Waiting On…Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson

“Waiting on Wednesday” is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine!

This week I’m waiting on…

Title Since You’ve Been Gone
Author Morgan Matson
Pages 352 Pages
Genre Young Adult, Contemporary
Publisher Simon & Schuster
To Be Published May 13th, 2014
Find It On Goodreads

The Pre-Sloane Emily didn’t go to parties, she barely talked to guys, she didn’t do anything crazy. Enter Sloane, social tornado and the best kind of best friend — the one who yanks you out of your shell. But right before what should have been an epic summer, Sloane just…disappears. No note. No calls. No texts. No Sloane. There’s just a random to-do list. On it, thirteen Sloane-selected-definitely-bizarre-tasks that Emily would never try…unless they could lead back to her best friend. Apple Picking at Night? Ok, easy enough. Dance until Dawn? Sure. Why not? Kiss a Stranger? Wait…what?

Getting through Sloane’s list would mean a lot of firsts. But Emily has this whole unexpected summer ahead of her, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected) to check things off. Who knows what she’ll find?

Go Skinny Dipping? Um…

Over the course of my life, I’ve been given the same advice from well-meaning friends and family again and again. “Don’t rush things.” “Be more spontaneous.” “Live in the moment.” “Your eyes are too big for your stomach.” And honestly? They’re probably right. After all, why am I constantly making lists of upcoming book releases and planning my next shopping trip when I already have an ever-growing to-be-read pile that rivals Mount Everest and would likely render me completely immobile for several days should it ever fall on me?

And while I’m sure under normal circumstances this is perfectly sound, reasonable advice, I just can’t be expected to adhere to it when it comes to certain things. Particularly when we’re talking about books written by my favourite authors. After falling in love with Morgan Matson’s Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour last year, I’ve been eagerly looking forward to her next release. Because let’s be real – I’m too scared to sit down and finally read Second Chance Summmer, despite the fact that I’m sure I’ll love it when I finally work up the courage to read it. I’m just a big baby.

But I digress. Morgan Matson’s work epitomizes summer and sunshine for me, and I think few authors apart from Jessi Kirby and Trish Doller share Matson’s enviable talent for examining universal concepts like issues of identity, the grieving process and first love in an approachable, authentic way. Also, on an entirely superficial note, can we talk about how absolutely stunning that cover is? I for one would purchase that as a print to frame and hang up in a heartbeat! And we all know I’m a sucker for a good book cover, right?

30 Responses

    1. The cover alone is enough to make me want to read this novel! (Yes, I’m really that shallow) 😆 The use of typography is stunning and I love the warm, casual, summer feel.

      Sometimes I wish someone would create a list for me like the one that Sloane leaves for Emily. I’m very introverted and am rarely willing to take chances or put myself out there but I think it could be very inspiring 🙂 If only things like this happened in real life, eh?
      Jen @ Pop! Goes The Reader recently posted…Waiting On…Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan MatsonMy Profile

    1. Thanks, Danny! 😀 I knew the second I saw the post about the cover reveal that I needed to read this novel, and was even more convinced when I read the synopsis. Morgan Matson is a staple on my auto-buy list, and I absolutely adore contemporary stories about self discovery!

      I would highly recommend Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour. It’s a lot of fun but also has a lot of heart and some touching messages. I would love to hear what you thought of it!
      Jen @ Pop! Goes The Reader recently posted…Waiting On…Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan MatsonMy Profile

    1. I would have to agree, Jillian, and I don’t think it’s simply limited to the covers! The young adult genre seems to push itself to new heights of creativity and brilliance every year. I certainly don’t remember the genre being quite so varied when I was an adolescent!

      I’m so glad I was able to help you discover a need book for your to-be-read list 😀 Hopefully we’ll both enjoy it when it’s released!
      Jen @ Pop! Goes The Reader recently posted…Waiting On…Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan MatsonMy Profile

    1. Have you ever read any of Morgan Matson’s other work? That might be one way to gauge whether or not Since You’ve Been Gone would be the right book for you 🙂

      I can certainly understand your desire to wait until some early reviews are released before making up your mind, though. While Matson’s work is an auto-buy for me, I’ve certainly done this before with other novels. It’s often wise to let others test the waters before you dive in headfirst!
      Jen @ Pop! Goes The Reader recently posted…Review: Spin by Catherine McKenzieMy Profile

  1. OH MY GOSH YES. I literally screamed when I heard about this book because Morgan Matson is a goddess in my book. And this book sounds eerily like my life, so I’m quite interested to see what happens.
    Rachel recently posted…What Inspires You?My Profile

  2. I am totally not a spontaneous person. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I get extremely anxious when I do things I’m not used to. I have to know everything about what I’m doing or I’ll end up stressing out. I don’t like feeling that way.

    I love everything about this book. The synopsis, that cover, the title. I guess, in a way, I’ll be living vicariously through the main character when I read it. ;D
    Cee recently posted…VOILÀ! THE NOVEL HERMIT IS OFFICIALLY A SELF-HOSTED BLOG!My Profile

    1. I really appreciated your comment, Cee, and could definitely relate! I hate change and am a relatively introverted person who experiences quite a bit of anxiety at the prospect of trying something new. Like you, I have a feeling I’ll be living vicariously through Emily because, as much as I would love to follow in her footsteps, I just don’t know if I have it in me. I guess someone needs to make me a list of inspirational prompts to force me to put myself out there a little, eh? 😉
      Jen @ Pop! Goes The Reader recently posted…Review: Spin by Catherine McKenzieMy Profile

    1. I’m glad I’m not the only one who immediately gets Kelly Clarkson’s “Since You’ve Been Gone” stuck in her head everytime she sees this novel! 😆

      I had yet to read Second Chance Summer, but I would highly, highly recommend Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour. There are no words to express how much I adored that novel! 😀 I would love to hear what you thought of it as well.
      Jen @ Pop! Goes The Reader recently posted…Waiting On…Tsarina by J. Nelle PatrickMy Profile

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Hi! I’m Jen! I’m a thirty-something introvert who loves nothing more than the cozy comfort of home and snuggling my two rescue cats, Pepper and Pancakes. I also enjoy running, jigsaw puzzles, baking and everything Disney. Few things bring me more joy than helping a reader find the right book for them!

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