What do you think?
Rate this book
Calendar Girl
Twenty-eight-year-old Nan Cloutier, tired of working at seasonal jobs and dating the wrong men, vows to let go of the past and look forward to a future filled with Greek weddings, karaoke bars, flash mobs, and the department store heir who just might be Mr. Right. Reprint.
313 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
1 person is currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Naomi Neale
7 books9 followersAlso published as Naomi Nash
Naomi Neale, a pseudonym for Vance Briceland, is one of the few men writing in the romance genre. He writes stories aimed at young women, in the subgenre sometimes called "chick lit," and novels for teenage girls as Naomi Nash. "Many people tend to be surprised that I don't mind writing for what's perceived as a female-oriented genre," Neale told Derrick Sobodash in an interview for the Royal Oak, Michigan, Oakland Press. Neale further explained to Sobodash: "I've always enjoyed stories with romantic components to them." His background figures into his writing to some extent. He is the son of two historians, whom he considers "storytellers," he told Sobodash. He also has a sympathy for outsiders and has done extensive volunteer work with youths, which has given him "insight into the mind of a teenage girl," noted Debra Pascoe in a profile of Neale for the online publication Life@Wayne at Wayne State University, where he works as an administrator.
Naomi Neale, a pseudonym for Vance Briceland, is one of the few men writing in the romance genre. He writes stories aimed at young women, in the subgenre sometimes called "chick lit," and novels for teenage girls as Naomi Nash. "Many people tend to be surprised that I don't mind writing for what's perceived as a female-oriented genre," Neale told Derrick Sobodash in an interview for the Royal Oak, Michigan, Oakland Press. Neale further explained to Sobodash: "I've always enjoyed stories with romantic components to them." His background figures into his writing to some extent. He is the son of two historians, whom he considers "storytellers," he told Sobodash. He also has a sympathy for outsiders and has done extensive volunteer work with youths, which has given him "insight into the mind of a teenage girl," noted Debra Pascoe in a profile of Neale for the online publication Life@Wayne at Wayne State University, where he works as an administrator.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 19, 2014
Good read for me, funny, fascinating and endearing. I had a good laugh reading this. I will definitely read more of her books.
August 23, 2019
I laughed til tears flowed down my cheeks. Everyone needs a stress reliever book and this was mine. Loved it!!!
September 9, 2019
This was a fun, quick read. I did "Laugh Out Loud" several times. Nothing deep just a nice distraction.
May 3, 2010
This is a great book and I enjoyed it very much.
Cover is misleading, this book is not about a wannabe-executive with stiletto heels but it’s about adorable cute twenty something Nan Cloutier who has a temp job posing as Cindy-Lou at the Merrier-Iverson Department Store in New York City .
This is not a general rule but when you have a happy childhood, a relatively decent attitude in high school, great parents who give you tons of freedom and make sure you can have an average good time (financially), your IQ is right where it should be, you kind of have expectations that after school great things will happen.
Now in my late twenties I finally got rid of lots of misconceptions regarding what is great thing and what is not, the definition of being successful and all that. Like Nan I would love to belong to an Elizabethan Failure Society as I find it extremely appealing:
“To explain what an Elizabethan Failure is,” he began, “let us contrast it first with what may appear to be its natural opposite: the Elizabethan Success. Take, for example, that all-around Renaissance man, Sir Philip Sydney.”
“Sydney was the very embodiment of grace, courtesy, and heroic virtue, the fine flower and ornament of the English renaissance. He was also a scholar, a poet, and a man of action, who died young in battle. Legend has it that in his last moments he insisted that the cup of water offered him should be given instead to a dying soldier nearby. Such is an Elizabethan Success.”
“An Elizabethan Failure, on the other hand, is a sprightly offshoot whose contrariety from an Elizabethan Success is simply a degree of artful realization. The Elizabethan Failure writes poetry, drama, and letters—yes—but he doubtless will never know the joyful stamp of a printer’s press. The Elizabethan Failure may engage in battle, but the blow that fells him will most likely be an accidental one. And the cup of water so gallantly offered will, at the last moment, slip from his weak grasp, thus rendering two people thirsty instead of one.”
If you can relate to this poetic you will probably like Calendar Girl, Nan and the delightful love story that she develops with Colm Iverson, on a higher level you can probably relate to me and you should keep reading my reviews .
Cover is misleading, this book is not about a wannabe-executive with stiletto heels but it’s about adorable cute twenty something Nan Cloutier who has a temp job posing as Cindy-Lou at the Merrier-Iverson Department Store in New York City .
This is not a general rule but when you have a happy childhood, a relatively decent attitude in high school, great parents who give you tons of freedom and make sure you can have an average good time (financially), your IQ is right where it should be, you kind of have expectations that after school great things will happen.
Now in my late twenties I finally got rid of lots of misconceptions regarding what is great thing and what is not, the definition of being successful and all that. Like Nan I would love to belong to an Elizabethan Failure Society as I find it extremely appealing:
“To explain what an Elizabethan Failure is,” he began, “let us contrast it first with what may appear to be its natural opposite: the Elizabethan Success. Take, for example, that all-around Renaissance man, Sir Philip Sydney.”
