November ‘09 may be the best month for great content in Findaway history. Naturally, that made it difficult to choose just one title, but my weakness for humor prevails and despite some unflattering reviews, Youth in Revolt: The Journals of Nick Twisp by C.D. Payne is my favorite.
Nick is a sharp 14-year-old, victim of a broken home and savvy to life’s irony, who is primarily focused on girls and continuing education. Well-read and well aware of his intelligence, our hero/narrator is full of cheeky humor, making his mom’s truck-driver boyfriend and girlfriend’s zealous parents funnier than they are depressing. Despite his intellectual maturity, Nick’s primary goal is doing-away with his virginity and, more specifically, winning over a girl named Sheeni, whose cool and haughty demeanor makes Nick seem pubescent. Youth in Revolt doesn’t offer any moral guidance or inspire sympathy, but I guess I’m a sucker for a good laugh and the recent trend of smart-alecky humor and brazen subject matter is churning out some great books & films.
If you’re interested in the title, but don’t have the 25 hours to dedicate, there’s a film adaptation, starring Michael Cera (think Superbad and Juno) and Zach Galifianakis (Hang Over) among others, releasing January 8.
Posted by Caroline Duke
Playaway Content Development Coordinator
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