Imagine back in 1996, two 16 year olds getting to look at their Facebook pages 15 years into the future! What would they learn? How would it change their actions? This is the brilliant concept of two of the most talented writers of our time - Jay Asher (13 Reasons Why) and Carolyn Macker (Tangled). Talk about the dream team!
I literally read The Future of Us in one day. No matter how many times I tried to put it down to do other things, I kept coming back to it. I was fascinated by the story and the characters.
More than how I felt about it, this is a book that appeals to both teens and adults alike.
Those of us in our 30s (and older) remember the CD-ROMS that came in the mail from AOL offering 100 free hours of service. We remember our first computers, what dial-up sounded like, and the fact that you couldn't be on the phone and the internet at the same time - often unplugging your computer to then plug it back into your phone. These little tidbits that Asher and Macker include evoked a bit of nostalgia for the days before smartphones and iPads.
This book also made me think...what would my 16 year old self think about my Facebook page? What would surprise her? What would make her proud? What would make her sad? Would knowing these things have changed the way she acted toward my friends, my family, my boyfriends? How would she interpret the absence of "friends"? How frustrated would she be that I don't put pictures of my kids on Facebook? :)
I loved The Future of Us - one of my favorite YA books of 2011 so far!
Book Extras:
The Future of Us Facebook Page
Jay Asher's Blog
Carolyn Mackler's Website
Carolyn Mackler's Blog - Tumblr
About the Book:
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: pages
Publisher: Razorbill (November 21, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1595144919
ISBN-13: 978-1595144911
About the Authors:
Jay Asher: Author of the New York Times bestselling novel Thirteen Reasons Why, and The Future of Us (co-authored by Carolyn Mackler, available November 2011).
Carolyn Mackler: is the author of the popular teen novels, The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things (A Michael L. Printz Honor Book), Tangled, Guyaholic, Vegan Virgin Valentine, and Love and Other Four-Letter Words. Carolyn lives in New York City with her husband and two young sons. She is currently at work on her sixth novel.
Shop Indie Bookstores
*Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher at BEA.
. 
4 comments:
I snagged this book at SIBA and am so excited to get the chance to read it. It does sound like it has an excellent premise and one that I would really like to investigate. I also wonder what would have happened if Facebook existed when I was 15! Great post today!
This book sounds really interesting. I've added it to my TBR pile. Great review!
This sounds fantastic. I am definitely adding it to my wish list.
You sold me on this one too. I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook. I love it for what is good - sharing pics, and life with friends and loved ones.... I fear those who share too much - especially the younger generation, its like their filter has been removed. It is something I shat with both of my boys about (21 and 23) but they do not seem to get it.
Post a Comment
Talk to me!