Glad you all liked the interview with Amanda Howells, I think you are all going to like her book too. And you know I wouldn’t just say that if I didn’t mean it!
I’ll admit, I was very skeptical at first. I figured I had seen it all before: summer vacations, trying to fit in with the “in” crowd, arguing with mothers, summer romances…But familiarity is a comforting thing. The Summer of Skinny Dipping has all these familiar themes, but when it is done this well, familiar can be very satisfying.
The short of it is: Sixteen year-old Mia and her family are staying the summer with her cousin’s family in the Hamptons, just as they have every year since she can remember. Only this time, she comes to fin her cousin/best friend Corinne has changed dramatically. Now interested in running with the “it” crowd, Mia finds it harder to connect with her. At the same time, Mia is finding it harder and harder to be accepted by her mother and dealing with rising tensions between her parents. While staying at the beach, Mia meets and befriends Simon, whose family is renting the house next door. They become friends and later become involved. Simon and Mia connect because of their similar issues with parents, finding their place, and expectations of others around them. And then some other stuff happens, but if I told you, you wouldn’t need to read the book! Oh, and Snape kills Voldemort. Or something like that.
Simple enough right? However, the way Howells portrays these events is really smart and subtle. Things aren’t spelled out, we learn them gradually from Mia’s first person narrative. A lot of what Mia is going through has more depth than your run-of-the-mill coming of age story:
- Mia is self-conscious, but she’s not a total sack sack of sh*t loser (i.e., Lynne Henry). She is unique- she’s smart and insightful, she likes science, she is just insecure about who she is, due to her high school boyfriend seemingly dumping her for no reason, and her mother constantly giving her “advice” in the hopes to “help her”; As in, which bathing suits would be more slimming on her. Most of the time, she has strong convictions, they just get muddled by insecurities.
- Mia has never been jealous of her cousin Corinne, who has always been beautiful, talented, cultured, and wealthy. Mia has always just been grateful to have Corinne in her life, because she gets to be in the presence of her wonderful qualities, and Corinne has always given her unconditional friendship. We’ve all had a friend like that (haven’t we?)
- When Mia firsts meets Simon, it’s not some dumb love-at-first-sight ridiculousness that Jessica Wakefield may have. She doesn’t even find him particularly attractive at first. They become friends and she comes to like him the more they talk about their interests, family and life. Although they get a bit mushy and makey-outy when they first get together, they do actually still have real conversations with each other. This is something that id often missing from teen romances (especially all the bs vampire romance stuff). I know I’ve mentioned before how the lack of meaningful conversations between dating couples has been one of my biggest beefs with SVH writing.
- The author does an amazing job of conveying a feeling that prevails throughout teen-hood and never really goes away (at least for me); the desire to be accepted by the group you are not a part of, despite not even liking them. Mia is fully aware that her cousin and her friends are shallow, mean, and actually all not that interesting. yet shew still yearns for those fleeting moments of acceptance. Mia’s mother is super critical and wants Mia to be more into glamour and performance; despite Mia knowing that is not what she is interested in, she can’t help but wish she could be more like that to get her mother’s acceptance. It seems to be a simple enough concept, but I have seen many of past and recent young adult fiction depicting the “I just wanna be popular” character because popularity is the ultimate prize.
- The depiction of the adults in Mia’s life (her parents and her aunt and uncle) are realistic and smart. Mia seeks to understand their behavior, and comes to realize they are not as idyllic as she thought when she was younger. Mia struggles with watching Corinne’s relationship dissolve with her aunt and uncle, again shattering her idyllic view of Corinne.
I really wish this book had been available to me in my teens, especially at the beginning of high school. Not to sound trite, but I could have used some validation that this book can bring to being sure of yourself and seeking out those friends that accept you for who you are.
And just to think, what Mia would have to say to Jessica Wakefield if they were ever to meet.
Amanda Howells
The best news is that Amanda Howells has provided a signed copy of this book and a signed copy of The Return of William White (a.k.a. the best Sweet Valley book cover ever) for a giveaway! Just leave a comment with a valid email address by Wednesday at midnight and I’ll pick someone at random as the winner.
And Amanda, hurry up and publish your next novel!
Read more about Amanda Howells here. And if you like the book, tell your friends.
UPDATE: Congrats to Caitlin, our winner! (No not that Caitlin). Please go out and buy The Summer of Skinny Dipping. It’s a great read! You know I wouldn’t just say this if I didn’t mean it.
OMG PLEASE???
