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jenbsbooks's reviews
2045 reviews
Hearth Fires by Dorothy M. Keddington
2.5
Just okay for me. This was a bookclub selection - not one I would have finished on my own. I think maybe in my younger years I would have liked it more. I read so much, I think I've come to expect more. Profound thoughts I want to highlight and discuss, learning something, really getting sucked in and caring about the characters. That just didn't happen here.
Looking back on the book to write up the review, I forgot about the prologue (not really necessary, I didn't remember the names or even remember the prologue had happened. I guess if I'd been paying closer attention I might have remembered/noticed Dicola's name to make that connection.
Prologue was 3rd person/past tense ... but the rest of the book was all 1st person/past tense, all from Mackenzie's POV. Just basic chronological chapters, no chapter headings. No "parts" but this did seem to be divided into two parts ... before Hearth Fires and at/after Hearth Fires. While generally I like that "ah" moment when the title of the book is referenced in the book ... this didn't really work for me.
The action starts off pretty quick, I'm trying to think if it would be realistic to nickname people so quickly in her mind ... "Sloppy Joe" and "The Pit Bill" and "The Ogre" ... Some spoilers ... (view spoiler)
I always wonder a big when name brands are given ... PF Changs, Pepsi (product placement?)
Some things that irked me a little ...
"inside I was shaking with reaction"
"marriage, children and a home. In that order" (I'd want a home before bringing in children)
"I wanted nothing" - back to back starting paragraphs
"Mackenzie Graham is five foot three with reddish brown hair and blue eyes" - I know it's not cool to give out age and weight, but that description really isn't that helpful without those additional details!
The first night, they have Mac sleep in a recliner rather than trying to handle the stairs - but the very next night, have her sleep upstairs (did her injuries really improve that much in 24 hours?)
"the BENISON of hot water" "benison" ??? A blessing? Seemed a very strange description.
Family history is big in Utah (Mormons) ... I wondered if there was going to be more to the writing up the father's life story. It had a few things to say, then it just seemed to drop.
So - now honestly, I came into this a little negatively. I love books, but I have so much more ear time than eye time, I love audiobooks. This didn't have an audio version available. The ebook version wasn't available at any of my libraries (local author) so I had to pay for it ($8 if I recall correctly). I struggled SO much with reading. My eye time is before bed, and I kept falling asleep. Bookclub was coming up and I was only halfway done. I actually finished by having Amazon's Alexa read it to me, which is not great narration, but it got the book finished for me. As the author is local, she had been invited to the book club discussion ... which, might be awkward, as I didn't love the book. As a book club book, it just didn't really have much for discussion regardless. But turns out I do actually have a conflict and will likely miss it.
Content concerns: LDS author, no proFanity (beer and coffee mentioned :) ...what? J/K). Completely clean. Some violence/death.
Looking back on the book to write up the review, I forgot about the prologue (not really necessary, I didn't remember the names or even remember the prologue had happened. I guess if I'd been paying closer attention I might have remembered/noticed Dicola's name to make that connection.
Prologue was 3rd person/past tense ... but the rest of the book was all 1st person/past tense, all from Mackenzie's POV. Just basic chronological chapters, no chapter headings. No "parts" but this did seem to be divided into two parts ... before Hearth Fires and at/after Hearth Fires. While generally I like that "ah" moment when the title of the book is referenced in the book ... this didn't really work for me.
The action starts off pretty quick, I'm trying to think if it would be realistic to nickname people so quickly in her mind ... "Sloppy Joe" and "The Pit Bill" and "The Ogre" ... Some spoilers ... (view spoiler)
I always wonder a big when name brands are given ... PF Changs, Pepsi (product placement?)
Some things that irked me a little ...
"inside I was shaking with reaction"
"marriage, children and a home. In that order" (I'd want a home before bringing in children)
"I wanted nothing" - back to back starting paragraphs
"Mackenzie Graham is five foot three with reddish brown hair and blue eyes" - I know it's not cool to give out age and weight, but that description really isn't that helpful without those additional details!
The first night, they have Mac sleep in a recliner rather than trying to handle the stairs - but the very next night, have her sleep upstairs (did her injuries really improve that much in 24 hours?)
"the BENISON of hot water" "benison" ??? A blessing? Seemed a very strange description.
Family history is big in Utah (Mormons) ... I wondered if there was going to be more to the writing up the father's life story. It had a few things to say, then it just seemed to drop.
