Rating: 
Summary: You one-star reviewers need to chill out
Review: Okay. Everyone has their opinion about the books they read, but I find it incredulous that people are giving this book 1-star. To me that implies that The Dirty Girls Social Club has zero value and never should have been published - which is hardly the case. C'mon, be fair, be realistic. It's Alisa's first book. It is ridiculous to trash a writer just because she doesn't write like William Faulkner. Who'd want to? And who says his style is the only one worth reading? I say it isn't. Everyone doesn't dig Faulkneresque books. I say it's okay to read a light-hearted book with the type of characters portayed within this book. I say it's okay to have the characters experience what they did in this book without calling it far-fetched. Life is far-fetched.To me, it is okay to say something good about this book, because it certainly is not the worst book in the world. Believe me, it isn't. Just be more fair with your reviews, please. Thanks. (And, no, I am not related to this author, or anything like that). Perturbed in the USA
Rating: 
Summary: The Stupid Girls Anit-Social Club
Review: This book was a letdown. I saw it in all different magazines, so I picked up a copy. I though it was going to be funny, but it wasn't. The girls are supposed to be "sassy" and "feisty" (that's what other reviewers have said), but the girls let people in their lives walk all over them. I only gave it three stars because I'm a nice person.
Rating:
Summary: What could have been...
Review: Even though I found this book entertaining in certain parts, and it was enjoyable to read phrases and quirky sayings familiar to my upbringing, this book did not really live up to all the hype. Yes, it was a fun and fast read, but it lacked conviction in terms of character and story development. The voices of each character blurred with one another, some of the storylines were far-fetched, and the ending was like a nicely wrapped-up bow. I recommend it for a lively summer book, but do not expect it to be a profound and life-altering experience. Just like the cover of the book, it is cute and attractive, but that's all it is.
Rating: 
Summary: Grab an InStyle instead
Review: I feel awful doing this, because there is such a shortage of Latino literature on the market that it hurts to slam anything out there, even if it's bad. "The Dirty Girls' Social Club" was just that - bad. I picked it up based on a review calling it good beach reading on my vacation, grabbed a hat and some sunscreen, and wasted a few hours. Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez wrote her book with an admirable idea in mind - portray Latina women as strong, diverse people with interests and goals other than those portrayed by mainstream media. However, she sorely fails in reaching her own lofty goal. Her main character, Lauren, is without a doubt the most unsympathetic charater I have ever had the misfortune to read. The premise surrounding Rebecca's story was just ridiculous (I wish I could find someone willing to just throw a one million dollar check at me after one meeting!), as were the circumstances surrounding Sara's spousal abuse. Usnavys was just plain ludicrous, inside and out, and completely fell into the money-hungry, label-seeking sterotype that many people have of Latin women. The most compelling parts of the story, while still having their roots mired in the same unbelievable muck as Sara's, were Elizabeth's. She's also, ironically enough, the most sorely underused character in the book, and the only one I would have liked to see more of. However, it would have been nice if Valdes-Rodriguez remembered that Boston, for all of its surface conservativeness, is actually more liberal than the story allowed it to be, especially with the large Gothic presence in the colleges. As a Latina myself, I couldn't imagine sitting through this book again, and am SO not looking forward to the movie. Technically, Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez is a good writer. I'm not convinced, by this offering anyway, that she has what it takes to be a great author.
Rating: 
Summary: Pulls you into the story
Review: This book was awesome! Please, when you are reading a book...read it for what its worth and quit comparing it line by line to other books! This book evoked so much emotion in me, not only because I could relate so much to the various characters, but because the writing style was so personal that I felt I KNEW these people. I laughed and smiled when good things happened, and was angry and furious when bad things happened. I am not an award winning literary critic or anything, but when a book can draw out emotions in me like that, I know it is good. Open your mind, relax, and enjoy this fantastic book!
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, it is good to laugh at ourselves
Review: I laughed out loud, I don't do that with many books.I would say this is a good lite read, nothing that is going to change your life. It was worth the price, because I spent a few hours with some lively mujeres. It turns out Disney, but who cares it was fun while it lasted.I enjoyed it for what it is, living La Vida Latina! Hasta luego, can't wait for her next novel.
Rating:
Summary: Usnavy -- what's in a name
Review: I am making the women in my family and circle of friends read this book; mostly so that we can say the name "Usnavy" to each other with a smile. While I suppose that the framework of the story centering around friends who have connected because of their latin roots, no matter how far removed or important to each of the girls' lives, provides for a common "emotional" language and some colorful references, it seems to me that the thoughts and opinions from each woman are exactly those of my own and my friends, regardless of whether or not any one of us has Latin roots. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, so I'm probably more Latin than some Latina's raised in America. The author keeps up the pace and is able to conjur lasting images with each chapter and each character. For me, it was very real and damn funny. The reticence to help a "friend" who perhaps doesn't connect as strongly with another friend in a social circle is an important theme in real girlfriend life. The author nailed it when she was able to point out the real fear of coming out with the truth about one's sexuality, sex life, romantic interests, and intimate secret home life. I love how she was able to reflect on each girl's inability to tell another friend (girl or boy) the truth as she saw it for fear of being abandoned by that friend. Mostly, I love how she was able to use language and modern day references to get to the heart of the matter of how we all have trouble communicating with each other. My 67 year old mother loved the book, too. I'm grateful it was published at all. Thank you St. Martin's Press.
Rating:
Summary: The meaning of Friendship
Review: A story that highlights the ups and downs of girlfriends. A realistic story of 6 girls from college who remain close friends despite changes in their lives. These girls show what it really means to be true friends. Six girls that differ in many ways from one another find the true meaning of friendship in common. This book is easy to relate to for any girl and one easy to enjoy and read.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put this one down!
Review: I hardly know how to describe this book. It's a story of friendship. It's a romance. It's a story of abuse. It's a commentary on Latino culture in America. It's a story of women overcoming obstacles to become something great. It's anything you could ever want...and then some! When I picked up the book, it just seemed like a light, funny tale about six friends and their problems. I actually think they took the wrong approach in marketing the book. Sure, it made me laugh (literally out loud) a few times, but it also made me cry. I came to know these girls, I felt Amber's happiness when she got a record deal, I wanted to kill Roberto for hurting Sara. This novel was fictitious without being overly so, entertaining without being corny, dramatic when necessary, and it actually made you think. READ IT. You'll be glad you did.
Rating:
Summary: Stereotypes
Review: The Dirty Girls Social Club is about a group of Latinas who meet in college and who meet a few times a year to dish the dirtt. The characters aren't believable, and everybody is stereotyped, especially the men. They're like something from a bad telenovela. Plus the author doesn't seem to know anything about Latinas outside of her own background, and the errors make you cringe. I don't recommend this book.
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