Review: Going Vintage

Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt
Release Date: March 26, 2013
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pages: 320
Source: Library
Format: ebook

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 in1962, 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.

Obviously, there's no "good" way to find out that your boyfriend's cheating on you, but it's particularly awful if the information is second-hand and when Mallory discovers Jeremy's online girlfriend while she's at his house helping with his paper she's shocked...and mad. Mallory ends it. But things can get nasty on the Internet and she needs a break. What better way to drop out of the 21st century than going vintage? Dresses, plaid capris, bicycling to places that seemed a lot closer by car, and writing a school paper by hand seem like good ideas at first. Maybe Mallory should have thought this out before she took the leap. 

This was awesome to read. It wasn't action-y (yes, that's a word) and it didn't have any super big, heart attack inducing cliff hangers, but it was funny and realistic and...did I mention funny? Mallory's humor was hilarious. I can't remember how many times I thought, "This author understands me! I wonder if she's secretly a tumblr/pinterest/bloggering girl." I mean, I would understand it if she didn't want to reveal that. We do have crazy reputations. ;)

See? SEE?? I'm not the only one.

Mallory and the rest of the characters were also completely real. Her parents weren't portrayed as the totally opposite-ends-of-the-spectrum lawyers or druggies. They had unique personalities and problems and they annoyed Mallory sometimes but she also loved them. Her younger sister Gina was another awesome character (And reminds me quite a bit of my own little sis. Aw, aren't you happy I mentioned you on here?), spunky and all about that sarcasm. All the characters were amazingly written and I can honestly say that if any of them weren't there the story wouldn't be the same. And here's where I stop talking about the characters because I might say to much.  

I often describe myself as various shapeless foods.

INDEPENDENCE. Here's where I talk about how Lindsey Leavitt totally nailed it. She made a story where the girl finds herself, discovers her passions and who she really is, and embraces it. It's not about the guy, it's about being yourself no matter what. That's the most important thing the book gave to me. I JUST ERASED TWO SENTENCES BECAUSE SPOILERS. UGH, THIS IS HARD. Mallory became her own person. She learned to define herself without a boyfriend (You go, girl! You don't need no man. Especially not one like Jeremy. Oops, wait. Man, ha. He's a mere boy.), she rocked vintage and she rocked single. 

Okay, maybe not completely confident. But this is reality. Seriously, don't point.

 And I loved her humor. Just saying.

All in all, this was a light contemporary read that made me laugh (and growl) that addressed totally non-light issues. #GirlPower

My Rating:

Disclaimer: I was not reimbursed for this review in any way. I have written it solely for the entertainment of the readers of this blog and myself.

~~~~~

Project 30 Days of Inspire: Days 10 & 11

Day 10: "People are the prettiest when they talk about something they really love with passion in their eyes." Do what you love. Find things that make you happy. Take up sewing or collect postcards. Explore activities and objects that you're passionate about. Happiness follows. :)

Day 11: "Follow your dreams." This ties in closely with the first quote. Don't be afraid to follow your dreams. I know that sometimes it may seem impossible, and all the realists in your life are being annoyingly negative right now, but keep dreaming. Dreams aren't accomplished through big leaps, they're made by taking small, baby steps and crashing into walls once in a while.

Unikke's March 24 Post

Unikke's March 25 Post