So - now honestly, I came into this a little negatively. I love books, but I have so much more ear time than eye time, I love audiobooks. This didn't have an audio version available. The ebook version wasn't available at any of my libraries (local author) so I had to pay for it ($8 if I recall correctly). I struggled SO much with reading. My eye time is before bed, and I kept falling asleep. Bookclub was coming up and I was only halfway done. I actually finished by having Amazon's Alexa read it to me, which is not great narration, but it got the book finished for me. As the author is local, she had been invited to the book club discussion ... which, might be awkward, as I didn't love the book. As a book club book, it just didn't really have much for discussion regardless. But turns out I do actually have a conflict and will likely miss it.
Content concerns: LDS author, no proFanity (beer and coffee mentioned :) ...what? J/K). Completely clean. Some violence/death.
The Letters We Keep by Nisha Sharma
3.25
I liked this. Included in KindleUnlimited, text and audio. Just as I have to space out my P&P retellings, and WW2 stories and other specific topics/genres (just to keep things from getting muddled in my mind), I've found there are a LOT of stories with characters from India, so I need to space them out too. It's been a couple months since my last, so I figured I'd be okay. While being Desi was important to the plot, this actually didn't feel overly Indian.
I appreciated the Table of Contents - just a quick glance/ per the headings, so I could see that this would have a letter from the past (1970s) and then a chapter from Jessie's POV, then one from Ravi's POV. The letters were 1st person, while the present-day storyline was 3rd person. Two narrators (female for Jessie's POV, male for Ravi's POV). Past tense. There were some text communications included as well.
We had the present day "will this relationship work with our differences?" ... those differences being wealth/connections (both were Indian) and the past relationship (different races, and also wealth/connections). While I liked Jessie and Ravi, their relationship did seem to move so quickly into LOVE ... I guess that can happen.
A little Pride & Prejudice/Jane Austen connection.
Content Concerns: There was some proFanity (x11) and some sexual content.
I appreciated the Table of Contents - just a quick glance/ per the headings, so I could see that this would have a letter from the past (1970s) and then a chapter from Jessie's POV, then one from Ravi's POV. The letters were 1st person, while the present-day storyline was 3rd person. Two narrators (female for Jessie's POV, male for Ravi's POV). Past tense. There were some text communications included as well.
We had the present day "will this relationship work with our differences?" ... those differences being wealth/connections (both were Indian) and the past relationship (different races, and also wealth/connections). While I liked Jessie and Ravi, their relationship did seem to move so quickly into LOVE ... I guess that can happen.
A little Pride & Prejudice/Jane Austen connection.
Content Concerns: There was some proFanity (x11) and some sexual content.
Jade City by Fonda Lee
slow-paced
3.0
This has high ratings ... but I struggled with it. It had an interesting world set-up, but getting to know all the characters, and then to care about them, it just wasn't happening for me. I almost DNFed, just because it wasn't something I was anxious to get back to. I even stopped and went to another book before coming back and pushing through to finish. Maybe at another time, I would have enjoyed it more?
3rd person/past tense - multiple POVs. In the audio, we had a single male narrator. He was good, but at times, his voice reminded me of the generic (AI?) voice on reels. There is a map in the text copy (I had Kindle from the library). 57 chapters, with chapter headings ... "First Interlude" began before chapter 18, then there was a second/third interlude (each with multiple chapters) and an epilogue.
I think I followed the story okay, although it was a little tough with the different names, the jade. I couldn't quite tell if it was a complete fantasy world, because some of it seemed very "earth" like (with televisions, airports, etc). The characters/the story ... it just didn't make a huge impact on me.
Interesting to have listened to the audio, then look at the text, and realize I'd been "spelling" the names in my head very differently (based on the pronunciation). I wonder how I would have "pronounced" the names had I read it, instead of going with the audio.
ProFanity (x43) and a couple sex scenes.
Not really one I'd recommend personally - I'm not planning on continuing on with the series.
3rd person/past tense - multiple POVs. In the audio, we had a single male narrator. He was good, but at times, his voice reminded me of the generic (AI?) voice on reels. There is a map in the text copy (I had Kindle from the library). 57 chapters, with chapter headings ... "First Interlude" began before chapter 18, then there was a second/third interlude (each with multiple chapters) and an epilogue.
