#UnexpectedlyEpic Morgan Matson Week: I Dare You To...

Hi, friends! I am super pumped to be involved in the #MorganMatsonWeek festivities, hosted by the super awesome Tiff from Mostly YA Lit.  All week long, be sure to visit her blog as she'll be featuring fun and inspiring posts all about Morgan Matson's books.  As a fangirl myself, I knew I wanted to be apart of this #UnexpectedlyEpic week long event!

Today, I am participating in a dare, a very Sloane and Emily thing to do (from one of Matson's novels, Since You've Been Gone).  In the story, Sloane leaves behind a list of dares for Emily to accomplish.  What begins as a fun, out of the box experience, quickly evolves into Emily taking risks and finding out who she truly is when she steps out from behind her best friend's shadow.  Dares can be scary, and exciting -- thankfully the dare I was given is more on the tamer side.

My Dare: Post a blog post "confession" about something that you wish you could really say to someone.

My Confession: I wish I could go back in time and tell 20 year old Ginger A LOT of things.  For my dare, I'm going to confess a bit of word vomit as to what I wish I could tell my younger self.  

First of all, you are so not fat.  Quit looking in the mirror and judging your body based on unrealistic beauty.  I know you have a hard time accepting it now, but truly, your beauty is deep inside.  That kind heart your family has pointed out to you before?  THAT is your beauty.  Let it shine through.  And oh what a gorgeous sight it can be.

Second, get serious about your future career.  I know it seems daunting right now, and you think you don't know what you "want to be", but try something, anything, to get your feet wet.  Sitting on the side lines and letting life pass you by is also allowing opportunities to be missed.  Just remember, if you're not happy with something, you always have the control to change it.  

Third, say yes to the nice guys more often, and don't be afraid to reject the assholes.  I know he may seem charming right now, and yeah he's definitely super cute, but just like your own beauty, his true colors come from within.  Pay attention to the qualities that matter, and give the kind ones a chance.

And fourth, stop being annoyed by your mother's presence.  Yes, there are certain quirks about her that get on your nerves, I get that.  But so much sooner than you, or anyone else, had ever imagined.. she will be gone, forever.  You will miss those little bothersome qualities and wish with all your heart that you could simply just talk to her, see her, feel her warm hugs and unconditional love.  It will be an ache that will never go away.  Prepare yourself, young Ginger.  You're a strong woman, and you'll see through to the other side.  But please, oh please, love on your sweet mama right now.  Your time with her is precious moments soon to be gone.

Dare accomplished!  Be sure to check out Mostly YA Lit, and follow the #UnexpectedlyEpic #MorganMatsonWeek hashtags on social media to see more dares being fulfilled.  And if you haven't already, check out Morgan Matson's books (my personal favorite: Amy & Roger's Epic Detour).

Sweet Summertime Reads 2015 With Amy

Welcome to Sweet Summertime Reads! All summer long I will be featuring a different blogger to share their current summer reads + what's on their agenda for this summer. I hope you'll join me each week! Today, Amy from Tripping Over Books is here to share with us one of her favorite re-reads of the summer.  I love the way she's paired it with her own summer adventures as well.  Makes reading that much more alive!  Please welcome Amy to the blog...

Friends, I’m so excited and thankful to be taking part in Ginger’s amazing and super fun feature, Sweet Summertime Reads! It’s always makes summer even better to see everyone talking about all the great books they’re reading at the beach or next to the pool or on vacation. So thanks for having me and for hosting this excellent feature, Ginger!

I don’t know about you guys, but for me summer means contemporaries. Not exclusively, but I just find myself craving them more when the weather is nice and warm. Some of my favorite contemporary books are ones that I reread constantly--for the feels, for the characters, for the places. I’ll often pull ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS or THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE off of my shelves to reread during the summer months, but the one that I pull down with the most regularity is probably AMY & ROGER’S EPIC DETOUR by Morgan Matson. It was one of the very first books I ever read with my library school book club and I just adored it. I’ve read it in every format there is, but in honor of the incredible road trip Amy and Roger take, I brought it with me on a road trip of my own two years ago.

