Between the Lines

By: Jodi Picoult, Samantha Van Leer

Narrated by: Robert Ian MacKenzie, Suzy Jackson, Nick Cordero

Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's Summary

For her first-ever YA novel, #1 New York Times best-selling author Jodi Picoult collaborates with her teenage daughter Samantha van Leer on an exhilarating work of cross-generational appeal.

A story of romance, adventure, and humor, Between the Lines features high-schooler and social outsider Delilah, who discovers a charming fairy tale in the school library and can’t resist turning to it again and again. But one day she finds the book has hidden depths—and that the story’s handsome prince has somehow stepped from the page into her very own world.

©2012 Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer (P)2012 Recorded Books

Critic Reviews

"A compulsively readable charmer. The teen dialogue and interior monologues feel authentic, while Picoult’s practiced hand balances humor with larger issues such as abandonment, hope, and existential quandaries related to fate and human nature. Both silhouette and pencil drawings abound; characters climb in and around the text to excellent effect. Younger readers and their parents will appreciate the gentle, wholesome romance, with nary a shred of paranormal action. The tender, positive tone and effective pacing that builds to a satisfying finish will inspire readers to pass the book to a friend—or reread it themselves." ( Booklist)

"A clever YA romance about the magical relationship between a loner and her fictional “Prince Charming.” Elements from Picoult’s other novels—alternating character viewpoints with distinguishing fonts, snappy chapter endings—are present, and the story is peppered with pop culture references to The Hunger Games, the Kindle Fire, and the X-Men, as well as comic relief in the form of characters like a talking horse that thinks it has a weight problem. Readers...will be swept up by the romantic premise." ( Publishers Weekly)

Not YA, this is a children's story

I am about 75 percent of the way through this book and I don't know if I can stand to listen to the rest of it. I am far from a YA but as a mom I have read lots of YA novels my kids have brought home, and many of them have been really good. This one is not. It is a children's fairy tale. If you like children's fairy tales perhaps you will enjoy it, but it definitely doesn't have what I was hoping for from Jodi Picoult.

Cute for young girls. Not for Jodi Picoult fans.

If you could sum up Between the Lines in three words, what would they be?

Interesting story twist.

Would you be willing to try another book from Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer ? Why or why not?

I am a big Jodi Picoult fan and I got this book because of her. If you are looking for a book with her typical insight into unusual social issues you will be disappointed. This is a cute story but not a typical Jodi book.
I almost quit in the beginning because it was a silly "Disney" type story. I'm glad I kept listening. The characters developed and I enjoyed the story in the end. It is definitely designed for VERY young girls, but I enjoyed it like a bit of sweetness for a change.

Have you listened to any of the narrators’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

The narration was excellent.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I usually listen at 1.5 speed. I could listen to this at 2.0 or 3.0 so it made it a quick listen.

Any additional comments?

I would not get another book from Jodi in this YA venue, but I'm not sorry I used my credit.

Don't get this just because you like Jodi Picoult

Ok - I love Jodi Picoult's books, they make me think! I have loved every single one except the very first one she wrote (Song of the Humpback Whale) - HUH????
Anyways, I love all the rest of her books and purchased this one thinking that this was another sure deal and a good book. I think Jodi was just trying to help her daughter Samantha Van Leer with book sales. If you have a child who would like to listen to a fairytale romance, this might work for her. I would never recommend for an adult or teenager to read this book. Boring and slow!

Don't waste your credit

What disappointed you about Between the Lines?

Stupid. I kept waiting for the story to begin.

What was most disappointing about Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer ’s story?

Childish. I expect so much more from Jodi Picoult. Have read every book she's written.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Narrator was good

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Between the Lines?

All

Any additional comments?

I want my credit back

Between The Lines

What made the experience of listening to Between the Lines the most enjoyable?

I really enjoyed how original the plot was. I had read books about books before but this was a fresh twist. It was lovely imagining that if this was really possible in real life all the characters in books that could come alive and that you could talk to.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Between the Lines?

When Delilah speaks to Prince Oliver for the very first time. Delilah does not have that many friends and when she speaks to Oliver it is nice watching their friendship//relationship develop.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The female narrator is wonderful she brings out the vulnerable side of Delilah while the male narrator brings out the confidence that is in Oliver.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A love against all odds.

Any additional comments?

If you enjoy books about books with strong characters and an original plot then this is the book for you.

Loved this book

I loved Between the lines another great book by Jodi Picoult.
I could have just kept listening to this book for another 10 chapters

I really wanted to love this book.

So close but not quite where I wanted it to be. Seemed like a middle school age book. I loved the idea of the characters in the fairytale being alive, the whole plot was great, but it just fell short. I also found myself wanting to skip over the reading of the fairytale pages, they kind of bored me. I feel like I was waiting for the story to really start and kick off and then it never did.

Disappointing

This book was performed beautifully. Unfortunately the story itself was a load of rubbish. Background noise worthy at best

The ending was disappointing.

What did you like best about Between the Lines? What did you like least?

I listened to half of the book hoping it would get better but it never delivered. I was disappointed with the ending.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator did a great job. Especially, changing her voide for the different characters.

Bored !

What would have made Between the Lines better?

Pretty much ANYTHING..... this story is soooooo boring I fell asleep 3 times in the first 5 pages.