I think I followed the story okay, although it was a little tough with the different names, the jade. I couldn't quite tell if it was a complete fantasy world, because some of it seemed very "earth" like (with televisions, airports, etc). The characters/the story ... it just didn't make a huge impact on me.
Interesting to have listened to the audio, then look at the text, and realize I'd been "spelling" the names in my head very differently (based on the pronunciation). I wonder how I would have "pronounced" the names had I read it, instead of going with the audio.
ProFanity (x43) and a couple sex scenes.
Not really one I'd recommend personally - I'm not planning on continuing on with the series.
Funny Story by Emily Henry
4.75
This book is all a-buzz at the moment ... I had a bit of a wait to get it from the library. I absolutely enjoyed it. That being said - due to proFanity (x66) and sexual content, I wouldn't recommend it to my mom/sister unless there was a "bookangel" version :) Super cute story, even if it was a bit predictable (most romances are, there IS the assumption that the two characters are going to get together) with the "fake dating" setup.
1st person/present tense (except when talking about the past), this was all from the POV of Daphne - narrated by Julia Whelan in audio. Simple chronological chapters, this stayed simple and chronological.
Honestly - I didn't love Miles to start. The pot-smoking, drinking, tattooed guy. I just struggle with some of that stuff/it's me. His character did win me over though.
Loved the little nod to Jane Austen - the college class that was basically a Jane Austen Book Club, and the professor having each person state which Austen character they are most like. Daphne admits to being most like Charlotte Lucas. As the MC is a children's librarian, there were quite a few book related events and mentions. The relationship between Miles and his sister, (and with Julia and Daphne) was super cute.
Quite a few of the words I note (besides the f *Ü*) deign, roil, smirk, scowl, cacophony (recently mentioned in a FB group, and then there it was).
1st person/present tense (except when talking about the past), this was all from the POV of Daphne - narrated by Julia Whelan in audio. Simple chronological chapters, this stayed simple and chronological.
Honestly - I didn't love Miles to start. The pot-smoking, drinking, tattooed guy. I just struggle with some of that stuff/it's me. His character did win me over though.
Loved the little nod to Jane Austen - the college class that was basically a Jane Austen Book Club, and the professor having each person state which Austen character they are most like. Daphne admits to being most like Charlotte Lucas. As the MC is a children's librarian, there were quite a few book related events and mentions. The relationship between Miles and his sister, (and with Julia and Daphne) was super cute.
Quite a few of the words I note (besides the f *Ü*) deign, roil, smirk, scowl, cacophony (recently mentioned in a FB group, and then there it was).
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
4.0
This was a bookclub pick ... I've listened to the audio and liked it, but feel I probably need a re-read to cement the story in my mind, to delve a little deeper in prep for discussions. Quick review now with thoughts, hopefully I'll update after bookclub.
This seemed to have three storylines ... Marie-Laure, Werner, and the diamond. The war itself surrounds all three. 3rd person//present tense, single (male) narrator in audio. There are time shifts as well
The chapters were short, almost bluntly so ... in the TOC, it actually starts with Part Zero: Aug7, 1944, with eight chapters ... Leaflets, Bombers, The Girl, The Boy, Saint-Malo, Number 4 ru Vauborel, Cellar, Bombs Away. Many "parts" ... each with several chapters in each. You can see the time shifts, although it stays present tense throughout. 1944, then events before, a history, leading up to that main night ... and afterward.
Part One: 1934
Part Two: 8 August 1944
Part Three: June 1940
Part Four: 8 August 1944
Part Five: January 1941
Part 6: 8 Aug 1944
Part 7: August 1942
Part 8: 9 August 1944
Part 9: May 1944
Part 10: 12 August 1944
Part 11: 1945
Part12: 1974
Part 13:2014
While I liked this, and think I'll remember the basics, I'm sure a deeper dive, looking up discussion questions, themes, etc, would increase my appreciation. I'm also interested in watching the movie adaptation.
ProFanity - X3
This seemed to have three storylines ... Marie-Laure, Werner, and the diamond. The war itself surrounds all three. 3rd person//present tense, single (male) narrator in audio. There are time shifts as well
The chapters were short, almost bluntly so ... in the TOC, it actually starts with Part Zero: Aug7, 1944, with eight chapters ... Leaflets, Bombers, The Girl, The Boy, Saint-Malo, Number 4 ru Vauborel, Cellar, Bombs Away. Many "parts" ... each with several chapters in each. You can see the time shifts, although it stays present tense throughout. 1944, then events before, a history, leading up to that main night ... and afterward.
