Book Review: Bumped by Megan Mcafferty

Goodreads Description

When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents are forced to pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society.

Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and had never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Until now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend Zen, who is way too short for the job.

Harmony has spent her whole life in religious Goodside, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to bring Melody back to Goodside and convince her that “pregging” for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.


When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.



My review

Having read several dystopian books I’ve really liked this year and enjoying interviewing the author, I was really hoping that I’d love Bumped . There has been a lot of controversy around the blogosphere about Bumped with a divide between people who loved it and people who thought the book wasn’t for them. Unfortunately, I fell into the latter category.

I had a really hard time getting into Bumped because of the unfamiliar slang of the dystopian world Megan Mcafferty created. Instead of building up the atmosphere bringing the world to life, the words like ‘rilly,’ 'reproaesthetic' and ‘neggy' just confused me and ended up sounding forced. So rather than adding to my reading experience they became an unwelcome frustration because the talk was hard to follow. I think this could have been helped by a glossary at the back for the made up vocabulary because even having finished the book I'm not sure I could completely explain all the terms.

Melony and Harmony made a nice contrast to each other because of their vastly different personalities and backgrounds, which meant I was able to see their world from different points of view. This was helped by the story being told from both their points of view in alternating chapters. I liked the idea of Harmony being bought up in a religious community because it balanced out against the rest of the materialistic society but I did find the way she wanted to share her religion all the time with everyone she met rather annoying at times and it showed religion in a bad light. Melody's relationship with Zen was a high point in the book because it was the only one that seemed to have true depth and the banter between them added a lot of humour to the story.
The twins did develop throughout the course of the book but I just didn't feel a connection with them and this particularly affected my enjoyment. I think this could be because I just wasn't able to picture them in my head and they almost didn't feel like real people.

The topic of young teenage girls getting pregnant for profit was always bound to be controversial and the book did succeed in making me uncomfortable but also slightly curious about the dystopian world. It was very thought provoking because it made me think about some of the issues with teen pregnancy we face now. Despite this and the interesting premise, I found the extremely casual sexual talk and  drug references a little too much considering my age and this put me off so I'd only recommend it to the upper end of the YA market. I think I'd have enjoyed the plot more if these issues had been dealt with in a more serious way instead of making it fun spirited because it would have hit my emotions harder.

However, I must say that the idea was a very original one and I applaud Megan Mcafferty on daring to take a risk . The society presented in Bumped is different from other dystopians I've read because it didn't have a controlling government and I think this gave it a lot of scope for the characters because they had more of a grip on their future. I also found that this made the society seem scarily believable to me because it's closer to what I know and could imagine happening, which was what gave the book an almost creepy atmosphere. To get the bigger picture of the society as a whole, I would have liked to have seen more adult interaction within the book (even though I know it's a teen centred society) and have known more about the infertility virus that hit the world.

Verdict/ Quick Read: Unfortunately Bumped didn't live up to its exciting premise for me because I couldn't connect with the characters well and the teen speak bogged the story down. Despite this, I was impressed at the originality and the thoughts it provoked so I won't forget it easily. It wasn't the book for me and I don't think I'll be reading the sequel but I would still encourage you to try it if the premise appeals and you like dystopians because I know so many people who have loved it!

Rating: 2 stars

Thank you to Harper Teen for providing me a review copy via NetGalley

A Cornucopia of Dystopia Event: Interview with author Megan Mcafferty

Megan McCafferty is the author of Bumped, a satirical dystopian YA novel to be published by the Balzer + Bray imprint of HarperCollins on April 26th, 2011. She also wrote the bestselling Jessica Darling series. Megan edited a short story anthology called Sixteen: Stories About That Sweet and Bitter Birthday. She has contributed to several fiction and nonfiction anthologies including My Little Red Book, Does This Book Make Me Look Fat? and Everything I Need To Know About Being a Girl Came From Judy Blume. Her work has been translated into eleven languages, including German, Chinese and Hungarian. She is writing the sequel to Bumped. (Bio from Goodreads)

Today is the start of the A Cornucopia of Dystopia event held by The Bookish Type and A Tapestry Of Words, which I posted about earlier, and I am very pleased to have the author of Bumped, an upcoming YA dystopian book, Megan Cafferty on the blog today to answer some of my questions about Bumped. So, without further ado- welcome Megan!

• What was your inspiration for Bumped? Can you describe your process as it went from an idea germinating in your mind to a fully-formed story on the page?

My fascination with the media’s response to teen pregnancy started with the notorious Gloucester High School pregnancy pact. A few months later, Bristol Palin and Jamie Lyn Spears battled for the dubious distinction as the nation’s most famous teen mom. That media brouhaha, coupled with the critical and commercial success of Juno, made teen pregnancy a hot topic in the media, with a lot of hand-wringing over the sexual activities of teenage girls in particular. All this controversy prompted me to ask myself: What if teenage girls were encouraged to get pregnant? Why would that happen? Ultimately, I settled on a virus that makes adults infertile so only teenagers get have babies. I did research for almost a year before I started writing, and spent another year creating the characters, plotting, and—finally—writing it all down.