“Sydney was the very embodiment of grace, courtesy, and heroic virtue, the fine flower and ornament of the English renaissance. He was also a scholar, a poet, and a man of action, who died young in battle. Legend has it that in his last moments he insisted that the cup of water offered him should be given instead to a dying soldier nearby. Such is an Elizabethan Success.”
“An Elizabethan Failure, on the other hand, is a sprightly offshoot whose contrariety from an Elizabethan Success is simply a degree of artful realization. The Elizabethan Failure writes poetry, drama, and letters—yes—but he doubtless will never know the joyful stamp of a printer’s press. The Elizabethan Failure may engage in battle, but the blow that fells him will most likely be an accidental one. And the cup of water so gallantly offered will, at the last moment, slip from his weak grasp, thus rendering two people thirsty instead of one.”
If you can relate to this poetic you will probably like Calendar Girl, Nan and the delightful love story that she develops with Colm Iverson, on a higher level you can probably relate to me and you should keep reading my reviews .
February 20, 2015
Thank god for libraries--they enable me to get my chick-lit fix without actually having to pay money to read stuff that is fun and entertaining, but definitely not worth the $6.99 that I'd have to pay at a book store.
Maybe it's because it's been a while since I indulged in a good bit of 20-something fluff, but I enjoyed this one regardless. It was your typical, run-of-the-mill, 20-something girl has a crappy job, apartment, and lovelife, and a quirky family, and ends up upgrading everything at the end. More specifically, Nan is a 20-something girl who has spent the majority of her 20-something years just coasting along, and now that she's out of college, she's turned it into an art form. The story tends to tell of the transformation process Nan undergoes to improve her situation into something that she makes happen, as opposed to simply letting things happen to her. Maybe that's why I enjoyed this book--I felt a connection. I related.
Maybe it's because it's been a while since I indulged in a good bit of 20-something fluff, but I enjoyed this one regardless. It was your typical, run-of-the-mill, 20-something girl has a crappy job, apartment, and lovelife, and a quirky family, and ends up upgrading everything at the end. More specifically, Nan is a 20-something girl who has spent the majority of her 20-something years just coasting along, and now that she's out of college, she's turned it into an art form. The story tends to tell of the transformation process Nan undergoes to improve her situation into something that she makes happen, as opposed to simply letting things happen to her. Maybe that's why I enjoyed this book--I felt a connection. I related.
February 11, 2008
A good vacation/beach/by the pool read. Nothing deep, just a face value cute, easy read. Unfortunately, it's obviously forgettable since I read it only months ago and for the life of me can't remember enough to add a review of much substance! Yikes! :)
May 23, 2008
I really like Naomi Neale's sense of humor, but this character was a little weak compared to "I Went to Vassar for This?" My favorite part was Valentine's day. It was so funny I read it to both my kids, who laughed hysterically.
July 16, 2008
I haven't read a lot of chick-lit -- in fact, I think this qualifies as the second chick-lit book I've ever read. It was light, fluffy, cute, gimmicky, appealing, funny, and yes, even smart. Viva Naomi Neale!
September 13, 2011
This book was suggested by a friend here on Goodreads. It was just what I needed to read when I read it. You know that prefect romantic comedy. However, this book has a substance that many of this genre lack. A thoroughly enjoyable quick read.
October 2, 2013
This book was cute. I had a hard time connecting to the main character, as she is kinda flaky and not really driven in any way. But the sibling rivalry was funny, and I liked all the boys in the book. It was a quick and entertaining read.
January 16, 2024
So, it was a good book to read when I was bored, but other than that it was not exciting or interesting. The main character was annoying for me, and I think the only character I liked was the dad, somtimes. So if you get bored at work or just want to pass the time it would be a good book to read.
February 15, 2008
Vance leant me this and I loved it! I still have it if anyone wants to borrow it.
February 27, 2009
Mediocre chick lit. :)
June 17, 2009
Nice beach read.
Read
August 28, 2013Read 4/07
December 29, 2013
I thought it would be funnier than it was. I had a hard time sticking with this book.
September 10, 2014
Cute chick lit about Nan, who has a funny job dressing up for different holidays. A little disjointed regarding the romance.
November 11, 2008
Funny in parts, but a bit seedier than I went to Vassar for this?.
September 11, 2011
I wasn't really impressed.
May 3, 2017
This was a cute book and suitable for pleasant relaxation. I laughed from time to time. I agree with an earlier reviewer who commented upon her/his love of the public library for being able to pick up books like this without a financial investment. In tone it reminded me of the Stephanie Plum series without the bounty hunter angle, assuming of course that Ms. Plum could make up her mind about a guy within one book.
If you are looking for something relatively short to read and enjoy absurd situations with quirky characters, give this a try.
If you are looking for something relatively short to read and enjoy absurd situations with quirky characters, give this a try.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews