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Sarah Mlynowski'sGimme a Call [Hardcover]
Sarah Mlynowski'sGimme a Call [Hardcover](2010)
Hardcover
First published April 27, 2010
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May 8, 2010
Gimme a Call by Mlynowski was a GREAT read that was a ton of fun! I enjoyed the book from cover to cover and could not have asked for a better plot and ending. The storyline is unique, the characters are very well developed, and as you read the book, you wonder… How is this going to resolve itself? Well, Sarah was clever and spot on with her perfect conclusion. I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a break from paranorm, but still want to have some fun with a bit of suspended reality.
About the book… Devi's day is going bad, bad, bad. Her boyfriend of three years just broke up with her via voice mail and now she has no date for the Senior prom. As she listens to the message for the umpteenth time and tears slip down her cheeks, she loses grasp of her cell phone and it falls into a fountain. Well that's just dandy, the topper of her day… but wait! As she dries off her phone and starts pressing the buttons hoping it still works, she finds she can call only one number… her own. So when the phone rings, Devi from three years prior answers and the adventure begins. And boy what an adventure that turns out to be as Devi tries to recreate her past for hopefully a better future through ever changing advice.
This book gets five stars from me for many reasons. The storyline is different from the cookie cutter themes currently out there… no vamps… no weres! Yayay! The book is perfectly paced with fun adventure and constant laughs. The narrative from Devi's perspective was engaging and refreshing. And the content made me think about what I would do if I had a chance to counsel my previous self… What would I do differently? What would that advice sound like? Have more fun? Work harder to reap the benefits later? Give myself the winning lotto numbers to change my fate in life? How much am I willing to sacrifice to have a better life?
What a great book that will keep me pondering about the possibilities and what is versus what could have been. I loved it! Highly recommend this book to my fellow avid readers that are ready for a light, fun, engaging book that pushes the boundaries on reality, but delivers some valuable lessons. If I had a "phone a friend lifeline," Devi would definitely get a call from me.
About the book… Devi's day is going bad, bad, bad. Her boyfriend of three years just broke up with her via voice mail and now she has no date for the Senior prom. As she listens to the message for the umpteenth time and tears slip down her cheeks, she loses grasp of her cell phone and it falls into a fountain. Well that's just dandy, the topper of her day… but wait! As she dries off her phone and starts pressing the buttons hoping it still works, she finds she can call only one number… her own. So when the phone rings, Devi from three years prior answers and the adventure begins. And boy what an adventure that turns out to be as Devi tries to recreate her past for hopefully a better future through ever changing advice.
This book gets five stars from me for many reasons. The storyline is different from the cookie cutter themes currently out there… no vamps… no weres! Yayay! The book is perfectly paced with fun adventure and constant laughs. The narrative from Devi's perspective was engaging and refreshing. And the content made me think about what I would do if I had a chance to counsel my previous self… What would I do differently? What would that advice sound like? Have more fun? Work harder to reap the benefits later? Give myself the winning lotto numbers to change my fate in life? How much am I willing to sacrifice to have a better life?
What a great book that will keep me pondering about the possibilities and what is versus what could have been. I loved it! Highly recommend this book to my fellow avid readers that are ready for a light, fun, engaging book that pushes the boundaries on reality, but delivers some valuable lessons. If I had a "phone a friend lifeline," Devi would definitely get a call from me.
Read
May 6, 2024Freshly dumped by the boyfriend who was her whole existence for four years, high school senior Devi Banks sees a bleak future ahead: no love life, no friends, and only a low-end college willing to accept her. Moping around the local mall, she accidentally drops her cell phone into a fountain. Once she has it back, she discovers that the only person the phone will call is herself—at age fourteen. Can the two of them work in the past to fix the future? An interesting take on time travel, the universally human “what if” question, and the holy trinity of high school concerns: love, friendship and academics.
-Kate D.-
When Devi drops her cell phone in a fountain, she is astonished to find it only calls one number: herself, four years earlier.
She has so much to tell her younger self. So many things she wished she had done differently. Like getting better grades. And joining more clubs. But above all, never, ever falling in love with Bryan and getting her heart broken.
Will her younger self listen? Can the present change the past? Devi soon learns that trying to change the choices she made has vastly unexpected effects on the present. Trying to determine what is the most important advice to give her younger self- that is the trickest question of all. --Tiffany J.
-Kate D.-
When Devi drops her cell phone in a fountain, she is astonished to find it only calls one number: herself, four years earlier.
She has so much to tell her younger self. So many things she wished she had done differently. Like getting better grades. And joining more clubs. But above all, never, ever falling in love with Bryan and getting her heart broken.
Will her younger self listen? Can the present change the past? Devi soon learns that trying to change the choices she made has vastly unexpected effects on the present. Trying to determine what is the most important advice to give her younger self- that is the trickest question of all. --Tiffany J.
did-not-finish
September 2, 2023DNF.
De schrijfstijl lag me niet en het voelde allemaal wat te oppervlakkig.
De schrijfstijl lag me niet en het voelde allemaal wat te oppervlakkig.
September 25, 2018
4/5stars
I weirdly really enjoyed this?? This does NOT seem like a book I would like, but with my friend's high praise and how she got me it for my bday, I had to give it a try - and was pleasantly surprised! I'm honestly shocked I haven't seen this trope done more often since this and "Orange" are the only ones I've read so far - but this whole "older/younger self manages to contact older/younger self to warn them about the future/make things different in the past" is FASCINATING to me!
I also adored the message of this book. High schoolers should read this 100% for sure, and fans of Orange I think would also love it!!
I weirdly really enjoyed this?? This does NOT seem like a book I would like, but with my friend's high praise and how she got me it for my bday, I had to give it a try - and was pleasantly surprised! I'm honestly shocked I haven't seen this trope done more often since this and "Orange" are the only ones I've read so far - but this whole "older/younger self manages to contact older/younger self to warn them about the future/make things different in the past" is FASCINATING to me!