• How was the writing experience for Bumped different from writing your Jessica Darling series and how do you think your fans will react?

I had written about Jessica Darling’s world for ten years. I knew all those characters inside and out, and I underestimated how difficult it would be to get to know Melody and Harmony in that same way. Plus, I was creating a whole new world so the first draft was too long and all over the place because I hadn’t figured out what was important and what was filler. Many thanks to my amazing editor, Alessandra Balzer, because Bumped is a book that really didn’t come together until after the first round of major revisions.

Like the Jessica Darling series, there’s a lot of humor in Bumped—it’s not grim like you’d expect a dystopian novel to be. I never thought I would write anything that crossed into sci-fi territory, so I don’t blame readers for thinking, “What the what???”

• What was your process like to get into a teenage mindset for this novel? How did you build believable teens in this foreign, futuristic world, and how do you think teenagers today will relate to the characters of twins Melody and Harmony?

I didn’t focus on what would change. I focused on what would stay exactly the same. The characters in the novel are bored by school, play soccer, party too hard, gossip, flirt, fight with their parents, get hooked on technology and obsess over pop culture. It’s easier for them to focus more on their own futures than the fate of the Western Civilization. I think today’s teenagers will see a lot of themselves in these characters, despite the apocalyptic scenario.

• Can you talk about the research or preparation that went into writing Bumped?

I did more research for Bumped than anything I’ve ever written before. I read dense books about the history of surrogate motherhood, reproductive technology, and the influence of religion on teens’ sexual decision-making. I read memoirs about girls (now grown women) forced to give up their babies for adoption in the decades before Roe vs. Wade, and about twins who were separated at birth and reunited as adults. I clipped countless articles and editorials arguing for and against abstinence only and comprehensive sex education programs. I watched hours of Christian teens’ testimonies on YouTube and have not missed a single episode of 16 & Pregnant or Teen Mom (1 & 2). In short, I did what I could to make sure even the craziest aspects of the book were rooted in reality.

• What were your favourite things about writing a dystopian novel?

I loved inventing a fictional world that reflects what’s happening in the real world right now.

· How are you feeling about the anticipation for the release of Bumped?

I’m eager to see what conversations it inspires.

· What message do you hope readers bring away with them from Bumped?

I’ll tell you what message I don’t want readers to take away: That BUMPED somehow promotes teen pregnancy as the cool thing to do. That couldn’t be further from the truth! If anything, I hope to raise serious questions about the “pornification” of our culture and the repercussions of loveless, senseless sexual activity. I find it hard to believe that readers could think otherwise…unless they don’t appreciate satire. This is a book about the dangers of extreme thinking, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by extreme reactions.

· Where is your favourite place to write?
I have a home office and it’s the only place I can work on my books. To stay focused I need solitude, green tea, dark chocolate, and music. For BUMPED I listened to a lot of LCD Soundsystem, though the soundtrack varies from day to day, scene to scene.

· What writing project are you working on now?

I’m working on the sequel to BUMPED and developing the idea for the book I’ll write after that. I’m not sure where this idea will take me, but that’s what makes my writing life interesting!

Thank you very much Megan for taking the time to answer my questions and giving such a fascinating insight into Bumped! It's amazing where inspiration can come from and it's really intertesting to know. I got a review copy off Net Galley and I'm enjoying it so far. Make sure you stop by some of the other blog posts for the event today, they're listed on the event schedule here.

In My Mailbox 13/3/11

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren and encourages bloggers share the new books that have made it into their homes this week.

Here's what I got this week:

For review:

Chime by Franny Billingsley (thanks to Bloomsbury UK)

I hadn't heard of this on before it arrived through my postbox and it's really not what I would normally choose to read but I'm always up for different things AND there's sparkles on the cover (that's always a good thing!) Except, just looking up the synopsis on Goodreads, I found out it's historical too (set in the early twentieth century), which is doesn't mention on the cover, so now I like the sound of it more.

Bumped by Megan Mcafferty (from NetGalley)

When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. Girls sport fake baby bumps and the school cafeteria stocks folic-acid-infused food.

Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and have never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Up to now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend, Zen, who is way too short for the job.

Harmony has spent her whole life in Goodside, a religious community, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to convince Melody that pregging for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.

When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.


I'm so excited to get this one because I'm interviewing the author for A Cornucopia of Dystopia hosted by A Tapestry Of Words and The Bookish Type. I have got one book from Net Galley before and found it really hard to read it on the computer so it didn't work out but this time I'm determined to get to the end. Also, I'm hoping to get a Kindle for my birthday in late April so it should be a lot easier then!