Two springs ago, my sister and I went on a road trip to Cooperstown, NY (home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame), Niagara Falls, and Toronto. It was baseball-centric--we went to the Hall of Fame, took a stop for a few days in Niagara Falls (AMAZING), and then went to a Toronto Blue Jays-New York Yankees baseball game. It was incredibly fun and I was SUPER STOKED to take my favorite road trip book on a road trip. It wasn’t cross country like Amy and Roger’s was, but I HAD to bring it with me.

I had big plans to take pictures of it everywhere, but I only wound up taking two: one in the window of a used bookstore in Cooperstown and another in my hotel room in Niagara Falls. Road trips are busy, guys. Also, there’s a lot of time DRIVING.

Anyway, I thought about AMY & ROGER’S EPIC DETOUR a lot while my sister and I were driving all over upstate NY/southeastern Canada. About making memories and seeing new places and how the ability to get fresh perspectives on things is only as far away as the nearest highway. For all that my road trip only lasted a long weekend and I basically drove in only three states and part of Canada, it gave me a better understanding of how Amy and Roger could forge such a strong relationship while they were sharing a car and so much of their time. Experiencing new things with people creates a bond, and even though Amy and Roger are fictional, thinking of them and how they’re probably still road tripping together everywhere makes me happy. (Unless this actually makes me crazy? Not sure. Maybe.)

I’m definitely going to be rereading AMY & ROGER’S EPIC DETOUR this summer. Because I almost always do, and because I miss them, and because I want to remember all the awesome fun my sister and I had together, too. And because Roger *hearts for eyes*

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I completely agree with you, Amy, on how a change of scenery can definitely lead to a change of perspective.  It's even more amazing when we connect with this theme in a book.  I adored AMY & ROGER and have been wanting to do a re-read.  I might just have to now!  Thanks so much for sharing your SWEET SUMMERTIME READS with us, xo.

Be sure to check out the giveaway (open international -- Book Depository must be able to ship to you!) happening all summer long...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

+ Open internationally (Book Depository must be able to ship to you!)

+ One winner will be chosen to receive one book from the image above (provided that it is available)
+ Contest ends August 31, 2015

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson
Published: May 6, 2014 by Simon & Schuster
Source: Gifted by the author

The Pre-Sloane Emily didn't go to parties, she barely talked to guys, she didn't do anything crazy. Enter Sloane, social tornado and the best kind of best friend—the one who yanks you out of your shell.But right before what should have been an epic summer, Sloane just... disappears. No note. No calls. No texts. No Sloane. There’s just a random to-do list. On it, thirteen Sloane-selected-definitely-bizarre-tasks that Emily would never try... unless they could lead back to her best friend. Apple Picking at Night? Ok, easy enough.Dance until Dawn? Sure. Why not? Kiss a Stranger? Wait... what?

Getting through Sloane’s list would mean a lot of firsts. But Emily has this whole unexpected summer ahead of her, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected) to check things off. Who knows what she’ll find?

Go Skinny Dipping? Um... [goodreads]

It says a lot about an author when they have the ability to produce not one, not two, but three individually captivating stories.  Matson's debut novel, Amy and Roger's Epic Detour was one of the first books I reviewed here on my blog back in 2010.  When I encountered Second Chance Summer in 2012, it broke my heart into a million pieces, only to put it back together fuller than it was before.  I had very high expectations going into Since You've Been Gone, and it seems to be a rarity in a sea of young adult contemporaries to say that Matson's third novel has far surpassed anything I expected, taking my literary heart to new heights.

On the surface this book seems to be about friendship, and how those we cling to in our youth can shape who we become later in life.  Yes, this is true.  But the story digs much deeper than just a friendship between two teen girls.  It highlights the relationship at its worst and best of times, focusing on the details that twine these two together.  Emily has always been the girl in the shadows of her best friend, Sloane.  She was okay walking in second to a party and not being noticed by anyone.  She felt safe under Sloane's wing, because she knew she had her best friend and that's all that mattered.  But what happens when your best friend up and leaves one day without any forewarning?  This is the story about Emily and how she manages to break free from those shadows and become her own shining new star.

In the beginning, Emily's character was hard for me to get a handle on.  I found myself getting frustrated with how uncertain and passive she was.  But once I reminded myself to read this story through teenage eyes, instead of my own adult eyes, it made more sense to me.  Emily's character is true to what a lot of young girls encounter during their youth.  Their shyness holds them back from taking risks, expecting the predictable path to always keep them safe.  But sometimes it's more important to veer from that path and take a chance on life.  As Emily slowly evolved down this route, it was a beautiful thing to witness her transformations.