I also adored the message of this book. High schoolers should read this 100% for sure, and fans of Orange I think would also love it!!
April 26, 2015
Wow this book was so good!! Not what I expected at all it gave me chills
November 13, 2021
What advice would you give your younger self? If you got advice from your older self, would you listen?
This was so addicting; I couldn’t bear to wait to see what happened next. It’s a little funny and a little horrifying. The suspense is constant and tantalizing. It was literally impossible to put down at times.
It’s a light, quick read but don’t be fooled into thinking this is fluffy and thoughtless. Every character and situation has a purpose, and it was all meticulously thought out and put together into a seamless narrative.
It has a great message that every teen should learn.
Language: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence: None
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
This was so addicting; I couldn’t bear to wait to see what happened next. It’s a little funny and a little horrifying. The suspense is constant and tantalizing. It was literally impossible to put down at times.
It’s a light, quick read but don’t be fooled into thinking this is fluffy and thoughtless. Every character and situation has a purpose, and it was all meticulously thought out and put together into a seamless narrative.
It has a great message that every teen should learn.
Language: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence: None
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
December 30, 2010
Ha! What a fun read.
Did you ever want to change your own past? What would you do if you could talk to yourself when you were younger? What would you tell yourself? What would it change?
For Devi, apparently, it would change a helluva lot!
I really just loved the concept to Gimme a Call. How many times did I wish I could creep back into my own past and tweak a few things to make things be different for my future? But like Devi (& Ivy) the consequences to change ones past always come with a price.
Plus, it takes all the fun out of living;)
Great likable characters, fun plot and excellent writing. This book was
Funny, light and very entertaining.
Loved it!
Did you ever want to change your own past? What would you do if you could talk to yourself when you were younger? What would you tell yourself? What would it change?
For Devi, apparently, it would change a helluva lot!
I really just loved the concept to Gimme a Call. How many times did I wish I could creep back into my own past and tweak a few things to make things be different for my future? But like Devi (& Ivy) the consequences to change ones past always come with a price.
Plus, it takes all the fun out of living;)
Great likable characters, fun plot and excellent writing. This book was
Funny, light and very entertaining.
Loved it!
April 7, 2010
I will admit that, in the beginning, I did not like this book. There was something about the narration, the tone, that just really turned me off. Lately, the books I have been reading have been lighter, a little less impacting, a little less serious. This is great, at times, but, as I made my way through the first few chapters, I considered putting this book down quite a few times.
I am so glad that I didn't stop reading this book.
Gimme A Call is about Devi Banks. A senior in high school, Devi's life seems to be falling apart. She has spent the last three years of her life with Bryan, the boy of her dreams. She has alienated her friends and her family, everyone around her, all to spend more time with Bryan. But then he breaks up with her and, just like that, she has nothing.
Colleges aren't excepting her. It's too late to try and get her friends back. She hasn't really talked to her sister in months.
She needs a change. She needs to just figure out how to get things back to the way they used to be.
That's exactly what she's thinking of when she drops her cell phone in to the fountain at the mall.
When she retrieves her phone and attempts to call her voicemail, it isn't her voicemail that picks up.
It's Devi, as a freshman.
When I read the synopsis for this book, I remember smiling. The storyline, though unique and funny, is ridiculous. There is just something about the book that is so humorous, even if I could never explicitly figure it out. Sarah Mylnowski is a great writer, where every sentence leads to the next and I was always smiling at something I read. As I got deeper in to this book, I really started liking it.
Devi as a senior and Devi at a freshman are two different girls. Freshman Devi is naive, immature, awkward, and really just trying to find her place in high school. Senior Devi is older, has been through much more, but, really, is just as immature. They learn together.
Senior Devi realizes that this is her chance, to fix things. She can tell her younger self not to do something, to do something just a little differently, and her whole future will be altered.
She doesn't expect everything that happens the last two months of her senior year. She doesn't even see it coming.
The book switches back and forth between these two versions of the same girl and, at one point, I couldn't put the book down. I read this book in 24 hours, flipping page after page, eager to see the causes and the effects and what was going to happen in the present.
If Freshman Devi does one little thing differently, Senior Devi's whole life changes. The friends she lost are suddenly hers again, and their lives are different as well. Her parents come together and apart and sometimes she's with Bryan again and other times she isn't. Random boys seem to think they're going to the senior prom with her and, at one point, she wins the lottery.
Senior Devi becomes a control freak- selfish and manipulating, always telling Freshman Devi what to do so a better college will accept her, so her friends will be healthier, so she will be happier. She doesn't even think about the fact that Freshman Devi is doing everything she says, that that is really her life, then.
Freshman Devi just wants to be happy, to make her (older) self happy. She just wants to get through high school and get out in the world and she seems to think that, if she changes a few things now, her whole future will be better.
But that's not guaranteed. That's never guaranteed.
Together, they grow up.
Sometimes I loved this book and other times I wasn't sure how I felt about it. The writing was great and the characters, especially Devi herself, were so layered and dynamic that it surprised me when I reached the ending. These two versions of Devi were so different in the beginning and, by the end, they are still different, but you can see traces of the older version of Devi in her younger self.
This book made me think about living in the present, always doing things to benefit me now and not necessarily later. This book made me think about living in the moment, but also about the impact of all of the little things we do. Something that is insignificant for us can be unbelievably harmful and life-altering for someone else. We can never know, unless we're paying attention, unless we're thinking.
This is one thing I just love about books in general. Whether a book is happy or sad, a light read or a more intense one, all of these books still have their meanings. All of these books still have their lessons to be learned, things to make away from the experience. I'm still thinking about this book, even though I finished it a few days ago. I'm still thinking about Devi and the ways she grew and changed, both of younger and older selfs, and I'm still thinking about how different she was in the end.
