Supernova

By: Ericka Waller

Narrated by: Ella Lynch

Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

1997 - somewhere dull on the outskirts of London (think middle-class home counties dull as dishwater suburbia). School oddities April, Jamie, and Tom, are trying to work out how to be 15.

April is battling anxiety, is obsessed with Sylvia Plath, and has a crush on Tom. Tom's dad died 18 months ago. His mum has turned into a ghost and his little sister has become his big responsibility. His life is held together by secrets and Britpop, and oh yeah - Tom is in love with April. Jamie is angry, and she wants everyone to know it. There's more to her story, but Jamie won't tell. Yuki, Tom's weird neighbour, thinks he has life sorted and imparts his pearls of wisdom by channelling Jim Morrison, leather trousers and all.

Four friends, one year. Sex, drugs, rock n' roll. What can possibly go wrong?

If you've ever felt overwhelmed, anxious, or out of your depth, if the four right chords can make you cry, this is the book for you.

©2018 Ericka Waller (P)2019 Live It Ventures Ltd

Butterflies and Beestings

This Coming of Age novel was such a sweet representation of young love. "Supernova" by Ericka Waller blended the butterflies of romance with the harsh sting of adolescence. This story delicately approached mental health, death, insecurities, hormones amongst many other obstacles one faces growing up. The story includes a modern take of #sylviaplath and #thebelljar as various characters question the stability of their mental health and well-being. It is a suitable analogy and highly appropriate take on how a quiet teen might contemplate the depth of her anxiety and measure the "normalcy" of her psyche. I absolutely loved this book and would liken it to the experience of reading "Perks of Being a Wallflower," especially with the incorporation and exploration of music. The weight of music plays heavily into the lives of the characters, and I can only imagine that this book would have an amazing soundtrack.

The narrator, Ella Lynch, was a wonderful fit for the audio version of the novel. She has a soothing tone and fantastic British accent, which was made for a captivatingly authentic encounter of life as a teenager in England. She is a talented voice actress capable of consuming her audience and making you feel like she is recounting the story exclusively for you. It makes for an almost personalized listening experience. I would gladly listen to any story she wanted to tell me! Highly recommend this book. Absolutely in love!