These transformations came about from a list that Sloane left for Emily.  It becomes Emily's lifeline to Sloane, and she quickly believes that if she accomplishes each outlandish thing on this list, it will bring her back to Sloane.  In true best friend form, Sloane has left Emily a list of fears to tackle, obstacles to overcome, and hopefully she'll seek some fun in them along the way, too.  Just as Emily is feeling though her summer will be completely lonesome now that Sloane is MIA, the list introduces her to new friends: Frank, Dawn, and Collins.

The steady growth of Emily's character and the relationships she builds, especially with Frank, kept the story moving at a steady, even pace.  In true Matson form, the pages are littered with beautiful quotes.  The kind that cause you to stop, pause, let the words soak in, take a deep breath, and then continue reading.  This author has such a definite voice in her prose that it causes this adult reader to reminisce about my own teen years, and reflect back on the friendships that built me into the woman I am today.

This is a young adult novel not to be missed.  I am so thankful for having read it because I know it will become a powerful tool in my future classroom.  The messages it sends to young girls is one that can not be measured on a page, but I have hopes that my own students will identify with these characters and take something away from it.

Sweet Summertime Reads: Celebrating the 4th!

In just a few days we'll be celebrating the 4th of July here in the US!  Independence Day is an iconic day for summer, usually spent grilling hot dogs outside + a firework display at night, which goes along with our Sweet Summertime Reads feature.  I've read quite a few books set during the summer months that portray a scene falling on the 4th of July.  Some stories just mention it, while others use it as a catalyst to move the story in a certain direction.  I've chosen two particular books with scenes set during the 4th of July that embody a perfect fictional summer.  Have you read either of these?  Well maybe these teasers will entice you to!

"I leaped from the last boat, hit the yacht club wharf, and ran...

I hadn't realized how hard I'd been running, but my lungs felt like they were about to fall out as I turned backward to watch the latest rocket arc impossibly high into the air. It paused, quiet. Then it burst into a million golden sparks, and the thunder came afterward to thump me in the chest and take my breath away all over again. The sparks faded into the black sky, then came back in a lovely surprise, bursting suddenly brighter and chasing one another around in circles as they fell. The entire bouquet of golden light reflected in the water. The lake looked like it was rising to meet the light instead of the other way around...

That's when I saw him running down the hill...

The fireworks exploded in midair and lit him up. Two new burn holes had appeared in his t-shirt, giving me a peek at his chest. Soot streaked his tanned face, and his curls were dotted with small lengths of white straw. He grinned at me..." [taken from Endless Summer by Jennifer Echols]

add to goodreads | Amazon | B&N | IndieBound

"The Fourth of July was sunny and clear, and it fell on a Saturday...
My mother had decided at the last moment to invite the neighbors to a barbecue before we would all head out to the dock to watch the fireworks...

the first hiss of a firework sounded, and I looked over toward the lake. Sure enough, there was the first firework, streaking across the darkening sky like a comet, exploding with a loud bang and turning into a red, white, and blue light. Everyone on the lawn clapped, and then began moving as a group down toward the dock, the better to watch the show...

I tipped my head back and just watched the bursts of color and light that were taking over the sky, reflecting on the water below." [taken from Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson]

add to goodreads | Amazon | B&N | IndieBound

While one book is about young love on the 4th of July, the other is about creating a series of memories with a parent who is dying.  Both are excellent reads, and both are among my favorite contemporaries in YA.  Endless Summer has comical romantic elements through out, cultivating into an array of explosions.  Second Chance Summer is a softer, deeper story about taking second chances when it feels like there may be no chances left.

For those in the US, I hope your 4th of July is filled with celebrations of love & laughter!  And if you're needing some reading material for the holiday, I suggest picking up both of these books.

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Don't forget to check out Magan + Estelle from Rather Be Reading, as well as Tara from Fiction Folio, for more Sweet Summertime Reads celebrating the 4th in books this week!

Sweet Summertime Reads: Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

This review is part of the SWEET SUMMERTIME READS feature hosted by myself, Fiction Folio, & Rather Be Reading.  Be sure to check out the participating blogs for more sweet summertime reading recommendations & summer-fun bookish posts.

