In Zanesville
Jo Ann Beard
2011
304 pages
Published by Little, Brown and Company
Purchased by me. Yes, I bought the hardcover. And it was worth it.
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When I first saw the cover of this book I thought the title was Inzanesville, and I’ll admit, that’s what made me pick up the book, because, you know, Inzanesville is kind of a catchy title. Well, it is if you’re me. But then I realized it’s really In Zanesville, because the name of the town the book is set in is Zanesville, which, according to the all-knowing Google is a for-reals place. Oh. Minor disappointment, that (the title, not the actuality of the place). But then, towards the end of the book, there is mention of Insanesville, and I was no longer disappointed, but then I also was, because I had gotten to the point where I felt all superior about having a cleverer (more clever?) title.
I’m a dork.
This is a book about growing up in a smallish sort of town, and the angst of being a teenager and trying to fit in with the popular crowd, and the torments of first crushes and first kisses and sleepovers and best friend betrayals (or imagined betrayals) and un-understanding parents. It made me think that I had a pretty tame, angst-free adolescence. I mean, I hadn’t even heard that myth about what happens if you drink dissolved aspirin in coke. (Have you? (Either heard the myth or done the the deed?)) It made me want to have a slumber party and give everyone aspirin-laced coke shots. And back to torments for a moment. There is also an awesome first scene about the horrors of babysitting, which is something I can relate to, although my charges didn’t quite go that far. The worst that ever happened was the time one kid locked themselves in the bathroom and couldn’t get out.* Or wait, maybe it was the time I caught chicken pox.**
Anyhoosie, this book is also set in the 70′s, so if you’re my age (although I just have to say I was in high school in the 80s, not the 70s, not that I’m getting sensitive about my age or anything), some if it will also seem distressingly familiar. I mean, does anyone even do layaway anymore?
The best thing about this book (other than the babysitting charges from hell) is that it’s frighteningly real. I was left feeling like I just read about the author’s childhood. And maybe I did. The worst thing? The ending didn’t really pop for me. Not that I wanted fireworks or anything, but it kinda fizzled. Some things were quietly resolved, other things weren’t. Although I guess that’s just how it goes in life, so maybe the author knew what she was doing with that end after all. Because as I’ve already admitted, I’m just the dork.
*Never fear…it was a cheap, pickable lock.
**And you can be damn sure I never babysat for that bitch of a mom who KNOWINGLY put me in the position to catch chicken pox. Me and my scars have never forgiven her.
Aspirin-laced Coca-Cola? Wha? Never heard of it and what it can do, but now I’m intrigued!
Coffee and a Book Chick´s last [type] ..The Peach Keeper- by Sarah Addison Allen
I think that this book sounds really interesting, and growing up in the eighties, I think that I would relate to a lot of the things in this book. And also, the mom that exposed you to chicken pox is a truly wretched person! I would also not forgive her!
Zanesville is definitely real, if we’re speaking of the Zanesville an hour from me, which is in Ohio. This book sounds pretty good–I need to see if there’s a kindle edition.
Stephanie´s last [type] ..The Sunday Salon 5-8-2011
My nephews locked me out of the house when I sat for them for the first time. They were 5 and 3 and geared up to do all sorts of wrong so I was a bit alarmed over the situation. Eventually they let me back in but it took lots of bribing.
The spacing on that cover does make it look like one word. I thought maybe it was catchy for InSANEVille.
Ti´s last [type] ..You Asked- I Answered – Part 3
I’ve been wanting to see a review of this one because I have to admit these are exactly the types of books that appeal to me – one’s about normal, everyday people. Sounds like it was pretty good. I like your title better!
Amused´s last [type] ..Mailbox Monday- May 2nd – 7th- 2011
I did go to high school in the 70s, so I could probably relate to even more of this book than you did. It sounds wonderful!
Like you, I picked this book because I thought it was titled Inzanesville, lol! And then I was just as surprised to know that Zanesville is a real place. And this country wasn’t satisfied with one Zanesville, so there are two – one in Ohio and another in Illinois. I loved this one!
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I think we are in the same age group, as I went to high school in the early 80′s, but I do very much remember the 70′s. And I grew up in a small town and had an appropriate amount of angst I think. I totally remember doing layaway for certain clothes, because my detassling job didn’t pay all that well. I am completely intrigued by this one. I don’t think I will be able to resist at the end of the day.
Sandy´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon- The most bi-polar week of my life
Your title is much better. And it does look like that is what the title is. And you are a dork … but the best kind of dork there is. As a dork myself, I know what I’m talking about.
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I totally saw it as Inzanesville.
The mom let you get chicken pox?! Awful. And it’s worse when you are older. (I was 16 before I caught it. It was hell.)
Chrisbookarama´s last [type] ..Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce- Review
Ok. I want to read this now. I have never heard of the aspirin -coke thing and now I am curious…. urban legend or does something really happen?
As for baby sitter horror stories… oh man, you brought to surface a memory I would have rather left buried…. and I never baby sat for them again.
Sounds supes interesting, thanks for putting it on the radar, pal!
Baby-sitting for a whopping 50 cents an hour. Oh yeah, baby, those were the days. More than one kid could command upwards of a buck.
I never tried the ole aspirin in a coke thing. Nor did any of my friends.
I won’t tell you what year I graduated high school. How come this is the second comment I’ve left for you today in which age / high school is involved???
Beth F´s last [type] ..Wordless Wednesday 129
I was excited to see the title, but for a different reason. I grew up very close to Zanesville, but when I did a little digging it is not the same Zanesville
But this does sound pretty universal so I’ll have to look for it.
I’ve got some great babysitting stories, but none of them involved me getting an illness, so you win!
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I like the cover and the story sounds good. I do not have good babysitting memories. I didn’t like babysitting and it didn’t come natural to me, but since I was a responsible teenage girl, I got asked several times to do it, and I always seemed to make some unintentional faux pas in the process.
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