Finding Audrey

One of my teachers had a really awesome conversation with me about this book at lunch today, in which she told all about her close friendship with Sophie Kinsella and their lunches together (me, jealous? Noooooooo).

Anyway.

Sophie Kinsella's done a great job of addressing serious mental health issues in a way that is not depressing, but is very serious. This book is yes, a love story (and a super duper cute one at that) but that love does not fix everything for Audrey and that is the most golden part about this book. The characters are sweet, the plot's cute, and Audrey's family is not perfect but is written very well. I was pleasantly surprised by Kinsella actually; I love the first Shopaholic novel but I was wary of her venturing into YA (spoiler - she did fantastically).

I loved the scripts interwoven into the novel and the LOC subplot and Audrey's support network - that was a big thing for me. Her family were great towards her mental health issues, and I think all families should take note. Linus = 100% the perfect boyfriend. He's gone straight into the top five of my fictional boyfriends list.

Also, yay for being positive about therapy and medication! There is no deep conversation about the stigma of therapy or medication, Audrey just tells the reader that it helps her and that's that. Listen up people!

This is also a quick read - even being at college full time I managed this in near enough one day, yet it doesn't feel too rushed. At times I felt like things were going too quickly which is why I knocked off one star, but don't let that stop you from reading - it's honestly an awesome book.

I recommend this to people who want a strong mental health book that is also light-hearted.

Books intended for young adults tend to be more direct. There's not as much beating around the bush or tediously in-depth descriptions of the bush that grows outside the jail door to overtly-covertly hammer the theme into your head (I don't much like you, Nathaniel Hawthorne). Instead, the story lives or dies on its own merits.
And that's refreshing. Don't get me wrong, I can enjoy a good literary novel, but they often come off as possessing an excess or distinct lack of plotting. So it's nice to have a writer just tell a story.
Finding Audrey is about Audrey's “reawakening” after an bullying incident triggered anxiety issues. Along the way, her interactions with her mom (crazy), older brother (addicted to gaming), dad (out of it) and little brother (hilarious) provide lots of fodder for a solid book.

I have so much love for this book I can barely contain it. This book is hilarious, touching, and an excellent depiction of anxiety. It is so much fun to root for this dysfunctional family. The main character is witty and insightful. The audiobook was one of the best I've ever listened to with quality of voice acting and mood.
I loved it! Instant favorite.