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson
Published: May 8, 2012 by Simon & Schuster
Received: Purchased from Barnes & Noble

Taylor’s family might not be the closest-knit – everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled – but for the most part, they get along fine. Then they get news that changes everything: Her father has pancreatic cancer, and it’s stage four – meaning that there is basically nothing to be done. Her parents decide that the family will spend his last months together at their old summerhouse in the Pocono Mountains.

Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former summer best friend is suddenly around, as is her first boyfriend. . . and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.

As the summer progresses, the Edwards become more of a family, and closer than they’ve ever been before. But all of them very aware that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance – with family, with friends, and with love. {goodreads.com}

In the back of my mind a little voice tells me to be careful when reading a book that involves a parent dying from cancer.  Especially when it's a story that is heavily focused around the inevitable.  This little voice stems from my own personal experiences to losing my mother to cancer.  Though it was almost 9 years ago that it happened, anything can bring me back to that moment like it occurred just yesterday -- even a story as beautifully written as Morgan Matson's Second Chance Summer.

Taylor and her family have just been told the shattering news that their father has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.  There is nothing left for them to do, but wait and endure these last precious moments before he takes his last breath.  Her father decides to pack up the family and visit their summer lake house, together as a family, one last time.  The idea of spending their last few months as whole is bittersweet for Taylor, her mother, her older brother Warren, and younger sister Gelsey.  The idea of spending the summer at their family lake house also brings back unpleasant memories for Taylor -- it's the scene she escaped 5 years ago, leaving her first true love brokenhearted, Henry.  This story is focused on second chances.  What it means to face your fears, when you feel that you have no ounce of courage left.

The relationship between Taylor and Henry, slowly regaining their trust in each other, and building up to be an epic romance was a delightful balance to the pressing news that everyone was anticipating as the summer came to a close.  The moments the family got to share as a whole, the memories that would last forever in their hearts, were some of the best scenes to witness on page.  As someone who truly understands just how precious those moments are, it made me happy to learn that this family was taking advantage of what time they had left together.

Morgan Matson did a brilliant job of setting the scene, opening the reader up to this gorgeous landscape of pine trees, rippling blue waters, and an endless blanket of stars above.  The quaint town that inhabited this lake side retreat came alive in all it's characters, and their individual roles in this story.  The slow build up was a relief as well.  Knowing how the story would end, it gave the reader time to cherish these last precious moments as Taylor and her family were.  The soft balance of young love gave an unexpected contrast to the heavier side of watching someone slowly drift away.

There were quite a few moments, especially at the end that hit a little too close to my heart.  Watching your parent struggle with those low, raspy breaths in the middle of the still, quiet night.  Not saying goodbye, but "see you later" and how important those few words can mean.  The moment your life changes forever from a before to an after.  Reading can be very therapeutic; perhaps it's why I choose to ignore that little voice in the back of my head and push through anyway.

The pages of my book are littered with sticky notes, to mark the passages that I knew held meaning to me. This one in particular stood out, in such a beautifully broken way:

"It wasn't until now, when every day I had with my father was suddenly numbered, that I realized just how precious they had been. A thousand moments that I had just take for granted -- mostly because I had assumed that there would be a thousand more."

Though this book was hard to swallow at times, it's a story I feel that everyone should read.  The beauty of witnessing a family's last days with their loved one is something I never thought could be explained, or retold, without experiencing yourself.  I feel that Morgan Matson has done a beautiful job of doing just that.  It struck my heart on such a personal level, and for that I am thankful for reading her words.

In My Mailbox {72}

I only picked up one new book this week.  I've got lots to tide me over for a few weeks - especially with all those preorders that just came in!  This book though, I had been meaning to read for awhile now & thought it would be a great transition from all those heavy (yet so unbelievably good) contemps I've been reading lately.  Plus I got some other bookish goodies in the mail this week, too. Check it out!

Purchased from B&N for my nook:

Hourglass (Hourglass, #1) by Myra McEntire

The lovely Melissa Buell attended the Summer Lovin' Tour in California recently & snagged these wonderful goodies for me!! THANK YOU MELISSA!!!! <3

- Signed bookplates from: Jessi Kirby & Morgan Matson

- Cute bottlecap key chain from Jessi Kirby

- Bookmarks for Melissa Buell's book, The Seventh Blessing

What's in YOUR mailbox this week?

