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As You Wish #1
How Not To Make a Wish
While cleaning an old lantern, Kira Franklin releases a genie. But this gender-morphing, appearance-bending creature doesn't do "big" wishes. So forget stopping world hunger or ending war. And still heartbroken from the jerk who dumped her, Kira doesn't believe in the perfect man.
So she wishes for her dream job. Stage manager at the hottest theater in town, the Landmark. And she's running Romeo and Juliet . Except, like everything else these days, this is one crazy production. And now Teel, the genie, insists she finish her wishes so "he" can move on.
Her second wish is about her appearance, which isn't exactly catching her third wish's eye. And there's the rub.
Because that old saying about being careful what you wish for is so spot-on. And Kira is about to discover that moxie , not magic, is what can make all your dreams come true.
So she wishes for her dream job. Stage manager at the hottest theater in town, the Landmark. And she's running Romeo and Juliet . Except, like everything else these days, this is one crazy production. And now Teel, the genie, insists she finish her wishes so "he" can move on.
Her second wish is about her appearance, which isn't exactly catching her third wish's eye. And there's the rub.
Because that old saying about being careful what you wish for is so spot-on. And Kira is about to discover that moxie , not magic, is what can make all your dreams come true.
336 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2009
58 people are currently reading
1018 people want to read
About the author
Mindy Klasky
111 books539 followersMindy Klasky learned to read when her parents shoved a book in her hands and told her that she could travel anywhere in the world through stories. She never forgot that advice.
Mindy's travels took her through multiple careers, including copyright lawyer and law librarian. Mindy now writes full time. Her books fall in a number of genres -- including romantic comedies, paranormal romance, and traditional fantasy.
In her spare time, Mindy knits, quilts, and tries to tame the endless to-be-read shelf in her home library. Her husband and two cats do their best to fill the left-over minutes in her days.
Mindy's travels took her through multiple careers, including copyright lawyer and law librarian. Mindy now writes full time. Her books fall in a number of genres -- including romantic comedies, paranormal romance, and traditional fantasy.
In her spare time, Mindy knits, quilts, and tries to tame the endless to-be-read shelf in her home library. Her husband and two cats do their best to fill the left-over minutes in her days.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
May 1, 2022
meh... really dated, predictable & trite. Also full of "fat-phobia" and stereotypes with a whiny MC. No wonder it took me 8 years to read & wish I hadn't - time to clean up my TBR so I don't suffer with another dud.
October 15, 2009
Well, I've been excited about this book since I first read about back around April or May. I like Mindy Klasky, she writes light chick-lit with a hint of supernatural to it. Plus as an added bonus this book is about a stage manager, in theater, which is what I am. I've never read a book about someone that does what I do, so I was over the top excited, maybe that's what let me down. I mean I probably was hyper-sensitive because of how close I was to the main character, and let me tell you there were some things that just didn't add up. But more than that, I had real trouble finishing the book because by page 30-ish, I knew how it was going to play out. By page 200, I had no idea how she would fill the next 120 pages. And by the last page I hadn't been shocked at all. I didn't hate it. But I didn't love it.
January 15, 2012
I've read the Jane Madison series and loved it, but I just couldn't identify with the protagonist of the As You Wish series. I'm going to check out the rest of it, but I was pretty disappointed. I just got annoyed with all the "I hate myself because I'm fat and alone" stuff, when she kept making the same mistakes. Anyway, an easy read and not the worst thing I've ever read, but definitely not my favorite.
November 3, 2015
I think anyone who goes into a chick-lit romance featuring a genie and expects depth is likely to be disappointed.
This is what it is: a light, fluffy romance/coming-of-age novel, with a genie to rev up the action, and to cause as many problems as it solves- in best wish-granted formula.
Kira is a complex and well-drawn heroine (narrative first person singular). Everyone else is less clearly drawn, but they are mostly not cardboard, either.
The plot is fairly predictable, but nicely executed, and allows Kira to grow up in a way she'd avoided before. The world of backstage live theater- and crazy demands- was extremely entertaining! And when I was in college, I saw a version of "Romeo and Juliet" that might have inspired this one... at least slightly!
I thought the resolution worked well, though it goes against genie canon a bit.
And, in terms of freeing the genie? I saw NO hint that the genie wanted to be freed; what it wanted was access to the Garden (Eden? Earthly Delights? or ???), which it could only earn by granting wishes to clients. I think it's fair that Kira didn't free it, under the circumstances; it's only got 2 more clients to go, after all!
Fun fluff, if you like chick-lit at all.
This is what it is: a light, fluffy romance/coming-of-age novel, with a genie to rev up the action, and to cause as many problems as it solves- in best wish-granted formula.
Kira is a complex and well-drawn heroine (narrative first person singular). Everyone else is less clearly drawn, but they are mostly not cardboard, either.
The plot is fairly predictable, but nicely executed, and allows Kira to grow up in a way she'd avoided before. The world of backstage live theater- and crazy demands- was extremely entertaining! And when I was in college, I saw a version of "Romeo and Juliet" that might have inspired this one... at least slightly!
I thought the resolution worked well, though it goes against genie canon a bit.
And, in terms of freeing the genie? I saw NO hint that the genie wanted to be freed; what it wanted was access to the Garden (Eden? Earthly Delights? or ???), which it could only earn by granting wishes to clients. I think it's fair that Kira didn't free it, under the circumstances; it's only got 2 more clients to go, after all!
Fun fluff, if you like chick-lit at all.
October 20, 2018
A year later, Kira Franklin – still recovering from a break up, jobless and an extra thirty pounds heavier – is in desperate need of a miracle. One day, she gets that miracle in the shape of a genie. Now her troubles are over…or so she thinks. Her wishes end up making her life anything but easier. Every wish seems to just turn into a huge fiasco – like when she wished away her extra thirty pounds, her family and friends began to think she was anorexic.
How Not to Make a Wish sounded interesting when I read the back of the book, but I’m disappointed to say it was anything but. It was ridiculously predictable, and the plot really fell flat. I had a hard time trying to actually finish the entire book. The characters lacked depth and were too whiny for my liking. I also felt like the genie, Teel, was just thrown in to mix things up a bit because not really anything was revealed about his character. He just popped in every now and again to help move the story along.
