Audiobook Review: Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

Publication Date: 3-27-2007

Publisher: Listening Library (Audio)

Pages: N/A

Format: Audiobook

Source: Library

Challenge: N/A

Goodreads | Amazon

Goodreads Summary:

High school senior Tyler Miller used to be the kind of guy who faded into the background—average student, average looks, average dysfunctional family. But since he got busted for doing graffiti on the school, and spent the summer doing outdoor work to pay for it, he stands out like you wouldn’t believe. His new physique attracts the attention of queen bee Bethany Milbury, who just so happens to be his father’s boss’s daughter, the sister of his biggest enemy—and Tyler’s secret crush. And that sets off a string of events and changes that have Tyler questioning his place in the school, in his family, and in the world.

In Twisted, the acclaimed Laurie Halse Anderson tackles a very controversial subject: what it means to be a man today. Fans and new readers alike will be captured by Tyler’s pitch perfect, funny voice, the surprising narrative arc, and the thoughtful moral dilemmas that are at the heart of all of the author’s award-winning, widely read work.

Tyler Miller had made some bad choices in the past, but is determined to find himself now that he’s made changes in his life.  An event at a party leaves those in school wondering what Tyler is really like, and leaves Tyler trying to find himself and discover what it means to be a man.  Tyler’s mother is a pet photographer and an alcoholic, his father excessively works and has anger issues and his sister as whiny and often cares only about herself.  Tyler is constantly living in fear of disappointing those around him and causing more harm than necessary.

Tyler experiences situations that no one should have to experience.  He is accused of horrible things that end up pushing him away from people even further than before.  His father blames him for everything that goes wrong in life and Tyler can feel himself sinking further.  He becomes depressed and makes the ultimate choice to stand-up for what he believes in and become a man like he believes he should be.

This book was riveting.  I loved that there was a male protagonist because the typical books seems to have a female main character.  I picked this one up because I enjoyed other books by the same author and because it was on the Banned Books list.  I was a little surprised by that after listening to it.  The narrator was great and portrayed Tyler exactly how I felt he should be portrayed.  I felt like I could connect with him and feel his emotions.  Tyler made me laugh with him at times and want to cry with him too.  I would recommend picking this book up on audio as I did.  It’s a great listen.

Review: White Cat by Holly Black (Audio)

Publication Date: 5-11-2010

Publisher: Listening Library (Audio)

Pages: N/A

Format: Audiobook

Source: Library

Challenge: N/A

Goodreads | Amazon

Goodreads Summary:

The first in a trilogy, this gritty, fast-paced fantasy is rife with the unexpected. Cassel comes from a shady, magical family of con artists and grifters. He doesn’t fit in at home or at school, so he’s used to feeling like an outsider. He’s also used to feeling guilty—he killed his best friend, Lila, years ago.

But when Cassel begins to have strange dreams about a white cat, and people around him are losing their memories, he starts to wonder what really happened to Lila. In his search for answers, he discovers a wicked plot for power that seems certain to succeed. But Cassel has other ideas—and a plan to con the conmen.

I have to start by saying I LOVE the narrator of this audiobook!  The book itself was okay, but the narrator was great.  Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network) was an amazing voice for Cassel.  It made him feel more like a teenager.  I don’t know, just my opinion.  Anyway, I have to admit that I’m not that big into this whole curse-worker thing, but the synopsis of the story sounded interesting.  It was definitely interesting!  Cassel is trying to figure out what his brothers are keeping from him, who he is, and what the con game is.  He’s trying to determine if he’s been conned his entire life and doesn’t know it.

The audiobook was enjoyable, mainly due to the narrator.  I became more engaged in the story towards the end when we find out what is all going on.  I couldn’t help but want to find out everything.  The beginning was a little slow-going for me, but it definitely picked up towards the middle and exploded at the end.  Even though the first book wasn’t that intriguing to me, I will likely pick up the second to see where it starts after the first one ended.  There is so much more I want to say about it, so much to describe, but I don’t want to spoil it for you.  I would say pick this one up and give it a try.  You might be surprised.

Review: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (Audiobook)

Publication Date: 10-25-2011

Publisher: HarperCollins

Pages: N/A

Format: Audiobook

Source: Library

Challenge: None

Goodreads | Amazon

Goodreads Summary:

What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.

Instead, it turns out to be her last.

Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

Lauren Oliver made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again.  If my drive to work included roads in which I had to drive next to anyone, they would have been looking at me like I was crazy.  This book made me laugh out loud, it made me cry, and it made me yell in my car at the circumstances.  It was amazing. Plain and simple.

