Book Review: The Future of Us

By: Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

Publisher: Razorbill

Release Date:  November 21, 2011
Pages: 309
Source: ARC

It's 1996, and less than half of all American high school students have ever used the Internet.

Emma just got her first computer and an America Online CD-ROM.

Josh is her best friend. They power up and log on--and discover themselves on Facebook, fifteen years in the future.

Everybody wonders what their Destiny will be. Josh and Emma are about to find out.

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

I was really excited to receive an early copy of this book because it's is going to be a movie and also because it has one of the most interesting premise (premises?) of all the upcoming 2011 books. I am so glad it did not disappoint!

First off, these authors are amazing! I have read all of their works and really enjoy their writing styles. So combine them and you get such a genuine real insightful characters, you can't help but love.

Second, I freaking LOVED all the 90's references. Dave Matthews, discmans, AOL, Dial-up all these things warmed my heart and took me to that place when they all felt so new to me. And then when they would bring up 2011 current trends: Glee, Netflix, Harry Potter... the reactions of the characters where too funny! Example future Emma wrote some status about Glee and Netflix, current Emma says:

"I have no idea what I'm talking about, but if Netflix and Glee equals my life, I'm hoping these are good things."

Third, I really liked Emma and Josh next door neighbor/best friend thing that had going on and how feeling complicated it. At times I wanted to slap Emma for being so dense, but some people really are scared of changes and I believe Emma is that type. Josh is so sweet and I so wish I had a next door neighbor like him growing up.

I recommend this book to ALL contemp young adult fiction fans, whether you grew up in the 90s or not, I think you would really enjoy this book!

My Review in a Tweet: 

The Future of Us is Laugh Out Loud funny and reminiscent of so many of my favorite childhood memories/items. Like being transported back in time and seeing every thing with new eyes. It's about learning that we can't control the future, only ourselves. *this would be a long tweet :-)

Ratings:

Plot: 5/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Characters: 5/5

Memorable Quotes:

"Yes, it feels great to plan your life when you believe everything can turn out fine. But what about when you're shown, again and again, how little control you have over anything? No matter what I try to do to fix my future, it doesn't work."

Similar Titles:
I love Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why and Carolyn Mackler's books are all very enjoyable! Definitely check them out!

Other Reviews:

• Chick Loves Lit
• Lauren Morrill
• ???

Buy the book here!
**commissions earned from sales are minimal and go towards giveaways!

Book Rivals: Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood and The Lipstick Laws

Book Rivals:

Two Books. Similar Stories. One Winner.

This if the first post in a new feature I am creating. Lately, I have been feeling the similar styles of many books, and without meaning to I always chose a winner. I know its not a competition and each book stands on its own merit, but I still have one I like more than the other. This month I read two great books about mean girls. They both have similar themes of vengeance and being the bigger person. Here are my reviews...

Book One:

Book: Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood
Author: Eileen Cook

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Date Published: December 26, 2009
Pages: 272
Source: Library
Date Read: April 25, 2011

Popularity is the best revenge.

In the final weeks of eighth grade, Lauren Wood made a choice. She betrayed her best friend, Helen, in a manner so publicly humiliating that Helen had to move to a new town just to save face.

Ditching Helen was worth it, though, because Lauren started high school as one of the It Girls--and now, at the start of her senior year, she's the cheerleading captain, the quarterback's girlfriend, and the undisputed queen bee. Lauren has everything she's ever wanted, and she has forgotten all about her ex-best friend.

But Helen could never forget Lauren. After three years of obsessing, she's moving back to her old town. She has a new name and a new look, but she hasn’t dropped her old grudges. She has a detailed plan to bring down her former BFF by taking away everything that's ever been important to Lauren—starting with her boyfriend.

Watch out, Lauren Wood. Things are about to get bitchy.

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

I am a big fan of Eileen Cook's work. She has a great writing style and her books are laugh out loud funny. However, I am really glad I got this book from the library and didn't buy it. Not to say this book wasn't funny or it was bad writing, I just didn't connect to the characters like I did with her other books.

The plot was interesting, but it didn't have anything new to add. Take Mean Girls and make it into a book and you got Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood.... the lesson being that become like someone to take them down makes you no better than they are.

The one thing I really liked was the geeky new BFF Brenda. She was smart and funny and knew who she was. And Christopher sounds hot, but I would have liked to see more dimensions to him.

I didn't like the ending either. It came together too quick and neatly, and Lauren was the same bitch she was in the beginning. Not that every story about a mean girl must have a transformation or enlightenment, but I just wasn't satisfied. Overall it was a funny read, but that is about it.

Please check out Eileen's other books: What would Emma do? and The Education of Hailey Kendricks. Those where funny complete stories with amazing main characters.

Book Two:

Book: The Lipstick Laws
Author: Amy Holder

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Date Published: April 4, 2011
Pages: 243
Source: Netgalley
Date Read: May 16, 2011

At Penford High School, Britney Taylor is the queen bee. She dates whomever she likes, rules over her inner circle of friends like Genghis Khan, and can ruin anyone's life with a snap of perfectly manicured fingers. Just ask the unfortunate few who have crossed her.   For April Bowers, Britney is also the answer to her prayers. April is so unpopular, kids don't even know she exists. But one lunch spent at Britney's table, and April is basking in the glow of popularity.   But Britney's friendship comes with a high price tag. How much is April willing to pay?

Summary Taken from Goodreads

Yani's Review:

This book had me on a roller coaster. One minute I was really feeling it and the next I was so over it. I was even tempted to stop reading it altogether a couple of times, but I kept going because of the Amy's writing. She has a great sense of writing style, and while this book felt 'younger' the words weren't. I mean the first couple of paragraphs had me cracking up.

I really liked April, and while I did have some issues with her (similar to above... aka good girl becoming mean girl to defeat original mean girl), I felt like April always knew what she was doing was wrong. Also, she never believed Britney was that great of a person when she became friends with her, she was just lonely and I could totally understand that. I was lucky enough that I never had to go through the first day (or year) of high school without friends, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

And Britney really is the typical mean girl. She is nasty and cruel and as self absorbed as ever. And she advocates shallow things, like not gaining weight by not eating , though this next line made me laugh:

Remember, a growling stomach is just a round of applause for a job well done!

The story moves really quickly and things fall apart for April in the first third of the book. Its your typical revenge/nemesis story, with a love interest of course, but I did find it lacking a little in the love side and the way it was set-up. Overall, I still enjoyed the story and think April is a realistic character, smart and funny, and no matter what I don't ever really think she questions that. She is more self-assured than she ever realized.

A great story about finding out who your true friends are and being a better person than those that try to bring you down.

Ratings:

Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood

Plot: 2/5

Writing Style: 4/5

Uniqueness: 2/5

Characters: 3/5

The Lipstick Laws

Plot: 2/5

Writing Style: 4/5

Uniqueness: 2/5

Characters: 3/5

Similar Titles: