YA CONTEMPORARY MASHUP REVIEW!!
**Book Review Mash-Up: Three YA Contemporary Reads Explored**
Hello everyone! Today, I’m back with another mash-up review—something I’ve been doing regularly on my channel over the past few months. If you’re new to this type of content, let me explain: in these videos, I typically take three books from the same genre and review them all in a single video. This format works for me because it’s quicker, easier, and allows you to watch one video and learn my thoughts on multiple books at once. If you’re unfamiliar with this style, I encourage you to check out past videos where I discuss other sets of three books.
For today’s mash-up review, we’re diving into contemporary young adult literature—specifically, these three titles:
1. **"Coming Up for Air" by Marina Kean**
2. **"What to Say Next" by Julie Buxbaum**
3. **"Changes in Latitude" by Jen Malone**
I’ll be discussing each book in detail below, including my thoughts on the plot, characters, and themes. I’ve also included time stamps for each book at the end of this article so you can easily navigate to the section about your favorite title if you’re watching the video.
---
### **1. Coming Up for Air by Marina Kean**
"Coming Up for Air" is the last book in Marina Kean’s *100 Oaks* series, which consists of eight books. While it might seem like you need to read all the previous books in the series to fully understand this one, that’s not the case. These books are more like companions than sequels, meaning they can be enjoyed independently. You may see characters from earlier novels pop up, but it’s not necessary to have read them all to dive into this story.
The book follows Maggie, a competitive swimmer who has dedicated her life to the sport. She’s on her high school swim team, pursuing a swimming scholarship, and even aiming for an Olympic spot. Her best friend, Levi, is also a swimmer, and the two share a deep bond that may soon evolve into something more. The story explores themes of missed opportunities in high school due to Maggie’s focus on swimming, as well as her desire to experience life beyond the pool.
One of the things I loved about this book is how it handles sensitive topics like teenage sex. Marina Kean approaches the subject thoughtfully and informatively, avoiding any distasteful or exploitative tone. The romance between Maggie and Levi is adorable, and I appreciate how the story balances their relationship with their shared passion for swimming.
Overall, "Coming Up for Air" is a perfect summer read—complete with themes of friendship, romance, and sport. If you’re someone who enjoys contemporary YA books with a focus on sports or relationships, this one is definitely worth checking out. I gave it a 3.75/5 stars because while I thoroughly enjoyed it, there were moments where the pacing felt a bit slow.
---
### **2. What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum**
Next up is "What to Say Next" by Julie Buxbaum. This book centers on Kit, a teenager whose father has recently passed away. The story follows her journey as she tries to cope with his death while also navigating her relationship with her mother, who is dealing with her own grief.
One day, Kit sits down next to David—a boy who has always dined alone—and the two form a friendship. David is on the autism spectrum, and through their bond, we learn more about his experiences and how he navigates social interactions. The book beautifully explores themes of loss, mental health, and autism, which are handled with sensitivity and depth.
I found Julie Buxbaum’s portrayal of David particularly compelling. As someone who has a deep personal connection to autism (it’s a wide and varied spectrum), I was impressed by how she depicted his unique perspective and challenges. Kit’s own journey of grief is also well-written, though I felt the book could have been longer to allow for more character development.
While "What to Say Next" touched on some heavy topics, it ultimately left me feeling hopeful and inspired. It’s a beautiful exploration of friendship, loss, and resilience. For these reasons, I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for something that will make you think and feel. I gave it a 3.75/5 stars as well.
---
### **3. Changes in Latitude by Jen Malone**
Finally, we have "Changes in Latitude" by Jen Malone—a book about Cass, a teenager whose parents are getting divorced. Her mother decides to take her on a four-month sailing trip from Oregon to Mexico, which Cass is not at all looking forward to. She feels resentment toward her mom for the breakdown of their family and isn’t happy about leaving her home or friends behind.
During the trip, Cass meets another boy named Sam, and romance begins to develop between them. While I enjoyed the aspects of sailing and exploring new places (like San Francisco), my main issue with this book was Cass’s character. She spends most of the story sulking and complaining, which made it hard for me to connect with her. I get that teenagers can be angsty, but I felt like she could have given her mom a chance instead of pushing her away constantly.
Despite its flaws, "Changes in Latitude" has a lot going for it. The premise is intriguing—sailing across the country as part of a group—and the side characters are well-developed. However, the main character’s attitude really hindered my enjoyment of the story. I gave this one a 2.5/5 stars because while there were moments of beauty and potential, Cass’s constant negativity made it difficult for me to fully invest in the narrative.
---
### **Conclusion**
There you have it—my thoughts on these three YA contemporary books! While all of them had their strengths, "Coming Up for Air" and "What to Say Next" stood out as personal favorites. If you’ve read any of these books, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Whether you agree or disagree with my opinions, feel free to share!
If you enjoyed this mash-up review, don’t forget to give the video a thumbs-up and hit subscribe for more bookish content every week. I’ll see you all in my next video—I can’t wait! Bye!