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

Waiting On... Second Chance Summer

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson
To be published: May 8, 2012 by Simon & Schuster

Taylor’s family might not be the closest-knit – everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled – but for the most part, they get along fine. Then they get news that changes everything: Her father has pancreatic cancer, and it’s stage four – meaning that there is basically nothing to be done. Her parents decide that the family will spend his last months together at their old summerhouse in the Pocono Mountains.

Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former summer best friend is suddenly around, as is her first boyfriend. . . and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.

As the summer progresses, the Edwards become more of a family, and closer than they’ve ever been before. But all of them very aware that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance – with family, with friends, and with love.

You guys, I can not tell you enough how freaking excited I am to read this book!!  Ever since I devoured Morgan Matson's debut Amy & Roger's Epic Detour, I have been dying to read more by this amazing author.  She has what it takes to write contemporary fiction that grabs you and sucks you in.  I am already anticipating this to be a favorite contemp for the year.  I love stories about second chances, and the premise of this one sounds heavy, but in the best way possible.  Bring on the tissues! Oh lordy, I want this book NOW.

Pre-order your copy from:
Amazon
Indie Bound
Barnes & Noble

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Just Contemporary: Tough Stuff

November is Just Contemporary month, hosted by Basically Amazing Books and Chick Loves Lit.  If you follow my blog, then you know my true love for YA falls with the contemps.  So when I found out about this month long feature I knew I had to participate.

Each week different topics will be discussed among the blogs in regards to contemporary YA.  The beauty of this genre is it reaches many different outlets.  While one book might leave you breathless from laughing so hard, another may have you clutching it in tears.  My reasons for reading YA contemps are based on that reaction alone.

This week's topic: Tough Stuff

Some people read to escape the hard edges of reality, so they may steer clear of the grittier and more challenging topics in books.  For me though, I welcome it with open arms.  I'm more apt to pick up a book that deals with the "tough stuff" than I am to read a light & fluffy book.  When it comes to contemps, I think some of the most well written books in YA are the ones who dig deep and portray the not so pretty side of life.  The most rewarding feeling you can get from a book is when a character has walked in your shoes, and you're able to identify with them.  It's almost as though that author took bits of your story, and put them on paper.

Death is always a hard pill to swallow in any story.  It's so final.  I know a few readers stay away from books that involve such a heavy topic and I completely understand why.  Death and dying is never an easy thing to read about.  The first 22 years of my life, I was one of those people.  Why would I want to read about someone else's pain?  But then something happened, and my views on death drastically changed.  It was no longer this part of the world that I had heard of; it was now something sitting in my home, obvious in everything I looked at, spoke about, and thought of.  Due to my experience with losing my mother at a fairly young age (I was 22), I have a different approach to death in stories.  When a character explains the ugly process of what one feels like after losing someone, I get it.  I'm right there, in that moment with them.  It's an even more beautiful thing when a character goes through the motions of grieving, breaks down a few hundred times, but eventually knows how to pick themselves back up.  I get that, too.

A few YA contemps I've read dealing with death that stick out in my mind are: Moonglass by Jessi Kirby, The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle, Saving June by Hannah Harrington, Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson, If I Stay by Gayle Forman, and The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson.

Each of these stories approach death from a different angle, yet I found something common with them all: the capacity to accept, deal, and move forward.  Its a hard lesson to learn in life.  A lesson I wish I never knew.  But that's the irony of life, we never know what cards we'll be dealt.  You just have to play them, good or bad.  If you're on the fence about reading a YA contemp that deals with death, I encourage you to read any of these that I mentioned.  Sometimes the "tough stuff" are the most rewarding stuff ;-)

Summer Lovin' Week: Amy & Roger's Epic Detour

Summer Lovin' Week continues at GReads and the fabulous Jen from Makeshift Bookmark has a post dedicated to the music from Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson.  Be sure to stop by her blog to have a listen at her Soundtracking post for this amazing summer read!

Also don't forget about my GIVEAWAY for a chance to win 5 of our favorite summer reads!