She had changed, grown, developed, and finally learned that, though it takes time, she will eventually get where she wants to go.
7/10
I am so glad that I didn't stop reading this book.
Gimme A Call is about Devi Banks. A senior in high school, Devi's life seems to be falling apart. She has spent the last three years of her life with Bryan, the boy of her dreams. She has alienated her friends and her family, everyone around her, all to spend more time with Bryan. But then he breaks up with her and, just like that, she has nothing.
Colleges aren't excepting her. It's too late to try and get her friends back. She hasn't really talked to her sister in months.
She needs a change. She needs to just figure out how to get things back to the way they used to be.
That's exactly what she's thinking of when she drops her cell phone in to the fountain at the mall.
When she retrieves her phone and attempts to call her voicemail, it isn't her voicemail that picks up.
It's Devi, as a freshman.
When I read the synopsis for this book, I remember smiling. The storyline, though unique and funny, is ridiculous. There is just something about the book that is so humorous, even if I could never explicitly figure it out. Sarah Mylnowski is a great writer, where every sentence leads to the next and I was always smiling at something I read. As I got deeper in to this book, I really started liking it.
Devi as a senior and Devi at a freshman are two different girls. Freshman Devi is naive, immature, awkward, and really just trying to find her place in high school. Senior Devi is older, has been through much more, but, really, is just as immature. They learn together.
Senior Devi realizes that this is her chance, to fix things. She can tell her younger self not to do something, to do something just a little differently, and her whole future will be altered.
She doesn't expect everything that happens the last two months of her senior year. She doesn't even see it coming.
The book switches back and forth between these two versions of the same girl and, at one point, I couldn't put the book down. I read this book in 24 hours, flipping page after page, eager to see the causes and the effects and what was going to happen in the present.
If Freshman Devi does one little thing differently, Senior Devi's whole life changes. The friends she lost are suddenly hers again, and their lives are different as well. Her parents come together and apart and sometimes she's with Bryan again and other times she isn't. Random boys seem to think they're going to the senior prom with her and, at one point, she wins the lottery.
Senior Devi becomes a control freak- selfish and manipulating, always telling Freshman Devi what to do so a better college will accept her, so her friends will be healthier, so she will be happier. She doesn't even think about the fact that Freshman Devi is doing everything she says, that that is really her life, then.
Freshman Devi just wants to be happy, to make her (older) self happy. She just wants to get through high school and get out in the world and she seems to think that, if she changes a few things now, her whole future will be better.
But that's not guaranteed. That's never guaranteed.
Together, they grow up.
Sometimes I loved this book and other times I wasn't sure how I felt about it. The writing was great and the characters, especially Devi herself, were so layered and dynamic that it surprised me when I reached the ending. These two versions of Devi were so different in the beginning and, by the end, they are still different, but you can see traces of the older version of Devi in her younger self.
This book made me think about living in the present, always doing things to benefit me now and not necessarily later. This book made me think about living in the moment, but also about the impact of all of the little things we do. Something that is insignificant for us can be unbelievably harmful and life-altering for someone else. We can never know, unless we're paying attention, unless we're thinking.
This is one thing I just love about books in general. Whether a book is happy or sad, a light read or a more intense one, all of these books still have their meanings. All of these books still have their lessons to be learned, things to make away from the experience. I'm still thinking about this book, even though I finished it a few days ago. I'm still thinking about Devi and the ways she grew and changed, both of younger and older selfs, and I'm still thinking about how different she was in the end.
She had changed, grown, developed, and finally learned that, though it takes time, she will eventually get where she wants to go.
7/10
September 2, 2017
That ending was really cute.
This was an easy, fast-paced read that kept me turning the pages even when the MC began to annoy me (both the older and younger versions, lol). But I enjoyed the writing, and the story, and the concept was executed very well.
3 stars.
This was an easy, fast-paced read that kept me turning the pages even when the MC began to annoy me (both the older and younger versions, lol). But I enjoyed the writing, and the story, and the concept was executed very well.
3 stars.
October 5, 2016
Adorei este livro, há muito tempo que não havia uma leitura que me prendesse desta forma, que me levasse a não ter vontade de o largar. Este é um livro bastante leve e divertido mas que, por trás disso, esconde uma mensagem. Este livro levou-me a refletir acerca da importância do nosso passado e de não querermos alterar aquilo que já aconteceu, pois tudo acontece por um motivo e cada decisão que tomamos tem consequências que nos levam ao momento onde estamos atualmente.
January 28, 2021
3.5 stars. This was a fun YA that gets you thinking about time travel and messing with the way things go. For the audience, I think it would be really cool. As an adult who has read a decent amount of this genre, it didn't do anything spectacular and it was pretty basic, but entertaining for the most part! The book did get pretty repetitive but it was so short it didn't get too bothersome.
This book about is Devi. Shes a senior in high school and gets broken up with by her boyfriend and has her heart shattered. She wishes she could go back to Freshman year when she started dating him and make it never happen. Then she gets a call from her younger self. Long story short, freshman Devi and senior Devi communicate and watch how the decisions the freshman makes impact the life in the senior's world. The book gets repetitive here when they mess with something and then see the consequence over and over, but it was driving home the bigger message. The moral of the story is to just let life play out because if you try to control and manipulate things, it won't work out. If you try to live your best life right now, things will unfold as they should. I enjoyed seeing the sliding doors element and overall thought this book was cute. I did think Senior Devi was a little too controlling and the angel/devil nature of the relationship as a little unrealistic given they're the same person, but it served a purpose.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
Despite fighting it, she still dates the boyfriend but with a whole different mentality. He's part of her world but not the entirety of it so then its actually her decision to break up when they're going really far away from each other for college. She's a much more well rounded individual and then when she's a senior, 21 year old Devi calls her and she ignores it, deciding to just let life happen.