I have all of the SVU William White books and somehow do not have that one. Crazy racist that sees Elizabeth as the epitome of Aryan perfection? How can I NOT want to read more about this character?
Count me in.
Genevieve_Marie@fark.com
I’m intrigued by your review. I’m also a sucker for stories set in the summer.
I remember loving William White. Only because he and Margo would’ve made an awesome diabolical pair if they teamed up to kill Elizabeth. Imagine the lunacy then.
I could totally use some whimsy, I have a 4 month old! Let the awesomeness commence!
Ooh, that sounds awesome. I’m all for summer reads, especially since I’m running low on new books right now!
Wow!!! I loved the interview with Amanda. What were they thinking indeed. Thanks for the chance to win her books. The William White cover is hilarious.
Sounds like a great read! Loved the interview too. 🙂
Oh, what oodles of fantastic fun! I so want to escape the world of SVH for a change and explore new summer lovin’ the way it’s meant to be – in one summer not about 137! You’re a real doll face, IHW!
I have a keen interest in YA fiction; teaching middle- and high-schoolers is just a nice cover.
Great interview and review! The book sounds really sweet.
But nothing will every compare to the majesty of the William White cover. That has me rolling every time I see it.
sorciamacnasty@hotmail.com
I can’t decide which one I’d want more… I’d read them both, but I guess it’d depend on my mood!
Oooh! Me! Pick Me! I’m waving my hand wildly in the air, can’t you see? Pretty please? With a cherry on top of a Dairi Burger banana split?
Oh, and my email address is rcpaps@gmail.com. Thank you!
This one sounds like it’s a lot less shallow than some of the other YA literature out there. I’m going to have to find myself a copy. 🙂
Um, yes. That sounds awesome. I know summer is ending but I could totally use a beach read! And by beach read, I mean William Wright of course
Woo I’m super glad you reviewed this book in more detail. Now I want to check it out even more.
you.dismantle.me@gmail.com
The Summer of Skinny Dipping sounds awesome – totally what I need to read right now.
OMG this sounds SO AWESOME.
doorautomatica at gmail dot com
Ooooh, that sounds like it’s right up my alley. I will read the book anyway, I’m sure, but it would be nice to win a signed copy! Thanks for the review.
I love the interview! I’d like to check out that book. Here is my email address: april44rei@hotmail.com
Now I am really eager to read this book! Count me in for the contest, please! mapless.traveler AT gmail DOT com
Sounds great! I love books set in summer, and this sounds exactly like the kind of book I could have used as a teen.
SLourdes@gmail.com
Loved the interview and would kill to get my hands on that SV “bible” she mentioned. Can’t you give one of those away too? 😉
The book sounds awesome! And I need some more summer reading, as I’ve been tearing through books like crazy this summer.
lachapinATgmailDOTcom
cherylish at yahoo dot com
sounds like a great read!
Me me me! Both sound great!
oberon119
at hotmail 🙂
Thanks I hate wheat!
William White + fun summer reading? Yes, please. Seriously…please?
Longtime reader, first-time poster!
The William White storyline was THE. BEST. SVU. STORYLINE. EVER! Also, the Amanda Howells book sounds fantastic!
I love YA books set during the summer. I also need something to tide me over until Sweet Valley Confidential!
ooh ooh me me!
I’ve already bought this book for Kindle, but I’d love a hard copy.
Oh pretty please.
Ooh an SV Bible! (In the beginning there was a dimple in the left cheek – and God saw that it was good, with golden hair and aqua eyes.) Seriously, great interview, and I am in it to win it 🙂
emme.erics@googlemail.com
Comment comment comment comment comment comment! Yay, do I win?
Seriously, I really would like to read these. The S of SD, because it sounds really good (and I love the idea of the “I know I don’t deep down, believe X–but I kinda wish I did” theme being written about) and the SV because–come ON man, that kinda plot glows in the dark!
I love love love this!
I have to admit i’m not sure why I’m entering this competition as since I’ve found this website I’ve been obsessed with re-reading these books, I literally have no life now, lol. Seriously though I love this website and if you ever get to see the bible – you have to let us know.
i really want to read the summer of skinny dipping! and the william white cover is hilarious.
seasecrets @ gmail dot com
Beloved readers, Beloved Robin:
I can’t tell you what a blast this has been for me–coming to the Dairi Burger and sharing my William White nonsense with you. And how can I ever thank Robin for this incredible, glowing, overly generous review (it is…and I am eternally grateful). Thank you for your enthusiasm and hilarious comments everyone, both in this post and in the others. I can’t wait to send the winner her autographed William White collector’s item, and my new book too. YAY! DOUBLE YAY!
