I know what you're thinking: how can Julie keep giving away audiobooks? Well, as a once member of the YALSA Selected Audiobooks Committee (now the Amazing Audiobooks for YA), my basement is already filled with audiobooks. So I certainly don't need a large supply of audiobooks with my own name on them. I just found this review online of the Get Well Soon audiobook from the April 1 issue of Booklist:
Because of panic attacks, depression, and school truancy, Anna Bloom is sent to a Chicago mental-health facility, where she writes letters to a friend about her three-week hospital stint. Halpern’s lingo and amusing take on teens dubbed “crazy” and Siegfried’s delivery are spot-on-teen, evoking sarcasm, cynicism, anger, and fear. Siegfried presents believable characters not only for first-person Anna but for the minor characters, who receive distinct personalities. Saccharin tones depicting therapists echo stereotypes and totally capture the protagonist’s perception of the hospital staff. The story paints a realistic picture of a depressed teen who is just a regular kid trying to grapple with issues of making friends, losing weight, and having a crush on a cute boy. With ample doses of profanity, this may be more high-school than junior-high fare. The audio fits the bill for listeners who like teen chick lit with substance and humor. — Patricia Austin
What a great review! In celebration, I'm having a contest to win a copy of this well-reviewed audiobook. All you have to do is post a comment with either the name of your favorite audiobook or the name of your favorite audiobook reader. I'll pick a name at random this Friday, when I'll also be posting my first special YA author guest's Proust Questionnaire (I really need to think of a catchier name for this Friday feature thing).
My answer to the audiobook question? It's between Fat Kid Rules the World, written by K.L. Going and read by Matthew Lillard, and Fair Weather, written by Richard Peck and read by Estelle Parsons.
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9 comments:
Don't enter me, since I have a copy of Get Well Soon, but I wanted to mention some of my favorites. Of course, the Harry Potter audiobooks, because Jim Dale is wonderful. And I just listened to Carter Finally Gets It and the narrator did a great job! And I'm not just saying this because she does Get Well Soon, but I've really enjoyed anything Mandy Siegfried narrates. And the girl who did Dramarama was good-perfect for the book.
Ah, I want to win so bad! My favorite audiobook out of the ridiculously high number I've listened to is Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer.
I've only really listened to one or three audiobooks in my life-at least these are the ones I can remember.
Are You You There God? It's Me, Margaret-Judy Blume
Soapdish (or was it called Soapspuds?) by Finola Hughes
and That Summer by Sarah Dessen. I forgot why, since I actually have that book.
I would love to win this!
infinitemusic19 at gmail dot com
Hi Julie,
I'm excited about your new book. Can't wait to read it.
I'd love to be entered in the contest for the audiobook of GET WELL SOON. It was one of the first books I reviewed on my blog.
http://readingjunky.blogspot.com/2008/02/get-well-soon-by-julie-halpern.html
Unfortunately, I can't answer the contest question because I've never listened to an audiobook. I consider myself hip, cool, and modern, but I guess I like reading the old-fashioned way. :-)
If you would still be willing to enter me in the contest, I'd love to listen to GET WELL SOON, and then I could say it's my favorite audiobook.
Good luck with the new book.
RJ
My favourite audiobook is A Painted House by John Grisham.
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com
My favorite audiobook is Swimsuit by James Patterson.
Thanks!
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I'm generally not a fan of audiobooks, mostly because I dislike many of the readers. I did really like Tim Curry's readings of the first few Series of Unfortunate Events. He does such a great job!
Hi,
I think Jim dale is my all time favorite audio book reader.
I would love to win a copy of your new book, Get Well Soon!
Thanks for offering it to your readers.
Ann
ann.dickinson@pima.gov
I hope this isn't too late. I LOVE the way Lana Quintall reads the Junie B. Jones books. She makes me crack up while I'm driving. Probably not a good thing, but my kids love her narration too!
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