (Nina the Philosopher #1), Tweenache in the Time of Hashtags (Nina the Philosopher #2) and Half Boyfriend.

Genre: Comedy

Hop over to the website www.judybalan.com for the long version.

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5 stars
16 (47%)
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11 (32%)
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5 (14%)
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1 (2%)
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1 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Arjun Randhawa.
111 reviews
February 23, 2016
Note: I received this book from the author for an UNBIASED review. Receiving this book doesn't change my true opinion of the book whatsoever. 



This is the second book in the 'Nina the Philosopher' series (however can be read as a Stand-Alone) and is MUCH better than the first one even though I rated it 5 Stars. This may be the result of Nina growing up... Anyways, This book is actually Nina's blog where she narrates whatever happens in her life while venting out her emotions. This all is written through a 12 YO's (very plausibly/incredibly) mind. This book takes the reader through the amazing 12th year in Nina's life, dictated by her.

The plot is very intriguing and captivates the reader till the very end. The highlights of this year were: 1. A new NERD in the class - Anna 2. Nina gets her first period (Don't worry, the story does NOT revolve around this topic) 3. She has her FIRST CRUSH (Lalalalalala/Hilariously written) 4. Her Dad finally is introduced in the series (Nina's mom is a single parent).  All the characters of this book were entertaining and had their own importance.
What I really like about this book is that it is written by Judy Balan. She is AN AMAZING writer and the way presents the emotions of a 12 YO is commendable and also very relate-able. I mean, we all have been through this age and it is not only strange but is fascinating too. Especially, what a creative, yet ordinary 12 YO girl sees in the world is  interesting through this story.


Coming to the 2 special features of this series - The Quotes and The Format : this book has been written in such a way that while being humorous and enticing, this book is very very virtuous to its sense. This is only because Nina has been brought up in that way and this is what makes the book a compulsion for any young reader and a parent who wants their kid to read quality and entertaining books. The story is very gripping (is NOT AT ALL dragged anywhere), which can be proved by its page length - It promises 200 pages of a Fun-Packed Read!

CONCLUSION: Just go ahead and buy it. If you are a teenager who wants to read something - READ IT! If you are a parent and want your kid to read something - BUY IT! If you have someone above the age of 12 and you want to gift something to him/her - GIFT IT! If YOU ARE above 12 years of age - READ IT! I want you to read it - no matter what and NO QUESTIONS ASKED
5 reviews28 followers
February 15, 2016
I got this book from Arjun Randhawa and I think that this book is pretty much awesome! I reaalllyy liked it and it reminded me of those days of being a middle grader trying to achieve and score well in class The author has an amazing talent to write something like a #tween would write! Funny but predictable.
1 review
February 24, 2016
Note: I received a copy of this book from Arjun Randhawa (Owner of Book Review Temple )

Uhh... My first book review - "Tweenache in the Time of Hashtags". I previously didn't believe in giving book reviews as I thought readers individually should read books and put in themselves some good points from it. But, all thanks to Arjun who eventually changed my mindset.

Nina, the 12-year old, has very significantly co-related herself to each girl who on entering puberty experiences a sudden change in herself. The first crush, the Nutella (umm... man it really tastes delicious), the "proxy crush" are very well elaborated by Nina in her blog. Not causing boredom of the story it has a great ending, with all messy things settling down. As I too faced a competition by a nerd (not mentioning the name) it increased my level of interest. According to grown-ups, we teenagers do not have to face any problems, but the actual problems arise only at this point of time. Like telling grown-ups that they are really grown-ups and have to behave likewise.

The book will surely be accepted and appreciated by kids who are yet to be teenagers or actual teenagers. I hope every teenager will enjoy this and will put themselves in Nina's place and solve problems as she did or would just talk them out to a paid ear. BEST OF LUCK!! :)
237 reviews17 followers
June 1, 2016
Interesting, intriguing and engaging the book is written from a 12 year old girl’s perspective, her belief’s, her anxieties, her emotions as she waits on the threshold of the upcoming teenage years and puberty and her take on the upheavals going on in the lives of her sister and mother.

