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Debugging Tori Redding
Fed up with her peers and their loose morals, Tori starts a new school program, the Not So Fast club, a group dedicated to keeping teens from doing everything they want to do--drink, have sex, and rush to grow up.
A severe toothache interrupts her plan, sending her to the dentist, where she's given an emergency root canal. During the surgery, she's electrocuted and ends up blacking out. When she awakes, her brain has the ability to function like a computer.
Tori uses her new skills and aggressive personality to charge up the club.
Hated by the entire school, she discovers that NSF now stands for: Narcs Suck Farts. Game on. Tori memorizes every school rule, issuing tickets for every little infraction.
After a serious crime occurs, Tori must use her talents to save a life, all while trying to free herself from her mind.
A severe toothache interrupts her plan, sending her to the dentist, where she's given an emergency root canal. During the surgery, she's electrocuted and ends up blacking out. When she awakes, her brain has the ability to function like a computer.
Tori uses her new skills and aggressive personality to charge up the club.
Hated by the entire school, she discovers that NSF now stands for: Narcs Suck Farts. Game on. Tori memorizes every school rule, issuing tickets for every little infraction.
After a serious crime occurs, Tori must use her talents to save a life, all while trying to free herself from her mind.
300 pages, Nook
First published December 19, 2010
4 people want to read
About the author
Jason Ancona
5 books12 followersFreakishly nerdy in high school, Jason became a certifiable weakling when he lost an arm-wrestling match to a female cheerleader in class.
Never a participant in school activities, he fantasized about being someone else -- an athlete, a secret agent, or whatever character he created in the latest role-playing game.
His imaginary worlds didn't help in the dating department, but they sure were fun to explore.
A graduate of UCLA's Screenwriting Program, he's written a variety of film scripts and TV pilots.
He's currently living in Austin, where he's exploring the city and meeting new friends.
Never a participant in school activities, he fantasized about being someone else -- an athlete, a secret agent, or whatever character he created in the latest role-playing game.
His imaginary worlds didn't help in the dating department, but they sure were fun to explore.
A graduate of UCLA's Screenwriting Program, he's written a variety of film scripts and TV pilots.
He's currently living in Austin, where he's exploring the city and meeting new friends.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 13, 2011
Debugging Tori Redding is the second book that I've read by Jason Ancona. When I was given the opportunity to review it, I was excited at the premise. A girl whose mind works like a computer? How amazing is that? I snuggled down into bed, picked up the book and started to read.
Let me tell you, I was so impressed at the depth behind Tori's character. She isn't just a high school student who takes issue with loose morals. She isn't even just a girl with a computer for a brain. No, Tori is so much more than that. Tori is the lost adolescent trying to find her place in the big scheme of things. She is the girl who has recently lost a parent and is struggling to live in a house fueled with testosterone. Coincidentally she is also that character who still isn't sure how she stands in the world of relationships. Simply put, she's all of us.
Story wise, although the book mainly revolves around Tori's home life and friendships there is a mystery hidden there. Girls have been going missing in her home town, and now it seems that her new found abilities can help solve the case. I admit that the mystery isn't the prominent focus of the story, but I do think that it added a nice variety to what the issues Tori has to face. It also happens to be part of the introspective process for her.
I've seen others write about their frustrations with Tori's attitude toward everything, because she can be so negative. It's true, she can be. However after reading carefully I began to realize that it is just Tori's defense mechanism. She comes from a family where the weak simply are not tolerated. Where testosterone rules and being a girl is difficult. Her father loves her for sure, but he doesn't know how to interact with the female side of her. What better way to get rid of that awkwardness than to hide the female side of you? I loved Tori for the simple fact that she is human like the rest of us.
Rich with family interactions, packed with snide humor, and filled with undertones on society and teenagers as a whole, Debugging Tori Redding is definitely a book that I enjoyed! I highly recommend you give it, and Tori, a chance. I daresay I look forward to seeing what else Jason Ancona has in store for us!
