The True Meaning of Smekday

What a fun book!! I also highly recommend listening to this one on audio Bahni Turpin’s narration is Fantastic!!

I wasn’t sure what I would think of a book about an alien invasion since I am more of a fantasy girl than a sci-fi one. However this is such a fun story I recommend it to teens and adults alike! Our heroine Gratuity “Tip” Tucci is 11 going on 40 she is assigned a paper for a time capsule on “The True Meaning of Smekday” but Tip’s story is not the usual fare and she doesn’t know where to start, should it be when her mother starts receiving alien messages from the mole in her back? Or when she meets and befriends one of the Boov named J-Lo? Or about her journey to Happy Mouse Land where the aliens are sending all the humans?

This is such a great adventure and hilarious to boot. I love Tip and J-Lo well actually every character in this book is so fun! I don’t know what else to say, I just feel like I can’t do it justice other than to say go get this book and enjoy it! You will not be disappointed!

5 Stars

I must admit I bought this book because the title was so intriguing. I am so glad I did. The narrator was perfect and her interpretation of J-Lo's voice and speech mannerisms was great. I laughed so many times and if you are wanting a book that is entertaining, light-hearted, and very easy to listen to, then this should be one of your choices. It's not a pulitzer prize winner and it doesn't solve the problems of the world, but it does bring to light the tendency we have to "buttonhole" people and make snap judgements about people based on outer appearances, etc. This is the book for you if you just want to be entertained and have a happy time.

I loved the whole idea, plot and narration of this book! The idea of a girl writing an essay about the day aliens invaded earth was good, but then when you start listening to Adam Rex's words and Bahni's voice, it becomes genius! I laughed out loud on many occasions!

EVERYTHING! She was so great! I loved her voice of JLo and the aliens. She made the book so fun to listen to. She also had great timing and tone of voice throughout the book.

I would recommend this book to anyone from the age of 8 and up. It is just a super fun adventure story. I liked how it ended and that is important for me when reading books.

This was one of the most delightful books I have listened to in a long time. Bahni Turpin is genius and her reading of this book was perfect!!! The story was fun and imaginative and kept me entertained the entire 10 hours and 37 minutes. Thank you Audible!

Yes. The two main characters are funny and resourceful. I enjoyed them and fell in love with them.

The 11 year old girl, Tip and the alien, J-Lo are great for very different reasons.

Yes! and Yes again.

Listen to it.

We started listening at the beginning of a long family car trip and ended up sitting in the car in a parking lot to finish a chapter--- the audio equivalent of "couldn't put it down!." Funny, well-narrated--- love J-Lo's voice--- and well-paced. You want to know what on Earth might happen next!

The story is great and the author is hilarious and super entertaining, but the very best thing about this audio book is the narrator. The acting and voices are so much fun! My whole family (10 year old boy, 12 year old daughter, middle aged parents) hated to have to stop for bathroom breaks on our recent very long drive because we didn't want to have to stop the story.

The protagonist is charming, but J. Lo is the most fun to follow.

I have not listed to Bahni Turpin before, but I will certainly seek out other selections. This one has us all laughing out loud!

For a book which tells the story of the destruction and enslavement of the earth and all of humanity twice, it manages to do so in a fun, unique, friendly, and endearing way. The Boov are not your usual hostile aliens and JLo is Great!

I most liked the interplay between J.Lo and Gratuity... each ignorant of the world in different ways and yet both learning and growing together... They Both make me smile.

I was amazed at how versatile and pitch perfect her performance was... I fear I shall never again imagine a Boov that does Not sound as she has depicted it... but Every character is well played. Best reading in a long while!

I just loved All the little interactions between J.Lo and Gratuity... the tit for tat and mutual dependance mixed with their fresh and innocent outlooks on the whole spectacle.

I'm generally a hard pleaser when it comes to authors tackling ground I feel has been explored before and I have a low threshold for talking down to readers especially with books geared tward children and younger audiences... a danger on both parts with this book but one which the author completly succeeds at. I feel like everyone can enjoy this book and find themselves laughing again and again... an act which achieved while reading a novel earns my highest regard. Way to go A. Rex... BRILLIANT!

Mind you, I dread the day corporate america ruins it all with a kiddy movie version... they so seldom capture the really universal appeal of material like this making it a disgustingly saccarin kiddy pool mess with lunchboxes, cereals, and a song and dance number... enjoy it while it remains pure and quality because it's already spot on!

This story is piquant and unexpected, and who could help but love a girl named Gratuity whose nickname is Tips! How clever! My hubby and I both listened to it and really enjoyed it--it was a great listening experience. The narrator is a genius. I'm hoping to listen to many, many books read by her in the next few years. Her portrayal of J.Lo is just too funny, and she imbued Tips with a ton of personality and charm and only heightened the intent of the author. Marvelous--a credit well spent.

The story itself might not have captured me as thoroughly as it did were it not for the absolutely outstanding performance by Bahni Turpin.