Samantha Kingston is a teenage girl who is living the dream.  She has three best friends and is basically top of the food chain in school.  Then, she heads out to a party of Friday, February 12^th and isn’t thinking.  She doesn’t think about the fact that her friends are all drunk.  She doesn’t think about the possibility of dying because who does?  What teenager ever thinks something bad will happen to them?  Of course, Sam is unlikely that night.  She dies in a car accident with her three best friends. 

Miraculously, Sam wakes up the next morning.  She is given a second chance at life and a chance to make it right again.  But how can she change it to make it better? Well, the changes Sam makes end up not being enough.  She has to live this same day over and over and over again.  Seven times.  Could you imagine having to live the same day seven times? The day you die?  Sam discovers a lot about herself and those around her including Kent, Lindsey and Juliet.  She finds out more about them than she probably cares to know, but it is all necessary.  Sam discovers the importance of life and love.  Sam finally comes to realize that it isn’t all about her and her friends, but it’s about those around her.  It’s about living every day like it’s your last.  It’s about doing what you can for other people because you never know when life is going to come to an end.

If you haven’t read this book yet, I really recommend the audiobook.  The narrator, Sarah Drew from Grey’s Anatomy is perfect.  She had the perfect voice to portray Samantha.  As I said, I cried, laughed, and yelled in my car while listening, but it was all worth it to get to the amazing ending.  A perfect look into a last day full of regrets which could be anyone’s last day. 

First Audiobook Experience: Gayle Forman

A couple of months ago I noticed on a blog, I wish I could remember which one, that they had an audiobook on their IMM post.  This prompted me to ask what this blogger would recommend to someone who had never listened to an audiobook before.  The overwhelming response was: If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman.  

On a trip to the library I noticed they had both audiobooks and thought, what the heck?  I mean, what's the worse that could happen, I don't like them?  Big whoop.

This girl was mistaken.  I LOVED THEM!  These two audiobooks were probably the best ever to introduce someone into the amazingness of audiobooks.  I have a 40 minute drive to and from work each day and usually I listen to music, but audiobooks sounded interesting because I thought I'd be accomplishing something.  

I had no idea I was missing out on so much.  Anyway, I wanted to write up a little summary about each so here goes!

If I Stay by Gayle Forman: Audiobook

From Goodreads:

In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen year- old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...

A sophisticated, layered, and heartachingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make -and the ultimate choice Mia commands.

I had read this book before listening to it, but I thought since it came so highly recommended I would listen anyway.  There isn't much to say except amazing.  They picked the perfect person to narrate the book and it was told in such an exciting way.  You knew when to be happy, sad, and sit at the edge of your seat.  The audiobook evoked as many emotions, if not more, than reading the book previously.  I can't say enough good things about this.  If you have never listened to an audiobook before, but have been thinking about...I highly recommend this one!

Where She Went by Gayle Forman: Audiobook

From Goodreads:

It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other.

Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

I had not read this book before listening to the audiobook so it surprised me when I put it in.  I wasn't expecting the male voice of Adam to be telling the story.  Yes, I know it says it's told in Adam's point of view, but after listening to If I Stay I was expecting to continue hearing Mia's voice.  Anyway, This was a different experience than the first audiobook because I hadn't read it before.  I was worried before I started it whether I would be paying attention enough to understand what was going on and follow along the story.  I wouldn't say that driving is distracting, but there is a lot to think about when you're on the road so I wasn't sure how this one would go.  Once again, AMAZING.   I easily followed along with the book and couldn't wait to get in my car after work or the following morning to continue listening again.  I found myself sitting in my car listening for every spare minute that I had because I couldn't wait to find out what happened.  The relationship of Adam and Mia was so real.  I'm not insinuating that everyone goes through the tragedy that Mia did, but couples in high school do have a tendency to grow apart, go there separate ways, and find themselves in new lives.  People may even find themselves reminiscing on those past relationships and wondering, "what if".

Well, Mia and Adam were able to explore the what-if.  We are told their 24 hour period of time in which they meet up again and learn more about each others' past.  They seemingly hash out what happened between them and learn to deal.  Adam and Mia were a sweet couple, and it was a little surprising to find they were not together when this book began.  After the ending of the first book, I expected almost a happy little love story, which was not exactly what I got.  Anyway, the skills of storytelling on the part of the narrator are awesome.  I felt more connected in the novel as if I was feeling more emotion because I could hear the emotion in the narrator's voice.  It was awesome.  Because I fell totally in love with these two audiobooks, I have now pick up Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver which was another recommendation!