Waiting on Wednesday: Grasshopper Jungle


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.


Grasshopper Jungle
by Andrew Smith
Coming February 11, 2014
Dutton Juvenile

Summary:
In this truly shocking, grotesquely original coming-of-age, end-of-the-world novel, sixteen-year-old Austin Szerba interweaves the legacy of his family’s history in Poland and immigration to the United States while narrating the story of how he and his best friend brought about the end of humanity and the rise of an army of unstoppable, human-sized (six-foot-tall) praying mantises in small-town Iowa.

To make matters worse, Austin's hormones are totally oblivious; they don't care that the world is in utter chaos: Austin is in love with his girlfriend, Shann, but remains confused about his sexual orientation, stewing in a self-professed constant state of maximum horniness, directed at both Robby and Shann. Ultimately, it's up to Austin to save the world and propagate the species in this sci-fright journey of survival, sex, and the complex realities of the human condition.

Why I want it:
I want it for Andrew Smith. That's it. If I sound like a broken record singing Winger's praises these last few months, it's because that book meant so much to me. I will always cherish my experience at TLA 2013, and two of my fondest memories will be 1. Simon & Schuster VP Justin Chanda shoving Winger into my hands and telling me that if I read one book, that was it; and 2. meeting Andrew and talking to him for a few short moments about his book. I had not yet read it so I wasn't able to tell him in person how special it is, but I think the plethora of posts I've done about Winger might convey my adoration. You know that moment when you read a book so amazing that you swear on the spot that you'll read every book ever written by that author? Yeah. I had that moment. Dear Dutton, I can haz grasshopper?

Why I think you should want it:
Winger was the kind of book that had the ability to change lives in addition to being hella funny. That is so rare to find. Andrew is enormously talented and has a wicked way with portraying confused and amusing male protagonists. If nothing else, pick up this book just for the fact that it's an end-of-the-world kind of story about giant praying mantises. I mean, that's gold right there. Everyone wants to go nuclear holocaust or zombie apocalypse or alien invasion or disease outbreak, but have you ever heard of enormous bugs in ya? Okay, not counting that one time in The Little House on the Prairie (technically, I think it was Plum Creek. Correct me if I'm wrong). Guys. Talented writer + giant bugs = sure to be a good time.

42 comments:

  1. Looks interesting...maybe I'll try it out. ;)

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  2. Ohhh oohhhh...I didn't hear of Grasshopper Jungle until now, but I seriously want. I like it, I like it a lot. The premise just sounds like it's going to be epic, right? Thanks for stopping by :)


    Aly @ My Heart Hearts Books

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    1. YES. I only found Andrew this year, but his writing is amazing. Epic is exactly what I'm expecting.

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  3. I've not read anything by the author for, but I hope you like it when you get it :) Thanks for stopping by My WW!

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  4. OOh nice pick! Such a vibrant cover too! Thanks for visiting my WoW!

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    1. Haha, for the first few months, I thought the cover was an envelope. Derp. Thanks for stopping by, Jessica!

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  5. Unfortunately for me, I have never heard of this book! I hope you read and enjoy it though :D

    Thanks for visiting my blog!

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

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    1. Thank you! I hope so too! Thanks for stopping by, Alyssa!

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  6. Never heard of this author. That's why I love our weekly WoW meme. I love discovering new authors and books :)

    Thanks for sharing and stopping by my WoW

    Mikki @A Bookish Escape

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    1. He's great. Definitely, absolutely go read Winger. Thanks for visiting!

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  7. That cover is brilliant. I may read this just because of that.

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    1. I agree. It cracks me up. I hope you do read it and like it!

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  8. I have an ARC of this, and I've been told its tagline should be that it's "batshit crazy." I think that's what she said. Either, it's supposed to be crazy good. Thanks for stopping by!

    Rachel @ Beauty and the Bookshelf

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    1. I have a feeling that tagline is very, very apt. I've heard similar comments, but I'm really excited about it. Thanks for visiting, Rachel!

      PS TOTALLY jealous you have a copy!

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  9. Never heard of this but nice pick :)

    Zareena @ Books and Books

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  10. I have never heard of this book or the author, but he sounds amazing. I hope you'll enjoy this one :)
    Thanks for stopping by :)

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    1. He's great. Love him and his writing. I hope so too!

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  11. Never heard of this author before but I'm intrigued. Might check it out in February. Nice pick and thanks for stopping by :)

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    1. Glad to pique your interest! Thanks for visiting!

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  12. Aw, this isn't something I'd read but I hope you enjoy it a lot. :)

    Thank you for sharing and thank you for stopping by my post earlier. Happy reading!

    Sarika @ The Readdicts

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    1. Thanks for stopping by yourself! I have a feeling GJ will be very polarizing so readers will love or hate it. I totally understand. :)

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  13. I've never heard of this book, Mary but I hope this'll live up to your expectations. Thanks for dropping by my WoW!

    Chel @ The Procrastinator's Corner

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    1. I hope so too! Thank you for saying hello as well!

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  14. This is new to me. Thanks for sharing it.

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    1. My pleasure! I like doing the big books, but I also really enjoy featuring lesser-known titles.

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  15. Hmm interesting book, I haven't heard of this before.
    Thanks for sharing & stopping by Bookmunchies (:

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  16. This is an interesting cover! Love the bright green. I still haven't checked out his other book you recommended to me! ):

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  17. You have definitely sold me on Winger! With this one you had me at "giant praying mantises!

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    1. That's what I like to hear, Susan! :) Glad I could make a difference!

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  18. I haven't of it, but it does sound interesting! I'll be sure to add it to my TBR pile. Thanks for sharing and stopping by! :)

    Andy @ Owl Always Be Reading

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  19. Looks like I'm going to have to read this...

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  20. I haven't heard of this till now....Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Glad to! I adore Andrew so I love sharing his work with fellow readers!

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  21. I hope you enjoy it when you get your hands on it!!

    Thanx for visiting my WoW!
    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

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