My only disappointment was the insulation/isolation of Alex from what was going on around him, especially for someone who lived in New York city and is top of his class. I was hoping that he would become a little bit more savvy in surviving and asking for help earlier in the book. That aside, I was impressed by how Ms. Pfeffer tracked his movement from being a carefree young man to being forced grow up and take care of his sisters…you definitely saw his maturity (and Julie’s transformation from a spoiled little girl to being tougher and someone he could depend on).

I could go on and on, so to end, I must thank Ms. Pfeffer for writing these books. In our current times, while we may not have this globe changing situation happen, this should hopefully show the necessity to learning needed survival skills; what to do in an emergency (major or minor) and be a bit more aware of what’s happening us. Hopefully the young people reading these novels will move from this “entitlement” attitude we see more of in today’s society. Thanks.

I like both perspectives equally but the third-person narrative here didn’t affect me on an emotional level like Life As We Knew It’s diary format did.

I agree. It took me a while to really get into td&tg because the third person narration felt less immediate, more distant. Then I was reading through all of Susan Beth Pfeffer’s blog entries from this year (I’d been avoiding them because I wanted to go into this book with as little advance knowledge of what would happen as possible. Well, as you pointed out, as possible as it is for someone who had already read Life As We Knew It) and she wrote that she went with third person because a first person diary-type narrative, like Miranda’s, would be unrealistic for a boy. Which makes sense to me. But perhaps because it was written in third person, the deaths that occurred hit me a lot harder than those in LAWKI. Still, I ended up really liking it, once again had the urge to stockpile supplies, and hope the publisher decides they want a third book!

@Jia, thanks for clarifying how spoiler text doesn’t come through feeds. When I see a review that’s intriguing, I’ll make sure to click through to the site to finish it, in case there’s any spoilers.

Are you sure it’s available in digital format?

Actually… I’m not. Jane’s the one who adds the purchasing links. There might not be a ebook format yet. I’m really not sure.

Are there any other good EOTW or apocalyptic books out there, besides these?

I’m fond of Robert McCammon’s Swan Song, which was epic post-apocalyptic mayhem. I second Janine’s rec for The Stand, and I had a very similar reaction to the second half as she did. And of course, Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend, which remains a classic even though it is over 50 years old.

Who is Miranda? I’m going to guess a character from the first book.

She’s the narrator of the first book, Life As We Knew It. I apologize for not making that clearer.

I’ve noticed book reviews telling more and more details; maybe there should be a NUMEROUS DETAILS warning like they do with SPOILER warnings

That’s something I struggle with a lot. I try to strike a balance between the readers who want to know nothing and the readers who want to know everything (because it’s the “everything” that helps them determine whether or not they want to read the novel in the first place), but I know I tend to err on too much information because I’m the type of reader who likes knowing details.

Are there any other good EOTW or apocalyptic books out there, besides these?

I really liked Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower. I don’t know if it qualifies but it’s sort of similar in theme. Also, Meg Rosoff’s How I Live Now is a great dystopian YA novel. I reviewed it here. And the first half of Stephen King’s The Stand is also very good. I was disappointed in the second half but still recommend the book overall.

I enjoy EOTW’s too, and these books sound intriguing — even if I now know numerous disasters, trials and tribulations ahead of time (I’ve noticed book reviews telling more and more details; maybe there should be a NUMEROUS DETAILS warning like they do with SPOILER warnings).

I, too, am fascinated with post apocalyptic stories

Me three. I will have to look for Life as We Knew It.