Latest Read: Not A Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis

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Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis
Publication date: Sept. 24, 2013
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Category: Young Adult - Dystopian
Source: Borrowed from Alexa (Thanks!)

Summary: Lynn knows every threat to her pond: drought, a snowless winter, coyotes, and, most importantly, people looking for a drink. She makes sure anyone who comes near the pond leaves thirsty, or doesn't leave at all. Confident in her own abilities, Lynn has no use for the world beyond the nearby fields and forest. She's dedicated to survival, and the constant work of gathering wood and water. Having a pond requires the fortitude to protect it, something Mother taught her well during their quiet hours on the rooftop, rifles in hand. But wisps of smoke on the horizon mean one thing: strangers. The mysterious footprints by the pond, nighttime threats, and gunshots make it all too clear Lynn has exactly what they want, and they won’t stop until they get it. (Adapted goodreads.com)

My thoughts…

The good: Just when I think I've had enough of dystopians, I come across a book like Not A Drop To Drink and it renews my fascination with them. Lynn lives in a world where pure, clean water is hard to come by. Many are dying and forced out of cities and as a result, water is something people are willing to kill for. This is the only life Lynn has ever known. Her and her mother live in the country and spend each day gathering food and shooting anyone who tries to approach the pond on their land. It's a dark, intense tale of survival and how the lines between right and wrong get blurred when you're trying to make it from day to day. What makes the story so good is that it's grounded in reality. It feels like something that could actually happen. (Such a scary thought!)

Lynn was unlike any other dystopian protagonist (that I can think of). She's 16 years old, never interacted with anyone except her mother, no friends, unfamiliar with technology and the like, and she has no problem shooting someone if she has to. Then an unexpected event brings new people into Lynn's life. Suddenly she's learning there's more to living and to herself than just gathering wood and holding a rifle looking for the next target. In a story this dark, I didn't expect to find myself unexpectedly smiling as Lynn learned how to be a friend or how to flirt with a guy.

But the book never delves into the light and fluffy despite those moments.  The threat to Lynn's pond is very real and there were moments where I found myself gripping the pages unsure of what would happen next.

(No) reservations: It's not the most dialogue-heavy book but trust me, that doesn't make it any less evocative.

Do I recommend?: I do! If you're a fan of dystopians, I think is a great book to add to your list. And if you're not, I'd suggest checking it out anyway.

Happy reading!