Today’s post by She Reads co-founder, Marybeth Whalen | @marybethwhalen
Marybeth Whalen
My love for Joshilyn Jackson’s books was not instantaeous. I would hear how good they were, pick them up, page through them (because I still love a print book, yes I do) and put them down again. I had a hard time “getting” her books. The characters had strange names and talked funny. I am a southerner, to be sure, but I tend to shy away from deep southern accents. Suburban North Carolina and small town Alabama are two entirely different things. To be honest, I just thought that Joshilyn had something going on that was entirely apart from my literary tastes. And no matter how many rave reviews I heard or read, that wasn’t going to change.
Until.
My friend (and She Reads blog network member) Sandy Nawrot explained that the best way to grasp the greatness that is Joshilyn Jackson is to experience her books on audio. Because she reads them herself you get the full extent of what she was going for in her writing– pronunciation of those crazy names, inflections of those funny accents. You literally and figuratively hear her voice. So I decided to give the audio version of one of her books a try. I had a car trip coming up and my library had one on the shelf. I snatched it up and hoped for the best.
And the best is what I found. The best voice. The best characters. The best humor. The best weaving together of events and emotion, secrets and drama. One book and I was hooked. Since then I’ve worked my way through all of Joshilyn Jackson’s books, declaring each one of them “my favorite.” My friend Sandy was right, listening to her changed my opinion of her books and ushered me into what I’ve privately dubbed as my “year of JJ.” (Last year, incidentally, was my “year of Sarah Addison Allen.”) Of course very few writers actually read their books on audio but in this case it only magnifies the story. I highly recommend reading Joshilyn Jackson. And if reading doesn’t work out, then give her a try on audio. Either way don’t miss her.
We’re giving you an opportunity to experience her latest book on audio. Leave a comment on this post to win a copy of A Grown-Up Kind Of Pretty.
About Ariel Lawhon
Ariel Lawhon is the co-founder of She Reads, novelist, blogger, storyteller, and life-long reader. She lives in Texas with her husband and four young sons (aka The Wild Rumpus). Ariel believes that Story is the shortest distance to the human heart.
I’ve read EVERY ONE of her books! Would love to hear one read! Please enter me on the give away!
I’ve listened to all of Joshilyn Jackson’s books. She snagged me with Gods in Alabama and I’ve been on board with each one since then. Gods in Alabama remains my favorite.
I too, am a lover of printed books but would be willing to try an audio…..if I had one!
Brooke
You just know my heart is singing right now. WE ARE JJ APOSTLES!!!
I drive 48 miles a day to & from work & listen to a lot of audios. I have read all of Joshlyn Jacksons’ books, would love to listen to A Grown Up Kind of Pretty, think that is the best book J J has wrote..
I have to say, That I am one of the luckiest gals out there, to have had the honor of meeting Joshilyn Jackson. She came to Niceville FL. The beginning of this year for a lunchon & signing of her latest book A Grown Up Kind Of Pretty. (Best Birthday Gift Ever!) What an amazing Author & Storyteller she is!!!! She read us a few paragraphs from her new book!!!!
Please consider me, for the Audio Book.
Much Thanks,
Rachel
have read and heard all her books, but only read this one.
would love it on audio to add to my collection. please pretty please