The Totally True Story of Gracie Byrne

De: Shannon Takaoka

Narrado por: Jess Nahikian

It’s 1987, and sixteen-year-old Gracie Byrne wishes her life were totally different. Shy and awkward, she has trouble fitting in at her new school, she’s still reeling from her parents’ divorce, and her grandmother Katherine’s Alzheimer’s is getting worse. So when Gracie finds a blank journal in Katherine’s vanity drawer, she begins writing stories about herself—a more popular version of herself, that is.

But then the hot guy in her art class describes a dream he had about her—the exact scene she wrote about him in her journal—and Gracie realizes that she can create any reality she wants, from acing tests to winning the attention of her previously indifferent classmates.

As her ability to change what is into what she wishes it to be grows stronger though, Gracie starts to second-guess what’s real—especially when it comes to a budding relationship with her cute neighbor, Tom. This compelling story deftly blends friendship, family, and romance...and bends the bounds of reality itself.

©2023 Shannon Takaoka (P)2023 Dreamscape Media

Fun and Entertaining

I enjoyed the story very much as well as the flash to the past and very accurate depiction of late 1980’s teenage existence.

Thought provoking and innovative!

I absolutely loved this book! It was a great romance story with a sci-fi twist and thought, provoking ideas and ideologies. It was written beautifully and I definitely would recommend it to anyone looking for a great story like no other books that I have read!

Flash back to the 80’s

Great use of Magic Realism! Wonderful story. A beautiful tribute to Alzheimer’s patients and their families/caregivers.

Kept me up at night!

I couldn’t stop listing to this book. In the beginning, I wanted to understand the plight of the heroin, Gracie. By the end, I wanted to understand the plight of us all. I loved the ending. Thank god…I’ll be able to sleep tonight. Great book.