This book about is Devi. Shes a senior in high school and gets broken up with by her boyfriend and has her heart shattered. She wishes she could go back to Freshman year when she started dating him and make it never happen. Then she gets a call from her younger self. Long story short, freshman Devi and senior Devi communicate and watch how the decisions the freshman makes impact the life in the senior's world. The book gets repetitive here when they mess with something and then see the consequence over and over, but it was driving home the bigger message. The moral of the story is to just let life play out because if you try to control and manipulate things, it won't work out. If you try to live your best life right now, things will unfold as they should. I enjoyed seeing the sliding doors element and overall thought this book was cute. I did think Senior Devi was a little too controlling and the angel/devil nature of the relationship as a little unrealistic given they're the same person, but it served a purpose.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
Despite fighting it, she still dates the boyfriend but with a whole different mentality. He's part of her world but not the entirety of it so then its actually her decision to break up when they're going really far away from each other for college. She's a much more well rounded individual and then when she's a senior, 21 year old Devi calls her and she ignores it, deciding to just let life happen.
Read
October 22, 2013The book I chose is called Gimme a Call. It was about a girl named Devi that was having a rough time in her life. Once she drops her old cell phone into a fountain her life begins to become much better. Once she retrieves it out of the fountain, she realizes she can only call one number on the phone... She can only call her number in perticular, three years ago, at age 14. Now that Devi can talk to herself at a younger age, she can turn her whole life around and go to a great college, not get her heart broken, and get all her friends back once again. The main characters name was Devi but it was a bit like there were two main characters. There is an older Devi and theres also a younger one two. The main characters definitely ran into some problems. For example if the younger Devi did something wrong, it could change the older Devi's life right away. I couldn't really relate to anything in this situation. Although if this did happen to me I don't think I would change much of my life, or use this advantage. It's kind of like cheating at your life when you can go back and fix all your problems. Even though I haven't finished this book completely, I've been really enjoying it a lot. I think it's a really interesting book and I would be super happy if there was a second book two. My favourite part was the beginning when Devi first dropped her cell phone in the fountain. That part really got me hooked, and I got more and more interested from that point on. I would definitely recommend this book to people because it is really different from most books and its a great read. It's not that long of a book either. I really don't have a favourite writing style for books that I like, but I guess I like this writing style. The author of this book is Sarah Mlynowski. She lives in New York with her husband and daughter and she is 35 years old. She is the author of the Magic in Manhattan series and Ten Things We Did (and probably shouldn't have) and lots of other novels for adults. She also co-authored How To Be Bad and See Jane Write.
July 13, 2016
I think that the concept of this book is fantastic. I always wonder about the impact of a simple choice, so books about the different lives a person could be living because of some decisions they make are must-reads for me. This one is different from everything else I've read, so I was really interested about it and I wasn't disappointed.
I loved how the younger and the older Devi felt like two different people - which they are, in a way. They're the same person, but their life experience makes them two separate people, which we often forget about our younger self. This book really made me realize how much a person, including myself, can change in a few years only. Also, I've always wondered about what I would think of my older self and vice-versa, so seeing something like that in a book was very interesting to me.
Although it's not explained all that much, I loved seeing the relationship aspect of this book. Devi's relationship with Bryan has done bad things to her life, but it's not all black or white. Through this experience, older Devi learns a lot about life and about her relationships with everyone around her, which was nice, since it's like her younger self taught her a few things. I do wish that we could have seen more of Bryan, since 1) he seems dreamy, and 2) he's from Québec, where I live. I wasn't expecting that, but it made me like him even more. His relationship with Devi sounds pretty intense because of how much in love they are, but I would have loved to see some of it, because it sounds extraordinary.
I loved this novel more and more as I continued reading it, so I would absolutely recommend it. It's not too serious, but it makes you think about your choices in the present, but also in the future. I'll make sure to look up the author's other novels now, since it's the first one I read from her!
I loved how the younger and the older Devi felt like two different people - which they are, in a way. They're the same person, but their life experience makes them two separate people, which we often forget about our younger self. This book really made me realize how much a person, including myself, can change in a few years only. Also, I've always wondered about what I would think of my older self and vice-versa, so seeing something like that in a book was very interesting to me.
Although it's not explained all that much, I loved seeing the relationship aspect of this book. Devi's relationship with Bryan has done bad things to her life, but it's not all black or white. Through this experience, older Devi learns a lot about life and about her relationships with everyone around her, which was nice, since it's like her younger self taught her a few things. I do wish that we could have seen more of Bryan, since 1) he seems dreamy, and 2) he's from Québec, where I live. I wasn't expecting that, but it made me like him even more. His relationship with Devi sounds pretty intense because of how much in love they are, but I would have loved to see some of it, because it sounds extraordinary.
I loved this novel more and more as I continued reading it, so I would absolutely recommend it. It's not too serious, but it makes you think about your choices in the present, but also in the future. I'll make sure to look up the author's other novels now, since it's the first one I read from her!
July 15, 2012
Gimme a Call has been staring at me from my bookshelf for quite some time. I bought it because I loved Ten Things We Did and because that’s probably one of my favorite covers ever. So when I found myself in the mood for something fun and fast I knew I had to pick up Gimme a Call. It did not disappoint.
Devi’s heart is broken and she wishes that she could go back in time and make different decisions. After a clumsy accident involving a cell phone and a mall fountain Devi’s phone will only call herself, from freshman year. I love, love, love this concept. Who wouldn’t love to talk to the you from 3 years ago. Wouldn’t you be so tempted to change some things? Maybe just a tiny bit? That’s pretty much the theme of Gimme a Call. Except things don’t work out exactly as planned, of course.