How Not to Make a Wish was not a book for me and I think it’s safe to say I won’t be reading the rest of this series.
How Not to Make a Wish sounded interesting when I read the back of the book, but I’m disappointed to say it was anything but. It was ridiculously predictable, and the plot really fell flat. I had a hard time trying to actually finish the entire book. The characters lacked depth and were too whiny for my liking. I also felt like the genie, Teel, was just thrown in to mix things up a bit because not really anything was revealed about his character. He just popped in every now and again to help move the story along.
How Not to Make a Wish was not a book for me and I think it’s safe to say I won’t be reading the rest of this series.
January 6, 2014
I'd love to give my honest opinion about this book, after all it was given to me to review, but I can't. I gave up reading after the first 50 pages. The genie was pretty obnoxious, the main character was unbelievably insecure and the rest of the characters aren't even worth mentioning. They were THAT memorable. Basically this book was too boring for me. It's possible it gets better towards the end but I never made it that far. In fact I skimmed most of said 50 pages.
*Because I never finished the book I refrained from rating it. I do not want to lower the value of this novel when I can't form a more thorough assessment*
Re-edited: I take it back. I couldn't stop thinking about not finishing the book so I grabbed it again. My opinion hasn't changed much though. I still find the genie incredibly obnoxious and Kira an insecure little girl. It felt flat. I didn't connect with a single character. The wishes were mostly complete busts and I don't really see the point of this story.
*Because I never finished the book I refrained from rating it. I do not want to lower the value of this novel when I can't form a more thorough assessment*
Re-edited: I take it back. I couldn't stop thinking about not finishing the book so I grabbed it again. My opinion hasn't changed much though. I still find the genie incredibly obnoxious and Kira an insecure little girl. It felt flat. I didn't connect with a single character. The wishes were mostly complete busts and I don't really see the point of this story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2013
I had mixed feelings about this. It was light, entertaining, and an easy read....but the character really bothered me. Kira was so...spineless. And I got really tired of her doing everything for some man. Or because of some man. I suppose it was a pretty accurate portrayal of a lot of women, but that didn't do anything to lesson my annoyance.
July 20, 2015
Cute read, theatre related which is fun.
June 22, 2017
Not in same league as Jane Madison series.
January 3, 2019
This was a fun one; I can relate to all the stage manager problems and nightmares that occurred in this one.
September 3, 2020
Very cute blend of fantasy and rom-com, that I picked up as a whim. Now, I am going to have to read the rest of Ms. Klasky's books, because this one was right up my alley.
May 13, 2023
Could have been so much better. The oldest tropes fat to thin and getting big boobs. Liked the stage manager aspect.
February 6, 2014
ACT ONE, WISH ONE by Mindy Klasky is about a professional stage manager (hooray techies!) who is - first and foremost, in her mind - love-lorn. Which is a pity, since she's a put-together, competent stage manager who also has a career worth worrying a little more about. And some incredible friends.
But, considering her chief concern in the first chapter is the anniversary of being jilted at the altar (her soon-to-be lack of job the secondary concern), the plot is pretty romance centered, as you might imagine. So, taking in mind that this is a romance set in the theatre, not a theatre story offset by romance, the book was fun. It was, however, desperately clichéd.
How much you would enjoy this book really depends how you feel about clichéd romance. In the cast there is:
A Love-Lorn, Hard-Working, Unfairly Jilted Romantic Heroine
The Handsome, Charming College Frat Escapee
The Southern Gentleman - Hard-Working and Soft-Spoken
The Encouraging BFFs who Have It Figured Out
The Dreaded Ex
The New Girlfriend of the Ex
And a gender-switching, wish-granting genie (the odd duck in the mix, I'll grant)
If you're familiar with your clichés, you'll likely be able to figure out who ends up with whom (and who they end up with along the way). It's not complicated, nor is it empowering. There are times in the manuscript when the main character is a bit too focused on romance and appearance (and the worth that comes with them) for comfort. It's just a simple romance - the predictable chick flick of the written word. I have nothing against them. They're fun on occasion, clichés and all. But this is not the type of book that would be my steady fare. It's too sweet for every day- like Turkish Delight, that sugar and no substance guilty pleasure.
The two things that made me very happy with this book (which is what bumped it up to four stars): the respect for the gender-swapping genie, and the theatre. Teel (the genie, who I suspect will show up in the next book) shows up in a new body every appearance. I love it. And, even better, Kira (our Heroine), after struggling to comprehend the extend of the genie's powers, settles into addressing Teel with the pronoun appropriate to the gender portrayed at each visit. There are one or two slips at the beginning, but then it becomes a NON-ISSUE. Okay - so Teel can swap gender/race/nationality at the drop of a hat. A brief description of who Teel is at the moment is all we ever get. It's GREAT. Teel is probably the best character in the ENTIRE book. Ze is AMAZING - and totally comfortable with zirself.
The other good thing was the accuracy with which the theatre was portrayed. It's not glamorous, it's not easy, and it REALLY isn't an atmosphere for anyone who doesn't LOVE it and WANT to be there. Also - TECHIES. I was a techie in college and so often stories about the theatre are stories about the people on stage: actors, dancers, singers, etc. I love me some techie love. And the work Kira does is not diminished OR overblown. It's work. And it's work she loves. The director was a bit of a caricature of the Insane Director, but he was pretty fun. And the Technical Director/Master Carpenter (the story is never quite clear which one he is) is pretty on point. My one question: WHERE WERE THE PROPS AND COSTUME DEPARTMENTS? Kira NEVER mentions them and kind of IS them until she isn't. The theatre was clearly big enough to sustain them and there were so many peripheral moments . . . where were my Props Master and Costume Designer? But THAT is a really buggy detail that does not diminish the fact that this is the first time I've seen the back and forth between actors and directors and managers - the camaraderie and the frustrations on both sides - depicted without the actors being total snobs or the techs being totally incompetent. It made the reading more fun.
B+ - fun characters, accurate portrayal of behind the scenes theatre, somewhat disappointing main character, clichéd
But, considering her chief concern in the first chapter is the anniversary of being jilted at the altar (her soon-to-be lack of job the secondary concern), the plot is pretty romance centered, as you might imagine. So, taking in mind that this is a romance set in the theatre, not a theatre story offset by romance, the book was fun. It was, however, desperately clichéd.
