After Joe's parents died, he stopped growing up. He doesn't know where his money comes from. His diet consists primarily of cheeseburgers from McDonald's. He plays basketball on the level of a pro, but he has only ever played on the streets. Then his brother disappears, and Julia shows up. Joe falls in love with Julia as quickly as his twin brother, Alvin, did. And like Alvin did before him, he runs away with Julia to her parents' hotel. There, he's so blinded by her seductive, dysfunctional family that he can't see the truth of his brother's disappearance ...until he accidentally stumbles upon Alvin's killer.
This One Time with Julia
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
David Lampson (www.davidlampson.com) was born in Northern California and grew up in Boston and Philadelphia. In 2004, David won a scriptwriting reality show called Situation: Comedy on Bravo. And in 2005, an obsessive interest in the tango fueled a five-year move to Argentina. Now David lives and writes in Los Angeles.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Somer
Format:Paperback
Well this was a strange little book... To be honest, if I hadn't been reading it for the Debut Author's ARC Tour I don't think I would have finished it. I am glad that I did finish it, because it grew on me...a little anyway. The story is told by Joe. It doesn't take long to realize that Joe is different. Joe is the only character I sort of liked. He was sweet and quirky. The other characters were downright strange and awful! Neither of Joe's brothers really cared about him. Julia was just too self centered, flighty and annoying. Julia's brother Houston was plain old creepy.
At times the story is told in present tense, while other times Joe is telling a story that already occurred. Then we have the presence of his brother Alvin, who appears often, but it took me a while to realize he was dead. To me the story was just not believable at all. It was hard to follow at times. I wasn't really invested in the characters. I will say towards the end I did want to find out what exactly happened to Alvin, but it wasn't too surprising.
Then we have the ending. I will quote you the exact words that came out of my mouth as I closed this book "Huh!?". I know, profound, isn't it!
I don't really like to compare books, but the entire time I read this book I kept thinking of Imaginary Girls. It just had that same vibe, except with brothers. While this book wasn't for me I'm sure some of you would really enjoy it. I did enjoy the mysteriousness of the book as well as the "whodunnit" aspect.
At times the story is told in present tense, while other times Joe is telling a story that already occurred. Then we have the presence of his brother Alvin, who appears often, but it took me a while to realize he was dead. To me the story was just not believable at all. It was hard to follow at times. I wasn't really invested in the characters. I will say towards the end I did want to find out what exactly happened to Alvin, but it wasn't too surprising.
Then we have the ending. I will quote you the exact words that came out of my mouth as I closed this book "Huh!?". I know, profound, isn't it!
I don't really like to compare books, but the entire time I read this book I kept thinking of Imaginary Girls. It just had that same vibe, except with brothers. While this book wasn't for me I'm sure some of you would really enjoy it. I did enjoy the mysteriousness of the book as well as the "whodunnit" aspect.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By BYK
Format:Paperback
I started this book on a plane trip and stayed up late at night so I could finish it. I couldn't put it down. I like a good love story, and this is just the kind of book I like. It's a bit sad, but I recommend it highly.
By Jane Reese
Format:Paperback
This book was HANDS DOWN one of the best books I've ever read. I made my book club read it and everyone LOVED it and this is a highly critical crowd. I'm a slow reader and usually have trouble finishing a book because I get bored. This book, however, was a page turner. The author has such a unique voice and the specificity with which he writes makes the images come to life. The characters are compelling and relatable. They're dynamic. They're complex yet simple. I've never raved about a book like I have this one. I'm telling you, if you want to be thoroughly entertained and if you have an appreciation for writing style, read this book! It is on a very short list of books I've enjoyed. I hope the writer writes more!!!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
One of the strangest books I've read and not in a good way
This One Time With Julia is one of the strangest books I have ever read and I do not mean that in a good way. Read more
Published 8 months ago by K. Butler
5.0 out of 5 stars
Literary Fiction at its Best
First, let me say this book is both whimsical and wonderfully dark, spilling over with a splendid innocence of Joe, Mr. Lampson's leading character. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Alan J. Cushner
1.0 out of 5 stars
Courtesy of ChickLovesLit . com
What the?
The whole time I was reading this book, that is what I was thinking. It's told in first person, from the view of Joe, but it's not always in present tense -... Read more
The whole time I was reading this book, that is what I was thinking. It's told in first person, from the view of Joe, but it's not always in present tense -... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Shanyn Day
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great.
Seriously, this book puts me on a bit of a tilt! I liked it, don't get me wrong, but it was strange! Read more
Published 11 months ago by Emily Savant
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fun and easy read that captured me from the very beginning
A fun and easy read that made me immerse myself completely in Joe's world of impossible things that nobody can remember. Joe's life is simple and sweet. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Mak Briz
5.0 out of 5 stars
A beauiful little book
Give yourself a chance to enter into Joe's world, and you won't regret it. After a few pages, I didn't want to stop reading. Read more
Published 11 months ago by MAL
5.0 out of 5 stars
Compelling and honest
This One Time with Julia is a compelling story, with very human characters (though not all likeable), and a plot that becomes more and more intriguing with every turn of the... Read more
Published 15 months ago by CHRISTINE OUSTRY
5.0 out of 5 stars
Couldn't put it down
I bought this book last night and could't put it down. The story was so compelling. I loved the main character of Joe. Read more
Published 15 months ago by tucker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not your ordinary young adult -- in a good way
I really, really enjoyed this book. Some dark, funny, touching stuff that all starts with what the author did with Joe's narration. Read more
Published 15 months ago by PM18
