The Disenchantments

Colby has planned his entire future around attending art school in San Francisco with his best friend Bev. Before college begins, they embark on a Pacific Northwest tour with Bev's band The Disenchantments - an all-girl group with minimal musical talent but maximum determination. The week-long road trip takes them through small towns and dive venues in Washington and Oregon. Along the way, the teens confront truths about their relationships, dreams, and identities that they've been avoiding. Colby's role as the band's designated driver and unofficial documentarian gives him a front-row seat to witness how plans can derail and assumptions can crumble. His camera lens captures both the literal journey and the metaphorical distance between who these friends are and who they're becoming. The novel explores themes of artistic expression, the courage to change course, and the complex transition between adolescence and adulthood. Through its focus on music, photography, and visual art, it examines how creative pursuit shapes identity and human connection.

Readers describe this as a slow-paced coming-of-age road trip story that focuses more on character development than plot. Many note the authentic portrayal of post-high school uncertainty and friendship dynamics. Readers appreciated: - The descriptions of the Pacific Northwest setting - LGBTQ+ representation without making it the central focus - The music references and artistic themes - The realistic, flawed characters Common criticisms: - Slow pace with minimal action - Main character Colby seen as passive and frustrating - Some found the ending unsatisfying - Plot described as meandering without clear direction Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (12,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (120+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4/5 (50+ ratings) Multiple reviewers compared it to John Green's books but noted it has less dramatic plot points. Several readers mentioned abandoning the book partway through due to pacing issues, while others praised the atmospheric writing style.

Paper Towns by John Green A high school graduate embarks on a road trip to find his missing friend, leading to discoveries about identity, friendship, and letting go of idealized versions of people.

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson Two teens process their grief through an unexpected cross-country road trip filled with music, memories, and new connections.

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour A college freshman confronts her past and complex relationships during a winter break spent alone in her dorm room.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn Two music-loving strangers spend one night exploring New York City's indie rock scene while navigating their feelings for each other.

Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer A teenage shoe store employee drives her elderly boss on a business road trip that becomes a journey of personal growth and understanding.

🎸 Author Nina LaCour was inspired to write The Disenchantments after touring with her wife's band, which gave her firsthand experience of life on the road with musicians. 🚐 The novel's road trip route—from San Francisco through the Pacific Northwest—mirrors LaCour's own frequent travels along the West Coast as a teenager and young adult. 🎨 The protagonist Colby's interest in art and design reflects LaCour's background as a high school art teacher before becoming a full-time writer. 🎵 The book's title band, The Disenchantments, is deliberately terrible at playing their instruments—a creative choice that explores themes of passion versus talent. 📚 The novel was named a Kirkus Best Book of the Year and made the American Library Association's Best Fiction for Young Adults list in 2013.