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michalice's review against another edition
5.0
Its ironic that by posting this review I am going against everything that Going Vintage stands for. Reading the book, if you ignore its publication date, is perfectly fine, but using technology is a big no no in Mallory's eyes. What started out as a 'study' date soon ended up with Mallory discovering her boyfriend has cheated on her online. Blaming technology for the cause of this break up, and after finding a list her Grandmother made, Mallory makes the decision to abandon all technology and 'go vintage'.
The List
1. Run for pep squad secretary
2. Have a fancy dinner party/soiree
3. Sew a dress for homecoming
4. Find a steady
5. Do something dangerous
I love the cover for Going Vintage, and I have had my eye on this book since I first heard about it on netgalley. When I found out it had been picked up by a UK publisher I was super excited and beyond happy to be able to get my hands on a copy. The synopsis just helps to draw the reader in and wanting to know more. The idea of giving up technology is not something I would ever even consider, but to give it up and go back to the sixties way of living is unthinkable, I love my iPod, mobile, and modern gadgets too much to even give them up for one day, forgetting my phone at home feels like I am missing a body part.
With the help of her sister, Ginnie, Mallory follows the list and goes along with everything it stands for, even getting her teacher to switch assignments for her so she doesn't have to use a computer. While Going Vintage is a look at how one girl gives up technology, it is also a look at how her relationship with Jeremy ended and we get to see her feelings about the events immediatley after, and then how she learns to deal with it and get closure for what transpired. Along the way Mallory learns more about her friends as they stand by her and support her with what she is doing. She also discovers that Oliver, Jeremy's cousin, isn't who he seems to be, and as this pair get closer they learn more about each other
I loved how Mallory was so set on going vintage, and mostly sticks to her plan even enlisting the help of her Grandmother to help sew a dress, which I would love to see a picture of. I loved her determination, her sense of humour and just her in general. As a character she was easy to like and root for in the challenge she set herself. No matter what she faced she found a way through it, and although all the items weren't crossed off her list I still think she was brave for going stag to the school dance.
This is the first book I have read by Lindsey Leavitt, but it won't be the last.
The List
1. Run for pep squad secretary
2. Have a fancy dinner party/soiree
3. Sew a dress for homecoming
4. Find a steady
5. Do something dangerous
I love the cover for Going Vintage, and I have had my eye on this book since I first heard about it on netgalley. When I found out it had been picked up by a UK publisher I was super excited and beyond happy to be able to get my hands on a copy. The synopsis just helps to draw the reader in and wanting to know more. The idea of giving up technology is not something I would ever even consider, but to give it up and go back to the sixties way of living is unthinkable, I love my iPod, mobile, and modern gadgets too much to even give them up for one day, forgetting my phone at home feels like I am missing a body part.
With the help of her sister, Ginnie, Mallory follows the list and goes along with everything it stands for, even getting her teacher to switch assignments for her so she doesn't have to use a computer. While Going Vintage is a look at how one girl gives up technology, it is also a look at how her relationship with Jeremy ended and we get to see her feelings about the events immediatley after, and then how she learns to deal with it and get closure for what transpired. Along the way Mallory learns more about her friends as they stand by her and support her with what she is doing. She also discovers that Oliver, Jeremy's cousin, isn't who he seems to be, and as this pair get closer they learn more about each other
I loved how Mallory was so set on going vintage, and mostly sticks to her plan even enlisting the help of her Grandmother to help sew a dress, which I would love to see a picture of. I loved her determination, her sense of humour and just her in general. As a character she was easy to like and root for in the challenge she set herself. No matter what she faced she found a way through it, and although all the items weren't crossed off her list I still think she was brave for going stag to the school dance.
This is the first book I have read by Lindsey Leavitt, but it won't be the last.
patchworkbunny's review against another edition
4.0
When Mallory discovers her boyfriend has been cheating on her with a virtual “wife”, it isn’t long before the gossip has spread across social media. The internet has ruined her life. When she’s sorting through her Grandma’s belongings, she finds a list from 1962, a list that gives her an idea. She is going to shun modern technology and live as her Grandma did, in a simpler time. She will follow the list and change her life. But going back in time isn’t as simple as it seems.