Interspersed with nuggets of wisdom this book which is in the form of blog writings by Nina the 12 year old is not only interesting, intriguing and engaging as I mentioned earlier but hilarious and thought provoking at the same time. In fact I’d also like to say that the author has done a wonderful job as far as the suspense angle is concerned in the book. One can’t foresee what is coming in the upcoming pages without going through them i.e. there is no room for skipping pages and that itself speaks volumes about the book.
Profile Image for Kashish Emmanuel.
1 review
March 17, 2016
Tweenache in the Time of Hashtags is one of the most relatable books I've ever read, it takes me back to the times when I was a 12 year old, and I had a good time recollecting the good old days, the levels of competition, being possessive over a guy best friend, fangirling over guys who are 3-4 years older than me, trying to be the best, those were the times when I simply wanted to be the best. The best part about this is that the book explores the different things that are going on in the life of a tween, and the way the hashtags have been used is hilarious. Once you've started reading you just cant put it down. This is among the most interesting books I've ever read and ever will. I would recommend everyone to read this book! Outstanding!
Profile Image for Romila.
Author 64 books47 followers
February 29, 2016
Tweeanache in the time of hashtags – is the second book of the Nina the Philosopher series. As I did not read the first book, I managed to read some of the reviews to get myself familiar with this 2nd book. Judy Balan’s How To Stop Your Grownup From Making Bad Decisions, the first book of the series seems to be a pleasant read. The girl Nina’s blogs are astonishing, considerate and appealing, and I was happy that I would see more of her in the present book I read of her. It was an easy and quick read for me.I am now waiting for the third one to come out which I am sure would be better than the preceding ones. Blogs are immortal reads for me and I hope the books (the series) hang about too.
Profile Image for Chittajit Mitra.
289 reviews29 followers
February 24, 2016
When I started to read this book I was very excited about it but then on back of my mind I was doubtful too, I was sceptical whether it would turn out to be a children’s book but as I started to read it I got glued to it. Nina is like a long lost friend which we all desired for. The writing style is excellent & hilarious! The only thing which I want to say at the end is get ready for a LAUGH RIOT, you shouldn't miss this one!

Read the full review here,



http://itsgoingtobeobvious.blogspot.i...
Profile Image for Prakarsha Pilla.
134 reviews7 followers
November 28, 2022
A sweet and adorable tale of a twelve-year-old exploring "growing up."
Have you watched Never Have I Ever? Did you like Devi, her mom and sister? I did. It is only after reading this book too that I realised, I love stories based on teenage girls if they are realistic.

Nina is twelve (so not a teen but a tween), has an annoying elder sister, a single mom and loving grandparents. Each character has its own story but we are told it all from Nina's POV. Nina explores middle school, male friends, female friends (rather, enemies), divorced parents and of course, periods and a lot of other things I don't want to reveal.

Throughout the book, I could relate Nina to 12-13 year-old me like I did with Devi from NHIE. I was also a teen when this book was written (2016) and it makes me feel old now.

The author's development of a character of a twelve-year-old is flawless. I finished the whole book in one go. Because, I was totally, completely, rooting for Nina. I wanted to know what she is thinking. At many instances, I felt I would have done the same if I was in her place at age 12. Teenagers and preteens are complex, right? The author carefully balances between childishness and maturity, fun and responsibility, hysteria and calm. I would love to know if the author has a teenager child based on whom it is written, that brings this lovely personal effect.

The writing style is what youngsters would want (I am including myself in them). The author split the book into short chapters. The English is simple and suggested for beginners too.

This is a five-star because there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn't read it. So, go read it if you want a frolicsome rollercoaster.
Profile Image for Kanwarpal Singh.
980 reviews9 followers
June 12, 2025
Story of Nina , her new blogs she started writing and things that is disturbing a teenager.

First, there's PMS it's real and it's painful and can't someone please make it stop as she doesn't want it. Second, there's #The Boy. Yes, that's right. The BOY she fall in love with, but at the same time her elder sister fall for him to and they are in theatre also so Nikki had upper hand but turned out he is a gay. And third, there's a #New Dad in the picture. Actually, he's an old dad, but if Nina's never met him before, he totally counts as new, right, because mother and uncle Ashwin are good in relationship before Nikki and Nina father married and there marriage brokedown because of Ashwin. And worst of all, there's the #Nerd Wars. There's a new nerd in the classroom and she might be even nerdier than Nina. Anna came from US and there is fight between them who get the ticket for exchange program and Anna win it, but family of 4 became the happy family.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews

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