A protagonist with general anxiety, social anxiety and depression? Got me intrigued and wanting it so bad. It's just so uncommon. It's also treated well and more realistic than usual, with therapists, medication, exposure therapy. Even Audrey's thoughts were really realistic.

I didn't rate it higher because I felt it was too easy of a resolution, she dates Linus really easily which is just unrealistic to me. Even if she was in the dark and felt safer to do things, I still feel how they ended up on it is actually too simplistic and easy. Also found she had was really anxiety, her depression had cleared and been resolved by the start of the book. She had to deal with her anxieties, especially social.

It was really funny and heart-warming without putting it's foot on the mouth.

I didn't like how they kept saying the Grandma with Alzheimer was crazy though, and Audrey's mom definitely has issues what with all the crazy things she did. Hello it's not normal to spy on kids and wreck their laptops because of a game.

All in all, a decent book with some issues but still enjoyable.

I flew through this book in one sitting. I woke up early on Saturday before work since my sleep scheduled was all messed up for the weekend. I had just finished the audio book of Torch Against the Night and was WRECKED. I need to get my mind off of it and relax, I needed happy and light.

Feeling depressed and anxious more than usual because of work, which just caused my doctor to increase my meds last week actually.

I picked Finding Audrey pretty much randomly and wondered if I made a good decision when I remembered Audrey's dealing with some heavy shit.

Quickly though I found myself laughing so hard I was crying. My daughter was playing Robux on my computer and kept asking me if I was laughing at her and what I was laughing at. Finding Audrey doesn't sound like a funny book. It's not, really. It's a young woman recovering from a traumatic experience with a hectic, loving, outrageous family and falling in love for the first time.

The writing and dialogue though made me laugh. How spot on Audrey's thoughts and reactions were to the medication, the therapy, and people made me appreciate the experience more and relieve some stress for me. Kinda like if she could find the funny and appreciate it being funny, even if her body wouldn't relax enough to laugh, then I could to.

Finding Audrey had been sitting on my shelves for so long and was there when I didn't even know I needed it. It's funny, true to life, cute, sweet, romantic...Just a great read for mental health rep with a stable loving family and boy/girl romance.

I'll update later with some quotes I loved. I'm away from home right now and just wanted to update GR real quick before I forgot and found myself writing all this...

Here's a list of the best books I read this year according to category:

 

 

 

 

Best thriller

 

I love Pierre Lemaitre and I picked this psychological thriller up when I saw it in my local bookshop. It was narrated by two broken people who's lives intersected in a fascinating way. This twisty thriller had the perfect pace and great depth. I loved it. 

 

 

Best YA

 

I'd never read anything by Sophie Kinsella before and apparently this was quite a departure for her. It ended up being one of two five star reads this year. It's about a girl who has extreme anxiety and hasn't left her house for some time. I really identified with this character as I experience acute anxiety myself at times.

 

 

Best New-Adult

 

An unexpected marvel, Unteachable tells the story of a girl who meets the right guy at the wrong time. The writing was spectacular and unlike anything I've ever read. The description had my senses on overdrive and it influenced my writing in a profound way.

 

 

Best Literary Fiction

 

I haven't reviewed this yet even though I read it a month or two ago. It's set  in Glasgow and written in Scottish dialect. It follows a man who has suffered a severe beating by the police and has gone blind as a result. A stream of consciousness, this book manages to create staggering closeness between the protagonist and the reader. It felt so authentic and gave me much to think about.

 

 

Best Classic

 

Another book I didn't review, mostly because everything's been said about it. I was amazed by the strength of the plot and it's reflection of Stalinist Russia.

 

 

 

Biggest Disappointment

 

I had been wanting to read this book for a long time and rewarded myself with it after a long month of writing. Unfortunately I found the plot and characterisation weak. The ending only slightly made up for this disappointment.

 

 

it was.... it was cute.

 

I am not sure why but I expected more out of this book. It was supposed to be on the the topic of with social anxiety but it actually never dealt with the subject. It sort of only danced around the perimeters, sort of mentioned it here and there but only as a minor complication to the story. It was more on a preteen love story.

 

It was not a horrible book. I do not feel like I wasted my time or anything. It was a quick read and it was funny. And I know that Sophie Kinsella is "queen of chick-lit" with a huge following so I know this is going to be unpopular. But, Honestly, the writing in this book lacks the wit and cleverness of other writers who write for this age group such as Judy Blume or Beverly Cleary. The book just does not stand up to books like Superfudge or Ramona. 

Honestly, I think I’ve needed a book like this for a while. I still have a warm feeling in my heart!

Oh my god, this was so funny. I don’t usually laugh out loud when I read books. Sure I smile and shake my head but really laughing out loud?

Note for future readers: don’t listen to this as an audiobook and walk outside in the park if you’re worried about people looking at you weird when you laugh.

Audrey’s family dynamic was so great to read about. Her mom is literally the best and the funniest, she made me laugh so much! The best parts of this book for me were the “My Serene and Loving Family” transcripts!

Linus was a sweet love interest and I was so happy that he didn’t really “change” Audrey. Except for how fast they went from shoe-contact to mouth-contact. *insert eye roll* He was understanding and really great because he mixed in with Audrey’s family, too. (Something you don’t really see often in YA…)

Also: Loved Dr. Sarah! I’m so sick and tired of mental health care professionals being bashed in YA! Usually, the main character will act like they’re too good for getting treatment done, and it’s so annoying how many authors that show mental health care practitioners as “nosy” or “philosophical” and “just a shrink I go to to make my parents happy because this is a waste of time”. Thank you, Sophie Kinsella, for showing that Dr. Sarah and Audrey actually do have a good relationship as a doctor and patient.

Obviously Audrey goes through a lot of self-finding through this book and I’m proud of her and every single character in this book. I just wish the “event” that happened was revealed because it felt like so much was building up and then nothing was revealed.

Really good book on mental illness because it was nice, honest, hilarious, and showed the importance of friends, family, and people willing to help you. :D