Thursday, December 18, 2008

Book Review: Audrey, Wait!

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway. (Grades 9+)

All Audrey did was break up with her boyfriend, Evan, who was in a band. She had no idea that she would inspire him to write a song that would soar to the top of the charts. And she certainly had no idea that as the popularity of the song rose, she would become famous as well. Now the Paparazzi are following her everywhere, she's getting VIP seats and free stuff sent to her house... and she can't get a moment's peace. Maybe being famous isn't all it's cracked up to be...

I really enjoyed this fresh and funny voice. It's narrated in the first person as Audrey tells her side of the story, the real story behind the song and her unwanted popularity.

Y'know, as I was reading I kept thinking that the premise was far-fetched, but now that I think about it, is it really? People can be famous for anything, so why not for being the inspiration behind a raging pop hit?

Far-fetched or not, I bought it hook, line, and sinker. Audrey's a great character and I think that if she was real we'd be BFFs. Even though a lot of what happens to her is out of her control, that's so not her style and she manages to wrestle back control of her life by the end of the book.

This is a great choice for music fans. I'd recommend it to fans of Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist and Beige and Gingerbread. Audrey is a music lover extraordinaire and each chapter begins with a quote from song lyrics. Check out Robin Benway's website where you can buy the soundtrack on iTunes and see people's recordings of their versions of Audrey Wait (the song that started it all).

Oh, my, everyone's reviewed this title (I am so late to the bandwagon!), including: Little Willow, Pink Me, Book Nut, Becky's Book Reviews, Teen Book Review, The YA YA YAs, and A Chair, A Fireplace, and a Tea Cozy.