I had the opportunity to read Amy & Roger's Epic Detour way back when GReads first began. My review for the book was one of the very first I had written on this blog. I thought I'd re-post it for Summer Lovin' Week! This book won me over then, and has remained a favorite of mine ever since.

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
Published: May 4, 2010 by Simon & Schuster

If you've been recommended this book through Amazon, goodreads, or a fellow book-lover friend.. GO PICK IT UP NOW! I absolutely adore this book! It kept popping up in my book suggestions on Amazon, but for whatever reason I always skipped over it. After seeing it on my fellow book blogger friend's IMM post (Jess hearts books) I took it as a sign & ordered it for myself.

The story follows Amy, a teenage girl who just lost her father in a tragic car accident, which she feels responsible for since she was the one behind the wheel. She feels as though she is being punished for this because both her mother & brother have isolated themselves from her by literally moving across the country. Amy has finished high school & now she must make the trek across the great States to join her mother on the East Coast. There is only one problem, Amy refuses to drive. So what is the solution? In walks Roger (a family friend from long ago)... and so their journey begins!

I loved all the little tid-bits that the author has incorporated from state to state. Amy keeps a travel journey as they make the road trip, jotting down state motto's, interesting facts, and even saving copies of gas station receipts & hotel stays. Somewhere along the journey it stops being about 2 strangers making the trek together, and more about Amy rediscovering herself and over coming fears she never even knew she had. Roger also comes to terms with an ex-girlfriend he hasn't been able to let go of. It's an interesting story to follow and I like how the author doesn't throw Amy & Roger in to some whirl wind romance from the beginning. It shows their relationship grow, as the miles on the road continue. I think it shows real substance and gives us something more tangible to relate to as the reader.

The music play lists that are shown through out their journey is phenomenal. I almost felt like Amy & Roger were listening to my iPod! Music is essential when taking a road trip, along with plenty of snacks! This story shows us that it's not about the final destination, but more about how we got there. Sometimes we have to face our fears and let go a little in order to really live our lives. I applaud Morgan Matson for writing teen-lit based on such a heavy subject matter, such as losing a parent, yet still keeping it in tune with today's youth. This is a book we can all relate to!

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
Published: May 4, 2010 by Simon & Schuster
Received: Purchased from Amazon

Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew--just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life. Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn’t seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she’s coming to terms with her father’s death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road--diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards--this is the story of one girl's journey to find herself. [goodreads]

If you've been recommended this book through Amazon, goodreads, or a fellow book-lover friend.. GO PICK IT UP NOW!  I absolutely adore this book!  It kept popping up in my book suggestions on Amazon, but for whatever reason I always skipped over it.  After seeing it on my fellow book blogger friend's IMM post (Jess hearts books) I took it as a sign & ordered it for myself.

The story follows Amy, a teenage girl who just lost her father in a tragic car accident, which she feels responsible for since she was the one behind the wheel.  She feels as though she is being punished for this because both her mother & brother have isolated themselves from her by literally moving across the country.  Amy has finished high school & now she must make the trek across the great States to join her mother on the East Coast. There is only one problem, Amy refuses to drive.  So what is the solution?  In walks Roger (a family friend from long ago)... and so their journey begins!

I loved all the little tid-bits that the author has incorporated from state to state.  Amy keeps a travel journey as they make the road trip, jotting down state motto's, interesting facts, and even saving copies of gas station receipts & hotel stays.  Somewhere along the journey it stops being about 2 strangers making the trek together, and more about Amy rediscovering herself and over coming fears she never even knew she had.  Roger also comes to terms with an ex-girlfriend he hasn't been able to let go of.  It's an interesting story to follow and I like how the author doesn't throw Amy & Roger in to some whirl wind romance from the beginning.  It shows their relationship grow, as the miles on the road continue.  I think it shows real substance and gives us something more tangible to relate to as the reader.

The music play lists that are shown through out their journey is phenomenal.  I almost felt like Amy & Roger were listening to my iPod!  Music is essential when taking a road trip, along with plenty of snacks!  This story shows us that it's not about the final destination, but more about how we got there.  Sometimes we have to face our fears and let go a little in order to really live our lives.  I applaud Morgan Matson for writing teen-lit based on such a heavy subject matter, such as losing a parent, yet still keeping it in tune with today's youth.  This is a book we can all relate to!