Author: Stephenie Meyer

Reader: Ilyana Kadushin

Short Review: One 17 year old girl who always felt different (and is a klutz to the extreme) crosses paths with a family of exquisite vampires. Romance and intrigue ensues. It grew on me, but it took a while.

Long Review: When the audio started, I was confused for a moment because the voice sounded so familiar. It took me a while, but I finally realized that it reminded me of the voice that Angela Goethals uses for Carmen in the The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and its sequels. Once I got past that, the reading was just okay. Unlike some of my favorite audio book readers, Kadushin seems to use virtually the same voice for everyone. This works to some degree because the book is told entirely from the point of view of its young female protagonist, Bella, but I have come to expect more.

I had sought out this book in particular because it seems to have such a cult following. My verdict is basically that I like the core ideas. I like Meyer’s reinterpretation of the vampire. I like Bella and Edward and Jacob.. and all the rest of the characters. I wonder at some of Bella’s motivations (which I won’t share because I don’t want to spoil anything for those of you planning on reading/listening to it). I felt like I was reading a prequel a lot of the time - as if this was all the background stuff that Meyer had to get out of the way before she could get to telling the real story.

I will say that a lot of the basic components of the store did ring true - Bella’s experience in school. Her relationships with her new friends and her parents. And I am clear that this is in many ways a Fantasy Romance. So - will I seek out the next book? Yes, though more due to the promise inherent in the legion of dedicated fans the series has than due to my own captivation with this particular book or reader.

Twilight is also available through the Simply Audiobooks Rental Program.

Short Review: Super fun and irreverent vampire romp through San Francisco, stellar reader to whom I could listen all day long.

Long Review: I just finished listening to this - and all I can say is WOW. This is one of those audio books that I let just replay the last disk because I didn’t want it to be done. Susan Bennett is sheer magic. Some readers can just do that - make you forget that you are listening to one person read. Each character is clear and distinct - and the three core characters are made so much more tangible through her vocal choices. But the best reader can’t make a dull story good - lucky for us this reader is paired with a super fun ride through present day, vampire ridden San Francisco. For those who have read Bloodsucking Fiends, this is a sequel. I hadn’t read the first book but still loved this one. For the record, the character that I ended up loving most was the one I was sort of annoyed with when I first met her. I bet it happens to you too. I also loved the interview with the author at the end. I like hearing author’s voices and learning tidbits about their creative process.

You Suck: A Love Story is also available through the Simply Audiobooks Rental Program.