Publisher
Profile
Winter Town by Stephen Emond Published by Little, Brown BfYR
Pub Date: December 5th 2011
Pages: 331
Format: ARC | Source: Publisher
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Buy the book! | Goodreads
Every winter, straight-laced, Ivy League bound Evan looks forward to a visit from Lucy, a childhood pal who moved away after her parent's divorce. But when Lucy arrives this year, she's changed. The former "girl next door" now has chopped dyed black hair, a nose stud, and a scowl. But Evan knows that somewhere beneath the Goth, "Old Lucy" still exists, and he's determined to find her... even if it means pissing her off.
Garden State meets Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist in this funny and poignant illustrated novel about opposites who fall in love.
Evan is a kid who believes he knows what he wants from life. He has a close-knit family, with supportive, if not slightly over-bearing parents. Lucy’s family life is the complete opposite, but it has never really affected her as much as this past year. The mystery behind her change isn’t revealed until halfway through, at which point the perspective changes from Evan’s to Lucy’s. I loved the times when they would just get lost in their banter, and also hearing about all the mischievous things they did as kids.
Throughout Winter Town there are comic strips created by Evan’s character where he tells an adventure, alternate reality world with Evan and Lucy as the main characters. It is sweet and the art is really great.
I completely fell in love with Evan’s family and friends. I mean, his Gram?! LOVED her!! And I wish his friends, Tim and Marshall, were my friends. Even his mom and dad, as intense as he is, were great together.
It did take me a little while to connect with the characters and the story though, but once I did, I read it without stopping. While Evan and Lucy’s story is told lightheartedly, I felt it had many layers. It was a story about changing and growing up, about discovering what is going to make you happy in your life, even if it means letting everyone down, about taking charge of your life and wanting to make it better, about knowing who you want to be with but recognizing when the timing is just not right. Really, everything you want in a coming of age story.
Now! Here’s your chance to win my ARC copy of this awesome book!
Giveaway Closed!
Ashley
This one sounds really interesting! I’ve been interested in this one for a while and LOVE the idea of the comic strips included in the story!
Laura Wiley
This sounds really interesting. I’ll have to give it a try.
Cheyenne Teska
I’ve heard very few things about this book, but it sounds great! Thanks!
Giselleco
I’m so intrigued by this one I keep seeing it everywhere! I didn’t know about the comic strips that’s awesome!!
Giselle
Xpresso Reads
oodlesofbooks
I’ve been looking forward to this one for quite some time! I am glad you ended up enjoying it. Thanks for the giveaway! :)
Mary | Anxirium
Sounds good! I’m really interested in the illustrations!
SaraO @ TheLibrarianReads
How good does this one sound. I like the quirky characters, and the opposites attract premise…Plus, I gotta love a “winter” book (haha) to read in sunny florida…It’s never winter here!
Isamar
Sounds really good I would love to win this :)
Bre_2
This book sounds really good! It sounds really interesting!
Laura Ashlee
Great review! I loved this book.
Mandie Baxter
Sounds like a great read. Loved Nick & Nora AND Garden State (good luck exploring your infinite abyss). Would love to read it.
pabkins
I had to refresh the page for the comments to load I got worried there for a minute!
How can more people not be signing up to win this book! I love the cover – so crisp and clean looking makes me feel like I can smell winter…
Pabkins @ Mission to Read
Randi M.
This sounds lovely! I especially think the in-text comic strips sound awesome. I love graphic novels, so the idea of a combination is interesting. :) Thanks for the giveaway!
Sashana Jeffery
I would love to read this one. Thanks for the chance to win!
S. Lecea
Seems like a cute story!
Raghad
Thanks for the giveaway, this book looks great!!
Natalie
Thank you for the giveaway [:
aLmYbNeNr
Great review…I’m definitely adding this one to my list!
AmberThe Musings of ALMYBNENR