From the moment I learned that Jay Asher was coming out with a new book back in 2011, "The Future of Us,"--this time, writing with Carolyn Mackler--I have wanted to read it, and I just read it for the first time. Jay Asher has a very intriguing writing style.
What makes his books so addicting is that he tends to incorporate a lot of conflict within his writing. Unfortunately, I don't know anything about Carolyn Mackler's writing style by herself, so I cannot say anything about her.
"The Future of Us" is 300 pages of easiness; I practically read it in a day, and I am a slow, easily distracted reader.
The thing I love about Jay Asher's books is that not only are the words bigger and more spaced out on the page than many other books for young adults, but he also has excellent hooks for books, which shows that he knows how to keep the reader engaged. Every time I pick up one of his books (except for "What Light"), I cannot put it down. Like his other books I have read, the prominent characters are high school students.
Side note: While "What Light" was a great novel, it wasn't as interesting as Jay Asher's other two books. I'm not saying it was boring, but I think it would have been better if there was heavier conflict all throughout the book like there was in "Thirteen Reasons Why" and "The Future of Us."
He and Carolyn Mackler kept me reading by inviting friction between, and in some cases, among, characters several times throughout this novel. It shows how our futures may be out of our hands in that we don't know where we are heading in life, but we can also take matters into our own hands if we are not currently happy. To put this into easier terms, one hour of studying done each night might not get you very far in life, and it might result in you dropping out of college.
However, if you are in the habit of studying one hour each night but then suddenly ramp up your studying to eight hours each day, then your future could lead you into your dream job by accomplishing your dream education (and also GPA).
I do not remember reading too many curse words. It is hard to find young adult fiction with minimal cursing, and Jay Asher embraces this fact by hardly cursing in his books. Additionally, he uses excellent grammar and syntax.
I comment on his understanding of the way the English language works because I am surprised by how many well-known, native English-speaking authors do not have the best grammar, and I am unsure of why their editors do not make these crucial changes. While nobody's grammar is perfect, his consistent use of it allows for more natural and quicker reading.
I certainly recommend this book to anybody who wants to read it. I would not suggest taking it on a beach vacation or any place that requires you to be in the hot sun for extended periods of time because your skin might get fried by being sucked into such an easy read.
I do not want to be responsible for your hospital bills that require treating your skin cancer or heat stroke just because of one book review, so please keep this book inside, or wear a bottle of sunscreen.