How much you would enjoy this book really depends how you feel about clichéd romance. In the cast there is:
A Love-Lorn, Hard-Working, Unfairly Jilted Romantic Heroine
The Handsome, Charming College Frat Escapee
The Southern Gentleman - Hard-Working and Soft-Spoken
The Encouraging BFFs who Have It Figured Out
The Dreaded Ex
The New Girlfriend of the Ex
And a gender-switching, wish-granting genie (the odd duck in the mix, I'll grant)
If you're familiar with your clichés, you'll likely be able to figure out who ends up with whom (and who they end up with along the way). It's not complicated, nor is it empowering. There are times in the manuscript when the main character is a bit too focused on romance and appearance (and the worth that comes with them) for comfort. It's just a simple romance - the predictable chick flick of the written word. I have nothing against them. They're fun on occasion, clichés and all. But this is not the type of book that would be my steady fare. It's too sweet for every day- like Turkish Delight, that sugar and no substance guilty pleasure.
The two things that made me very happy with this book (which is what bumped it up to four stars): the respect for the gender-swapping genie, and the theatre. Teel (the genie, who I suspect will show up in the next book) shows up in a new body every appearance. I love it. And, even better, Kira (our Heroine), after struggling to comprehend the extend of the genie's powers, settles into addressing Teel with the pronoun appropriate to the gender portrayed at each visit. There are one or two slips at the beginning, but then it becomes a NON-ISSUE. Okay - so Teel can swap gender/race/nationality at the drop of a hat. A brief description of who Teel is at the moment is all we ever get. It's GREAT. Teel is probably the best character in the ENTIRE book. Ze is AMAZING - and totally comfortable with zirself.
The other good thing was the accuracy with which the theatre was portrayed. It's not glamorous, it's not easy, and it REALLY isn't an atmosphere for anyone who doesn't LOVE it and WANT to be there. Also - TECHIES. I was a techie in college and so often stories about the theatre are stories about the people on stage: actors, dancers, singers, etc. I love me some techie love. And the work Kira does is not diminished OR overblown. It's work. And it's work she loves. The director was a bit of a caricature of the Insane Director, but he was pretty fun. And the Technical Director/Master Carpenter (the story is never quite clear which one he is) is pretty on point. My one question: WHERE WERE THE PROPS AND COSTUME DEPARTMENTS? Kira NEVER mentions them and kind of IS them until she isn't. The theatre was clearly big enough to sustain them and there were so many peripheral moments . . . where were my Props Master and Costume Designer? But THAT is a really buggy detail that does not diminish the fact that this is the first time I've seen the back and forth between actors and directors and managers - the camaraderie and the frustrations on both sides - depicted without the actors being total snobs or the techs being totally incompetent. It made the reading more fun.
B+ - fun characters, accurate portrayal of behind the scenes theatre, somewhat disappointing main character, clichéd
February 20, 2012
- Il y a une éternité que je n'ai pas lu de Chick-lit, ou « livres pour filles » si vous préférez. Après quelques déceptions, j'ai fini par abandonner le style. Et puis l'occasion de redécouvrir le genre s'est présentée à moi avec ce livre. J'ai bien fait d'accepter !!
A quoi rêvent les filles ? est un livre chick-lit original, avec un soupçon de fantastique. J'avoue que je ne m'y attendais pas du tout, mais c'est vraiment une très bonne idée.
- Kira Franklin, 28 ans, est régisseuse dans un petit théâtre de Minneapolis. Il y a un an, son ex l'a planté le jour du mariage. Elle a pris 15 kilos et aujourd'hui elle va sans doute perdre son boulot car le théâtre fait faillite. C'est alors qu'elle fait une rencontre inattendue dans la réserve des costumes... Teel, un génie, lui propose d'exaucer des souhaits.
- D'habitude dans les livres chick-lit, l'héroïne a souvent un job de rêve dans l'édition ou la mode. Ici, place au théâtre ! Ca change et c'est très agréable. Je ne connaissais pas du tout l'univers du théâtre, en tous cas sa partie « cachée », alors c'était plutôt sympa de découvrir tout ça.
L'histoire d'amour bouleverse elle aussi tous les clichés de la chick-lit. A cause des choix de Kira, et grâce à Teel, la vie sentimentale de notre héroïne va prendre un tournant particulier.
- Kira est un personnage attachant. Une femme ordinaire, qui pourrait être n'importe laquelle d'entre nous. Elle aspire à une meilleure vie, tout simplement. Kira voudrait se remettre de la séparation, de l'humiliation qu'elle a vécue. C'est une femme brillante, et une battante. Avec les petits coups de pouce de Teel, elle espère réussir dans tous les domaines : travail, amour...
Teel est unique en son genre. Ce n'est pas un simple génie qui arrive dès que l'on claque des doigts. Il s’ennuie ferme et va passer son temps à embêter Kira. Certaines situations et certains dialogues sont assez drôles.
J'ai tout de suite accroché avec le personnage de John, et de plus en plus au fil des pages. Par contre j'ai détesté Drew tout de suite ! Les copines / colocataires de Kira, Jules et Maddy, m'ont bien plus elles aussi. Elles sont prêtes à tout pour aider leur copine.
A chaque intervention de Bill, le metteur en scène, j'étais de plus en plus atterrée. Je me disais « mais il va droit dans le mur ! Pourquoi personne ne dit rien ? ». Un vrai illuminé, il m'a bien fait rire avec ses idées loufoques.
- Pour conclure, c'est un livre drôle, léger, sans prise de tête. L'histoire est originale, intéressante, les personnages sont sympa. Que demander de plus ?
- Je découvre Mindy Klasky avec ce titre, et ça m'a donné envie d'en découvrir d'autres. La plume de l'auteur est agréable et fluide. J'ai été séduite par le côté magique de cette histoire.
Je connaissais la Chick-lit classique, et le Chick-lit policier, désormais je connais la Chick-lit fantastique et je dois avouer que ça me plaît beaucoup !
http://lectures-petit-lips.blogspot.c...
A quoi rêvent les filles ? est un livre chick-lit original, avec un soupçon de fantastique. J'avoue que je ne m'y attendais pas du tout, mais c'est vraiment une très bonne idée.
