Seeing as today is the first Wednesday of the month, you will not be surprised to see another installment of the Book Review Club, lovingly dreamed up by the woman who makes us all want to live in San Diego,Barrie Summy.
My book this month? Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway.
Let me just say that that I LOVED this book. Love, love, loved it! The minute I finished it probably two weeks ago, I knew that this was going to be the book that got the spotlight at the Book Review Club.
So, first things first, a short summary. (And if you know me, you know this will be very brief). In a nutshell:
High-schooler Audrey Cuttler (Honestly, I had to check the website for her last name.) just broke up with her boyfriend, a singer/musician in a wannabe rock band. What she doesn't know, until she hears it on the radio, is that he wrote a song about those last awkward moments, and with the help of a 'guy who knows a guy', got it on a local radio station. The story follows what happens as the song goes big (Billboard charts big), turning Audrey into an media sensation, wreaking havoc on her new love life, her relationship with her best friend, and her sanity.
Now granted, the premise of this book is great, and I think it would make for a great movie, but it wasn't the reason I loved this book. I LOVED this book for the characterization, for the friendship between Audrey and Victoria, her best friend. This book had a lot of dialogue--a whole lot--and seriously, it was the best dialogue I have read in a long time. It was so real and so funny and so very clear that these two characters were perfectly developed, likeable, totally cool chicks.
And that's to say nothing of the dialogue between the other characters. I loved the mom and dad, and the new boyfriend material (no spoilers...) I read this book as a library book, but I plan on buying it as a writing textbook of sorts...a lesson in great dialogue.
So...if you're interested in a fresh, funny, crazy-wild ride of a story from an awesome new voice in YA fiction, I urge you to check out Robin Benway's debut, Audrey, Wait! For more fun, check out the Audrey, Wait! website to see the winners of the video contest that let readers recreate the theme song from the book. Or get the soundtrack.
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9 comments:
Good characters can cover a multitude of shortcomings in a book. I enjoyed your review.
I agree! I loved AUDREY WAIT.. And I agree - the dialogue was spot on!! :)
Thanks for the review.
Nice review. I've always been in love with book. I hope to get to read it real soon?
Sounds like fun. :)
Alyssa, if you love, love, loved this book, then I will too! Honestly, the premise really grabbed me. And I wish you lived in San Diego too! Thanks for joining in.
I tend to stay away from "chick lit" (I know, I hate the phrase too, but I don't how else to put it) but seeing as I'm a musician, the premise of this book definitely has my attention. What a nightmare for the main character! Although, I do hope the author gives the rocker guy a fair chance - us musicians tend to get a bad wrap!
Excellent review, by the way. I love your short, sweet, and to-the-point style. The longer reviews tend to make my eyes glaze over. And last but not least...*raises hand*...I live in San Diego too! Are Barrie and I the envy of The Book Review Club? Haha!
Sounds like a really great read! I'll have to look for this one once I get my tbr pile down a little bit. I love finding new YA books.
that cover reminds me of "that 70s show"...if you can get past the idea of ashton kutcher, it's actually a really good show. :)
What a fun concept! I love the book cover too. Great review – you make me want to check out this book.
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