Going Vintage

Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt is on the new Texas Tayshas list, and I think the cover is really cute! 

When Mallory opens her boyfriend's computer to begin work on his essay, she discovers he has created a virtual character in a game called Authentic Life.  A character with a cyberwife.  Jeremy and his "wife" BubbleYum have been sharing intimate emails through the game, and nowhere does he mention his actual, real-life girlfriend.   Mallory realizes she must come up with a way to get over her cheating boyfriend.  While cleaning out her grandmother's house the next day, she comes across a list written in 1962.  Mallory thinks life must have been so much easier then, without technology ruining lives.  So she swears of her cellphone, laptop, and decides to complete her grandmother's list.  Even dressing the part with clothes from the local resale shop.  Of course, there are complications, mainly her research paper for her history class, starting a pep club, and trying to sew a dress, when she has no idea how to sew.  Mallory is determined to finish the two weeks she has set her mind too, and ends up getting help from an unexpected source- Jeremy's mysterious cousin Oliver.

This was a cute book, I like the idea of a social experiment for teenagers.  I think going without texting and Instragram might be really good for some kids.  I thought the character of Mallory was a little annoying.  She is extremely whiny and has built her life around her boyfriend.  She also does this crazy diet, on some days she eats healthy, and others she goes completely insane.  Her younger sister, Ginnie, is much more likable and goes out of her way to help Mallory finish her experiment, and get over her boyfriend.

It wasn't my favorite book I've read, but teenage girls might relate to Mallory's struggles.                               

                                                                                                                                                                   

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