Heaven Is Paved with Oreos (edició 2015)

This one didn't really fit with the others. I know it's supposed to read a little younger, but that didn't make sense for me as part of the rest of the series. It really doesn't work to have the last book be for a younger audience. ( )

This is cute. Sarah's relationship with her grandma is complex, and I love how honest the story is about how that makes Sarah feel. I don't read enough books about intergenerational family relationships. But Sarah never quite felt real to me. Her "sciencey" tone of voice felt forced sometimes. She is, alas, no DJ (but who is?). ( )

It's weird to not have DJ as the main character. The very few moments she was around I wanted a new book with her in college. I so miss her. Sarah was a very mg character. Though her story was interesting on it's own. I did get a little emotional and dad about it all ending. ( )

sister of Elizabeth Gilbert of Eat Pray Love

I picked this up from the new shelf at the library because I really admired [Dairy Queen]. At first, I was sorely disappointed with 14 year old Sarah as narrator. The first section of the book is pretty juvenile, which I guess is the point. The presence of DJ as a minor character helped some.
I was glad of the relief when Grandma Z takes over the narrative in the second section, though she proves almost as juvenile.
The last section, where Sarah is just old enough to process some of the complexities of life, is well done. I guess it was worth the trip. Though how ANYONE could spoil being in Rome is still a mystery to me.
Ps: Murdock makes a point of the regional name of something. Sarah remarks that the Italians call it cola while she knows it as pop.
Things may have changed in the interim, but 50 years ago, my Wisconsin cousins made fun of my Pittsburgh use of the word pop, insisting SODA is correct.