Awake in the World
by Jason Gurley
336 pages· 2019· ISBN 9781250141835
About
A boy, a girl, an impoverished oil town, and a star-crossed romance saved by the fight for survival.
As the sun sets off the coast of the small California town of Orilla del Cielo, you can see the silhouettes of the oil rigs. Their shadows look jarring against the serene backdrop, their sharpness a reminder of unfulfilled promises. To Zach, they are a reminder of loss—his father, an oil worker who drowned years before. With a poor family struggling to make ends meet, Zach's future feels equally bleak. Until he meets Vanessa, an optimistic girl whose sights are literally set on the stars. Inspired by her idol, Carl Sagan, she plans to study astronomy at Cornell. But as oil prospectors in search of black gold know, the future is uncertain . . . and fortunes can always be flipped.
Jason Gurley delivers a gorgeous debut young adult novel about dreams and believing in love—and yourself—to reach them.
As the sun sets off the coast of the small California town of Orilla del Cielo, you can see the silhouettes of the oil rigs. Their shadows look jarring against the serene backdrop, their sharpness a reminder of unfulfilled promises. To Zach, they are a reminder of loss—his father, an oil worker who drowned years before. With a poor family struggling to make ends meet, Zach's future feels equally bleak. Until he meets Vanessa, an optimistic girl whose sights are literally set on the stars. Inspired by her idol, Carl Sagan, she plans to study astronomy at Cornell. But as oil prospectors in search of black gold know, the future is uncertain . . . and fortunes can always be flipped.
Jason Gurley delivers a gorgeous debut young adult novel about dreams and believing in love—and yourself—to reach them.
Discuss Awake in the World with other readers
Join or start a book club for Awake in the World on Readfeed. Live chat, shared reading progress, and AI discussion questions — free to get started.
Frequently asked questions
How do I join a book club for Awake in the World?
Sign up free on Readfeed, then browse public clubs or start your own club with Awake in the World as the current read. Invite friends with a share link and discuss together with live chat and AI discussion questions.
Can I discuss Awake in the World with other readers online?
Yes. Readfeed book clubs let you chat live, share progress, and join discussions about Awake in the World with readers worldwide — whether your club is virtual, in-person, or hybrid.
Is Readfeed free?
Yes. Creating an account and joining book clubs is free. Sign up to find readers who love the same books and start discussing today.