All of my audiobooks lately were new reads to me and I’m kind of disappointed I didn’t get any re-reads in via audiobook because I have been loving that. I also didn’t audiobook as much as lately because of my new podcast obsession.
The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen
Oh man, I really liked this one! It’s about a girl who loses a leg and is facing the new reality of her life as an amputee. I was just really inspired by this book even though it was fictional because I know this could be someone’s story. I found myself so invested in Jessica and her journey — watching her feel defeated to watching her really work to walk and run again and her growing friendship with Rosa. It was just such a good book that really gets you pumped about how strong the human spirit is and makes you feel like you can accomplish anything. I also loved how it explored how we treat people who are sick or disabled or just physically different through Rosa’s character and Jessica understanding some of what Rosa has gone through. I do wish it would have been a little more grittier as it explored some of her depression after the accident and her struggles to run again. It definitely was a lighter, more uplifting story that gave an inspirational message, and while I definitely was moved by it, I know I would have felt more for it had it been a little grittier in areas. I would probably READ this one because I found the narrator so irritating — kind of valley girl like or how an adult might think a teenager sounds like — and just not my favorite. If I wasn’t so into the story I would have quit because of the narrator.
Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan
I’ve loved so many of David’s books but had never read this one. IT WAS SO DELIGHTFUL and the audiobook was soooo good. It was Full Cast Audio and it was my first time every listening to an audiobook where all the different characters had their own narrator when they spoke. The narrators were just all so great and engaging. As far as the story goes, it was just such a cute romance and I just adore all the characters! The setting was so interesting because it’s not at all like any high school I’ve ever seen — it’s this sort of made-up, fantastical sort of high school where the cheerleaders ride motorcycles, the prom queen is also on the football team and there is so much openness/acceptance when it comes to sexual orientation. It was such a great book about friendships, too. I LOVED the friend group and how they were there for each other so much plus that sexuality wise it was all over the spectrum — people who were really confident in their sexuality and people who weren’t sure what they identified as, etc. This one was just so charming and funny and I just loved David’s books so much!
Story of A Girl by Sara Zarr
I just felt weirdly ambivalent to this one which was sad for me because I really loved Sweethearts. I do wonder if it was the format for such a quiet book…maybe reading it would have been better for me and I would have connected with Deanna better. There is always this sad yet beautiful undertone to Sara’s books and this definitely had that. Deanna was a character it was easy to feel truly bad for — she gets branded as the school slut at a young age when sleeping with her older brother’s friend and her dad is the one that catches her and basically hasn’t been able to look at or talk to her for years. The past has really affected her even years later, particularly because she was so young when it happened, and all she wants to do is get out of her parent’s house and have a new start. My heart ached for her through so much of this story even when she made incredibly bad decisions. I loved the relationship with her brother — that was a shining relationship for me in this story! I think I just wanted more when it comes down to it — Deanna was an interesting character but I only got invested to a certain point. There was just something missing for me. The narrator was Sara Zarr herself and I thought she was good. I always like when the author reads because they kind of KNOW the inflections and how things are supposed to sound.
Rating
Have you read any of these books?? Tell me what you thought! What have YOU been audiobooking lately?
You May Also Like: Tips for getting into audiobooks or my favorite YA audiobook recommendations!
Emily Seals says
I read Boy Meets Boy YEARS ago and really liked it, but it was early high school and I remember having to hide the cover from my parents. Really interesting society, though, and I think it helped shaped who I am today. =)
Jamie says
I think if I read it when it came out I wouldn’t have loved or appreciated it as much as I did now just because where I was in my own life journey. Like I totally was not anti-gay or anything like that but I wasn’t exposed to much diversity in my life. I think now I appreciate just so much in a way I wouldn’t have then. Although maybe it would have changed my life? WHO KNOWS.
Kate @ Mom's Radius says
The Running Dream was so good. I think it was kept light since it was YA. I’ll have to check out Boy Meets Boy. I’ve only read David’s co-written books. I need to check out his individual work.
Jamie says
Idk if it’s that it was kept light because it was YA (I’ve read a lot of gritty and “dark” YA) but maybe more so just because it was pretty friendly for younger YA readers? IDK. I mean, it was still fantastic and inspiring but definitely more like happy Lifetime movie way which is fine just I felt like I would have loved it even MORE had it had some grittiness to it.
Ooh yes! You def have to check out David’s works! If you liked Will Grayson you will probs like Boy Meets Boy. My fave of his was Every Day so far!
Kate @ Mom's Radius says
Cool. I’ll add Every Day to my TBR list.
Emily Ardoin says
If you’re looking to switch up genres, I’ve heard that Aziz Ansari’s new book is hilarious on audiobook because he narrates it himself! It’s on my list for a long road trip I have coming up.
Jamie says
Ooh I’ve heard good stuff! Def all about switching up genres! You’ll have to let me know how it is!
Cialina says
The Running Dream has been on my wish list forever, but I haven’t given it a chance yet. Good to hear that it was a great audiobook! I’ve been on such an audiobook slump recently, so I really need a recommendation!
Jamie says
Well, the book itself was good but the audiobook narrator was annoying! Would rec reading it in print!
I’ve really enjoyed Sarah Dessen on audio lately if you haven’t read or want to re-read! I did If I Stay on audio for reread and I enjoyed that too!
brittany @ The Book Addict's Guide says
I haven’t read any of these! Love hearing your thoughts on them, though! 🙂
Hmmm. I just finished Holly Black’s Curse Worker series on audio and they were so much fun!
Jamie says
Ooh I will have to look and see if they are on Overdrive! I’ve been wanting to read Holly Black!
Katherine says
I haven’t read any of these! I tried audiobooks recently and I wasn’t a huge fan of them – but I’m glad you are! It is always good to get some extra reading in. Also, when I saw the description of the Running Dream, it reminded me of Amy Purdy and her work after being an amputee. So now, I am intrigued by that one too!
Jamie says
Have you tried podcasts?? Maybe those will work better for you than audiobooks? It did take me a little bit to get into audiobooks so i can def see how they aren’t for everyone! I def rec checking out The Running Dream not on audio!
Sarah J. says
I felt the same way about reading Story of a Girl. I didn’t connect to Deanna and the whole book didn’t leave me feeling blown away. I love audiobooks, but I started listening to The Lord of the Flies and I feel like that wasn’t a great choice. I’m debating whether to put it on hold and read the physical book first and then go back to it. The Running Dream sounds really interesting. I know the author of that wrote Flipped which is a book I’ve really wanted to read since I watched the first forty minutes of it on TV.
Jamie says
I’m glad it wasn’t just me! I felt so awful because like I SHOULD have felt more but just didn’t.
Honestly with audiobooks it depends on the book. Some are just better to read than listen. I find that I can’t do classics or really literary things or super high fantasy with a lot of places/characters in audio. I typically stick to contemporary YA honestly.
And yes! Flipped has been on my TBR. Gotta see if it’s on audio!
Connie says
I also just recently listened to Story of a Girl on audiobook! Like you, I really liked the relationship between Deanna and her brother, but overall the story didn’t hook me in very well. It’s the only book I’ve picked up by Sara Zarr, I hope I’ll like her other ones better~
Right now I’m listening to Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith (it’s VERY weird, but I can’t stop listening because it’s super interesting, and the narration is fantastic). I just finished listening to Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler, which I was let down by – it was a pretty dry story that mostly centered around a predictable love triangle. I’m planning to listen to Vivian Apple at the End of the World next!