- Kira Franklin, 28 ans, est régisseuse dans un petit théâtre de Minneapolis. Il y a un an, son ex l'a planté le jour du mariage. Elle a pris 15 kilos et aujourd'hui elle va sans doute perdre son boulot car le théâtre fait faillite. C'est alors qu'elle fait une rencontre inattendue dans la réserve des costumes... Teel, un génie, lui propose d'exaucer des souhaits.
- D'habitude dans les livres chick-lit, l'héroïne a souvent un job de rêve dans l'édition ou la mode. Ici, place au théâtre ! Ca change et c'est très agréable. Je ne connaissais pas du tout l'univers du théâtre, en tous cas sa partie « cachée », alors c'était plutôt sympa de découvrir tout ça.
L'histoire d'amour bouleverse elle aussi tous les clichés de la chick-lit. A cause des choix de Kira, et grâce à Teel, la vie sentimentale de notre héroïne va prendre un tournant particulier.
- Kira est un personnage attachant. Une femme ordinaire, qui pourrait être n'importe laquelle d'entre nous. Elle aspire à une meilleure vie, tout simplement. Kira voudrait se remettre de la séparation, de l'humiliation qu'elle a vécue. C'est une femme brillante, et une battante. Avec les petits coups de pouce de Teel, elle espère réussir dans tous les domaines : travail, amour...
Teel est unique en son genre. Ce n'est pas un simple génie qui arrive dès que l'on claque des doigts. Il s’ennuie ferme et va passer son temps à embêter Kira. Certaines situations et certains dialogues sont assez drôles.
J'ai tout de suite accroché avec le personnage de John, et de plus en plus au fil des pages. Par contre j'ai détesté Drew tout de suite ! Les copines / colocataires de Kira, Jules et Maddy, m'ont bien plus elles aussi. Elles sont prêtes à tout pour aider leur copine.
A chaque intervention de Bill, le metteur en scène, j'étais de plus en plus atterrée. Je me disais « mais il va droit dans le mur ! Pourquoi personne ne dit rien ? ». Un vrai illuminé, il m'a bien fait rire avec ses idées loufoques.
- Pour conclure, c'est un livre drôle, léger, sans prise de tête. L'histoire est originale, intéressante, les personnages sont sympa. Que demander de plus ?
- Je découvre Mindy Klasky avec ce titre, et ça m'a donné envie d'en découvrir d'autres. La plume de l'auteur est agréable et fluide. J'ai été séduite par le côté magique de cette histoire.
Je connaissais la Chick-lit classique, et le Chick-lit policier, désormais je connais la Chick-lit fantastique et je dois avouer que ça me plaît beaucoup !
http://lectures-petit-lips.blogspot.c...
June 28, 2012
I really liked this book, actually I would've given it 5 stars.
It's a nice twist to the classic stereotypical genie tail.
My edition of the book didn't have the last 2 chapters of the book because they had accidentally printed another book instead after page 304, so I had to go on Klasky's website to find them. (Apparently a lot of books had this little problem. Good thing I didn't buy it and got it from the library.)
However, the only, I repeat only, reason I'm giving it four stars is because there were constantly words I have never heard in my life before.
It's a stupid reason, I admit, but when you're all caught up in a story, and suddenly, you come across a word you don't know, it ruins the pull of the book. Especially when you have to do that constantly.
I was looking up a new word on dictionary.com practically every five pages!
I'm not even your average reader, I find myself uttering "big" words aloud and having to explain the meaning to people. But this book, made me feel insanely stupid, looking up a new word every five minutes.
It's annoying, and completely unecessary.
Sure, authors are supposed to shorten sentences using a word instead of a few words, but sometimes, it's better just to have the few words.
And this is a YA book for Pete's sake! Our vocabualaries are not quite that large yet! Heck, I don't even think an adult's vocabulary is that large.
Mindy Klasky obviously likes to play Scrabble or something like that(they even play Scrabble in the book)because some of the words were just preposterous!
An example of a time when she shortened a sentence a tad bit too much is: "I kissed him and hopped out of the car, ostensibly properly grateful to be spared the walk through the February cold."
What's wrong with (making this up here) "I kissed him and hopped out of the car, pretending to be politely grateful that I didn't have to walk through the February cold." or "I kissed him and hopped out of the car, properly telling him thankyou for sparing me the walk through the February cold."
I mean jeesh, Mindy Klasky, could you cut down on the thesaurus usage?
And just because I'm that annoyed with it I'm going to write a list of some (repeat some, as in like 1/8) of the words I had to look up or stop and think about. And these are the smaller ones I felt like typing, as it's 2:00 in the morning and I'm tired.
Here they are:
belial
unctous (which didn't even appear on dictionary.com)
smarmy
servile
svelte (still can't pronounce that one)
altruistic (heard it before but never really used it)
recalcitrant
Cyrogenics
epithet
camaraderie (a more complicated word for comradeship)
Honestly, there's too many too list. Maybe I'm just stupid. Who knows?
I just know I'm not going to try reading another one of Mindy Klasky's books. I can go talk to my English teacher if I wanted a vocabulary lesson.
It's a nice twist to the classic stereotypical genie tail.
My edition of the book didn't have the last 2 chapters of the book because they had accidentally printed another book instead after page 304, so I had to go on Klasky's website to find them. (Apparently a lot of books had this little problem. Good thing I didn't buy it and got it from the library.)
However, the only, I repeat only, reason I'm giving it four stars is because there were constantly words I have never heard in my life before.
It's a stupid reason, I admit, but when you're all caught up in a story, and suddenly, you come across a word you don't know, it ruins the pull of the book. Especially when you have to do that constantly.
I was looking up a new word on dictionary.com practically every five pages!
I'm not even your average reader, I find myself uttering "big" words aloud and having to explain the meaning to people. But this book, made me feel insanely stupid, looking up a new word every five minutes.
It's annoying, and completely unecessary.
Sure, authors are supposed to shorten sentences using a word instead of a few words, but sometimes, it's better just to have the few words.
And this is a YA book for Pete's sake! Our vocabualaries are not quite that large yet! Heck, I don't even think an adult's vocabulary is that large.
Mindy Klasky obviously likes to play Scrabble or something like that(they even play Scrabble in the book)because some of the words were just preposterous!