The chapters in Gimme a Call alternate between Freshman Devi and Senior Devi. That might sound like it would get confusing but it never was. They each had a clear voice while still maintaining the same personality. Oddly, I did like Freshman Devi better even though they were the same person. Freshman Devi just seemed a little easier to relate to. Senior Devi was pretty uptight. They were both great in an accident waiting to happen kind of way. They made the worst decisions but it was so fun to watch it all unfold.
If you’re looking for something super fun and entertaining, I definitely recommend Gimme a Call.
Devi’s heart is broken and she wishes that she could go back in time and make different decisions. After a clumsy accident involving a cell phone and a mall fountain Devi’s phone will only call herself, from freshman year. I love, love, love this concept. Who wouldn’t love to talk to the you from 3 years ago. Wouldn’t you be so tempted to change some things? Maybe just a tiny bit? That’s pretty much the theme of Gimme a Call. Except things don’t work out exactly as planned, of course.
The chapters in Gimme a Call alternate between Freshman Devi and Senior Devi. That might sound like it would get confusing but it never was. They each had a clear voice while still maintaining the same personality. Oddly, I did like Freshman Devi better even though they were the same person. Freshman Devi just seemed a little easier to relate to. Senior Devi was pretty uptight. They were both great in an accident waiting to happen kind of way. They made the worst decisions but it was so fun to watch it all unfold.
If you’re looking for something super fun and entertaining, I definitely recommend Gimme a Call.
December 12, 2016
Actual rating: 3.5
High school senior, Devi Banks, has never really had a great life. Her family barely has any money, her GPA is below average, and she has no friends. So when the only good part of her life, her boyfriend Bryan, breaks up with her, she's left with pretty much nothing, other than loneliness and heartbreak. One day, she wakes up, and she finds that her phone can now only call one number, and that number is herself...as a freshman, before she lost her friends and, most importantly, before she met Brian. She warns her younger self of mistakes to avoid in the future, and but by but changes her life as a senior, but soon realizes that all good things -- including being a millionaire and getting into an Ivy League, have downsides to them.
I'm going to be honest with you, I didn't expect much from this book, and my expectations were accurate. It didn't change my life or anything, but it definitely for me in a better mood. I had only picked this book up because I was stressed about school and I've been going through a lot lately and I just needed to take some stress off my chest, which this book did quite well. It got my mind off of anything depression-related, or school-related, and a lot of other things.
Gimme A Call is good for just a quick read to lighten up your mood. Mlynowski could definitely have added more emotion and suspense to this book, but overall, it wasn't all that bad.
High school senior, Devi Banks, has never really had a great life. Her family barely has any money, her GPA is below average, and she has no friends. So when the only good part of her life, her boyfriend Bryan, breaks up with her, she's left with pretty much nothing, other than loneliness and heartbreak. One day, she wakes up, and she finds that her phone can now only call one number, and that number is herself...as a freshman, before she lost her friends and, most importantly, before she met Brian. She warns her younger self of mistakes to avoid in the future, and but by but changes her life as a senior, but soon realizes that all good things -- including being a millionaire and getting into an Ivy League, have downsides to them.
I'm going to be honest with you, I didn't expect much from this book, and my expectations were accurate. It didn't change my life or anything, but it definitely for me in a better mood. I had only picked this book up because I was stressed about school and I've been going through a lot lately and I just needed to take some stress off my chest, which this book did quite well. It got my mind off of anything depression-related, or school-related, and a lot of other things.
Gimme A Call is good for just a quick read to lighten up your mood. Mlynowski could definitely have added more emotion and suspense to this book, but overall, it wasn't all that bad.
January 20, 2012
The story is about Devi, or Devorah, whose life is in a mishap, no friends, worried about college, and worst of all, a boyfriend who just left her.
Her cellphone accidentally fell in a wishing fountain, just as she wished she could talk to her younger self, just to re-do everything in her life.
Imagine her surprise when her younger self does answer her almost-dead phone, and even more surprising to find out that everything that her former self does differently in the past, changes the future, or in this case, her present.
So she does everything she can to change her life with the help of her ever-reluctant former self, (which she gave the alias 'Frosh'), from her boyfriend and friends, to the life she wants for her family. Turns out after all in the end, she doesn't need to change everything in her life, just learn how to balance everything out.
I finished it in just a few hours. It was a great read, and had a light, perky feeling to the plot. It's no in-depth reading material, nor something you could get hooked up too much like Harry Potter or Twilight.
It was witty and a bit thrilling at exciting parts. I liked the part where she kept looking for Mr. Right since her boyfriend dumped her, but more or less, in the end, I think the twenty-one year old Devi from the future hinted that the one she bumped into is none other than her ex-boyfriend.
Her cellphone accidentally fell in a wishing fountain, just as she wished she could talk to her younger self, just to re-do everything in her life.
Imagine her surprise when her younger self does answer her almost-dead phone, and even more surprising to find out that everything that her former self does differently in the past, changes the future, or in this case, her present.
So she does everything she can to change her life with the help of her ever-reluctant former self, (which she gave the alias 'Frosh'), from her boyfriend and friends, to the life she wants for her family. Turns out after all in the end, she doesn't need to change everything in her life, just learn how to balance everything out.
I finished it in just a few hours. It was a great read, and had a light, perky feeling to the plot. It's no in-depth reading material, nor something you could get hooked up too much like Harry Potter or Twilight.
It was witty and a bit thrilling at exciting parts. I liked the part where she kept looking for Mr. Right since her boyfriend dumped her, but more or less, in the end, I think the twenty-one year old Devi from the future hinted that the one she bumped into is none other than her ex-boyfriend.
December 28, 2011
After 17 year old Devi drops her phone in the mall fountain, she is amazed that it still works......sort of. The only person she can call is herself -- at age 14! After the initial shock wears off, she has a great idea -- fix all the things wrong with her life. After all, since her boyfriend just broke up with her and none of her friends from freshman year are speaking to her, what if she NEVER even went out with him in the first place? What if she can prevent her best friend from becoming anorexic? What if she can solve her parents' financial problems?
