• Girl with Glasses

  • My Optic History
  • By: Marissa Walsh
  • Narrated by: Margie Lenhart
  • Length: 2 hrs and 43 mins
  • 2.6 out of 5 stars (649 ratings)

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Girl with Glasses  By  cover art

Girl with Glasses

By: Marissa Walsh
Narrated by: Margie Lenhart
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Editorial reviews

In her humorous memoir, Marissa Walsh uses the history of her eyesight and eye apparel as a lens (no pun intended) into her life. Listeners of a certain age will relate to her adolescence spent watching Nickelodeon, reading Judy Blume, and listening to Prince. Even as a GWG ("girl with glasses"), Walsh has a sharp eye for detail and a 20/20 memory that can still dredge up comic scenes from her past.

Margie Lenhart's winsome performance adds another layer of charm to Walsh's prose. Though the trials and tribulations of having poor vision might not compare to growing up in a war zone or an orphanage, this book's universal and timeless themes of teenage identity formation transcend its superficial focus.

Publisher's summary

Being a Girl with Glasses isn't just a style choice; it's a way of life. If you've ever had your specs steam up when walking into a bar, squinted into the sun on the soccer field, or laid eyes on a new haircut only after your locks are strewn across the floor, you know what it's like to be a GWG. Marissa Walsh has worn glasses since third grade. Now - 10 pairs of glasses, one pair of prescription sunglasses, and endless pairs of contacts later - she has fully embraced her four-eyed fate. As she recounts her optic history through the lenses of each pair of glasses - from the Sergio Valentes and the Sally Jessy Raphaels to the pseudo John Lennons and the dreaded health plan specs - at last she found them...the perfect pair. Marissa's comic look at a life behind glass is at once a poignant personal journey and a wry, canny exploration of just what it means to be a glasses-wearing kind of girl. Peppered with pop culture references and complete with appendixes of resources, classic GWG moments, and helpful tips on finding the right frames for your face, Girl with Glasses will give you reason to commiserate with your shortsighted sisters and celebrate your less-than-perfect vision.

©2006 Marissa Walsh (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Girl with Glasses

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 2.5 out of 5 stars
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    51
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Performance
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Story
  • 2.5 out of 5 stars
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    40
  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
    152
  • 2 Stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

GWG - loud and proud

I like this book because it hits home..I am a GWG.. everything she says is soo true about what you have to go through with glasses. there is soo much extra and without the glasses you feel naked.. I felt like I lost a piece of me when I had to get Lasic surgery. the first day was crazy it was worse than when I first got contacts. very good book..

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

This was awful!

This book was terrible! There was zero direction. It's like starting 30 or 40 books and never finishing them! There was no connection between chapters, no flow. This is probably one of the only books I have ever considered putting down and NEVER picking back up again.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars
  • K
  • 12-10-16

Sleep Fest

What would have made Girl with Glasses better?

I wouldn't have written it to begin with.

What was most disappointing about Marissa Walsh’s story?

Boring

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Didn't.

What character would you cut from Girl with Glasses?

All of them.

Any additional comments?

The only redemption for this story is to use it on a night you have insomnia.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

WARNING: THIS BOOK IS NOT SUITABLE FOR KIDS.

What would have made Girl with Glasses better?

If it had a warning label or rating system. I am adult but I am very careful about the books I read, I personally, don't like stories that contain cursing or sexual content. I wasn't expecting it, and had to stop the book it got so bad. I generally stick with G and PG things and this was PG14 or Perhaps R. Not my cup of tea

What was most disappointing about Marissa Walsh’s story?

It started out so good! Then... downhill.

What three words best describe Margie Lenhart’s voice?

Good Narration, Friendly girl -next store.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The Narrator.

Any additional comments?

It would be great if Audible had a rating system like they do for movies G,PG, PG -13. MA ect...

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

worst audio in a long time, I just couldn't finish

What disappointed you about Girl with Glasses?

it was just so boring, like it was written for third graders, but I doubt I would have found it interesting back then even.

Has Girl with Glasses turned you off from other books in this genre?

what genre? maybe that's why I didn't like it. I usually listen to historical fiction but I got this for free

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Margie Lenhart?

Diane Sawyer can make ANYTHING sound amazing!

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

ummm...nope!

Any additional comments?

can i exchange it for another free book? Yesssss!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Ever worn glasses?.....

After experiencing this book, You will be I much more inclined to pay attention.
Fun and enlightening.

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