An example of a time when she shortened a sentence a tad bit too much is: "I kissed him and hopped out of the car, ostensibly properly grateful to be spared the walk through the February cold."
What's wrong with (making this up here) "I kissed him and hopped out of the car, pretending to be politely grateful that I didn't have to walk through the February cold." or "I kissed him and hopped out of the car, properly telling him thankyou for sparing me the walk through the February cold."
I mean jeesh, Mindy Klasky, could you cut down on the thesaurus usage?
And just because I'm that annoyed with it I'm going to write a list of some (repeat some, as in like 1/8) of the words I had to look up or stop and think about. And these are the smaller ones I felt like typing, as it's 2:00 in the morning and I'm tired.
Here they are:
belial
unctous (which didn't even appear on dictionary.com)
smarmy
servile
svelte (still can't pronounce that one)
altruistic (heard it before but never really used it)
recalcitrant
Cyrogenics
epithet
camaraderie (a more complicated word for comradeship)
Honestly, there's too many too list. Maybe I'm just stupid. Who knows?
I just know I'm not going to try reading another one of Mindy Klasky's books. I can go talk to my English teacher if I wanted a vocabulary lesson.
November 22, 2009
Kira Franklin was still recovering from her breakup. A whole year after the fact, and thirty extra pounds later, practically jobless and in need of a miracle, she unexpectedly got one in the shape of a genie. That’s right, a real rub-the-lamp genie named Teel. Kira’s troubles are over!
Or so she thinks. As it turns out, her wishes make her life anything but easier. She wishes for a new job that turns out to be a huge fiasco, and after wishing away her extra thirty pounds, her friends and family start to think she’s anorexic.
But Kira doesn’t regret her wishes, and besides, it’s not like she can take them back…right?
Did I like How Not to Make a Wish? I’m on the fence. I like Mindy Klasky. I’m a huge fan of her Jane Madison series, but How Not to Make a Wish lacked some of the charm that “Sorcery and the Single Girl” and “Girl’s Guide to Witchcraft” oozed in excess.
Instead of a fantasy with a love story thrown in as her previous books were, How Not to Make a Wish was more like a love story/coming of age story with a genie thrown in to stir things up. I was really surprised that Mindy Klasky did not reveal more about the character of Teel the genie. The story focused mostly on Kira and her friends, while Teel just popped in every now and then to help move the story along.
Don’t get me wrong, I thought Kira had a lot of depth as a character and I related to her in many different ways. I guess I just didn’t find her as loveable as Jane Madison. I really wanted to fall in love with How Not to Make a Wish the way I have with Klasky’s other novels, I just couldn’t force myself to enjoy every page as I had in the past.
Will I read the rest of the “Wish” series? Sure I will. I’m still a fan of Klasky and am curious as to how she’s going to shake up the next book (When Good Wishes Go Bad) and make it different from How Not to Make a Wish. Will I be first in line at the bookstore at midnight? Probably not.
Or so she thinks. As it turns out, her wishes make her life anything but easier. She wishes for a new job that turns out to be a huge fiasco, and after wishing away her extra thirty pounds, her friends and family start to think she’s anorexic.
But Kira doesn’t regret her wishes, and besides, it’s not like she can take them back…right?
Did I like How Not to Make a Wish? I’m on the fence. I like Mindy Klasky. I’m a huge fan of her Jane Madison series, but How Not to Make a Wish lacked some of the charm that “Sorcery and the Single Girl” and “Girl’s Guide to Witchcraft” oozed in excess.
Instead of a fantasy with a love story thrown in as her previous books were, How Not to Make a Wish was more like a love story/coming of age story with a genie thrown in to stir things up. I was really surprised that Mindy Klasky did not reveal more about the character of Teel the genie. The story focused mostly on Kira and her friends, while Teel just popped in every now and then to help move the story along.
Don’t get me wrong, I thought Kira had a lot of depth as a character and I related to her in many different ways. I guess I just didn’t find her as loveable as Jane Madison. I really wanted to fall in love with How Not to Make a Wish the way I have with Klasky’s other novels, I just couldn’t force myself to enjoy every page as I had in the past.
Will I read the rest of the “Wish” series? Sure I will. I’m still a fan of Klasky and am curious as to how she’s going to shake up the next book (When Good Wishes Go Bad) and make it different from How Not to Make a Wish. Will I be first in line at the bookstore at midnight? Probably not.
July 10, 2010
Be careful what you wish for... you just might get it.
Kyra Franklin rubs a prop lamp and an actual genie appears. Kyra first asks for a better job, and gets one as stage manager for Landmark Theatre, a groundbreaking theatre in Minneapolis. I love reading about local places, even if the Landmark is not an actual theatre here.
Director Bill Pomeroy is producing a "gender-shifted, iron-bound, water-stained, flashlight-lit, hip-hop-supertitled, heartbreaking production of Shakespeare's classic love story," - Romeo and Juliet. The set designer becomes Kyra's ally, and Kyra and John deal with the crazy director's ever-changing and more outlandish plans. Kyra is run ragged keeping up with the plans but is enthralled with Bill's vision and creativity.
When Kyra encounters her ex, a guy she refers to a TEWSBU (The Ex Who Should Be Unnamed), Kyra uses another one of her wishes to drop thirty pounds. The genie generously and spontaneously adds a cup size too. Kyra's new body alarms her roommates and her father, who stage an intervention because they believe she's anorexic.
And finally Kyra wishes that leading man Drew, who's playing Juliet (gender-bending play, remember?) is in love with her. Kyra couldn't look past his pretty face to his personality. After Drew is bitten by the love bug (or love genie), Kyra thinks she has it all. Hot sex with a hunk who worships her new body? Sign me up. But Kyra becomes annoyed at Drew's puppy-dog eyes, constant hovering, and his frequent use of the word, "Dude!"
Kyra will likely never be hired again if this play is launched, she can't get any work done with dumb-but-gorgeous Drew hanging around, and writing in her mandatory food diary is getting old.
How will Kyra solve this? It's a fun read, even in its implausibility.
What would you wish for? And the wish will stick around forever.
Kyra Franklin rubs a prop lamp and an actual genie appears. Kyra first asks for a better job, and gets one as stage manager for Landmark Theatre, a groundbreaking theatre in Minneapolis. I love reading about local places, even if the Landmark is not an actual theatre here.
