Never really haven taken one myself, I have always been drawn to books about road trips. The Geography of Lost Things by Jessica Brody tells the story of a high school senior learning how to move forward after some grand losses in her life.
After the passing of her largely absent father, Ali Collins and her mother end up facing the foreclosure of their home. When Ali receives her father's beloved classic car, she plans to sell it to save the house. But unable to drive stick, she finds herself enlisting her ex-boyfriend Nico to come with her. As they make their way up the coast, the history of Ali, Nico, and Jackson comes out, and the pair trades their way up in items, stories, and trust.
One of my favorite parts of the book was how Ali wasn't the typical YA romance female. She shows her anger at both her father and Nico, instead of keeping in the inner monologue. Ali showed the up and downs of the emotions that came from the events in her past.
I like character-driven books and the creative ways that they keep up the excitement. However, I felt some of the impact was lost in this writing. Some of the phrasing felt redundant and a bit over-dramatic. It took me out of the story when I was otherwise drawn in, and even finished it in one sitting.
Overall, The Geography of Lost Things was a lovely summer read. Sweet romance, heartfelt character growth, and fun adventures.
The sun, as it turns out, is huge. And there are infinite topics hiding underneath it. Things you'd never even thought to ask.
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