Let me tell you, I was so impressed at the depth behind Tori's character. She isn't just a high school student who takes issue with loose morals. She isn't even just a girl with a computer for a brain. No, Tori is so much more than that. Tori is the lost adolescent trying to find her place in the big scheme of things. She is the girl who has recently lost a parent and is struggling to live in a house fueled with testosterone. Coincidentally she is also that character who still isn't sure how she stands in the world of relationships. Simply put, she's all of us.
Story wise, although the book mainly revolves around Tori's home life and friendships there is a mystery hidden there. Girls have been going missing in her home town, and now it seems that her new found abilities can help solve the case. I admit that the mystery isn't the prominent focus of the story, but I do think that it added a nice variety to what the issues Tori has to face. It also happens to be part of the introspective process for her.
I've seen others write about their frustrations with Tori's attitude toward everything, because she can be so negative. It's true, she can be. However after reading carefully I began to realize that it is just Tori's defense mechanism. She comes from a family where the weak simply are not tolerated. Where testosterone rules and being a girl is difficult. Her father loves her for sure, but he doesn't know how to interact with the female side of her. What better way to get rid of that awkwardness than to hide the female side of you? I loved Tori for the simple fact that she is human like the rest of us.
Rich with family interactions, packed with snide humor, and filled with undertones on society and teenagers as a whole, Debugging Tori Redding is definitely a book that I enjoyed! I highly recommend you give it, and Tori, a chance. I daresay I look forward to seeing what else Jason Ancona has in store for us!
April 13, 2011
Last month I was lucky enough to get a copy of Jason Ancona’s CYA: Covert Youth Agency: The Case of Tangled Love to read and review. I loved it. So much so that I got online and purchased Jason’s other book Debugging Tori Redding. I started reading it right away and have lagged on my book reviews so I’m finally getting around to writing about this one!
Tori Redding is different from the rest of the kids in her class and she knows it. The daughter of a widowed police detective and the younger sister of the basketball team’s star player she knows that everything that’s wrong with the world today can be blamed on one thing: kids growing up too fast. She and her best friend decide to start a new club at school aimed at encouraging their fellow high school students to slow down and enjoy being a kid. Their first goal is to get attention. By getting their fellow classmates arrested at a party with underage drinking.
Tori is not your average heroine. She’s opinionated, mouthy, bratty and abrasive. I had a really hard time rooting for her cause or even liking her. I understood her, no doubt, but it was so hard to sit back and read about her misguided attempts at helping her classmates. It reminded me of the ultra religious kids at school who are so judgmental and annoying. But Tori’s prickly nature hides the pain she carries around with her and feels she can’t express to anyone, not even her best friend. Things start to spiral out of control for her and she starts to realize that maybe she’s not always right.
It takes awhile to root for Tori, but you find yourself coming around in the end. Jason once again has an uncanny ability to capture all of high school so eloquently. The characters are full of life and so close to people you’re sure you’ve met before. Though this book wasn’t full of the sweetness and laughs that C.Y.A. had it definitely had me flipping through it to see what happened next.
Tori Redding is different from the rest of the kids in her class and she knows it. The daughter of a widowed police detective and the younger sister of the basketball team’s star player she knows that everything that’s wrong with the world today can be blamed on one thing: kids growing up too fast. She and her best friend decide to start a new club at school aimed at encouraging their fellow high school students to slow down and enjoy being a kid. Their first goal is to get attention. By getting their fellow classmates arrested at a party with underage drinking.
Tori is not your average heroine. She’s opinionated, mouthy, bratty and abrasive. I had a really hard time rooting for her cause or even liking her. I understood her, no doubt, but it was so hard to sit back and read about her misguided attempts at helping her classmates. It reminded me of the ultra religious kids at school who are so judgmental and annoying. But Tori’s prickly nature hides the pain she carries around with her and feels she can’t express to anyone, not even her best friend. Things start to spiral out of control for her and she starts to realize that maybe she’s not always right.