Director Bill Pomeroy is producing a "gender-shifted, iron-bound, water-stained, flashlight-lit, hip-hop-supertitled, heartbreaking production of Shakespeare's classic love story," - Romeo and Juliet. The set designer becomes Kyra's ally, and Kyra and John deal with the crazy director's ever-changing and more outlandish plans. Kyra is run ragged keeping up with the plans but is enthralled with Bill's vision and creativity.
When Kyra encounters her ex, a guy she refers to a TEWSBU (The Ex Who Should Be Unnamed), Kyra uses another one of her wishes to drop thirty pounds. The genie generously and spontaneously adds a cup size too. Kyra's new body alarms her roommates and her father, who stage an intervention because they believe she's anorexic.
And finally Kyra wishes that leading man Drew, who's playing Juliet (gender-bending play, remember?) is in love with her. Kyra couldn't look past his pretty face to his personality. After Drew is bitten by the love bug (or love genie), Kyra thinks she has it all. Hot sex with a hunk who worships her new body? Sign me up. But Kyra becomes annoyed at Drew's puppy-dog eyes, constant hovering, and his frequent use of the word, "Dude!"
Kyra will likely never be hired again if this play is launched, she can't get any work done with dumb-but-gorgeous Drew hanging around, and writing in her mandatory food diary is getting old.
How will Kyra solve this? It's a fun read, even in its implausibility.
What would you wish for? And the wish will stick around forever.
January 9, 2010
I enjoyed Mindy's Jane Madison series, so jumped on this one (in e-book format because that's how I roll these days) pretty much as soon as it was released in October 2009. And then waited months to read it. Not only because I'd only just finished one of her series, but because this is the first book in a brand-new series, and volume 2 isn't ready yet. This is a change for me; I am almost never on top of brand new series; as with television, I come to them as they're finishing up.
But read it I did, and enjoyed it. I think I read it in three sittings, one of which was twenty minutes on the train. Which, given my average attention span these days, speaks volumes about the characters and their story. The theatrical setting was somewhat familiar (I have trod the boards once or twice) but presented from an unfamiliar viewpoint, and I learned heaps about stage managers, and set and lighting designers, and what they do. The evolving production of Romeo and Juliet, as envisioned by director Bill Pomeroy, was highly entertaining, and downright hilarious in places. ("Plastic.")
I liked the main character, but as with Jane Madison, even as I enjoyed her journey, I wondered at Kira's blind attraction to the gorgeous-but-dumb leading man rather than the guy who was obviously attracted to her, and why, a year after being dumped, she was still wallowing in self-pity and wishful thinking about the man who left her at the altar. I like my characters with a little more backbone, and I found Kira's a bit slow to develop.
Kira's genie, Teel, has to grant wishes to two more people to achieve a desired goal, and I am quite curious to see who rubs the lamp next.
But read it I did, and enjoyed it. I think I read it in three sittings, one of which was twenty minutes on the train. Which, given my average attention span these days, speaks volumes about the characters and their story. The theatrical setting was somewhat familiar (I have trod the boards once or twice) but presented from an unfamiliar viewpoint, and I learned heaps about stage managers, and set and lighting designers, and what they do. The evolving production of Romeo and Juliet, as envisioned by director Bill Pomeroy, was highly entertaining, and downright hilarious in places. ("Plastic.")
I liked the main character, but as with Jane Madison, even as I enjoyed her journey, I wondered at Kira's blind attraction to the gorgeous-but-dumb leading man rather than the guy who was obviously attracted to her, and why, a year after being dumped, she was still wallowing in self-pity and wishful thinking about the man who left her at the altar. I like my characters with a little more backbone, and I found Kira's a bit slow to develop.
Kira's genie, Teel, has to grant wishes to two more people to achieve a desired goal, and I am quite curious to see who rubs the lamp next.
October 26, 2014
I picked this one up because my library’s online system recommended it based on previous books I had checked out – they managed to figure out that I like magic in my books, but unfortunately that wasn’t enough for me to enjoy this one.
The main problem was that I just flat out didn’t like the main character, she really annoyed me, her actions made no sense, and then she claimed to be the sensible, stable one in her group . . .
I also really didn’t like that she was unable to figure out how to get her life on track without a man. I’m not one of those raging new feminists that believes that men are worthless, but I would like to see female protagonists able to take charge of their own lives without needing a man to push them. In this case, it seems as though the main character couldn’t bother to do anything with her life without someone else forcing her to make a change. I just couldn’t relate to someone who barely seemed to have any ambition and had no drive to change her own circumstances.
The side characters weren’t particularly interesting, I think they could have been had they been better developed, but they were left hanging. The genie was annoying and I was quite frankly just happy to be done with him/her/it when I reached the end of the book. This was certainly not Aladdin’s genie. I didn’t mind Kira’s father and John, but other than that, I really didn’t care about anyone – and that is just not the sign of a book I should be reading.
I gave this one two stars instead of one because the writing wasn’t horrible and the book was readable, I just didn’t enjoy the characters and I certainly don’t see myself continuing to read the series.
The main problem was that I just flat out didn’t like the main character, she really annoyed me, her actions made no sense, and then she claimed to be the sensible, stable one in her group . . .
I also really didn’t like that she was unable to figure out how to get her life on track without a man. I’m not one of those raging new feminists that believes that men are worthless, but I would like to see female protagonists able to take charge of their own lives without needing a man to push them. In this case, it seems as though the main character couldn’t bother to do anything with her life without someone else forcing her to make a change. I just couldn’t relate to someone who barely seemed to have any ambition and had no drive to change her own circumstances.
The side characters weren’t particularly interesting, I think they could have been had they been better developed, but they were left hanging. The genie was annoying and I was quite frankly just happy to be done with him/her/it when I reached the end of the book. This was certainly not Aladdin’s genie. I didn’t mind Kira’s father and John, but other than that, I really didn’t care about anyone – and that is just not the sign of a book I should be reading.
I gave this one two stars instead of one because the writing wasn’t horrible and the book was readable, I just didn’t enjoy the characters and I certainly don’t see myself continuing to read the series.
October 7, 2016
Kira discovers the old adage is true, be careful what you wish for after she finds brass lamp and a genie appears.