Junior Year: Back-to-School Resolutions:
1. Run for pep squad secretary
2. Host a fancy dinner party/soiree
3. Sew a dress for homecoming
4. Find a steady
5. Do something dangerous
Going Vintage is a lovely, simple yet heart-warming book about something the everyday things that happen in a teenager’s life. Although Mallory’s Grandma does point out there’s never any easy time to be a teenager, the internet does pose a special set of problems. Everyone knows your business every moment of the day, should you share it, but there is a general acceptance that you should. I think we’d all like to back away from the drama of social media now and again, and as Mallory does so, she learns the middle ground. Living in the 60s wasn’t all peachy and the internet isn’t all bad.
It’s hard to remember how we coped before the internet, or even before the spread of smartphones which made it portable. For today’s teenager’s life without the internet is a foreign world. It’s amusing to see Mallory suddenly realise things she took for granted aren’t as easy anymore; from researching her homework to finding an address. And communication is hard when all her friends are texting, updating statuses or chatting online. No one takes the time to talk or hang out in person any more but that communication isn’t as fulfilling as the kind she discovers.
I’m not quite sure why there was the need to change Facebook to Friendspace or Second Life to Authentic Life. It’s clear what they’re referring to and there’s nothing in the story that would potentially infringing. Plenty of books manage to incorporate real life social networks no problem. Facebook is such a big part of many people’s lives now, it’s as normal a thing to include in fiction as The Times newspaper.
I liked that all the drama in the book was really centred around everyday events. It does start off with a break up but it’s no life or death situation and Mallory soon comes to understand that her reality and what was in her head were maybe not the same things. Jeremy was a pretty average teenage boy and, whilst Oliver turns out amazingly insightful for his years, everything that happens seems pretty believable.
There is a lot on family life which was nice to see. Mallory has a great friendship with her younger sister, who she ropes into her plan. Part of The List is fuelled by her recent bad experience with the internet but another is to get a bit closer to her Grandma, who Mallory eventually realises is a real person with real problems. Her parents made me smile, because being 40, even if Mallory thinks that’s old, does not mean they stop loving and fighting and being a couple. Their PDAs might be embarrassing but I loved them for it.
Junior Year: Back-to-School Resolutions:
1. Run for pep squad secretary
2. Host a fancy dinner party/soiree
3. Sew a dress for homecoming
4. Find a steady
5. Do something dangerous
Going Vintage is a lovely, simple yet heart-warming book about something the everyday things that happen in a teenager’s life. Although Mallory’s Grandma does point out there’s never any easy time to be a teenager, the internet does pose a special set of problems. Everyone knows your business every moment of the day, should you share it, but there is a general acceptance that you should. I think we’d all like to back away from the drama of social media now and again, and as Mallory does so, she learns the middle ground. Living in the 60s wasn’t all peachy and the internet isn’t all bad.
It’s hard to remember how we coped before the internet, or even before the spread of smartphones which made it portable. For today’s teenager’s life without the internet is a foreign world. It’s amusing to see Mallory suddenly realise things she took for granted aren’t as easy anymore; from researching her homework to finding an address. And communication is hard when all her friends are texting, updating statuses or chatting online. No one takes the time to talk or hang out in person any more but that communication isn’t as fulfilling as the kind she discovers.
I’m not quite sure why there was the need to change Facebook to Friendspace or Second Life to Authentic Life. It’s clear what they’re referring to and there’s nothing in the story that would potentially infringing. Plenty of books manage to incorporate real life social networks no problem. Facebook is such a big part of many people’s lives now, it’s as normal a thing to include in fiction as The Times newspaper.