It takes awhile to root for Tori, but you find yourself coming around in the end. Jason once again has an uncanny ability to capture all of high school so eloquently. The characters are full of life and so close to people you’re sure you’ve met before. Though this book wasn’t full of the sweetness and laughs that C.Y.A. had it definitely had me flipping through it to see what happened next.
January 2, 2015
THE TWEET
Sci-Fi & contemporary fiction collide in DEBUGGING TORI REDDING, a story of a girl trying to do right even when it's not the popular choice.
WHAT WORKED
Tori Redding is one of the most interesting main characters I have encountered recently in my reading. I was all set to find her somewhat annoying and above it all, but I found myself really liking her character despite her judgmental views of her peers. Underneath it all Tori Redding was a young woman trying to find out who she really was and what her place in the world was. Her actions seemed to be more of a coping mechanism to dealing with her mother's death and her loneliness at being the only female in her house.
Although I didn't always agree with her actions, I thought Tori was a brave girl to do what she felt was right and not care what others thought of her. She spoke her mind and I think this is what made me connect to her character the most. She believed in something and stood up for it. I felt that this message was a great thing to convey to readers, especially young adult ones.
OVERALL
Despite it's sci-fi undertones, DEBUGGING TORI REDDING is a good contemporary young adult story. It has funny and humorous scenes, rich interactions between Tori and her family members and great message to bring to a young adult audience.
MY RATING
Sci-Fi & contemporary fiction collide in DEBUGGING TORI REDDING, a story of a girl trying to do right even when it's not the popular choice.
WHAT WORKED
Tori Redding is one of the most interesting main characters I have encountered recently in my reading. I was all set to find her somewhat annoying and above it all, but I found myself really liking her character despite her judgmental views of her peers. Underneath it all Tori Redding was a young woman trying to find out who she really was and what her place in the world was. Her actions seemed to be more of a coping mechanism to dealing with her mother's death and her loneliness at being the only female in her house.
Although I didn't always agree with her actions, I thought Tori was a brave girl to do what she felt was right and not care what others thought of her. She spoke her mind and I think this is what made me connect to her character the most. She believed in something and stood up for it. I felt that this message was a great thing to convey to readers, especially young adult ones.
OVERALL
Despite it's sci-fi undertones, DEBUGGING TORI REDDING is a good contemporary young adult story. It has funny and humorous scenes, rich interactions between Tori and her family members and great message to bring to a young adult audience.
MY RATING
February 2, 2011
I'd be stupid to pass up a chance to read anything by Jason Ancona. I read Covert Youth Agency (C.Y.A) by Jason Ancona a little while back and since I loved that one I could never pass up Debugging Tori Redding.
Jason is the master with conversational banter. I normally don't laugh out loud while reading books but I just couldn't help it. He really has an honest way with conversations. I think that's what separates his from the rest. I also could relate to every character. Let's be real here and admit a lot of times the smaller characters get swallowed by the plot and are forgotten by time the next chapter rolls around. That is not the case with Debugging Tori Redding.
Tori was badass. It was incredible the way she just blasted and laid it out to people. People who were her peers and she didn't even so much as blink a eye. With Tori's loss of her mother she was in a sea of confusion and anger. With no one to throw her a life vest Tori was on her own mission to save those who wanted to have a chance to keep their innocence and realize there is plenty of time to grow up there shouldn't be a rush. Tori was self destructive but it was more of a cry for attention.
There was a lot going on in Debugging Tori Redding. It was adventurous, real and mind consuming. I can see how Debugging Tori Redding would appeal to guys as well. The sensation of a more abrupt ending left me with a ton of questions. Ok, I need to reword this. It's not that it didn't have a closed ending but it didn't end smoothly. It left some gaps in the story which I needed to have better closure. I do recommend Debugging Tori Redding. I'm still a fan and loving Jason Ancona's writing style.
