Thursday, January 27, 2011

Celebrating XVI

No, this is not a post about football. I don't know a lot about football despite having sat through four seasons of it in high school marching band. I do, however, remember all the perverted and stupid things we used to shout at the cheerleaders when they attempted to rile us up. Good times.

Anyway, this IS a post about books! It's Bookanista Thursday! I'm pretty sure we all know the drill now, so I'll run through it fast--theBookanistasareauthors whospreadthewordaboutawesomebooks everyThursdayandisn'tthatfrawesome? It's so frawesome that I want you to give me an all temperature cheer!

HOT! WARM! COLD!

I have no shame.

So let's shamelessly celebrate the book XVI by my friend and Class of 2k11-mate, Julia Karr! Here's a little about the book:
Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world—even the most predatory of men—that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past—one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.

And here are three reasons that I hate Julia (in the most admiring way possible):
  1. This book made me THINK, but I still enjoyed reading it. I worried about Nina and Dee's safety, and I thought about my own past, and I thought about my daughters. I think this would be a great book club pick because it's the kind of book that people will feel passionate about rather than just going, "Yeah, those zombies were kewl." And isn't that what good dystopians are supposed to do? They're supposed to tell a good story about one bleeping wonky society and get us thinking about our own. This book definitely made that happen for me.
  2. It's a dystopian that felt like it could actually happen. I love dystopian in general, and there are tons of great ones out there. Recently, though, I've read a couple that were fun and interesting, but I didn't feel like there was ANY WAY they could actually happen. That left me feeling a little removed from the story, and I didn't enjoy them as much as I could have. But this one felt all too possible.
  3. Julia has the most adorable cats. I have pet envy. My father-in-law is severely allergic, so we don't have any. (Hey, I didn't say this whole list would be book related.)

So there you go! XVI was a fun, thought-provoking read. If you're into dystopia, I definitely recommend it.

But wait! There's more! (Why do I suddenly feel like an infomercial host?) Check out what the other Bookanistas have to say! And make sure to visit our newest Bookanista, Rosemary Clement-Moore. Her Maggie Quinn books are some of the funniest I've ever read.

15 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm obsessed with football and um, was a cheerleader too, but only because they wouldn't let me be the quarterback.

I have to read this book--thanks for reviewing it.

Nicole Zoltack said...

I bought this book and can't wait for it to arrive!

JenWriter said...

This book sounds very cool. Awesome review!

lotusgirl said...

I'm looking forward to reading this one.

Tere Kirkland said...

Is there an ebook available of this yet? I would love to read it, too. I love the premise and can't wait to see what Julia does with it.

Thanks for the review!

Carrie Harris said...

There's a kindle version available on Amazon, Tere!

Jessica Tack said...

I have this book waiting on my nightstand and I'm so excited to start reading it!!

Caroline Starr Rose said...

Yay, Julia! XVI kept me thinking, too, esp. about who gets to determine who we are. Does society have a say in how we act? Are we required to be something we don't want to be (I'm thinking tattooed here).

Bettina said...

Totally enjoyed XVI (even went hunting for it). Compelling, and while in the distant dark future, totally relevant!

(also, gotta cheer for Rosemary - a Dallas girl!)

writergal24 said...

Sounds like a great book! I can't wait to read it!

Hanna Banana said...

Too funny because until I saw your post, I thought it was Wednesday.

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

hurry and mail it - im on the list :)

Shannon Messenger said...

I SO need to read this one. I <3 Julia (not more than you though. I <3 you both equally) and I've heard such great things about XVI!

Hot! Warm! Cold!

*jazz hands*

Unknown said...

I've heard all good things about this book, can't wait to read it! :)

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

I agree with everything! Thought provoking, but fun! Great review, Carrie!