As I’ve grown older, I realize how my perspective has changed, especially when I read different genres and consider which character I am relating to the most. When I read Middle Grade fiction, there is still a tiny part of me that unabashedly relates to the main character, despite what my appearance would lead you to believe. In Rebecca Stead’s newest book, I am acutely aware of being a parent, and in awe of the kindness, empathy, and generosity she has given to her characters. The “list” provides a brilliant device for Bea to work through the lows and highs of divorce and new beginnings. Stead, with her sharp, moving and compelling writing, shows all of us how to approach a complicated life with grace and humor.

I gave Goodbye Stranger another chance after enjoying Stead's newest book The List of Things That Will Not Change. I managed to finish it this time and there were parts that I enjoyed (Stead writes friendships very well). Overall though I just don't think it's her best work, and I still found it less enjoyable than her other books.

What a great book about what is not “normal” can be perfectly normal, if you allow it to be. Armed with the notebook that her parents gave her, Bea finds that since her parents have divorced, life has become complicated. Why can’t things be simple like they used to be, why must everything be so confusing now? Bea’s finding out that adjusting to change is hard. Bea needs to discover, how to accept the changes in her life.

When Bea’s parents announced that they were divorcing, they handed her a notebook. Inside that notebook, contained a written, short list of items which they wrote to Bea, of Things That Will Not Change in her life, once they split up. Since then, Bea has added many things to that list. It was nice to see the character of Bea reflect upon this list and to add her ideas to it.

Seeing a counselor, Bea also talks about her feelings and gets help managing her anxiety. Life is not the same since her parent’s divorce nor will it be the same ever again. This will take some time to get used to for everyone involved. What she has now, is a new family and that’s what she needs to understand. I enjoyed the character of Bea as she was an honest, sincere, ten-year old girl just trying to adjust to the changes in her life.  4.5 stars

Trying to clear the decks here with these quick takes on Audiobooks, like I indicated I would be doing yesterday (which also helps from the deep dive I took on Hands Up yesterday, too).
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This is Where I Leave You

by Jonathan Tropper, Ramón de Ocampo (Narrator)
Unabridged Audiobook, 10 hrs., 17 mins
Recorded Books, 2009
Read: October 9-10, 2019

(the official blurb)
This is not my favorite Tropper novel—but it's a really good one, and I get why this is his most successful and the only one that's actually been adapted as a movie (or anything).

From the hilarious (and painful in many senses) opening to the heights of hope, the lows of sorrow, the uncomfortable nature of sitting shiva with estranged family, oh, and the obligatory Tropper awkward fight scene, this is a heartfelt, funny, and entertaining read (or, listen, in this case)

de Ocampo does a better job than I'd anticipated anyone doing with this—he captures Judd's anger, heartbreak, grief and everything else. He also gets the other characters—including some of the more difficult ones (Phillip, Tracy, Alice). I was really impressed with him, and am a little tempted to get a Wimpy Kid audiobook just to see how he does with that.

When You Reach Me

by Rebecca Stead, Cynthia Holloway (Narrator)
Unabridged Audiobook, 4 hrs., 19 mins.
Listening Library, 2019
Read: October 29, 2019

(the official blurb)
I didn't realize this was an MG novel when I grabbed it—I thought it was YA—it wouldn't have made much of a difference, it just would've been good to know what I was getting into.

Miranda is in 6th Grade, has one friend (who has just decided not to be friends anymore), and is obsessed with A Wrinkle in Time. Her mom is a paralegal and is dating a lawyer in her firm. It's the late 70's and latch-key kids are becoming more common, but not as much as they will be.

As Miranda tries to find new people to connect with, she receives odd messages about needing to write a thorough and completely true account of something that's about to happen. She'll know the thing when it happens. Totally normal, right?

There's some time travel, there's some personal growth, there's some tribute to L'Engle's novel. It's a charming little work, really. Sure, I could see most of it coming from miles away, but that's because I'm a few decades older than the audience, not because Stead didn't know what she was doing.

Holloway does a fine job, too. Capturing the bouncing emotions just right. I dug it, upper MG readers probably will, too (L'Engle fans are shoo-ins).

