Got My Book

The first Jack & Lauren road trip is a fun YA Psychic Mystery that I liked better after listening to the second one.

BOOK DETAILS:

Streetlights Like Fireworks by David Pandolfe, read by Adam Verner, published Independently (2015) / Length: 6 hrs 46 min

SERIES INFO:

This is #1 of 4 (so far) in the Streetlights series. The first 3 are available on audio. According to the author, the narrator "expects Gem [#4] to be ready by the end of June." When asked if there would be a #5, he said "Yes, regarding another book in the series. They're fun to write!"

SUMMARY:

In November of 2014, I got the Kindle version of this book for free. (It is permafree, so you can pick up too if you'd like.) I read and liked it, but it wasn't an instant favorite. When the sequel, The Dragonfly Season, came out I read it and liked it enough that I was willing to accept the audiobook for review. I found that I really liked it in that format. (You can read my review here.)

So, I put the audiobook version of this one on my TBR (TBL?). And I found that I liked this one better in audio format as well. This isn't any great surprise, since this is usually the case for me, if the narrator is good. (Note: This book has a different narrator than the others.)

This is a leisurely tale that won't be for those who need constant action, but may be appreciated by those who like spending time getting to know great characters.

CHARACTERS:

Jack: The unsatisfactory son of a stuffy straight-laced family. He isn't a social outcast, due to his family's status, but he doesn't have a lot of friends either. He struggles with the fact that nothing he ever does or wants to do is acceptable to his family, and everything they want him to do is something he hates. I like that, despite the fact that this is a paranormal story, Jack is just so normal.

Lauren: A social outcast who has found her circle of friends among other "gifted" people online. She takes charge and makes things happen, pushing Jack to do what needs to be done to resolve the mystery. She also serves as his guru, encouraging him to learn what he can do with his gift.

Jack & Lauren: No InstaLove (& no Love Triangle)! Jack has had a bit of a crush on Lauren for a while now, but never had the courage to approach her. The relationship develops bit by bit (although it is over a relatively short period of time).

PLOT:

I think we started at the perfect point, when Jack "meets" the guitar that will change his life.  In the end, the mystery of the guitar is solved and Jack & Lauren have bonded. In between, we get to visit a lot of interesting people and places as they make their way across the country.

HIGHLIGHTS / CAUTIONS:

• Jack's description of Lauren

I’ve always had this thing about moths. How they fly at night, beautiful spots and patterns not meant for our eyes. Everything about them intended for some other realm we might glimpse but never fully experience. Hidden. Magical. Secret. That’s Lauren to me. Jet black hair streaked with blue, green and sometimes red. Black eyeliner. Purple hoodie, gray jeans, black combat boots. A midnight rainbow.

• Jack's comments on judging people based on their appearence:

"...adults peg you for being a total loser if you don’t look like you just strolled out of an Abercrombie & Fitch catalog. If you dress in black or do anything suggesting “goth” everyone assumes you’re mainlining heroin while bent on suicide. It doesn’t ever occur to them that maybe it’s the football team and cheerleaders sucking back beers, smoking weed and hooking up while the “freaky” kids are home on Friday night reading a book or checking out stuff on Tumblr."

I COULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT: Swearing (including 2 F words, used by one character during a single conversation) / Underage drinking (although he regretted it the next day) / Illegal driving

OTHER CAUTIONS: Jack has to control his thoughts about Lauren to avoid embarrassing himself. / A briefly met character is said to have done "something" to his sister / They visit & stay with a lesbian couple who are friends of Lauren.

NARRATION:

Good differentiation of voices, emoting & pacing / Speed is really good. I was able to listen on regular speed (rather than my usual 1.25 speed) / Some might find his voice a bit deep for a high schooler. / His female voices aren't feminine, but he doesn't try to fake it so they are acceptable.

BOOK DETAILS:

Streetlights Like Fireworks (#1) by David Pandolfe, read by Adam Verner, published Independently (2015) / Length: 6 hrs 46 min Buy Now | +Goodreads

Talk to Me (pretty please)

• Can you recommend any other (non-murder) YA Psychic Mysteries?
• If you could do the road trip of your dreams, where would you go? [I would do New Zealand, since friends of mine went before LOTR ever came out and I was blown away by their pictures.]
• Has your life ever taken a turn because you realized that you liked something else more than what you were currently doing? (Check out the author's answer in his interview below.)

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