Sunday, May 19, 2013

Review: Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

Title: Going Vintage
Author: Lindsey Leavitt
Published: March 26th 2013
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble
Add to your Goodreads shelf
Caution: May contain spoilers

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 in 1962, 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 president–who just happens to be her ex’s cousin–and soon Mallory begins to wonder if going vintage is going too far.

My Thoughts:

I am the type of person who grew up loving "vintage" things, only I didn't view them as vintage. Listening to records? Absolutely normal in my house. In fact, I have a record player and about 30 or so records of my own now. So the idea of this story--living simply--was one I liked immediately.

Mallory amused me so much with her commentary and the things she said to people. I find that it's hard to come across protagonists that are truly funny. Some can be "funny" except it's more of an annoying or forced kind of funny. With Mallory, she was just freaking FUNNY. And it was the little things too. One thing in the beginning when she was still dating Jeremy: she would make excuses to NOT kiss him. It was that whole situation that got me invested in the story.

When Mallory starts working on the list, it isn't as "simple" as expected. The times have changed, obviously, so trying to not go online or use a cell phone makes interacting with people difficult, especially when they have no idea what you're doing. Her sister, Ginnie, is extremely helpful and frustrating at the same time when it comes to Mallory's quest. And then there's Oliver--dear, sweet Oliver--who is there for her despite her fears of the possibility of being with Jeremy's cousin.

Going Vintage was a very adorable story. All the characters melded well together, everyone in the family and at school. The romantic aspect between Mallory and Oliver was only a little snippet of the story but the build up and tension made it worthwhile. In the end, Lindsey Leavitt didn't just wrap it up in a bow, it had a realistic ending. It is definitely worth reading.

My Rating:

4 comments:

  1. This sounds so cute! I got turned down for a galley and now I keep forgetting it's out. *goes to library site...damn, they don't have it!* Anyway...growing up with records was totally normal for me too. I'd still listen to my records if my stupid record player hadn't broken. I keep saying when I have enough money I'll take it to someone to fix because it'd be worth it to me...that thing has major sentimental value from my childhood. Great review, Jess, now I'm even more excited for this book! ;-)

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    1. Thank you! I hope you can get your hands on it soon then. :) But YES. Records and record players have sentimental value to me too. I've had my record player since I was like 15 or 16. It's just got such an amazing feel, listening to music from a record. :)

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  2. aww this sounds so awesome! and wow her ex-boyfriend's cousin?? that is bound to create a ton of awkward situations! and yea, i would love to see how her quest goes.. we are all slaves to technology nowadays right?

    awesome review,
    - Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf

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    1. I know, right? It's very well done. This is true about technology, I don't know how anyone can handle not using it since I'm so used to relying on it. :P Thank you!

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Thank you for commenting and happy reading!