Dear Diary

By Lesley Arfin

Book Overview

Following a remarkable run in its singular hardcover format (over 20,000 copies in print after two printings) and having captured a devoted fan base that continues to grow, "Dear Diary" arrives in trade paperback. Within only several months of its release, this highly acclaimed title reached thousands of readers who sparked enthusiastic discussions on MySpace Books, was covered exhaustively on teen and literary blogs alike, and repeatedly hit the top of numerous must-read lists at Amazon. With glowing reviews from national publications like "Jane" and "Paper" magazines, who have generated an electrifying buzz with praise of its unique sensibility and sincerity, "Dear Diary" is undoubtedly on its way to becoming a teen classic in the vein of "Go Ask Alice" and "The Perks of Being a Wallflower."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1576874400
• ISBN13: 9781576874400
• Release Date: August 2008
• Publisher: VICE Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.1" x 0.7" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

awesome

if you were ever a teenage grrl in the burbs and hated it u must read this. or, if u ever went to hampshire college and were a neurotic, drug-addled sex addict u must read this. its all so true. lesley's story isn't unique, but what's remarkable is that she's documented well what bored teens in the burbs and HC alums have gone thru. why do ppl raise their kids in the burbs? don't they know this is what they do to them? wtf.

Sadly familiar

This book really surprised me. Even though the cover of it's really ugly (and I like my books beautiful), I felt somewhat close to Lesley while reading this book because I identified with what she went through because I went through the exact same thing, except I didn't get horribly addicted to heroin (only a little addicted). I figured I would relate to it a little bit but I was surprised at how similiar my experience was to hers. But what I liked most about this book is that it's a truthful, accurate portrayal of what young girls in America go through and are still going through. Girls in this country are so unbelievably confused and constantly making poor choices because, well, I blaim society. America breeds head-cases. America breeds drug addicts and under-age sex machines. And this book, or most of it, is what most of the young girls in America are going through right now and have been going through for a while and it isn't healthy, but it sure is nostalgic for me! I really loved this book, it hit so close to home. I actually plan on giving it to an old friend I was a teenage head-case with so she can feel nostalgic too because I know she was going through the exact same thing aswel. I suggest his book to all girls in America who's life wasn't perfect...which is all of them. But I warn you I don't think there is a man alive who will understand this book, or anyone under 16.

a must read!

couldn't put it down! lesley takes you on a journey-- one you may not want to join but one that is important/hearbreaking/enlightening/hilarious/touching

this one will stick with you

i completely loved this very brave, honest, and fascinating book by lesley arfin. i haven't stopped thinking about it since i finished reading it. i think she's written an enduring book that will be on the shelves, in the backpacks, and on the bedside tables of angsty teens and formerly angsty teens for many years to come.

Helpful to others

As a health care professional who works with adolescents, I found this book to be insightful and honest. The author holds little back and shares much of the teenage angst that is so common to that population.It is hopeful and inspiring and I am recommending it to my clients and their parents as a must read. Thank you Lesley Arfin. Lila Samson