Here’s the thing about Sweet Valley: decades on,it still brings us all joy, friendship, and yes–good laughs. You can’t knock that.
Amanda Howells
p.s. Sadly I lost the SV Bible in one of my many moves…what was I thinking not guarding that with my LIFE?!
I loved reading your interview, Amanda! As for the SV Bible – I’ll just go ahead and admit that I emailed Alloy (who I understand now owns all the materials) several months ago to ask if they still had a copy of the Bible they would be willing to provide me for review and research purposes – sadly, they never responded!
I cannot wait to read your new novel.
Please enter me in this drawing. Sounds like a good book!
seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com
I’ve been desperately craving a good summer beach read (too many crime dramas have left me in need of something lighter), and if it’s by the author of one of the best SVU books EVER, that’s just a bonus! 🙂
absolutely agree with this being the best SV book cover ever…
plus, suave moody-looking psychotics make the best story & cover combos ever
fizzy8181(at)gmail(dot)com
I never noticed the similarity between Amanda Howells and Amanda Howard (aka Elizabeth’s favourite mystery writer). Loved the interview and would love the books.
EEEK! I LOVE it! I want to read it! I hope I win it 🙂
The Summer of Skinny Dipping sounds like the perfect way to end the summer. Thanks for giving us all a chance to win it! And The Return of William White sounds pretty awesome also.
smcdunnough@hotmail.com
Hooray! I’d love to win this. 🙂
So amaaaaazing!!!
I would shop for those two books anyway!!! Great stuff!!!
margovideo@aol.com
My inner child and I would love to win this!
kristinmlis@yahoo.com
So Cool! That sounds like a really fun book that would actually be enjoyable to read.
bethannw1012@msn.com
Sounds like a fun book!
mosteks(at)uni(dot)edu
Yeah, win or not I think I’ll read The Summer of Skinny Dipping anyway based on your review. It’s hard to find smart yet readable ya fiction (hell, chick lit too). I’m in!
Oh heck yeah…well-written YA fiction and the best SVU book EVER? Sign me up!
Oh yeah! I’m so in. That book sounds great and I loved your interview w/ Amanda.
nhboisture(at)gmail(dot)com
What a great review and the interview was fantastic.
fmc@skcinc.com
This book sounds great and I’d love to win a SVH book into the bargain!
I want to read that book based on your review. Pick me please! Plus, today is my birthday. It would make the perfect present.
This book good! Thanks for the review 🙂
I meant it sounds good. The book sounds good. 🙂
alpha_delta_smurfette_girl@yahoo.com
sounds awesome! 🙂
First off, I love this site. It just brings back so many crazy memories of me going to the library and borrowing Sweet Valley Kids, then followed them to middle school in Sweet Valley Twins, and then ultimately Sweet Valley High, and yes, I even read SUV (up until Liz and that bookish Tom guy got together).
But I’m ready for something more….please pick me! I would love to read Amanda’s book!!!
Thank you :D!
Opps, email is anamarinalovex3@yahoo.com
Pick me, pick me! Seriously, though, pick me 🙂 Sounds whiny but I just got a job as a Reading Specialist and I need to create a classroom library. I need to stock it with good reads and not SVH… thanks for doing a contest, IHW!
oh, the email is amymbw@ymail.com
Count me in! glassysurfaceATgmail.com
pick me, pick me! that’s all, thx.
Seriously, please pick me!
I’ll bite because the review is awesome and I would get 2 books which is always better than one.
that book sounds like something I’m going t have to pick up and try. It’s nice to hear that an author is trying for more to a romance than OMG he’s hot let’s make out!
briarose710@yahoo.com
Me, please!
Can I be in this contest? I really want to read that book. Email is pure_gamine[AT]hotmail[DOT]com
Wow! After reading how many people want this book I have to say that I don’t care who gets picked. I just hope that they will enjoy the reading, cherish it, and pass it on to someone they know who will enjoy it as well.
Damn, my computer breaks for five days and I miss out on a giveaway! Oh well, I hope whoever wins the book enjoys it 🙂
Anyway, this sounds like a really interesting read, and I have to amass some reading material for my holiday later this month, so excuse me while I head over to Amazon…
oooh!!! i need this! I re-read my copy after the review and it’s a bit too pre-loved to be acceptable these days 😦