How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier

If the cover and the title are not enough to draw you in, the premise of this book will win you over in a heartbeat. Set in New Avalon, the world's most self-obsessed city, Larbalestier (author of the Magic or Madness trilogy) has created a world where everyone gets their own personal fairy. No one can see or hear their fairy, but it is usually does not take long to figure out what kind everyone has. The lucky few have a really doos (cool) fairy like a clothes shopping fairy. But then there is Charlie, who got stuck with the most undoos fairy of all--a parking spot fairy.

Sure it is dead useful if you are old enough to drive. But to Charlie she would rather have no fairy at all instead of enduring the smell of gasoline and vinyl seats one more time. She is tired of her friends and family "borrowing" her in order to find the perfect parking spot. In an attempt to get rid of her fairy, she starts walking everywhere and this is where the trouble begins.

With a language and culture all its own, this story is not your typical fairy book. It will make you laugh out loud and cheer Charlie on in her attempts (and failed attempts) to get rid of her pesky parking fairy. With its fast-paced narrative, loads of drama, and a touch of romance, Larbalestier will leave you wanting more including a fairy of your own.

Caution: Despite the suggestions in the book, I was not able to get rid of my fairy, Pixie. And unlike Justine's fairies, mine is very visible and very loud. Check out the photo below to see what a "makes you trip and wakes you up too early" fairy looks like.