Part One: 1934
Part Two: 8 August 1944
Part Three: June 1940
Part Four: 8 August 1944
Part Five: January 1941
Part 6: 8 Aug 1944
Part 7: August 1942
Part 8: 9 August 1944
Part 9: May 1944
Part 10: 12 August 1944
Part 11: 1945
Part12: 1974
Part 13:2014
While I liked this, and think I'll remember the basics, I'm sure a deeper dive, looking up discussion questions, themes, etc, would increase my appreciation. I'm also interested in watching the movie adaptation.
ProFanity - X3
Born Behind Bars by Padma Venkatraman
3.25
I liked this fine, and while I often adore children's/YA books, this one felt very young for me. Perhaps I would have appreciated it more in my younger years. The MC is just nine years old, and the presentation is from that age view. 1st person/present tense - very conversational. In print (I had the hard copy picked up at a library sale for my LFL) and Kindle, no paragraph indentations, but spaces between sentences, making it seem longer than it is (in text - I went with the audio edition). Nice Table of Contents with topic headers for each chapter. Short chapters, 70 in all.
The blurb really tells the first half of the book ... almost makes reading it unnecessary. I just never fully got pulled in to the story, to really care about the characters. Maybe it was me. This is one that I probably would come to appreciate more through study and discussion and dissection ... but I just did a quick listen (audiobook, although as mentioned, I had the text copies on hand too) for "enjoyment" ... although a story like this often isn't something one enjoys, even with a fulfilling ending.
I always appreciate learning more about history or culture, and often it is easier in a fictional/story setting. This provided some background information on the situations in India, the caste system, the justice system, water issues. All good to know. I appreciated the author's notes at the end.
I couldn't help but think of some similarities between this and [book:Room|31685789] ... in that, we also get the story from the POV of a young boy kept captive (although that was more isolated, just he and his mother. Not "jail" but a different prison), and then coming into the wider world.
The author narrates the story, which generally I like ... and there was nothing wrong with her narration... but she is female, and the POV is 1st person, a little boy. I felt like I needed a boy's voice narrating (coming into this cold, not reviewing the blurb, I didn't even know Kabir was a boy until a few chapters in).
Middle grade - no content concerns (profanity, sex, violence).
The blurb really tells the first half of the book ... almost makes reading it unnecessary. I just never fully got pulled in to the story, to really care about the characters. Maybe it was me. This is one that I probably would come to appreciate more through study and discussion and dissection ... but I just did a quick listen (audiobook, although as mentioned, I had the text copies on hand too) for "enjoyment" ... although a story like this often isn't something one enjoys, even with a fulfilling ending.
I always appreciate learning more about history or culture, and often it is easier in a fictional/story setting. This provided some background information on the situations in India, the caste system, the justice system, water issues. All good to know. I appreciated the author's notes at the end.
I couldn't help but think of some similarities between this and [book:Room|31685789] ... in that, we also get the story from the POV of a young boy kept captive (although that was more isolated, just he and his mother. Not "jail" but a different prison), and then coming into the wider world.
The author narrates the story, which generally I like ... and there was nothing wrong with her narration... but she is female, and the POV is 1st person, a little boy. I felt like I needed a boy's voice narrating (coming into this cold, not reviewing the blurb, I didn't even know Kabir was a boy until a few chapters in).
Middle grade - no content concerns (profanity, sex, violence).
The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens
4.0
I liked this. Sometimes I struggle with mystery/thriller types ... I'm always second guessing and trying to figure out "the twist". There weren't any real surprises here for me. As things were revealed, I'd already assumed what was now uncovered. It kept my interest and I cared about the characters.
First person, past tense, very conversational tone. Just basic chronological chapters, no headers. Some slight time shifts as memories and past events were uncovered.
Start of a series ... this wrapped up, looks like the sequels carry on with a couple of the characters, but not a direct continuation. Not sure if I'll get to them. Possibly.
Content concerns - proFanity x 24 and discussion/description of rape/murder (burned body)/war.
First person, past tense, very conversational tone. Just basic chronological chapters, no headers. Some slight time shifts as memories and past events were uncovered.
Start of a series ... this wrapped up, looks like the sequels carry on with a couple of the characters, but not a direct continuation. Not sure if I'll get to them. Possibly.
Content concerns - proFanity x 24 and discussion/description of rape/murder (burned body)/war.