I liked that all the drama in the book was really centred around everyday events. It does start off with a break up but it’s no life or death situation and Mallory soon comes to understand that her reality and what was in her head were maybe not the same things. Jeremy was a pretty average teenage boy and, whilst Oliver turns out amazingly insightful for his years, everything that happens seems pretty believable.
There is a lot on family life which was nice to see. Mallory has a great friendship with her younger sister, who she ropes into her plan. Part of The List is fuelled by her recent bad experience with the internet but another is to get a bit closer to her Grandma, who Mallory eventually realises is a real person with real problems. Her parents made me smile, because being 40, even if Mallory thinks that’s old, does not mean they stop loving and fighting and being a couple. Their PDAs might be embarrassing but I loved them for it.
reddyrat's review against another edition
4.0
After writing the adorable Princess for Hire series, the touching, funny Sean Griswold's Head, and now Going Vintage, Lindsey Leavitt has established herself as a stellar writer of light contemporary YA fiction with uplifting messages.
Mallory is a likable albeit neurotic main character. When something doesn't go right for her, she jumps to conclusions and goes to extremes to make things different and better. Here, she decides to live like her early 1960s grandmother.
I frequently wanted to throttle Mallory for her short sightedness. She was convinced that modern technology was the root of all her social problems and that life was wonderful when her grandmother was in high school. This despite the fact that her grandmother didn't enjoy talking about high school and clearly was hiding something. And despite the fact that, for all of technology's problems, the lack of technology makes her life a lot harder. Perhaps it was easier for me to realize that high school is hard no matter the era because I'm no longer a teenager or because Mallory chose to ignore things that were obvious to the reader. At the same time, I couldn't help sympathizing with Mallory. Sure, she was looking for the wrong solution to her problems and ignoring her family around her, but her intentions were good. And I did feel bad for her being stuck with a tool of an ex-boyfriend.
Family plays a big role in Going Vintage, as it does in all of Lindsey's books. Her parents are a bit crazy but they clearly love their kids. Mallory's relationship with her younger sister is stood out beyond all else in this novel. It's the type of sibling relationship anyone would long for. They're best friends, they rely on each other, they trust each other. The relationship isn't perfect; they fight, they take each other for granted, but at the end of the day they are inseperable. Mallory's relationship with her grandma is also a big part of the book. The craziest part of that was that Mallory's grandma was born in 1946 - which makes her a year younger than my dad. This made me feel really old.
There is a little romance in the book. Mallory starts off breaking up with her immature, two-timing boyfriend. She ends up befriending Oliver, her ex-boyfriend's cousin. I loved Oliver. He's quirky, independent, funny, and geeky-cool. I also really liked that romance was a part of, but not the entire framework of the book. Mallory's self-growth is always the central theme.
Going Vintage is a super cute book. You may roll your eyes at Mallory's crazy vintage antics, but you'll cheer for her too. Lindsey's created a real person: flawed yet good-hearted with an imperfect family who goes through all too realistic experiences even if her reactions to them are a little strange. You should definitely pick this one up!
Rating: 4 / 5
Mallory is a likable albeit neurotic main character. When something doesn't go right for her, she jumps to conclusions and goes to extremes to make things different and better. Here, she decides to live like her early 1960s grandmother.
I frequently wanted to throttle Mallory for her short sightedness. She was convinced that modern technology was the root of all her social problems and that life was wonderful when her grandmother was in high school. This despite the fact that her grandmother didn't enjoy talking about high school and clearly was hiding something. And despite the fact that, for all of technology's problems, the lack of technology makes her life a lot harder. Perhaps it was easier for me to realize that high school is hard no matter the era because I'm no longer a teenager or because Mallory chose to ignore things that were obvious to the reader. At the same time, I couldn't help sympathizing with Mallory. Sure, she was looking for the wrong solution to her problems and ignoring her family around her, but her intentions were good. And I did feel bad for her being stuck with a tool of an ex-boyfriend.
