Now, my first experience with Jay Asher was Thirteen Reasons why, which was so good that I read it in one day. I wasn’t disappointed by this second exposure to him, but it wasn’t a five star, couldn’t put it down book. The concept is awesome, two teens in 1996 get an AOL disc and when they sign on to AOL, they find themselves on their future Facebook. Simple, elegant amazingness.
The story is executed well, the things the two narrators talk about are a total flashback for those of us who were in high school then, but may be complete gibberish to teens today. I mean, do any of them even know about Discmans or the noise AOL made as it connected? However, I’m sure they understand the allure of being able to sign into your future on the computer.
Josh and Emma react to Facebook as anyone would in 1996. At first they don’t believe it at all, and then slowly they realize it’s true. Much like anyone would, they try to change what they don’t like or hold tightly to what they do like. It leads to a great story, but much like Thirteen Reasons why, this book shines for the relationships with in it. Emma and Josh have a complicated relationship based on years of friendship and one bad night a few months ago. Asher totally puts you in their shoes and you feel that awkwardness between them. Even when they are treating each other poorly, you still want things to work out for the two of them, and considering how bratty Emma can be, that’s a big accomplishment.
Worth a read, but if you haven’t read Thirteen Reasons Why, be sure to read that first