As you can expect, nothing works out as expected, but the efforts are hilarious and sometimes terribly sad. This is time travel without the actual travel. Who wouldn't want to go back and fix everything? The message here is that it's not that easy. What a fun, imaginative book! Loved it! Can't wait to recommend it to my students. With no profanity and only a few veiled references to sex this is a great book for young teens and older ones as well. Even lots of fun for adults who enjoy YA stories.
As you can expect, nothing works out as expected, but the efforts are hilarious and sometimes terribly sad. This is time travel without the actual travel. Who wouldn't want to go back and fix everything? The message here is that it's not that easy. What a fun, imaginative book! Loved it! Can't wait to recommend it to my students. With no profanity and only a few veiled references to sex this is a great book for young teens and older ones as well. Even lots of fun for adults who enjoy YA stories.
July 10, 2018
This book had a similar premise of “The Future of Us” by Jay Asher. Another thing they had in common? Great idea with boring execution. Maybe I wasn’t fair to Jay Asher when I wrote that review. Maybe it’s just really hard to write a ��past self, future self” story. Because I always liked Sarah Mlynowski’s adult books. Disappointed overall.
May 12, 2012
4.5/5 (B+)
What I liked? I really, really enjoyed Gimme a Call. I pretty much enjoyed everything about it and it kept me engrossed till the end. I thought both the younger and older Devi were likable characters :) Yes, the older Devi was a bit pushy and selfish at times, but when you have the opportunity to change your future for the best, you take it... And it didn't only benefit her, it benefited the younger Devi as well. What I liked in this "relationship" is that the younger Devi wasn't just a drone and did what she was told. She questioned her older self, took risks - some with better results than others - and at the end of the day, was the wiser of the two :)
One thing that I thought was very well-done by Ms Mlynowski is that she managed to not reveal to the readers and younger Devi the cause of the break-up for the majority of the book. That added a little suspense and also insured that the reason behind it was not typical. I also liked the message about how important a balance life is that Gimme a Call imparted with the readership. Devi got lucky because she had a second chance, but no matter how much you are in love, you cannot lose sight of your future and friends as Devi did. Especially given how crucial those high school years; they're really the springboard to adulthood and the rest of your life for most people. I also really liked how Devi realized that friendship was important... And I think that the overall problem Devi was facing, getting caught up with their other half and as a result, letting their friendships fade, doesn't only happen when you're in high school, but also when you're in your 20s, 30s, 40s... So I personally felt I could relate to it - although I've never gone out with anyone steady.
Any Issues? I really liked the concept of Gimme a Call and I think Ms Mlynowski did a good job writing it. Younger Devi would do something and Older Devi would feel the effects of it right away, she could see the changes in her life... and not all of them, positive. What bothered me however is that it seemed Older Devi did not have any memories of the past three years. The only recollection she had was her own - going out with Bryan, finding herself alone. All she had to prove the changes were pictures and the results (like her college acceptance letters), not the progress... And I find that somewhat sad :( But this is really a minor issue and has more to do with my personal taste than the actual book.
My Grade? 4.5/5 (B+). I originally gave Gimme a Call 4/5 (B)... However, as I read more YA and have more books under the belt for comparison, I really think Gimme a Call is one of the better ones :)
What I liked? I really, really enjoyed Gimme a Call. I pretty much enjoyed everything about it and it kept me engrossed till the end. I thought both the younger and older Devi were likable characters :) Yes, the older Devi was a bit pushy and selfish at times, but when you have the opportunity to change your future for the best, you take it... And it didn't only benefit her, it benefited the younger Devi as well. What I liked in this "relationship" is that the younger Devi wasn't just a drone and did what she was told. She questioned her older self, took risks - some with better results than others - and at the end of the day, was the wiser of the two :)
One thing that I thought was very well-done by Ms Mlynowski is that she managed to not reveal to the readers and younger Devi the cause of the break-up for the majority of the book. That added a little suspense and also insured that the reason behind it was not typical. I also liked the message about how important a balance life is that Gimme a Call imparted with the readership. Devi got lucky because she had a second chance, but no matter how much you are in love, you cannot lose sight of your future and friends as Devi did. Especially given how crucial those high school years; they're really the springboard to adulthood and the rest of your life for most people. I also really liked how Devi realized that friendship was important... And I think that the overall problem Devi was facing, getting caught up with their other half and as a result, letting their friendships fade, doesn't only happen when you're in high school, but also when you're in your 20s, 30s, 40s... So I personally felt I could relate to it - although I've never gone out with anyone steady.
Any Issues? I really liked the concept of Gimme a Call and I think Ms Mlynowski did a good job writing it. Younger Devi would do something and Older Devi would feel the effects of it right away, she could see the changes in her life... and not all of them, positive. What bothered me however is that it seemed Older Devi did not have any memories of the past three years. The only recollection she had was her own - going out with Bryan, finding herself alone. All she had to prove the changes were pictures and the results (like her college acceptance letters), not the progress... And I find that somewhat sad :( But this is really a minor issue and has more to do with my personal taste than the actual book.
My Grade? 4.5/5 (B+). I originally gave Gimme a Call 4/5 (B)... However, as I read more YA and have more books under the belt for comparison, I really think Gimme a Call is one of the better ones :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2012
My Summary: After being dumped by her boyfriend of four years, Devi realizes something: her life is in shambles. With no friends, an estranged sister and parents who hardly speak, Devi has nothing except her broken heart. And her phone.
But after accidentally dropping it in a mall fountain, Devi's phone appears to be on the fritz. It keeps calling the same number over and over: hers, four years earlier. Now with a connection to her past self, Devi plans her future - getting into the perfect college, keeping her friends, and most important of all: never dating the boy who took over her life.