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
4.0
I liked this ... I'm not sure how much I'll really remember. There were reviews of things I already knew, and lots of new information too. I wouldn't mind having a copy on my bookshelf, but I don't know that I'd really re-read it. I went with the audio edition, but also checked out the Kindle copy. The narrator had a British accent ... and I think that made it all feel more "intellectual"? With a David Attenborough sound, where we are used to having that be an authority on documentaries and such. I'm not sure if the "grand" feel would be there with a regular ol' American accent.
I was NOT impressed with the transition from disks to an audiobook file - throughout we'd get the "this is the end of disk 7" statement. Seriously, there wasn't an editing team that could take the time to edit that out? The Table of Contents in the audiobook was also lacking ... I am a person who looks at the TOC and any offered headers, to help keep things in context (what is our subject this chapter?) There was a nice TOC in the Kindle copy ... I figured I'd retype it here for reference (if I ever have the audio file again without the Kindle copy, or just to remember what "everything" discussed was, and where/which chapter).
Introduction
Part 1 - Lost in the Cosmos
1. How to Build a Universe
2. Welcome to the Solar System
3. The Reverend Evan's Universe
Part 2- The Size of the Earth
4. The Measure of Things
5. The Stone-Breakers
6. Science Red in Tooth and Claw
7. Elemental Matters
Part 3 - A New Age Dawns
8. Einstein's Universe
9. The Mighty Atom
10. Getting the Lead Out
11. Muster Mark's Quarks
12. The Earth Moves
Part 4 - Dangerous Planet
13. Bang!
14. The Fire Below
15. Dangerous Beauty
Part 5 - Life Itself
16. Lonely Planet
17. Into the Troposphere
18. The Bounding Main
19. The Rise of Life
20. Small World
21. Life Goes On
22. Goodbye to All That
23. The Richness of Being
24. Cells
25. Darwin's Singular Notion
26. The Stuff of Life
Part 6 - The Road To Us
27. Ice Time
28. The Mysterious Biped
29. The Restless Age
30. GoodBye
In the Kindle copy, there were also notes and some illustrations - a full biography too.
It was all interesting ... one of my boys did online high school (pre&post covid) and was struggling, so I would sit through all his school classes and lectures and take notes and then tutor him privately. Years after my own high school and college, I was back learning biology, chemistry and physics. It was interesting here to hear a lot of what I knew, plus additional information. Presented in a more "storytelling" way, very conversational, 1st person, a little like a Ted Talk or professor giving a lecture. I am glad there isn't a test though ;) Listening just for "enjoyment" I'm not sure how much I'll really remember.
Per proFanity - x2 ... quoting someone
I was NOT impressed with the transition from disks to an audiobook file - throughout we'd get the "this is the end of disk 7" statement. Seriously, there wasn't an editing team that could take the time to edit that out? The Table of Contents in the audiobook was also lacking ... I am a person who looks at the TOC and any offered headers, to help keep things in context (what is our subject this chapter?) There was a nice TOC in the Kindle copy ... I figured I'd retype it here for reference (if I ever have the audio file again without the Kindle copy, or just to remember what "everything" discussed was, and where/which chapter).
Introduction
Part 1 - Lost in the Cosmos
1. How to Build a Universe
2. Welcome to the Solar System
3. The Reverend Evan's Universe
Part 2- The Size of the Earth
4. The Measure of Things
5. The Stone-Breakers
6. Science Red in Tooth and Claw
7. Elemental Matters
Part 3 - A New Age Dawns
8. Einstein's Universe
9. The Mighty Atom
10. Getting the Lead Out
11. Muster Mark's Quarks
12. The Earth Moves
Part 4 - Dangerous Planet
13. Bang!
14. The Fire Below
15. Dangerous Beauty
Part 5 - Life Itself
16. Lonely Planet
17. Into the Troposphere
18. The Bounding Main
19. The Rise of Life
20. Small World
21. Life Goes On
22. Goodbye to All That
23. The Richness of Being
24. Cells
25. Darwin's Singular Notion
26. The Stuff of Life
Part 6 - The Road To Us
27. Ice Time
28. The Mysterious Biped
29. The Restless Age
30. GoodBye
In the Kindle copy, there were also notes and some illustrations - a full biography too.
