Confessions of a Listmaniac - The Life and Times of Layla the Ordinary

by Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan

A seriously funny, coming of age novel by Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan. Seventeen-year-old Layla knows that journal writing is way retro but thinks, why not recreate the whole blog thing in a notebook? Layla’s journal entries often morph into quirky lists that record her observations on her life and times. Light, confessional and brimming with witty teenage angst, Layla’s observations on her family and friends provide a commentary on the lives of urban teenagers and the way they think and function.

Genres: Young Adult

184 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Keerthi · Rating 2 out of 5]

the first time i read it,i was like-don't you know how to write woman?then,when i read it for the second time,i began liking it.
the protagonist doesn't have a clue about life.i mean,she dumped all her friends for some popular,mean people?now that is extremely stupid!they make out that teenagers doesn't have a mind and brain of their own.i liked some of the other characters like the grandmother,suzze etc.but not layla.she is such a waste.she could have made the book bit more original and indian instead of just copying from hit series like princes diaries and such.anyway,it is good for light,unimaginative reading.

[Harshit Gupta · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK. Not good like Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan's first book, You are Here.

[Smita Beohar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meenashi Reddy Madhavan is one of those breed of Indian Authors who have a history of a successful blog which brought them into the focus of publishing world. This is her second book and I have no qualms in accepting that her first book “You Are Here” lies unread in my shelf. That book was launched with much fanfare and I was quite surprised when I saw her second book in the book store because till now I am yet to see it being marketed or splashed around (the way it is usually done these days). I picked the book solely because of its theme & price.

With Confessions Of A Listmaniac (COAL) Meenakshi has forayed into the not-much-explore-by-contemporary-Indian-Authors territory of “Young Adult Fiction”, it is the story of 17 year old Layla. A breezy read the author takes us through the trials & tribulations of a teenager who wants to be popular in her class and is ready to accept any hand offered in that direction. Like any other teenager she has her share of crushes/ heartbreaks/ sibling fights/ breakup with best friend/ finding the real self et. al.

This book is a quick a read and reminds you of your school days when a chipped nail is a national tragedy and when even a glance from your favorite senior could take you to heaven. Well written fast paced this book is worth a read on a rainy day! The innocence of the characters will surely give you a reason to smile.

My only problem with the book is it's Inspired Title!!! Even the Tag line is inspired :-)

[Malvika Puranik · Rating 3 out of 5]

it's a light read. meant for teenagers

[lilacreaders · Rating 2 out of 5]

“I don't know if that counts as having fun when you're doing it for an audience. I mean, is projecting the idea of having fun more fun than fun itself?”(pp.71)

Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan is a blogger and a writer. She writes under the pseudonym on The Compulsive Confessor. Her first book, a semi-autobiographical attempt, is "You Are Here", published by Penguin group. Her second book is titled 'Confessions of a List maniac' which was published by Scholastic. She is the daughter of the famous malayalam writer and IAS officer N.S.Madhavan who is one of the most powerful voice of Malayalam literature. Her mother Shiela Reddy is a journalist.

Summary: A seriously funny, coming of age novel by Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan. Seventeen-year-old Layla knows that journal writing is way retro but thinks, why not recreate the whole blog thing in a notebook? Layla’s journal entries often morph into quirky lists that record her observations on her life and times. Light, confessional and brimming with witty teenage angst, Layla’s observations on her family and friends provide a commentary on the lives of urban teenagers and the way they think and function.

Our final verdict would be that, this story was light, easy read. Funny and thought-provoking in parts. It gives the glimpses of the immediate environment of an 'ordinary' 16 year old co-ed girl - so naturally it deals with fashion, peer pressure, boy-trouble, friendship, her interests, her family and their decisions that affect her life. Well written fast paced this book. The innocence of the characters will surely give you a reason to smile. My only problem with the book is its Inspired Title! We recommend it to all the teenagers out there.

Genre: Young Adult Fiction.
Rating: 2⭐

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[Ahtims · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light, easy read. Funny and thought-provoking in parts. It gives the glimpses of the immediate environment of an'ordinary' 16 year old co-ed girl - so naturally it deals with girl friends, boy friends, crushes, first love, heart break, shopping, music and journal writing. One thing I found difficult to comprehend was that the book describes kissing between boyfriend-girl friend in the school corridors, with most students cheering them on, and the P E teacher doing nothing more than blowing his whistle at them. If this is the true scene going on in Indian co-ed schools nowadays, India has "progressed" beyond words. In my times (a couple of decades back), co-ed schools themselves were a rarity in India, and times and relationships were not that forward. Even the parents in the story don't mind their young kids bringing their "friends" home. But I am all for co-ed schools and healthy interaction between the sexes, which is much needed and appreciated. I am waiting for my son to grow up to see what the scene will be in his era :-)

[Anushka · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light, easy read especially for people who don't like to read at all. The book is written as a diary of Layla - who's obsessed with writing lists. To be honest, it didn't really have much of an amazing story but then again, considering it's a bit kiddish book, it was perfectly good. Advait comes out as a really nice character whom you start liking after a while. However, again, for a book so small, Meenakshi Reddy portrayed the idea of peer pressure in a really comprehensible and precise manner.
I read this book as a random read in my study hour, when I was bored out of my wits and couldn't study anything. It turned out to be a great one-time read. For all the teens out there - give it a shot - it ain't that bad. :)

[Avani]

This book.It was early morning as the rays of sun brushed past my cheeks in the month of december.It all happened in a moment as I was going to my school and was sitting next to one of my dearest friends.THE BOOK GOT OVER.I could not believe how much a connected you can be to a book.I kept my head down as hot tears rooled down my cheeks.Thats the magic of this book.

[Bhargavi Balachandran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cliche theme.Reminded me of a few movies( esp one with Lindsay Lohan in it) I've watched on tv. Nice breezy read.

[Ratanjot Passi · Rating 3 out of 5]

More teenage-y than I had expected, I reckon. Nothing I'd write home about.

[Chitra Nair · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, so I'll begin right-on. I can't remember the details, but this is all I can do.
Confessions of a Listmaniac is a light book which every teenager even one who lives a very busy life can read. It's breezy and one can really connect with Layla, the lead.
The story is basically about teenage angst and shows Layla's secret desire to be extraordinary, to be popular in her school.
Layla is a really sweet character. She isn't the moaning type (like some protagonists from chick-lit books usually do) and though she is confused about her feelings (who isn't?), she got it all right in the end.
In the end, Layla does do something extraordinary she wins an art competition and finally realizes that being popular in school isn't everything .
So, if you're not a teen who reads serious stuff, this book is cut out for you. :)

[Shonita · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light, funny and easy read with well described characters and struggles typical to a teen . I now know why this book was gifted to me- I write my diary with the same list making fervor. A third person perspective allowed me to understand that such habits are not totally gibberish but can be ascertained as a practical way of judgement.

[Shivanii · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is for all the teens out there.Good example of peer pressure!Nicely written,will even make you laugh a bit!
You will be even inspired to write your own journal.....atleast inspired me.If you are looking for a light read,go for this one.

[Soumya Kamatham · Rating 4 out of 5]

good

[Aiyesha Sharma]

beautifully written. i luvd it! <3 <3

[Athulya Komalan]

absoluety loove this books. Simple sentences.Simple story line. Nothing diffcult. No twist at the end.
Yet a stunning book.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read, fun, and truly relatable. Love that I've met the author, too :)

[Honey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book before I liked reading so I don’t remember much about it now (2021) except that I liked it a lot back then as- wait I think I was pre teen??? well that’s all I have to say :D