My Thoughts: I picked this one up on a whim, and I am so glad I did! I've never read anything by this author, but that's definitely going to change (seeing as I couldn't put this book down until I was done). I loved Devi's character, and even Bryan's - they seemed like real people and were extremely easy to relate to. I loved that we got to see Devi in the past and present - it really helped the reader figure out her personality and why things happened they way they did. I loved that the author didn't ignore the bad things about messing with your life - and others -as well as highlighting the fact that sometimes things are better left the way they are. It also highlighted the way that some couples seem to burn all their bridges once they get together, and how balance is the key to a relationship.
Final Thoughts: All in all, Gimme a Call was a fun, cute read, and I definitely recommend it to everyone who enjoys contemporary lit and a little chick lit.
But after accidentally dropping it in a mall fountain, Devi's phone appears to be on the fritz. It keeps calling the same number over and over: hers, four years earlier. Now with a connection to her past self, Devi plans her future - getting into the perfect college, keeping her friends, and most important of all: never dating the boy who took over her life.
My Thoughts: I picked this one up on a whim, and I am so glad I did! I've never read anything by this author, but that's definitely going to change (seeing as I couldn't put this book down until I was done). I loved Devi's character, and even Bryan's - they seemed like real people and were extremely easy to relate to. I loved that we got to see Devi in the past and present - it really helped the reader figure out her personality and why things happened they way they did. I loved that the author didn't ignore the bad things about messing with your life - and others -as well as highlighting the fact that sometimes things are better left the way they are. It also highlighted the way that some couples seem to burn all their bridges once they get together, and how balance is the key to a relationship.
Final Thoughts: All in all, Gimme a Call was a fun, cute read, and I definitely recommend it to everyone who enjoys contemporary lit and a little chick lit.
November 18, 2012
Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com
Devi hates her senior year. In fact, she wishes that she could re-do her whole high school experience. When a freak phone accident occurs, she finds herself talking to her younger self. Now, she can tell her fourteen-year-old self all the things to fix before she ruins her life, starting with not dating her ex-boyfriend.
Devi spent so much time with him and neglected her friends and her school work. When they break up, she has nothing left. That's all about to change.
She doesn't have to go on that first date. She can spend more time with her friends. She can study for her classes and join in extracurricular activities to impress colleges.
Freshman Devi tries to improve their life - but she's stuck with all the work while senior Devi enjoys the benefits. For senior Devi, life's changing quickly. She can't keep up with the changes and, worst of all, she has no memories of the new photos in her room or the changes in her life and those she loves.
The more they change, the more they both ask the question: Is it better to know the future?
Changing the future is an intriguing concept that works beautifully in Sarah Mlynowski's new novel. It begs the reader to ask the question of their life - what would you change? I love the hope and the determination of both Devis, and how they want to make the future brighter for themselves. At the same time, they both work to find that balance that makes life livable.
Devi hates her senior year. In fact, she wishes that she could re-do her whole high school experience. When a freak phone accident occurs, she finds herself talking to her younger self. Now, she can tell her fourteen-year-old self all the things to fix before she ruins her life, starting with not dating her ex-boyfriend.
Devi spent so much time with him and neglected her friends and her school work. When they break up, she has nothing left. That's all about to change.
She doesn't have to go on that first date. She can spend more time with her friends. She can study for her classes and join in extracurricular activities to impress colleges.
Freshman Devi tries to improve their life - but she's stuck with all the work while senior Devi enjoys the benefits. For senior Devi, life's changing quickly. She can't keep up with the changes and, worst of all, she has no memories of the new photos in her room or the changes in her life and those she loves.
The more they change, the more they both ask the question: Is it better to know the future?
Changing the future is an intriguing concept that works beautifully in Sarah Mlynowski's new novel. It begs the reader to ask the question of their life - what would you change? I love the hope and the determination of both Devis, and how they want to make the future brighter for themselves. At the same time, they both work to find that balance that makes life livable.
August 24, 2019
"Ó. Meu. Deus!"
Só. O. Melhor. Livro. De. Sempre.😁
OK. Brincadeira. Não é o melhor, mas é uma leitura leve e divertida, perfeita para o Verão.
Mal comecei a ler vieram-me logo à ideia aqueles filmes de Hollywood sobre adolescentes no liceu. E o livro é mesmo sobre isso.
Temos Devorah Banks, uma finalista do liceu, que um belo dia deixa cair o telemóvel na fonte de um centro comercial. Até aqui tudo normal. Entra na fonte para resgatar o aparelho e vê que ele está morto. Mas a tecla de fazer chamadas funciona e quando a marca quem é que atende? Devorah Banks, a caloira do liceu.
A partir daqui a Devorah finalista começa a orientar/mandar na Devorah caloira, com quem pode curtir, o que fazer para entrar numa boa universidade, etc.
Faz um pouco pensar no que o nosso eu presente diria ao nosso eu do passado e se alteraria em alguma coisa o nosso presente.
Só. O. Melhor. Livro. De. Sempre.😁
OK. Brincadeira. Não é o melhor, mas é uma leitura leve e divertida, perfeita para o Verão.
Mal comecei a ler vieram-me logo à ideia aqueles filmes de Hollywood sobre adolescentes no liceu. E o livro é mesmo sobre isso.
Temos Devorah Banks, uma finalista do liceu, que um belo dia deixa cair o telemóvel na fonte de um centro comercial. Até aqui tudo normal. Entra na fonte para resgatar o aparelho e vê que ele está morto. Mas a tecla de fazer chamadas funciona e quando a marca quem é que atende? Devorah Banks, a caloira do liceu.
A partir daqui a Devorah finalista começa a orientar/mandar na Devorah caloira, com quem pode curtir, o que fazer para entrar numa boa universidade, etc.
Faz um pouco pensar no que o nosso eu presente diria ao nosso eu do passado e se alteraria em alguma coisa o nosso presente.
May 7, 2015
YA Teens only!