It was all interesting ... one of my boys did online high school (pre&post covid) and was struggling, so I would sit through all his school classes and lectures and take notes and then tutor him privately. Years after my own high school and college, I was back learning biology, chemistry and physics. It was interesting here to hear a lot of what I knew, plus additional information. Presented in a more "storytelling" way, very conversational, 1st person, a little like a Ted Talk or professor giving a lecture. I am glad there isn't a test though ;) Listening just for "enjoyment" I'm not sure how much I'll really remember.
Per proFanity - x2 ... quoting someone
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
4.75
I really enjoyed this ... a lighter rom/com (although there are some serious moments), a little time travel, which the title and blurb indicate, but this was one I'd put on hold, and then just started without looking into what it was about. There was some language (proFanity x 36) and some sex, not super explicit, but not closed door either. So depending on if those content concerns are a deal breaker or not, this is one I would absolutely recommend.
One of the characters is a chef - so there is quite a bit of cooking talk. My family had just been enjoying a skirt steak (prepared by my man) and talked about how it wasn't one many were familiar with (it's a favorite in our family now). I mentioned I had come across it in a book before, and then, here it was again "the beef was tender - it must have been flank or skirt, so juicy it melted in my mouth..." The name Grayson also made an appearance (Hub's name, so something I note).
Time travel is always a complicated and mind-boggling. Here, I never knew when that moment was in the "present" where she realized he knew, that she must have told him at some point (she hadn't yet) and that he'd believed her. I felt like something was lacking, that it needed a bigger moment. There was another storyline that seemed to be introduced, then dropped, and not addressed ...
This was just an enjoyable read, a little lighter, with some laughter and sweetness, a little romance. There were some quoteables, I went with the audio edition (Brittany Pressley narrating, and her name and voice are familiar, but as I looked through her other titles ... and there are a LOT, I couldn't place which one I'd listened to recently that made her sound so familiar). Available at the library, but popular, so I had a wait.
1st person. Past tense.
One of the characters is a chef - so there is quite a bit of cooking talk. My family had just been enjoying a skirt steak (prepared by my man) and talked about how it wasn't one many were familiar with (it's a favorite in our family now). I mentioned I had come across it in a book before, and then, here it was again "the beef was tender - it must have been flank or skirt, so juicy it melted in my mouth..." The name Grayson also made an appearance (Hub's name, so something I note).
Time travel is always a complicated and mind-boggling. Here, I never knew when that moment was in the "present" where she realized he knew, that she must have told him at some point (she hadn't yet) and that he'd believed her. I felt like something was lacking, that it needed a bigger moment. There was another storyline that seemed to be introduced, then dropped, and not addressed ...
This was just an enjoyable read, a little lighter, with some laughter and sweetness, a little romance. There were some quoteables, I went with the audio edition (Brittany Pressley narrating, and her name and voice are familiar, but as I looked through her other titles ... and there are a LOT, I couldn't place which one I'd listened to recently that made her sound so familiar). Available at the library, but popular, so I had a wait.
1st person. Past tense.
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger
4* rating based on what I think the target audience would give it. It's one I would, and did, recommend to my boys.
4.0
Listened to this audiobook on May 4th ... May the Fourth Be With You. I had a hardcopy I put into the little library. I remember having this series 10+ years ago, and #3 got into folding origami critters. Fond memories of that. I felt like I had read this, but it wasn't in my GoodReads history. At least not on this account. I have a separate "kids" account (BlackhamBoys) to track what they were reading, or what I read to them. I had read it, listened to it, before (in 2011).
Quick listen - just over two hours. Available in AudiblePlus and at the library. There are some illustrations, but I'd still recommend it as an audiobook. Cute, with different voices for the various characters, each telling their experiences with Origami Yoda.
1st person. Past tense. Very easy, conversational tone ... different voice feel from the characters (even without the different voices in the narration. Various fonts and presentations to make them all separate). It IS very young. The kids are in middle school ... but they like girls (do boys like girls that young?)
Quick listen - just over two hours. Available in AudiblePlus and at the library. There are some illustrations, but I'd still recommend it as an audiobook. Cute, with different voices for the various characters, each telling their experiences with Origami Yoda.
1st person. Past tense. Very easy, conversational tone ... different voice feel from the characters (even without the different voices in the narration. Various fonts and presentations to make them all separate). It IS very young. The kids are in middle school ... but they like girls (do boys like girls that young?)
4* rating based on what I think the target audience would give it. It's one I would, and did, recommend to my boys.