Book Review: Dairy Queen (Dairy Queen #1) by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Book: Dairy Queen (Dairy Queen #1) - Catherine Gilbert Murdock


Publishing Date: April 30th 2006


Read from January 24 to 26, 2012


Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Sports, Chick-Lit


Goodreads Summary:


When you don't talk, there's a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said. Harsh words indeed, from Brian Nelson of all people. But, D.J. can't help admitting, maybe he's right. When you don't talk, there's a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said. Stuff like why her best friend, Amber, isn't so friendly anymore. Or why her little brother, Curtis, never opens his mouth. Why her mom has two jobs and a big secret. Why her college-football-star brothers won't even call home. Why her dad would go ballistic if she tried out for the high school football team herself. And why Brian is so, so out of her league. When you don't talk, there's a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said. Welcome to the summer that fifteen-year-old D.J. Schwenk of Red Bend, Wisconsin, learns to talk, and ends up having an awful lot of stuff to say.

My View:

Another one of those books that was sitting on my TBR pile for sometime now. 

Dairy Queen is about 15 year old D.J Schwenk, she is big, tall, hardworking, strong and much to her dismay runs the family farm. She is stuck doing all the chores because of her father's injury. She lives with her parents and a little brother, who doesn't like to talk. The Schwenk love their farm and their football. Both of her older brothers and star football players are away at college and she hasn't talked to them for the past seven months because of a family feud. D.J is overwhelmed with school work and farm work and when Brian Nelson, a rival team quarter back come to offer a helping hand she is not so pleased at first. The summer D.J thought would surely suck turned out to be a summer that teaches her lot. She form unlikely friendships and learn to talk and express her feelings.

If I have to hold a conversation regarding American football I can assure you I will be utterly lost. But, even though the book is filled with football I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. D.J is an amazing character and the premise of the story is very fresh and interesting.

I can't wait to read the rest of the series. 

The Good:

• D.J: She is so ordinary and yet so different. She is unlike any other heroins out there. She has a very distinctive voice. I love the fact, that is so reflective about her surrounding, thoughts and feelings.
• The story, background and the whole family dynamics are a breath of fresh air. 
• I love the fact that Brain is not a conventional love interest. He is flawed and that's what makes him so real.  
• Every character in the book is someone you know and can relate to.  
• The story is about normal and real people in normal and real situations. 
• The sports/football aspect of the book. I love sports movies and this book is just like that. An under dog story.
• The book is full of humor, which is always a good thing.

The Bad:

• The first person narrative could be annoying for some. I loved it though. 

Overall: 4.5 and double thumbs up!

Writing: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
LoL Moments: 5/5
Cover: 3/5

Favorite Quote: “When you don't talk, there's a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said.”

Favorite Character: D.J, Brian & Carter