How Not to Die Alone

by Richard Roper, Simon Vance (Narrator)
Unabridged Audiobook, 8 hrs., 52 mins.
Penguin Audio, 2019
Read: October 14-16, 2019

(the official blurb)
The concept for this novel feels like something that'd happen to George Costanza, but what makes this novel work is that Roper makes Andrew a believable, sympathetic human being—not the dumpster fire of a person that George was. It's utterly preposterous, really. But you can't help but believe it happening (and can likely see yourself doing something similar).

I've seen repeated—almost ubiquitous—comparisons to Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. And I get that, and can kind of agree with it. I found the character and story in this novel better than Ms. Oliphant or her life. Although that book seems much more plausible. (and I quickly decided not to care).

Andrew's friendship with Peggy is wonderful, I wish we had more time with them working/hanging out. Peggy's a great character on her own—and if Roper were to write one of those ridiculous "same story just from someone else's POV" sequels, I'd have to cast aside my prejudice against those so I could spend more time with her.

Vance gives one of those audiobook narrations that convinces you there's no other way for the book to sound—if you read the text version, the voice in your head would have to be Vance. And if you'd never heard of him before, that's okay, because your subconscious would invent a voice just like his.

Moving, amusing, hopeful. Great job.

The Right Stuff

by Tom Wolfe, Dennis Quaid (Narrator)
Unabridged Audiobook, 15 hrs., 42 mins.
Audible Studios, 2018
Read: October 29-30, 2019

(the official blurb)
I read this book about 2-3 times a year from Middle School to the first or second year of college, and haven't been able to do it since (I've tried off and on). But when Audible had a sale on this earlier in the year, I had to give it a shot. Especially with one of the stars of the remarkable movie adaptation doing the narration.

Now an audiobook of Wolfe is a tricky proposition (at best). Wolfe's a master stylist. But so much of it (to me anyway) is how the words are on the page. His idiosyncratic capitalization, punctuation, visual rhythms . . . it's all about how the text shows up in the book. But Quaid gets close enough. So I was able to fully enjoy and immerse myself in this story about the early years of the US/USSR Space Race—the test pilots around Yeager's feat and then transitioning into the Mercury Program and a little beyond.

Wolfe educates and then entertains with the way he tells the story, editorializes about the events and people, and captures the essence of the various people involved. Listening to this brought me back to the first time I read this book and reminded me why I fell in love with Wolfe.

Quaid did the near-impossible here, he got as close to humanly possible to capturing Wolfe's style, sensibilities and je ne sais quoi. He didn't quite get it, but I can't imagine anyone doing better. It's probably one of my favorite audiobook performances to date. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Quaid guy just might have a future in show biz.

Audience: Grades 3-5

Format: Audiobook/Library Copy

 

I feel bad that I can't remember anything about Gran Nicholas's house.

- first sentence

Livy is practically 11, well... 10 & 1/2 (almost). She hasn't been to visit her Gran in Australia for five years. She has forgotten a lot of things: 1) A green stuffed elephant in overalls; 2) A net bag full of black chess pieces; 3) A clunky old tape recorder. But she also forgot something really, really important - Bob. 

Bob is a short, greenish creature dressed in a chicken suit. He's been hiding in a closet, waiting five years for Livy to return. She promised him she would help him figure out who he is and find his way home.

Together Bob & Livy will try to solve the clues, figure out where Bob comes from, and discover unforgettable magic. The story is told through Bob & Livy's points of view in alternating chapters. It's the story of an unusual friendship that can overcome almost anything.

This is a great story and I loved both Livy and Bob. He remembers their early friendship and at first, is upset with her for forgetting. Eventually, we understand why she forgot and it makes perfect sense. Bob's sense of humor is hysterical and a bit sarcastic - it's great. And I wasn't sure what Bob really was or where he belonged until the very end. Though there were clues, they were just beyond my frame of reference.

This is another great Sunshine State Award-nominated book, especially good for fans of magical realism, or talking "animals," or even fans of friendship stories. I've seen this book in the library, but I wasn't interested. I'm not sure why. I guess I thought it looked odd. I don't know what I was thinking. That's why they say, "never judge a book by its cover." I'm very glad this book was nominated or I might never have read it.

I highly recommend this book!