Undoubtedly the best from Kaavya Viswanathan. A novel full of unexpected plots oozing out a lot of positive energy. Opal
Mehta is a Harvard aspirant. More so, her family believes she is destined to get into Harvard. Nothing can go wrong as 'The Mehtas' have ultra-carefully planned every course of HOWGIH(How Opal Mehta will get into Harvard) ever since the family shifted from Chennai to the land of opportunities-America.Opal chooses Physics, Community activities, debate prticipation, Vice President of Student Council to partying as against most
Woodcliff seniors. Tagged officially the NERDO of Woodcliff, Opal facs the worst nightmare of her life time when Dean Anderson asks her "what do you do for fun Opal?" at the Admissions
interview. Stumped and blank Opal returns only to be given a second chance in form of Regular admissions interview in January. The novel takes on a hilarious route hereafter, with HOWGAL(How Opal Mehta will get a life) coming into existence. Opal dutifully follows every step under this new scheme including watchin The O.C, The Desperate Housewives and reading rather scannig every page of Vogue and other top rated fashion mags. After a series of initial hiccups, Opal finds herself among the ever popular 'Haute Bichez' of Woodcliff thus achieving the top goal of HOWGAL- get popular. The story takes a real fast pace with Opal finding her true love in Sean a counsel student. All goes well... but then during a house party which Opal throws to get 'wild', the unexpected happens. Opal's Blackberry lands with Priscilla one of the HBz. Bad as ever they expose Opal to the entire of Woodcliff. Lost and hurt Opal is isolated from everyone including her parents. Kali, her cousin rather a misfit of the Mehta clan happens to inspire Opal with her 'I live life my way-attitude'.Then theres transition and transformation . On a pre-interview visit to Harvard, Opal meets people who live their original self-bold and confident. Opal learns life. The brighter side of it. Gives away the Physics scholarship which she wins to Natalie, her once good friend.She begins understanding life. The nuances of it- how to live an effortless, imitation-less life. She realises Harvard is not everything. In a turn of events, Opal screws her Regular interview too. Then miraculously gets admitted into Harvard for accidentally discovering what she does for fun. Thus Opal Mehta gets kissed(by Sean), gets wild and finally gets a LIFE- the one she wants and not which others force on her.