I liked the setting since there aren’t many stories set in Minneapolis, though it doesn’t explore the city much, it was still a nice change from the usual chick-lit locales of New York or London.
I also enjoyed the behind the scenes theater drama, some of the choices the director makes were quite over-the-top but it was still interesting to get a look at that world and what goes into a production.
Kira has one guy she’s physically drawn to, and one down-to-earth guy she’s obviously meant to be with, so it’s sort of a triangle though not as compelling as it might have been since the guy she’s physically drawn to isn’t dimensional enough to make it a contest, there isn’t much doubt as to who she’ll choose or who as a reader, you’d choose.
Kira’s wishes were something of a disappointment for me, two of the wishes were pretty shallow and kind of the stereotypical idea of what a woman might change about her life. I guess I just would have liked to see Kira opt for something a little more whimsical and imaginative or unexpected.
This novel had moments, but it wasn’t as fun or as emotional as the Mindy Klasky book I enjoyed last year, Girl’s Guide to Witchcraft.
I liked the setting since there aren’t many stories set in Minneapolis, though it doesn’t explore the city much, it was still a nice change from the usual chick-lit locales of New York or London.
I also enjoyed the behind the scenes theater drama, some of the choices the director makes were quite over-the-top but it was still interesting to get a look at that world and what goes into a production.
Kira has one guy she’s physically drawn to, and one down-to-earth guy she’s obviously meant to be with, so it’s sort of a triangle though not as compelling as it might have been since the guy she’s physically drawn to isn’t dimensional enough to make it a contest, there isn’t much doubt as to who she’ll choose or who as a reader, you’d choose.
Kira’s wishes were something of a disappointment for me, two of the wishes were pretty shallow and kind of the stereotypical idea of what a woman might change about her life. I guess I just would have liked to see Kira opt for something a little more whimsical and imaginative or unexpected.
This novel had moments, but it wasn’t as fun or as emotional as the Mindy Klasky book I enjoyed last year, Girl’s Guide to Witchcraft.
October 8, 2014
very slight spoilers, but nothing that an experienced reader wouldn't expect to happen...
The only reason this isn't five stars is that during the first half of the novel, I was wondering how the same person who wrote A Girl's Guide to Witchcraft could have constructed such trite three wishes crap.
Somewhere in the middle, I started to really enjoy the story and loved it by the end, since it delivered in chick-lit proportions the kind of happy ending I was craving.
While I am absolutely ravenous to get my hands on the other Witchcraft series books, the next in this series presents a mild fascination and an "I'll get it if I see the opportunity on bookmooch.com..." kind of feeling.
How Not to Make a Wish's heroine does wear on a chubby girl's last nerve as she wastes wishes on superficial problems and a lovematch destined to go wrong, but her genie, Teal, is enjoyable.
The novel definitely could have done without the weird are-you-anorexic side story, too. It seemed extraneous and something that was added when the author was reaching for page-filling fodder.
The only reason this isn't five stars is that during the first half of the novel, I was wondering how the same person who wrote A Girl's Guide to Witchcraft could have constructed such trite three wishes crap.
Somewhere in the middle, I started to really enjoy the story and loved it by the end, since it delivered in chick-lit proportions the kind of happy ending I was craving.
While I am absolutely ravenous to get my hands on the other Witchcraft series books, the next in this series presents a mild fascination and an "I'll get it if I see the opportunity on bookmooch.com..." kind of feeling.
How Not to Make a Wish's heroine does wear on a chubby girl's last nerve as she wastes wishes on superficial problems and a lovematch destined to go wrong, but her genie, Teal, is enjoyable.
The novel definitely could have done without the weird are-you-anorexic side story, too. It seemed extraneous and something that was added when the author was reaching for page-filling fodder.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2010
Still recovering from a horrible breakup a year ago, Kira Franklin feels as if she is in need of a miracle. Sure she has gained an extra thirty pounds, still counts the days since the breakup occurred, and generally feels as if nothing in her life is working. But what do these facts matter when you unexpectedly discover a genie. From the moment Kira meets Teel, a real-life genie, she is sure that things are about to change... hopefully for the better.
How Not to Make a Wish on the surface seemed like an enticing read by promising romance mixed with a little supernatural. While it did hold true to most of its promises, parts of the novel fell a little flat. The characters while interesting, lacked the depth needed to fully understand and relate to them. Teel is a prime example of this. As a reader, I was confused by his ultimate purpose in the novel. Is he for comic relief? Or to befriend Kira and make her see the error of her depression? In the end, I was not completely sure since the reader sees so few of him, and his character is never really explored. In spite of a few missteps, the novel was enjoyable and would be a wonderful beach or rainy day read.
How Not to Make a Wish on the surface seemed like an enticing read by promising romance mixed with a little supernatural. While it did hold true to most of its promises, parts of the novel fell a little flat. The characters while interesting, lacked the depth needed to fully understand and relate to them. Teel is a prime example of this. As a reader, I was confused by his ultimate purpose in the novel. Is he for comic relief? Or to befriend Kira and make her see the error of her depression? In the end, I was not completely sure since the reader sees so few of him, and his character is never really explored. In spite of a few missteps, the novel was enjoyable and would be a wonderful beach or rainy day read.
February 5, 2014
I received this book through a LibraryThing giveaway. While I was unaware at the time, this is a release with a new title and cover. I thought the story was cute, with a stage manager who loves the theater struggling to balance her fading career with her father's desires for her to become a lawyer. She ends up releasing a genie from a lamp and then begins to work her way through her wishes.
At first I found the book slow. There was a bit too much navel gazing and the initial appearance of the genie was simply obnoxious. Then, once the heroine went home and her friends got involved, things picked up. I liked her roommate situation. And her wishes were nothing unexpected, but we saw that living through them was harder than expected.
Overall I felt it took a bit longer for her to figure things out than I would have liked. Also, I could have done without the "intervention" bit. The genie scenes would play better on screen than they did on paper, with all the shifts. And I never felt satisfied with how she managed her ex. However, I did like the end, and she has an awesome relationship with her father.
At first I found the book slow. There was a bit too much navel gazing and the initial appearance of the genie was simply obnoxious. Then, once the heroine went home and her friends got involved, things picked up. I liked her roommate situation. And her wishes were nothing unexpected, but we saw that living through them was harder than expected.
