The Implosion of Aggie Winchester

The Implosion of Aggie Winchester by Lara Zielin
G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2011
278 pages
YA; Contemporary
3.5/5 stars

Source: Library

I spotlighted this book on a Book Blogger Hop awhile back for "crazy book title" due to its inclusion of "implosion" which I don't think I've ever seen used for a title and for including the main character's full name. Having read the book now, I think the title is very apt as Aggie's life does seem to be falling apart.

During her first year in school, a popular girl made Aggie's life miserable due to her status as the principal's daughter. In turn Aggie became best friends with goth outcast Sylvia and has projected a tough outer shell. Now though Sylvia is pregnant with the most popular guy in school's baby and is determined to build a family with him; Aggie is skeptical but as she tries to gently warn Sylvia, she is only pushed away. Then there are the two guys with confusing intentions, Aggie's mom's cancer, and a huge school scandal that blows up to the national news.  And Aggie is deeply embedded in all of those plots-is it any wonder that she feels like her life is imploding?

I had some trouble bonding with Aggie, who's so angsty in the beginning but I quickly fell for her as she tries to navigate the minefields around her. It seems like she can do nothing right with almost everyone in her life turning on her on a dime. So glad my high school experience was better! The worst part for me was the mistrust of her parents. Her mother thinks Aggie is sexually active despite repeated assurances of the hospital and other attempts to talk about things end only in frustrated miscommunications. It was so sad.

In the whole, I thought there was a little too much going on (see my plot summary) but for the most part, all of the separate plot threads were juggled well and came together in coherent if mostly predictable ways. And even though I could see what would happen, I enjoyed Zielin's writing and the way she brought it all together.

Overall: A fine contemporary with a generally fast pace and an easy to root for main character.

Donut Days

Donut Days by Lara Zielin

Summary: Emma is the daughter of evangelical minister parents who is having quite the difficult time. Her mom may lose her position as co-preacher at their church, one of her friends is newly hot and in love with her, her best friend isn't speaking to her, and her parents have announced their financial support only if she attends a Christian college. This takes place over a three day period as people camp out to see the opening of a new donut store.

I really liked Emma-she was very likable and I enjoyed her feelings about her parents. She feels completely left out over the things that are happening that will affect her. But the end promises hope for a stronger family unit and reevaluation of how each views the others.

At the donut campout, I really enjoyed her interactions with Bear and his evangelical biker gang. They showed a more human face of Christianity. Most are able to realize that they are not perfect and they do not act like they are. They just try their best to live out Jesus' teaching and improve themselves.

Her friendships are not as important. Lately it seems like I've read a lot of books where the female main character is not speaking to her friends due to a fight and thus female friendship is not important to the book. I'm not trying to single this book out because I feel like I've seen that a lot; this just happens to be the review where I'm writing about it.

I also thought that not all of the subplots got enough attention. I would have liked more with the hot guy in love with Emma; I thought it got short shrift. I also would have liked more with her younger sister, who was adorable in the little we read about, and the sibling rivalries that always seem to appear in families. I also think the girl on the cover doesn't look old enough to be a senior in high school-she looks maybe 14. That doesn't detract from the story; it's just something I noticed.

Overall: 4/5 for funny (predictable) story with a sweet narrator and good message. Recommended.