The Gap Year: A Book Giveaway

I was taking a bit of time off doing giveaways/reviews because I was feeling a bit overwhelmend with deadlines relating to my master's program--plus, I really suck at getting things in the mail (as those of you who've gotten your books 6 weeks later can attest!).

I decided to review The Gap Year by Sarah Bird because a) it sounded right up my alley and b) the book tour date was flexible and c) I really like working with Lisa at TLC book tours.

This book was the perfect antidote to a year of academic reading. Not too heavy, but not too light. The story is about a mother and daughter and their summer before the daughter is supposed to go to college (Holy shades of my own life, Batman!).

The author uses the technique of writing from different character's perspectives. I love Jodi Piccoult's books and she writes in that style also--I think it draws you into the character's personalities really effectively. I wouldn't want to only read books using this technique, but, to me, when it works it sucks me in (and who doesn't read books in order to be sucked into the story?).

The author does a great job of getting inside the heads of both the teenager (or what I remember as what the inside of teenager's head is like) and the mother.

The book is quirky, fun and very now in terms of pop-culture references. I'm going to pass my copy onto my daughter and her friends and see if they enjoy it as much as I did. One of you is going to win your own copy (mailed to you by TLC in a very timely manner!).  Let me know--do you think you can still think like a teen? Or as adulthood consumed you completely?

 

 

Comments

[Jenrantsraves]

I feel I can still think like a teen now, but by the time Dylan is a teen, I may be too feeble minded to remember! The thing is remember most is how funny everything was. I used to laugh until my sides hurt. I miss that!

[Katie Jennings]

I think so, although what I find now as a fairly young (24) teacher is that I think like a teenager (bungee jumping would be fun!) and then think of what my students would say (miss, why on earth did you choose such a daft way to break something?), so maybe adulthood has taken hold!

[KEM]

At 22 and about to start my Master's, I am teetering that fine line between holding onto fun, irresponsible times and throwing myself completely into adulthood.

[Slow Panic]

I think I can still think like a teen -- or at least understand what's going on. I'm sure my teen would disagree -- but I just see so much of myself in him and what I went through seems to be so similar to what he's going through.

[Smalltown Mom]

I try to see both sides...

[Marit]

I'm going to reply on the off chance that I'll get picked and that you'll be willing to send something to faraway Holland (the Netherlands, not Michigan) ;-).
I've always thought I could think like a teen, because my teen years still feel so close. But reality is that I can't think like a teen because so many things have changed over the last 20 years. Their context is so different from mine and places such different demands on them that it's impossible to think like them. This point was brought home again this morning in a heart to heart with my own dear 19 year old.

[suzie]

I think I can still think like a teen. I'm younger than most moms with kids my daughters' ages (they're 13 and 15, I'm 38), and I do sometimes think I can go back to how it felt easier than my (50+ year old) friends seem to be able to.

However, if I were a teen with ME as a mom, I'm sure I would be much happier to spend time with her than I was as a teen about time with my own mom.

;)

[Jamie]

I think that experience and a different perspective changed my ability to think like a teen a bit. I know that I can empatize with their thoughts and feelings. I hope that comes across to them.

[allmycke]

Being a teacher with students between 13 and 16, I try and see things from their point of view. Sometimes my 50+ years of experience gets in the way when it comes to understanding why some (in my eyes) small events become life altering for a teenager.
That's why I've promised myself to quit teaching before my brains have totally atrophied and the kids can use me as a turning buoy...

[Shannon]

I'm only 23 but I had a hard enough time thinking like most teenagers when I was a teenager. This sounds like a great book; I'm going to put it on my list to read whether I win this or not!

[Julie M]

Heck at 60 mumble,mumble I can hardly think at all :-). Things have changed so much since I was a teen.

[bramble]

Although my choices might now be different, I do still think I understand the teenage mind and how they feel although time and culture have changed many things. My son is constantly amazed when I ask his girlfriend something and she nods or replies in agreement with something I have shared. Times may have changed but a girl, is a girl, is a girl! Now on to figuring out those guys!

[Denise]

The Dallas Morning News published an excerpt from this book and I was drawn in. It sounds lovely. I try to read my daughter's YA books before her to make sure they are appropriate, so I have found I do relate to that teenage voice. I have enjoyed most of them - even those I don't let her read. (She's only 12, so don't think I am too overly protective! She knows it all but I don't think she necessarily needs to soak it all in on a constant basis!)

[Katie]

I think that I can still think like a teen. :) I can understand what they are going through, anyway.

[Deb]

I sometimes try to think like a teen, it helps me gain perspective of what it is like for them as students. One thing I think is easy to forget as an adult is that time is completely different in adulthood. I can remember back in high school feeling like the day lasted forever. The time between 8 and 3 was probably the equivalent to a week of time for me today. What seemed so important back then is merely a whisper in my life today...fleeting and gone. I try to remember that.

[Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours]

I'm glad you enjoyed this one! Thanks for being a part of the tour. I'm featuring your review on TLC's Facebook page today.

[Jordan France]

I'm looking for a great quotes that i can use on my everyday task and duties. Lucky enough to drop by on your blog. Thanks.