Family plays a big role in Going Vintage, as it does in all of Lindsey's books. Her parents are a bit crazy but they clearly love their kids. Mallory's relationship with her younger sister is stood out beyond all else in this novel. It's the type of sibling relationship anyone would long for. They're best friends, they rely on each other, they trust each other. The relationship isn't perfect; they fight, they take each other for granted, but at the end of the day they are inseperable. Mallory's relationship with her grandma is also a big part of the book. The craziest part of that was that Mallory's grandma was born in 1946 - which makes her a year younger than my dad. This made me feel really old.
There is a little romance in the book. Mallory starts off breaking up with her immature, two-timing boyfriend. She ends up befriending Oliver, her ex-boyfriend's cousin. I loved Oliver. He's quirky, independent, funny, and geeky-cool. I also really liked that romance was a part of, but not the entire framework of the book. Mallory's self-growth is always the central theme.
Going Vintage is a super cute book. You may roll your eyes at Mallory's crazy vintage antics, but you'll cheer for her too. Lindsey's created a real person: flawed yet good-hearted with an imperfect family who goes through all too realistic experiences even if her reactions to them are a little strange. You should definitely pick this one up!
Rating: 4 / 5
flowersofquiethappiness's review against another edition
4.0
That was a lot of fun! As a huge fan of Sean Griswold's Head, I've been looking forward to Ms. Leavitt's next book. I'm so glad to tell you how much I enjoyed this one! The premise seems cute and fluffy, and so it is. Yet while the cute is certainly there, there are still undercurrents hovering below that draw you in. Which I really appreciate about Ms. Leavitt's writing. Because, like her previous story, there are bigger issues at hand than just a girl giving up technology. Mallory is a lovely girl, but she's gotten so wrapped up in Jeremy, she's forgotten that she's an actual person aside from being his girlfriend. What are her hopes and dreams? Who is she really? This is her story of how she finds herself again. And it's not easy, because she makes plenty of mistakes along the way. Yet she has lots of good friends and an awesome sister (Love Ginnie! Seriously, the sister relationship here is wonderful.) who helps remind her to look beyond herself. That was one thing I really enjoyed about her. Mallory may be struggling, but when presented with proof that others are hurting just as she is, she immediately (or at least pretty quickly) wants to help alleviate some of their pain if she's able. She's truly a very likeable and compassionate person, and she doesn't even realize it. But Mallory's not stupid. She makes some mistakes yes, but ultimately she's got a great head on her shoulders and is able to realize that she needs to figure out who she is before she does anything else. Then Oliver happens. And very unexpectedly I might add! So yes, the romance is adorable and sweet. Oliver knows who he is and doesn't care what others may think of him. Which is just the type of person that Mallory is realizing she'd like to be. Thus each person in her life, Jeremy included, push Mallory ever closer to her goal of going to Homecoming and hopefully figuring out her "thing".
Mallory's journey has lots of twists and turns and the ending is wonderfully done. I really liked that it was hopeful yet open-ended, because no one can figure everything out in just two weeks. Mallory's still got a ways to go, but she's off to an awesome start! And her list? (Did I mention how much she likes lists? In fact, every chapter begins with one.) I'm referring to the one that belonged to her grandmother. She's well on her way to crossing off each item by the time the last chapter rolls around. But it's getting herself there that's an uphill battle. Mallory's tough though, so she'll make it. And you'll have a great time right along with her! :)
Mallory's journey has lots of twists and turns and the ending is wonderfully done. I really liked that it was hopeful yet open-ended, because no one can figure everything out in just two weeks. Mallory's still got a ways to go, but she's off to an awesome start! And her list? (Did I mention how much she likes lists? In fact, every chapter begins with one.) I'm referring to the one that belonged to her grandmother. She's well on her way to crossing off each item by the time the last chapter rolls around. But it's getting herself there that's an uphill battle. Mallory's tough though, so she'll make it. And you'll have a great time right along with her! :)
cari1268's review against another edition
3.0
This was a cute coming-of-age book. Generally, I appreciated the lessons taught. Although the main character was a little too self-involved for my taste. As long as she occasionally recognized that her problems were nothing compared to other people's, she felt justified in constantly thinking about herself. It would have been nice to see her worried about other people.
