Just Finished Reading ... Everything You Need to Survive the Apocalypse

Today's feature is ....


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Everything You Need to Survive the Apocalypse
By Lucas Klauss
Simon Pulse
January 3, 2012
Source: library

No, this is not a dystopian/post-apocalyptic book. But you should read it!  It's a funny, heart-wrenching story that deals with issues of faith, love and loss.


Philip Flowers is at cross-country practice with his friends, trying to avoid the evil eye of Coach "Ferret" Farragut, when something amazing happens. He meets a girl.

Rebekah is "unconventionally hot," as Philip puts it. She also seems to like him. This is great news. Philip's mom died recently. His dad is busy clearing out the basement, which his mom stacked high with disaster-preparedness supplies. Even Philip has a secret stash of books about surviving catastrophe and crisis.

Rebekah wants Philip to join her for youth group at the Wesley Road Faith Church. This is a problem. Philip's dad is an atheist. Not just a garden-variety atheist, but an "atheist enthusiast." So Philip lies to his Dad and sneaks out to meet her. Rebekah gives him a Bible. Coach Ferret, also a church member, is (creepily) supportive.

But as Philip and Rebekah's relationship progresses, the issue of religion threatens to come between them. Philip is definitely looking for a place to belong, an explanation for why bad things happen. Can the Wesley Road Faith Church give him the answers he's seeking?

Everything You Need to Survive the Apocalypse is a thought-provoking, often funny, beautifully written YA contemporary. It deals with the issue of religion in a way that is respectful to all sides of the discussion. It asks difficult questions about loss and faith and doesn't resort to easy answers.

I definitely recommend this book. If you're also looking for a real post-apocalyptic story, Anaavu says to head over to Dystopian Domination II, a blogger-hosted event celebrating everything dystopian.

Comments

  1. Great review Jen. This sounds like a really great book. I almost picked it up at B&N the other day, but h ad not heard much about it yet. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Ooooh, this sounds good! Have not heard of this one before, but I am definitely intrigued. Wonder if my library has it...

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  3. I've heard about this book. Thanks for the review. I will read it.

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  4. I hadn't heard much about this one either but it looks like it would be a good book--the kind of book that sticks with you?

    Shanan
    http://thebookaddictnet.blogspot.com/2012/01/book-addict-review-and-giveaway-under.html

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  5. I have not heard about this book before. The title sure is misleading. I thought, when I first read the title, it would be about zombies or of the world ending.

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