From library

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.
But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.
 
I'm reviewing this one for the A Cornocupia of Dystopia event and I know there was so much hype around the blogosphere that some people were left disappointed but I loved it and was left feeling 'wow' by the end of the book, mainly because of Lauren Oliver's writing. You'll have to wait until my review to find out more!

What did you get in your mailbox this week?

Reminder: I'm holding a US/Canada giveaway of Dark Mirror by J.M Putney. To find out more and enter, click on the link.

A Cornocupia of Dystopia event!

During March and April, the lovely Casey from The Bookish Type and Danya from A Tapestry Of Words are holding an awesome dystopian blogging event that I am taking part in- very exciting! Thank you so much to Danya and Casey for all the hard work they have put into organising the event.

There will be author interviews, reviews, guest posts, cover-redesign contests and giveaways.It will feature lots of the dystopian books that many bloggers are eagerly anticipating or have already been released including:

I will be reviewing Delirium and welcoming authors Megan Mcafferty and Katie Kcvinsky for a guest post here :D

Here's the current schedule:

March

21 – A Tapestry of Words Dark Parties Review & Interview, The Bookish Type Memento Nora Review & Interview

22 – I Swim For Oceans Awaken Review & Interview, The Book Worms XVI Review & Interview

23 – A Writer’s Review Bumped Review, Musings of a YA Reader Memento Nora Review & Interview

24 – Books in the Spotlight Delirium Review, Supernatural Snark Possession Review, Reading Teen Wither Review

25 – Down the Rabbit Hole Bumped Review & Interview, Supernatural Snark Possession Interview

26 – Musings of a YA Reader Awaken Interview, A Writer’s Review Dark Parties Review, Books in the Spotlight Dark Parties Review

27 – Midnight Bloom Reads Awaken Review, The Bookish Type Delirium Review, BSAOT XVI Interview

28 – I Swim For Oceans Bumped Review & Interview, Midnight Bloom Reads Awaken Interview

29 – Supernatural Snark Memento Nora Review & Interview, Reading Teen Possession review & Interview

30 – 365 Days of Reading Bumped Review & Interview, The Bookish Type XVI Interview & Review

31 – Loud Words and Sounds Awaken Review & Interview, Good Choice Reading Dark Parties Review & Guest Post

 April

1 – Reading Teen Bumped Review & Interview, The Book Worms Memento Nora Review, Literary Explorations Wither Review

2 – Musings of a YA Reader Possession Review & Guest Post, Books are a Girl’s Best Friend Delirium Review, Books in the Spotlight Awaken Review

3 – Books in the Spotlight Awaken Interview, Down the Rabbit Hole XVI Review & Interview, 365 Days of Reading Memento Nora Review

4 – The Bookish Type Dark Parties Review & Interview, 365 Days of Reading Memento Nora Interview

5 – Books are a Girl’s Best Friend Awaken Guest Post, A Tapestry of Words Awaken Review, Literary Explorations Possession Review

6 – Loud Words and Sounds Bumped Review & Interview, Reading Teen Delirium Review, Musings of a YA Reader XVI Review

7 – Books in the Spotlight Dark Parties Interview, Supernatural Snark Awaken Review, A Tapestry of Words Possession Review

8 – The Book Worms Bumped Review, Midnight Bloom Reads Delirium Review, Supernatural Snark Awaken Interview, A Tapestry of Words Possession Interview

9 – The Book Worms Bumped Interview, Literary Explorations Memento Nora Review, 365 Days of Reading XVI Interview

10 – A Writer’s Review Awaken Interview, The Book Worms Possession Guest Post, The Bookish Type Possession Review

11 – Reading Teen XVI Review & Interview, The Bookish Type Possession Interview

12 – The Bookish Type Awaken Review & Interview, Books in the Spotlight Memento Nora Review, Literary Explorations Bumped Review

13 – Supernatural Snark Bumped Review, A Writer’s Review Possession Review, Books in the Spotlight Memento Nora Interview

14 – Reading Teen Awaken Review & Interview, 365 Days of Reading Dark Parties

15 – A Tapestry of Words Memento Nora Review & Interview, 365 Days of Reading Dark Parties Interview

16 – The Bookish Type Bumped Review, Books in the Spotlight Possession review, Supernatural Snark XVI Interview

17 – The Bookish Type Bumped Interview, Literary Explorations Delirium Review, Books in the Spotlight Bumped Review

18 – Delirium Scavenger Hunt Interview

So make sure to keep your eyes peeled for these posts across the 17 participating blogs, which can be found at A Tapestry Of Words or The Bookish Type and share in the fun! Also, a giveaway schedule will be announced soon by Casey and Danya.