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| Narrated by David Levithan |
Synopsis (via Goodreads): New York Times bestselling author David Levithan tells the based-on-true-events story of Harry and Craig, two 17-year-olds who are about to take part in a 32-hour marathon of kissing to set a new Guinness World Record—all of which is narrated by a Greek Chorus of the generation of gay men lost to AIDS.
While the two increasingly dehydrated and sleep-deprived boys are locking lips, they become a focal point in the lives of other teen boys dealing with languishing long-term relationships, coming out, navigating gender identity, and falling deeper into the digital rabbit hole of gay hookup sites—all while the kissing former couple tries to figure out their own feelings for each other.
While the two increasingly dehydrated and sleep-deprived boys are locking lips, they become a focal point in the lives of other teen boys dealing with languishing long-term relationships, coming out, navigating gender identity, and falling deeper into the digital rabbit hole of gay hookup sites—all while the kissing former couple tries to figure out their own feelings for each other.
“Things are not magical because they've been conjured for us by some outside force. They are magical because we create them.”
I finished this earlier today while I was at work, and I'm still not sure how to put my feelings into words. I don't want to somehow mangle the beauty of what I just listened to. It was raw, emotional, eye-opening, and so many other incredible things.
I love that David Levithan narrated the audiobook. He knew exactly how it needed to be read, and his voice was so heartbreaking and lovely inside of my head. I'm really glad I stumbled across the audiobook before reading a physical copy. This is a story that needs to be heard with ears as well as with hearts.
“Make more than dust.”
Glad to hear you enjoyed this, Lindsey. An audio can make a good book so much better. Great review! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I've always preferred reading to listening, but lately it's been easier to get through an audiobook. It helps that this one was amazing. I never wanted to pause it.
DeleteI didn't know he narrated it. That's awesome because like you said - he KNOWS how it should sound and the right inflections.
ReplyDeleteI'm a newbie to audio reads but I might give this one a try.
For What It's Worth
I'm also fairly new to audiobooks, but it's easier than reading these days. I can have it running in the background while I play with my kids. :)
DeleteOh, and I posted the BEA story today since a few of your followers were interested!
DeleteHonestly, I thought everyone already knew the story lol But it's been a while and there are new people to the blogosphere so thanks for catching them up to speed :-)
DeleteI can't multitask AT ALL when it comes to audio books. I've been practicing with shorter podcasts.
I've learned that there are a lot of different versions of the story, lol. I definitely didn't get rabies! Jeez. One guy thought she had bitten me down to the bone, but I'm not entirely sure if that's even possible. I really enjoyed standing in line and listening to the people around me discuss their theories. I guess I could have said something, but where is the fun in that?
DeleteI used to be that way, too. I needed to sit still and focus on an audiobook or I was lost. Try listening to one while you're doing housework. What you're doing requires no thought, so you can listen completely, but you're also getting something done at the same time.