Jason is the master with conversational banter. I normally don't laugh out loud while reading books but I just couldn't help it. He really has an honest way with conversations. I think that's what separates his from the rest. I also could relate to every character. Let's be real here and admit a lot of times the smaller characters get swallowed by the plot and are forgotten by time the next chapter rolls around. That is not the case with Debugging Tori Redding.
Tori was badass. It was incredible the way she just blasted and laid it out to people. People who were her peers and she didn't even so much as blink a eye. With Tori's loss of her mother she was in a sea of confusion and anger. With no one to throw her a life vest Tori was on her own mission to save those who wanted to have a chance to keep their innocence and realize there is plenty of time to grow up there shouldn't be a rush. Tori was self destructive but it was more of a cry for attention.
There was a lot going on in Debugging Tori Redding. It was adventurous, real and mind consuming. I can see how Debugging Tori Redding would appeal to guys as well. The sensation of a more abrupt ending left me with a ton of questions. Ok, I need to reword this. It's not that it didn't have a closed ending but it didn't end smoothly. It left some gaps in the story which I needed to have better closure. I do recommend Debugging Tori Redding. I'm still a fan and loving Jason Ancona's writing style.
August 14, 2011
With all the mass media's constant commoditization of sex and relationships, Mr. Ancona's work stands as a great anti-thesis to the sappy romance type formula that features in many commercial genres (from rom-coms in books/films, to the love triangles in many "YA paranormal romance" books, etc).
I think the honest and realistic voice of DEBUGGING TORI REDDING is one of the book's biggest strengths. We hear about Tori's internal conflicts without the expression being put across in a preachy/overly-moralizing and/or whiny manner. A touch of science fiction adds a further unique touch to this contemporary YA novel, and I like how it enhances the plot [without compromising on the relatability of the family scenes portrayed, and Tori's background of growing up surrounded by guys (without the presence of a strong feminine/female role model)].
Mr. Ancona has done a fine presentation of certain themes and issues which are on every self-respecting person's mind (I will mention here that "sexual/social liberation" is quite, quite different from "promiscuity" -- though that's a discussion for another time!), and a real gem amidst a pop culture world that seems to constantly laud mindless entertainment (Jersey Shore, etc.).
I think the honest and realistic voice of DEBUGGING TORI REDDING is one of the book's biggest strengths. We hear about Tori's internal conflicts without the expression being put across in a preachy/overly-moralizing and/or whiny manner. A touch of science fiction adds a further unique touch to this contemporary YA novel, and I like how it enhances the plot [without compromising on the relatability of the family scenes portrayed, and Tori's background of growing up surrounded by guys (without the presence of a strong feminine/female role model)].
Mr. Ancona has done a fine presentation of certain themes and issues which are on every self-respecting person's mind (I will mention here that "sexual/social liberation" is quite, quite different from "promiscuity" -- though that's a discussion for another time!), and a real gem amidst a pop culture world that seems to constantly laud mindless entertainment (Jersey Shore, etc.).
February 12, 2012
Jason Ancona is a new name for me and he certainly gave a good first impression. I loved this novel! I found it a unique read - in a good way, different than your usual mystery novels. Some parts of the story refer to real life situations so it made the whole book seem real.
Tori Redding is a character full of attitude and I found it comical at her opinion of certain things. She is quite stubborn and sometimes that affects the people around her. Another quality that we see in her throughout the book is determination. She is determined to make her Not So Fast club successful (even though everyone in the school hates it) so when she discovers she has super memory she uses it at her advantage like giving out violation cards. Another character I feel I need to talk about is Alex. He is the only member of the NSF club (Tori and her best friend, Geo are co captains) and he has a little crush on Tori. It is quite sweet but Tori always manages to hurt his feelings (without meaning too). There was one thing that put me off him a little and that was his laugh. I know he is fictional but I honestly felt like I could hear his laugh and I hated it.
