Author: Lindsey Leavitt
Format: ARC
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publish Date: March 26, 2013
Source: Netgalley
Why You're Reading This Book:
- You're a YA fiction fan.
From Goodreads.com: "When Mallory’s boyfriend, Jeremy, cheats on her with an online girlfriend, Mallory decides the best way to de-Jeremy her life is to de-modernize things too. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in1962, Mallory swears off technology and returns to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldn’t cheat with computer avatars). The List:
1. Run for pep club secretary
2. Host a fancy dinner party/soiree
3. Sew a dress for Homecoming
4. Find a steady
5. Do something dangerous
But simple proves to be crazy-complicated, and the details of the past begin to change Mallory’s present. Add in a too-busy grandmother, a sassy sister, and the cute pep-club presient–who just happens to be her ex’s cousin–and soon Mallory begins to wonder if going vintage is going too far."
My Two Cents:
In a high school world where everyone is focused on being uber-connected through cell phones, computers, and social networking, Mallory decides to give it all up to lead a simpler life or maybe to just get away from all of the fallout and the gossip surrounding her break up with her boyfriend. I was definitely intrigued by the idea of giving up technology. Even as a 20-something, I am totally connected at all times (I'm typing this review on a computer while watching tv). Just thinking about giving up some of these devices, makes me shudder. I think most teens today are even more connected than I was back in the day so it makes Mallory's feat even greater.
I really liked the premise of this book. What if we weren't so connected to our electronic devices all the time? What would we not miss out on? It's a fun YA read with a good lesson! After finding a sort of bucket list that her grandmother wrote in 1962, Mallory is convinced that if she can go through high school the way that her grandmother went through high school that things would be better and she would be happier. Life was easier in the past, right? I think we've all thought about that Unfortunately "going vintage" doesn't solve everything. This is definitely a story about how the grass is not always greener on the other side. Mallory quickly finds out that high school can still be rough even without being connected 24/7.
One of the stand out parts of the book are the characters. I loved Mallory's character. She's sassy and she's really funny. She definitely seems like a person I would have loved to hang out with. I loved her sister, Ginnie. Even though she is younger than Mallory, she is truly the voice of reason in a lot of parts of the book. And I really loved the love story between Mallory and Oscar. Ah, it definitely made me sigh.
Bottom line: This is a great book for when you are looking for a light read with a bit of romance!
I really like the sound of this one! I'm intrigued - and tempted - by the idea of stepping DOWN the technology in an era where we seem to only ever be zooming forward. I have a book called 'The Winter of our Disconnect' on my TBR pile about a family who completely unplugged for a few months, which I'm really looking forward to, so I think I'll add GV to my library list as a fictional counterpart!
ReplyDeleteI have this book on pre-order. I love the idea and Lindsey Leavitt is a wonderful author. You're review is making me even more impatient for the release date!
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