Friday, July 10, 2015

Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

Published June 9, 2015 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

An anxiety disorder disrupts fourteen-year-old Audrey’s daily life. She has been making slow but steady progress with Dr. Sarah, but when Audrey meets Linus, her brother’s gaming teammate, she is energized. She connects with him. Audrey can talk through her fears with Linus in a way she’s never been able to do with anyone before. As their friendship deepens and her recovery gains momentum, a sweet romantic connection develops, one that helps not just Audrey but also her entire family. 

My Thoughts…

This certainly could be considered a YA but I am not a young adult and I enjoyed it from the first page to the last.    I found myself looking to steal a few minutes here or a few minutes there just to get a few more pages read.     I actually started it while eating my lunch and finished it shortly after dinner, I just could not put it down.   
 
The characters were amazing.  

The mother cracked me up.    I feel like I can sometimes be like her.   I read something in the paper, on line, or where ever and immediately think oh my gosh, is that happening at my house.   Although, I do hope that I do not go to extremes like she does.   I know that I have never threatened to throw my daughters computer out the window but I have threatened to close it down on her.      I feel like the mother just wanted to do all she could.   She felt she let one of her kids down, Audrey, and was making up for it by trying to do everything she could for them now.    The dad also cracked me up.    He was so into his own zone, maybe by need to get away from the chaos in the house.   He answers how he thinks he should to keep his wife happy.   

The kids…. I loved them all.  Although this was Audrey’s story, Felix and Frank (the brothers) were amazing.     Felix, the 4 year old, had the best personality.   He spoke what was on his mind, was stubborn, and just made the story a little lighter.   Frank was a typical teen.    As a teenager he wanted to play online games, he walked around with headphones in 24/7, in short he was typical.    The sarcasm he had with his parents was portrayed perfectly.     Sophie Kinsella hit the nail on the head with these kids.

I have to talk about Audrey.    What a rough life to live.   Rarely leaving the house, not being able to handle changes in life, and not being able to be around people cannot be good.    She struggles, yet she never gives up.   She talks to herself, in a good way, building herself up, talking through tough situations, and making the best with what she can handle.   

There is one other amazing character in this book, Linus.    His patience, understanding, and care while being around Audrey was amazing.  He got her.  He understood that she could not function in the same way he  did, yet he believed that she would be able to.     Linus understood her limits and sometimes pushed her just a little past them, but somehow he always knew her limit.    I believe he is the true hero in this story.  He is the one that made her realize that she was going to be okay, she was going to be “normal”, and that he would be by her side.

Wow, this is a long review.   I just can’t say enough about how great the book is.   Pick it up.   Read it on the beach.   Share it with you teenagers, boys or girls alike. 

Book Links

  


Praise for FINDING AUDREY:
Publishers Weekly Summer 2015 Best YA Book
One of USA Today’s “25 Hottest Books of Summer”
One of Los Angeles Times’ “30 Summer Books That Kids Will Gobble Up”
One of Seventeen’s “New Books We ª”

“The Shopaholic scribe accurately weaves teenage insecurities with humor
in her heartwarming YA debut.”—US Weekly

“Your kids will love it.” —Redbook

“An adorable, heartwarming story.” —BookPage

“An outstanding tragicomedy that gently explores mental illness, the lasting effects of bullying, and the power of friends and loving family to help in the healing.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred

“Kinsella’s knack for humor and sensitivity shine in a story that should easily expand her already substantial fan base.” —Publishers Weekly

“With her trademark wit and sass, Kinsella sensitively broaches the complexities of young adult mental health.” —Booklist

“Kinsella’s foray into YA is a welcome one . . . a quick and engaging read with an interesting protagonist.” —Romantic Times Book Review
Finding Audrey is deep and so very funny and ultimately relatable and lovablehighly recommended.” —Read.Breathe.Relax.
Sophie Kinsella is the author of the bestselling Shopaholic series and the novels Can

You Keep a Secret?, The Undomestic Goddess, Remember Me?, Twenties Girl, I’ve Got Your

Number, and Wedding Night. Confessions of a Shopaholic was turned into a Hollywood movie.


She lives in England.

No comments:

Post a Comment