Reading Response for The Future of Us by Jay Asher

The book The Future of Us by Jay Asher is about two former best friends, Josh and Emma, who mistakenly discover Facebook 15 years before it was invented. They can see their lives 15 years in the future, but every time they refresh, their future lives somehow change. I believe the author's purpose of writing this book is to teach readers to make their own futures, even if it's hard or frightening. The author shows the purpose through Josh and Emma.

The author’s purpose is shown through Josh and what he does throughout the story. For example, the author wrote, “But sometimes you need to figure out what you want, Josh. If that means you have to swim against the tide to get it, at least you’re aiming for something that could make you very happy.’”(210) In other words, make your own future; even if that means you have to do things the difficult and sometimes scary way. Also, the text states, "'I hated obsessing about what I didn't want in my future.' 'It's better to focus on what you do want,' I [Josh] say." (243)  Josh finally saw that choosing the future he wanted instead of stressing about it made life easier. 

 Emma is also a symbol of taking control of what's down the road. Firstly, even though Emma knew that she would probably marry someone else because of Facebook, she decided to kiss Josh. She didn't let what she already knew about her future stop her from creating her own. Lastly, the book says, "Or maybe my future self feels a connection to my current self, and she knew that I needed to focus on my here and now." (233) In other words, Emma had to stop changing her future the easy way by using Facebook and create her future by just living life.   

           In conclusion, the author uses Josh and Emma as way to show the purpose of book; readers should build their own destiny no matter what. It's sometimes terrifying to make hard decisions that could change your life and your future, but making hard decisions is apart of life. As Abraham Lincoln once said, "The best way to predict your future is to create it."