Lauren Conrad—Author, Reality Star or Both?

by Brittany Geragotelis

Okay, I know I'm a little late on this one, but I finally picked up (and read) a copy of Lauren Conrad's young adult book L.A. Candy. And although it by no means knocked my socks off (nor was it anything particularly new), it was a fun beach read.

photo credits: NYMag/HaperCollins

Now I'm not exactly a "Laguna Beach" or "The Hills" fan—I mean, I've seen a season or two, but I certainly wasn't obsessed with this reality show the way I am with, say, "Tori & Dean" or "Keeping Up With the Kardashians"—but I'm always interested in the books that celebs end up writing. I know that a lot of authors (and various other book types) cringe when they hear that another celeb has published a book. The argument of course is always that the celeb in question didn't write it and is just passing off someone else's work as their own. Another gripe is that celebs are practically begged to write books (whether they want to or have the talent to), when the rest of us aspiring writers have to practically beg someone to even read our query letters.

So, I know I'm probably going to be asked for my author membership card back (metaphorically speaking) for saying this, but I'm usually fascinated with reading a celeb's book. And Lauren's book didn't disappoint. It was enjoyable with a tinge of realism to it....probably because the fiction in this story easily paralleled Lauren's own life. Here's the gist of L.A. Candy:

Jane and Scarlett are best friends and do everything together: they moved to L.A. together, share an apartment together as well as all their secrets...and now they're starring in a new reality show together. As they say, "They're sort of a package deal." So, when a big-time Hollywood producer discovers them in a club and tells them he wants to make them the stars of his new reality show, the two California girls sign on, hoping to take their friendship in a new direction. What they didn't count on though, was that having cameras following them around 24/7 would actually drive a wedge between them. Now, they're discovering things about the other at the same time everyone else in the world is—on the small screen—and the two are getting a heavy dose of reality...their own.

So, like I said...L.A. Candy is a fun, beachy read. If you're looking for a little gossip and even possibly some insight into what life might've been like for LC all those years on MTV, you should definitely check it out.

Anyone else read Lauren's book? What did you think? Leave your comments below!

5x5,
B.