So Glad!

When I saw that Front Desk came out on audio I was so excited!  This is on the list for possible Newbery winners with the goodreads group and I know that means that the publisher thinks it is possible, too. There are a couple that I still can't get to because they aren't yet on audio.  It is not too often that a book will be a winner without having had an audio version.  It's just because of buzz.  And the faith that the publisher has in the book.  But I can remember one time when the audio came out after the award was given so I still have hope that even if one wins that I can't listen to now, I will eventually! 
Front Desk was so good.  And it was semi-autobiographical which I didn't know until I heard the author's note at the end but that made it even better.  Kelly Yang has made me think about a lot here.  Just a fantastic book and such real characters and one that made me cheer and also brought tears to my eyes at tender moments and made me angry at the prejudice and hate in the world, which is all too real.  If this one the Newbery I would not be mad!  It isn't my total pick but I wouldn't be mad at all!  Great book! 

To Pass the Time

Everything I Never Told you seemed like a lot of books I have read before, some of them even this year.  I didn't have anything to listen to and this was available and I didn't hate it.  I didn't even dislike it.  It was just there.  A solid 3 stars if you haven't read anything like it before, but a 2.5 if you have.  It was just a little too laid out for the reader.  Kinda like Mr. Obvious as to why the husband and wife acted as they did.  I mean, if I could get it, I bet everyone else did, but the author spelled it all out too much, the connections.  I don't think I am saying this right! 
It was kind of like this:
Husband wants daughter to be popular.  Says or does something to her to convey that.
Next scene in book is a flashback to when he was her age and was not popular.
Wife wants daughter to be a doctor.  Says or does something to her to convey that.
Next scene in book is a flashback to when her dreams of being a doctor were alive and then crushed.
It was just a little too...yeah, I guess spelled out?