Carpe Diem

This was an amazing book about the adventures and transformation of an overachieving uptight teen. Vassar Spore recieves a mysterious package and phone call one evening from her eccentric Grandma Gerd. She has been invited to travel with her through Malaysia. To anyone else, this would sound like a dream come true, but to Vassar, it is a disastor and her goals for the summer are gone.On the bright side, this gives her a chance to find out "The Big Seceret" that forced her parents to allow her to go. Vassar is changed forever during her travels and has the experiance of a lifetime. She falls in love and finds she is stronger than she ever thought. The unexpected twist at the end adds so much the the storyline and characters. I reccomend this book to anyone and everyone.

I've been friends with Autumn (Cornwell, of course!) for about 8 years. I still remember the day when we were talking on the phone and she suddenly announced that she was going to become a young adult book author. My first thought was, "Do people just decide to do that?" My second thought was, "How?" Well, Autumn not only decided to do it, she did it. How? By writing a hilarious novel about an exceptionally bright, disaster prone, endearing, unforgettable teen named Vassar Spore. The story follows Vassar from her rigidly scheduled and predictable life in Seattle to her anything-but-predictable misadventures in Southeast Asia. Accompanying Vassar on her travels are her free spirited Grandma Gerd and Hanks, a wry Chinese Malaysian who's enthralled by American culture and, hmmmmm, perhaps by Vassar, as well??? If Autumn's descriptions of the exotic countries that her characters visit seem vivid and very real to readers, that's because Autumn, herself, has traveled to every one of these places. Also, many of the things that happen in this book were inspired by events that Autumn actually experienced, too. And, yes, that includes the "Laotian jungle adventure" (as her book jacket bio calls it), involving opium addicts, cold temperatures, and a travel companion who accidentally causes a heck of a lot of trouble. When I first read Autumn's book, it was just a typed up manuscript. She hadn't even sent it out to agents yet. At that time, the story was called SQUAT TOILETS, and I could easily imagine generations of teens reading it and being inspired to, someday, travel to distant places to experience adventures of their own. If CARPE DIEM does change the life of even one reader, it's amazing to think that it will all be because, one day, my friend, Autumn, decided to become a YA author... A very, very good one.

LIM, indeed!! There's still much to learn in life, but I do know a little bit about squatty potties, SE Asia, Asian guys without facial hair, and overachievement. This book is awesome YA book that made me think about the here and now that I tend to ignore or forget. There is so much life-planning that I constantly do, and this was a good reminder to laugh and enjoy life as it is. As for how true it is to life in SE Asia, well... I've had my share of food poisoning, snakes, and bamboo huts. Reliving those moments with Vassar made me laugh so much, as some previously awkward memories re-surfaced. That first time with a squat toilet was ridiculous. Enjoy this book! :-) It's funny and wise, and I hope you like it as much as I have. May we all LIM!

Fast-paced, humor at every turn, vicarious visit to the Far East (the only way to visit:--)) ), Vassar is a WONDERFUL character, everyone wants a relative like Grandma Gerd, and I can't wait for a sequel. Thanks so much for introducing me to Carpe Diem. I've already passed it on to friends to enjoy.

What a great book! Slow down and live, don't plan your life away. That has never been my problem, but Vassar plans her every moment (even putting her retainer in). Grandma blackmails Vassar's parents so that she has to join her on her travels in Southeast Asia. Just wait! Don't miss the clues and DON'T miss this book.