A Unique Future

To find my new reads, I usually scan Barnes and Noble.com to see what the most popular books of the week are or what's newly released.

A few months ago I saw that Jay Asher, author of the very successful "Thirteen Reasons Why" had just released a new book, "The Future of Us".

I read the summary blurb that B&N.com posted for the new book that was published on November 21st, 2011.

It seemed like such an intriguing, unique idea; two teenagers that live in the 90s stumble upon an AOL CD-Rom that is actually their future Facebook accounts.

On Facebook, the teens are in their 30s and they can see what their life turned out to be. As is usual with teenage girl behavior, the main character is not satisfied with her life and tries to change it. She does unordinary things to try to alter her Facebook page.

It's the usual YA plot line mixed with a wild idea; there are the usual teenage problems that everyone experiences, especially in Young Adult novels...love, school, and family problems.

This was a very nostalgic book, especially if you grew up in the 90s and remember receiving your first AOL-CD in the mail and uploading it onto your computer, giving you the newest edition of America Online.

But also, then you throw in the present time and humanity's new obsession, Facebook, and you have a crazy idea for a book.

I was expecting great things from this book. Jay Asher's first and very successful novel, Thirteen Reasons Why was a beautifully, tragically written book. The NYT Book Review says "With its thrillerlike pacing and scenes of sexual coercion and teenage backbiting, the novel appeals to young readers, who say the book also gives them insight into peers who might consider suicide."

It pulled you in and made you feel the words that were written on the page. Since then, the YA world then been awaiting the arrival of his second novel.

My expectations were sent through the roof once I read the summary and thought that this was going to be a wild ride through the past and the present, and the future. I was so excited to start reading it.

I was sadly disappointed though; the book was not terrible and I was mildly satisfied but I think my expectations were way too high.

It was a slow book, not moving at a fast pace and I think I expected A LOT more to happen. The ending was kind of a bust. I was hoping for some big reveal or some major decision to occur. It was kind of built up only to be let down.

Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy the book and I would recommend that you read it. Just don't be expecting the next great American novel.

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My Future Books:

1. Kill Me Softly: Most people say don't judge a book by its cover but when I saw the bloody rose on the cover of this new YA novel that is set to come out on April 10th, I couldn't help but click on it. The summary says it all: a wicked tale of a 16 year old girl who runs away to a town where all is not what it seems. Beau Rivage is a fairytale land where fictional stories and characters come to life. It sort of reminded me of ABC's new hit show "Once Upon a Time". I'm a sucker for anything having to do with fairytales so I will definitely be reading this to find out what it's all about!