Neurotic Thoughts on Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

Awaken
Author: Katie Kacvinsky
Released: May 23, 2011
Genre: YA dystopian
Published by: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Source: Houghton Mifflin through NetGalley
"I received this book free of charge for an honest review"
Pages: 320
ISBN: 0547371489
Summary from Goodreads:
Maddie lives in a world where everything is done on the computer. Whether it’s to go to school or on a date, people don’t venture out of their home. There’s really no need. For the most part, Maddie’s okay with the solitary, digital life—until she meets Justin. Justin likes being with people. He enjoys the physical closeness of face-to-face interactions. People aren’t meant to be alone, he tells her.

Suddenly, Maddie feels something awakening inside her—a feeling that maybe there is a different, better way to live. But with society and her parents telling her otherwise, Maddie is going to have to learn to stand up for herself if she wants to change the path her life is taking.

In this not-so-brave new world, two young people struggle to carve out their own space.

My Thoughts:

I read this book back in April and it has really stuck with me all this time. The entire time I was reading it I kept thinking that this book wasn't really that far off the mark. I can easily see our lives developing into this kind of lifestyle. In fact I was just reading an article the other day that reported that out of the 1500 or so college students interviewed 25% said that the internet was more important to them than plumbing. Yikes! 

I really loved Maddie, she wasn't perfect and that made her so real and likable to me. I was happy that when Justin entered the picture that there wasn't an immediate love connection, it developed over time like a real relationship. Speaking of Justin... I loved him. If I were a teenage girl again I would totally go after a guy like Justin. He is rebellious against society, but is loyal to those he cares about to the extreme. 

This book had me thinking about all of the time that my family and I spend online or in front of a screen, and how we all need to take time to remember what is really important. I'm pretty sure I would have to list plumbing above the internet, I'm just saying.

A great edition to the Young Adult dystopian genre.  

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