I feel a little guilty rating this book because I am most definitely not the intended audience and I think teens would like this book more than I did...
Three Stars.
I feel a little guilty rating this book because I am most definitely not the intended audience and I think teens would like this book more than I did...
Three Stars.
carrieannthelibrarian's review
4.0
Adorable. Mallory is an 11th grade girl that finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her via social networking. Drama ensues, and Mallory swears off all things modern and decides things were better in 1962, when her grandmother was a junior in high school.
The story is from the POV of Mallory, so the characters are as Mallory sees them and Leavitt still gives them enough depth to make them interesting (well, except for Jeremy, but he's a tool).
Mallory could be any teenage girl, I thought of her as Tessa from Suburgatory.
The story is from the POV of Mallory, so the characters are as Mallory sees them and Leavitt still gives them enough depth to make them interesting (well, except for Jeremy, but he's a tool).
Mallory could be any teenage girl, I thought of her as Tessa from Suburgatory.
emilywv's review against another edition
Love the premise, but, 50 pages in, the writing just isn't doing it for me.
brandypainter's review against another edition
5.0
Originally posted at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
I have looked forward to reading Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt since I first heard of it. The concept. The cover. And I really enjoyed Leavitt's previous work, Sean Griswold's Head. I had expectations for this book. Big ones. And it was everything I wanted it to be.
History was my concentration (almost a second major, but not quite-all elementary ed majors at my school had to have one) in college. I read a lot of historical non-fiction. I have little tolerance when people start misting up all nostalgic about "the good old days". People who think if they could just get back to a simpler time everything would be better tend to make me want to give history lectures. (Being a homeschool mom this is a challenge. You have no idea how often I end up biting my tongue. The homeschool community has an issue with this. Not going to lie.) So I really loved watching Mallory on her journey to discover that nostalgia is all well and good, but the idea of a simpler and easier time is a fallacy. As her grandmother so sagely points out: Adolescence is the same tragey being performed again and again. The only things that change are the stage props. (Added to my all time favorite quotes.) This is a story about a girl who has had her heartbroken for the first time. Going vintage is her rebound. I could not identify with Mallory very much, but I loved her all the same. Like most 16 year olds she is a bit self centered, but she is aware of what goes on around her as well. I like how she sees things in herself and the life she leads that she doesn't like and works to change them. Yes, it is all about getting over a boy, but through the journey Mallory discovers a lot about herself and her family. Leavitt does spark some interesting food for thought on technology and how it hinders or helps human interaction. There could also be some debate on whether or not Mallory overreacted to Jeremy's online life. (I'm personally on her side 100% on this one.)
Something I appreciate about Leavitt's two YA books is even though they have their touch of romance, they are not romance novels. Going Vintage is a book about a girl on a journey to discover who she is independent of any boys. It is also a book about family. I love that. Mallory's family is a strong one. Not a perfect one, for such a thing does not exist. Mallory has a strained relationship with her mother. They don't fully understand each other, but they do fully love each other. Her parents argue a lot, but also make out a lot. Mallory's sister is her best friend, but man when they fight they FIGHT. (Having exactly such a relationship with my own younger sister, I really loved this aspect.) Mallory's relationship with her grandmother is truly special. I love seeing family highlighted as so important in all its beautiful imperfections in a YA novel.
And yes, the book does have a pretty awesome boy too. Oliver. Their relationship is complicated because Mallory just broke up with her boyfriend and that boyfriend is Oliver's cousin. I really like how Leavitt grew their relationship, how they became friends, how Mallory realized her opinion of him originally came entirely from Jeremy and she needed to get to know him on his own terms, how they do some stupid things in the course of the story but never ridiculous melodramatic ones. Oliver himself is a great guy, but still a teen guy, something else I appreciate. One of my favorite scenes in the book is when Oliver is admitting he enjoys spending time with her. Best declaration of interest ever: "But given...the obvious roadblock. I'm not sure how much we can get to know each other." He rushes on. "As people, because you're an interesting person and I value that in friendship. That's seriously what I'm after, not that I'm after you and I'm not talking about, you know, 'knowing' each other. Like in a biblical way or anything, although you're obviously pretty, I mean, very pretty and totally worth knowing both ways...God, shut it, Oliver. Shut it." The whole time he's saying this he's looking out a window and not at her. How awkwardly adorable is that?