I believe this book would appeal to teens, although I found it a fairly tense read with older Devi putting so much pressure on younger Devi
Devi is too hung-up on a boy to make the book interesting to adults. As an adult reading this, I would give it only 2 stars, but I came up to 3 since I'm obviously not the target audience.
Clean read, suitable to middle grade and up.
I believe this book would appeal to teens, although I found it a fairly tense read with older Devi putting so much pressure on younger Devi
Devi is too hung-up on a boy to make the book interesting to adults. As an adult reading this, I would give it only 2 stars, but I came up to 3 since I'm obviously not the target audience.
Clean read, suitable to middle grade and up.
July 2, 2013
The book was written well and had pretty decent characters and plot but it was just confusing. There were parts where I just went
yeah...never. mind. the book was just overall confusing, the characters were annoying and I just couldn't wait till the end because that signified that this book was truly over.
yeah...never. mind. the book was just overall confusing, the characters were annoying and I just couldn't wait till the end because that signified that this book was truly over.
March 19, 2011
I liked this book because it was about a new topic: talking with the future or past you. Highschool senior, Devi, accidentally calls her self as a freahman. She decides to completely change her life after a bad breakup...sometimes it's not good to meddle in people's lives, even if it is yours.
February 25, 2016
3,5⭐️
Indecisa se chego a dar as 4⭐️ ou não.
Uma leitura engraçada e às vezes um pouco confusa, mas deixa-nós um sorriso no rosto.
Indecisa se chego a dar as 4⭐️ ou não.
Uma leitura engraçada e às vezes um pouco confusa, mas deixa-nós um sorriso no rosto.
September 26, 2018
When I first started reading this book I distasted it. The book is where Devi gets to call her freshman self and is telling her to fix all her mistakes in life. Devi spent three years with her boyfriend Bryan, she lost her friends and not so good grades because of it. Devi told her past self to not go out with Bryan. After that she started to change stuff for other people like her friend changing a sport so she will not be anirox. That did not turn out good she started to get a nose job and a boob job. That part made me a little mad not going to lie but then Devi realized that was a bad idea and started to fix herself. Devi told herself to join a whole bunch of clubs and study a word each day for SATs. If I could go back and tell myself to do stuff I would say to try more stuff. I have not finished the book yet but I do recommend it even though sometimes I want to throw it out the window.
July 19, 2020
These book was amazing!!!
If you watched the mini series “Dating Rules From My Future Self” by the Alloy Entertainment, and enjoyed watching the main character doing all the crazy things by the request of her older self, then this book is for you!!!
When 17 year old Devi is at the mall with a broken heart and wishing for a way to change the past, suddenly her phone drops to the fountain and the only person she can call after is herself, or more precisely, her 14 year old self! The one who’s still in the start of high school and with all the older Devi “mistakes” to be made! After finally convincing her younger self of her identity, Devi starts to try and change her future, from her friends, grades, college, and most important, her broken heart.
However, things not always goes the right way, and there’s lots of funny/dramatic situations that the two Devis have to face and fix in time!
It’s a really funny and fast paced story, where we follow all the possible futures that Devi can have and realizing that everything we do can affect not only us, but the people around us as well!
I loved this book, which make me think of could change the past by talking to my younger self, what would I do different? And if I did that, what would change now in my current life? Maybe there are things that simply meant to be and we just have to live in the moment and enjoy it the best we can!😄
If you watched the mini series “Dating Rules From My Future Self” by the Alloy Entertainment, and enjoyed watching the main character doing all the crazy things by the request of her older self, then this book is for you!!!
When 17 year old Devi is at the mall with a broken heart and wishing for a way to change the past, suddenly her phone drops to the fountain and the only person she can call after is herself, or more precisely, her 14 year old self! The one who’s still in the start of high school and with all the older Devi “mistakes” to be made! After finally convincing her younger self of her identity, Devi starts to try and change her future, from her friends, grades, college, and most important, her broken heart.
However, things not always goes the right way, and there’s lots of funny/dramatic situations that the two Devis have to face and fix in time!
It’s a really funny and fast paced story, where we follow all the possible futures that Devi can have and realizing that everything we do can affect not only us, but the people around us as well!
I loved this book, which make me think of could change the past by talking to my younger self, what would I do different? And if I did that, what would change now in my current life? Maybe there are things that simply meant to be and we just have to live in the moment and enjoy it the best we can!😄
November 19, 2018
3.5 stars
This was a pretty good read. I really like Sarah Mlynowski's writing and she does the whole 'What would happen if xyz improbable thing were to happen?' really well. Like she just takes a supposition and runs with it, exploring all the possible things that could happen.
I enjoyed this. Older Devi was nice and controlling and Younger Devi was nice and flakey and it all just hung together really well.
This was a pretty good read. I really like Sarah Mlynowski's writing and she does the whole 'What would happen if xyz improbable thing were to happen?' really well. Like she just takes a supposition and runs with it, exploring all the possible things that could happen.
I enjoyed this. Older Devi was nice and controlling and Younger Devi was nice and flakey and it all just hung together really well.
July 23, 2019
Este libro llevaba en mis estanterías desde tiempos inmemoriales, y iba siendo hora de quitarlo del medio. Ni que decir tiene, que me voy a deshacer de él.
Hacía muchísimo tiempo que no leía un libro juvenil tan sumamente malo a tantos niveles. La traducción, además de horrible ha resultado pedante, repitiendo la palabra college cada pocas frases, cuando en castellano tenemos encima un término para ello.
La protagonista, además, ha resultado insufrible en su versión presente.
Hacía muchísimo tiempo que no leía un libro juvenil tan sumamente malo a tantos niveles. La traducción, además de horrible ha resultado pedante, repitiendo la palabra college cada pocas frases, cuando en castellano tenemos encima un término para ello.
La protagonista, además, ha resultado insufrible en su versión presente.
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