Ancona has the ability to mix real life situations in with a little fiction and I think that is a good quality in an author.
Tori Redding is a character full of attitude and I found it comical at her opinion of certain things. She is quite stubborn and sometimes that affects the people around her. Another quality that we see in her throughout the book is determination. She is determined to make her Not So Fast club successful (even though everyone in the school hates it) so when she discovers she has super memory she uses it at her advantage like giving out violation cards. Another character I feel I need to talk about is Alex. He is the only member of the NSF club (Tori and her best friend, Geo are co captains) and he has a little crush on Tori. It is quite sweet but Tori always manages to hurt his feelings (without meaning too). There was one thing that put me off him a little and that was his laugh. I know he is fictional but I honestly felt like I could hear his laugh and I hated it.
Ancona has the ability to mix real life situations in with a little fiction and I think that is a good quality in an author.
March 8, 2011
Tori definitely likes to speak her mind! The independent teen has had enough with the wayward world and wants to make her own impact, however little it may be. She believes she can be a good influence on her peers, and attempts to change them to her way of thinking.
I usually don’t prefer these types of characters, but with Tori, it fell together nicely. Her personality definitely led the plot along-without her crazy ideas and stubborn/defiant attitude toward going through with all of them, it wouldn’t have been nearly as interesting.
I like how Tori can’t automatically do everything once her brain gets super-charged. She’s a whiz at remembering vocab words and flying through math problems, but she can’t easily come up with a creative english paper. These little chinks in her ‘power’ make her more believable and relatable. Everyone has something they’re not so good at.
Debugging Tori Redding was a quick read! I flew through the ebook, not wanting to miss out. This book definitely does not disappoint! I give it 4/5 stars, and highly recommend it!
I usually don’t prefer these types of characters, but with Tori, it fell together nicely. Her personality definitely led the plot along-without her crazy ideas and stubborn/defiant attitude toward going through with all of them, it wouldn’t have been nearly as interesting.
I like how Tori can’t automatically do everything once her brain gets super-charged. She’s a whiz at remembering vocab words and flying through math problems, but she can’t easily come up with a creative english paper. These little chinks in her ‘power’ make her more believable and relatable. Everyone has something they’re not so good at.
Debugging Tori Redding was a quick read! I flew through the ebook, not wanting to miss out. This book definitely does not disappoint! I give it 4/5 stars, and highly recommend it!
March 6, 2011
Also reviewed on the blog: http://gloriousbooks.blogspot.com/201...
Tori is one tough character. Full of attitude, she doesn’t care what others think of her and starts her own club with a great message. She represents every teenager trying to get along in school. Why should we be forced to grow up just because everybody else is doing the same thing? We should be free to make our own pace and not be criticised for it.
Tori is such a relatable character even if she can be seen to be pretty cattish to put it nicely. She reminds me a lot of me actually. Someone who bites back at criticism that can’t be taken lightly. I do have the tendency to be pretty nasty when I get defensive. But that’s just it, it’s a defence mechanism – we all do it, it’s just that some do it more than others.
I did think that the story could have flowed a little better and could have been brought to a close a bit less abruptly.
Tori is one tough character. Full of attitude, she doesn’t care what others think of her and starts her own club with a great message. She represents every teenager trying to get along in school. Why should we be forced to grow up just because everybody else is doing the same thing? We should be free to make our own pace and not be criticised for it.
Tori is such a relatable character even if she can be seen to be pretty cattish to put it nicely. She reminds me a lot of me actually. Someone who bites back at criticism that can’t be taken lightly. I do have the tendency to be pretty nasty when I get defensive. But that’s just it, it’s a defence mechanism – we all do it, it’s just that some do it more than others.
I did think that the story could have flowed a little better and could have been brought to a close a bit less abruptly.
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