I went into this book expecting a light fun read, but one with substance, heart, and wisdom. And that's exactly what Going Vintage offers.
I have looked forward to reading Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt since I first heard of it. The concept. The cover. And I really enjoyed Leavitt's previous work, Sean Griswold's Head. I had expectations for this book. Big ones. And it was everything I wanted it to be.
History was my concentration (almost a second major, but not quite-all elementary ed majors at my school had to have one) in college. I read a lot of historical non-fiction. I have little tolerance when people start misting up all nostalgic about "the good old days". People who think if they could just get back to a simpler time everything would be better tend to make me want to give history lectures. (Being a homeschool mom this is a challenge. You have no idea how often I end up biting my tongue. The homeschool community has an issue with this. Not going to lie.) So I really loved watching Mallory on her journey to discover that nostalgia is all well and good, but the idea of a simpler and easier time is a fallacy. As her grandmother so sagely points out: Adolescence is the same tragey being performed again and again. The only things that change are the stage props. (Added to my all time favorite quotes.) This is a story about a girl who has had her heartbroken for the first time. Going vintage is her rebound. I could not identify with Mallory very much, but I loved her all the same. Like most 16 year olds she is a bit self centered, but she is aware of what goes on around her as well. I like how she sees things in herself and the life she leads that she doesn't like and works to change them. Yes, it is all about getting over a boy, but through the journey Mallory discovers a lot about herself and her family. Leavitt does spark some interesting food for thought on technology and how it hinders or helps human interaction. There could also be some debate on whether or not Mallory overreacted to Jeremy's online life. (I'm personally on her side 100% on this one.)
Something I appreciate about Leavitt's two YA books is even though they have their touch of romance, they are not romance novels. Going Vintage is a book about a girl on a journey to discover who she is independent of any boys. It is also a book about family. I love that. Mallory's family is a strong one. Not a perfect one, for such a thing does not exist. Mallory has a strained relationship with her mother. They don't fully understand each other, but they do fully love each other. Her parents argue a lot, but also make out a lot. Mallory's sister is her best friend, but man when they fight they FIGHT. (Having exactly such a relationship with my own younger sister, I really loved this aspect.) Mallory's relationship with her grandmother is truly special. I love seeing family highlighted as so important in all its beautiful imperfections in a YA novel.
And yes, the book does have a pretty awesome boy too. Oliver. Their relationship is complicated because Mallory just broke up with her boyfriend and that boyfriend is Oliver's cousin. I really like how Leavitt grew their relationship, how they became friends, how Mallory realized her opinion of him originally came entirely from Jeremy and she needed to get to know him on his own terms, how they do some stupid things in the course of the story but never ridiculous melodramatic ones. Oliver himself is a great guy, but still a teen guy, something else I appreciate. One of my favorite scenes in the book is when Oliver is admitting he enjoys spending time with her. Best declaration of interest ever: "But given...the obvious roadblock. I'm not sure how much we can get to know each other." He rushes on. "As people, because you're an interesting person and I value that in friendship. That's seriously what I'm after, not that I'm after you and I'm not talking about, you know, 'knowing' each other. Like in a biblical way or anything, although you're obviously pretty, I mean, very pretty and totally worth knowing both ways...God, shut it, Oliver. Shut it." The whole time he's saying this he's looking out a window and not at her. How awkwardly adorable is that?
I went into this book expecting a light fun read, but one with substance, heart, and wisdom. And that's exactly what Going Vintage offers.