Overall I felt it took a bit longer for her to figure things out than I would have liked. Also, I could have done without the "intervention" bit. The genie scenes would play better on screen than they did on paper, with all the shifts. And I never felt satisfied with how she managed her ex. However, I did like the end, and she has an awesome relationship with her father.
September 25, 2015
Really wasn't a fan of this book. I've read Mindy Klasky's Jane Madison series and really enjoyed it. Naturally, I thought I would enjoy this one as well. In fact, that's why I soldiered through to finish this one, in hopes that it would improve. Unfortunately, the plot was excrutiatingly predictible. As soon as Mr. Texas Twang shows up, you know that's who she's going to end up with. Teel was kind of obnoxious. And the main character? Don't even get me started. She's selfish, insecure, and for some reason, can't seem to make her like work without a man in it. She really didn't have any redeeming qualities. I mean seriously, wishing for a guy that you've know like two weeks to fall in love with you because you LOVE him? Really? She didn't see how ridiculous that sounded? SMH...honestly, if I could give this book 1.5 stars, I would. Don't read this book if you're hoping for something like the fun, enjoyable, and charming Jane Madison series. You will be disappointed.
March 6, 2010
Kira is a newly laid-off stage manager who needs to find a job immediately or she will be forced by her father to finally take the LSAT and apply for law school. While cleaning out stage props, she accidentally rubs a lamp and is granted wishes by Teek, a genie. As Kira picks her wishes, she finds that not everything she wishes for turns out as she would like.
This book had some real potential and was cute, but it felt superficial to me. I really disliked Kira as a character--her whininess and entire demeanor may be very true to life, but it was annoying to read about. She never made you root for her; I spent most of the book wanting to knock some sense into her. The wishes she makes are fairly banal, but the chaos that ensues was fun to read about. Everyone with a brain in their head knows who Kira is destined to be with about a page after his introduction.
This book had some real potential and was cute, but it felt superficial to me. I really disliked Kira as a character--her whininess and entire demeanor may be very true to life, but it was annoying to read about. She never made you root for her; I spent most of the book wanting to knock some sense into her. The wishes she makes are fairly banal, but the chaos that ensues was fun to read about. Everyone with a brain in their head knows who Kira is destined to be with about a page after his introduction.
December 23, 2009
Rating: 2.9/5
I was more than excited when I heard of this book, but as I read it, I couldn't help but feel disappointed. The plot fell flat, and the characters didn't really reach out to me like I thought they would. It's been a month since I read this book so some things are a little fuzzy to remember. I'll refrain from doing my usual thoughts of the beginning, middle, and end of the book because I feel I can't do it justice (darn procrostination and school!). I'm not really sure how I feel about this one. I feel like I like some parts of it, but some others parts that aren't as good overshadowed my feelings for this one.
To end this review on a brighter note, the book had a great premise. It was a great story, but just told in a way that didn't appeal to me. It might to do other people so if you'd like, go check this one out! :)
I was more than excited when I heard of this book, but as I read it, I couldn't help but feel disappointed. The plot fell flat, and the characters didn't really reach out to me like I thought they would. It's been a month since I read this book so some things are a little fuzzy to remember. I'll refrain from doing my usual thoughts of the beginning, middle, and end of the book because I feel I can't do it justice (darn procrostination and school!). I'm not really sure how I feel about this one. I feel like I like some parts of it, but some others parts that aren't as good overshadowed my feelings for this one.
To end this review on a brighter note, the book had a great premise. It was a great story, but just told in a way that didn't appeal to me. It might to do other people so if you'd like, go check this one out! :)
August 2, 2014
Kira trabaja como directora de escena en un teatro en bancarrota. Si pierde este trabajo su padre la va a echar de su departamento y obligar a estudiar para abogada (no es malo, solo le preocupa que su hija de 28 es una loser total). Cuando encuentra la lámpara mágica, desea tener su trabajo soñado. Pero el genio es un personaje poco compasivo y lo unico que le interesa es que elija rápido así puede ser promovido a vivir en un jardín mágico.
Lo bueno: es el romance con el vaquero, lento pero real.
Lo malo: Drew, repeticiones como "dude" y el nombre del ex, interminables diálogos internos, la pesadilla de Romeo y Julieta (tenían que destrozar a Shakespeare de esa manera?)
Lo bueno: es el romance con el vaquero, lento pero real.
Lo malo: Drew, repeticiones como "dude" y el nombre del ex, interminables diálogos internos, la pesadilla de Romeo y Julieta (tenían que destrozar a Shakespeare de esa manera?)
February 3, 2017
Pleasant read
I enjoyed this modern spin on the genie and three wishes concept. The fact that it was set in the theater crowd was gravy. I am more familiar with the plains of Africa, since I've seen those on tv, so I have no idea if the details of the theater setting are correct. However, I enjoyed learning about that rarefied world in the process of following our heroine through her wishes and the growth that always occurs in that circumstance. It is light reading, but light reading at its best with a likable heroine and a clear readable storyline. I certainly plan to read the next in the series.
I enjoyed this modern spin on the genie and three wishes concept. The fact that it was set in the theater crowd was gravy. I am more familiar with the plains of Africa, since I've seen those on tv, so I have no idea if the details of the theater setting are correct. However, I enjoyed learning about that rarefied world in the process of following our heroine through her wishes and the growth that always occurs in that circumstance. It is light reading, but light reading at its best with a likable heroine and a clear readable storyline. I certainly plan to read the next in the series.
February 16, 2010
A cute novel about what a woman will really wish for if given wishes from a genie in a lamp. It was fun to read through over several snow days! A few clever twists to the whole genie in a lamp...but I felt that the heroine wished for such underdeveloped wishes that it desensitized the storyline.
The question remains, if you were given the opportunity to wish for anything...would you wish for seemingly menial wants for the here and now or more long-lasting wishes for the future?
The question remains, if you were given the opportunity to wish for anything...would you wish for seemingly menial wants for the here and now or more long-lasting wishes for the future?
June 12, 2011
I have to say I was a little disappointed in this book. I loved Mindy Klasky's Witch series and had really high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, I found Kira whiny which made it very hard to get through the book and stay focused. The plot was also extremely predictable, although it was interesting to see how Kira handled the situations she got herself into. All and all not a terrible book but not the best of this author's work either.
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