Getting Sideways by Lisa Nowak

Getting Sideways 

(Full Throttle, #2) by Lisa Nowak

Publihsher:  Webfoot Publishing

Publication Date:  December 4, 2011

ASIN:  B006HYZHNI

Genre: YA Contemporary, coming-of-age

Book Summary:  Getting shipped off to live with his uncle Race was the best thing that ever happened to fifteen-year-old Cody. Then a wreck at the speedway nearly ruined everything. Cody’s making every effort to get his life back on track—writing for the school paper, searching for the perfect girlfriend, and counting the days until he gets his drivers’ license—but there’s no escaping the nightmares that haunt him. 


A chance to build his own car seems like the perfect distraction. Until Cody realizes he’ll have to live up to Race’s legendary status. But that’s the least of his worries, considering he doesn’t have his dad’s permission. All he has to do is the impossible: keep Race from discovering his lie until he can convince his dad that racing’s safe.


Yeah, sure. That’ll be easy.

My Thoughts:  I have thoroughly enjoyed the Full Throttle series so far!!  Prior to this year, I had not read too many contemporary novels, let alone one told from a young man's perspective - from a female author, no less. If I did not know it before hand, I would not have believed it!  Lisa Nowak has created a fun series that can be enjoyed by young adult and adult readers - whether you typically enjoy contemporary, coming-of-age novels or not!!!  


Getting Sideways continues the story that began in Running Wide Open - with Cody, Race, Kasey, and the rest of the crew.  After everything they have been through together, it is hard to believe that Cody and Race have more issues to deal with, but they do it together!!  They are still dealing with all of the physical and emotional issues from Race's accident in Running Wide Open.  Cody is making great strides with his relationship with his dad, although they have a few disagreements throughout the book. They continue to deal with Cody's Grandmother/Race's Mom - who pops in more often than Race feels comfortable with!  And, Cody continues to encourage the building of Race and Kasey's relationship!!!  


The whole novel deals with very realistic relationships.  How they are described, and how they are approached are so believable.  Nowak makes it so easy for any reader to make a connection to the characters and plot.  There is such strong emotion involved.  The reader is immediately drawn in, and you find yourself thinking about and worried about the characters when you are away from the book!!!!


Although the series is set around a racing theme, it is not in your face.  You do not have to be into racing in order to enjoy this book - although if you are it makes it even better!!!  The best part of the racing theme is that there is such a sense of community - again, the theme of relationships.  


If you have not yet read the first book in the Full Throttle series, be sure to pick up Running Wide Open.  You will not be disappointed, and you will be very compelled to keep reading - leading you to Getting Sideways.  


I'm off to read the third book - Driven!!!!!

About the Author:  In addition to being a YA author, Lisa Nowak is a retired amateur stock car racer, an accomplished cat whisperer, and a professional smartass. She writes coming-of-age books about kids in hard luck situations who learn to appreciate their own value after finding mentors who love them for who they are. 


Lisa has no spare time, but if she did she’d use it to tend to her expansive perennial garden, watch medical dramas, take long walks after dark, and teach her cats to play poker. For those of you who might be wondering, she is not, and has never been, a diaper-wearing astronaut. She lives in Milwaukie, Oregon, with her husband, four feline companions, and two giant sequoias.


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