Thursday 4 June 2015

Finding Audrey



Recently I have read a few books where the main character lives with a mental health condition, mainly because I can relate to how they feel and the other reason is it raises awareness in a whole new way.  At the start of the year I found out my all time favourite author, Sophie Kinsella, was releasing a book that I knew I could relate to.




Finding Audrey is a young adult book, a first for Sophie, and it tells the story of a young girl called Audrey who was diagnosed with Social Anxiety, General anxiety Disorder and Depressive episodes after an incident at school.  I will admit reading her "diagnosis" made me like her even more as I could really relate to how she was feeling.  

Audrey lives with her mum, dad and brothers.  I absolutely love all the characters in this book as they are the typical family, fighting over spending too long playing computer games and general family life.  In a way I can see me being  mum as I can imagine me overreacting when Liam and Sophie are older!

I don't want to give too much away so I won't tell you much about the story as such as you really need to read it and I know you will love it as much as I did, I felt a bit down once I finished the book as I really enjoyed it.

The way Sophie wrote about the symptoms Audrey had when she even thought about stepping out the house, the feeling of dread, sheer panic and not being in control where spot on yet tackled in such a way that it will educate the person reading the story.  I know I don't have Social anxiety but I know people who do and the not being able to socialise with people they don't know or even making eye contact and avoiding social events is typical symptoms and again spot on.

Not only does this book educate, as I have mentioned, it also helped me feel better about myself.  Yes I have been getting better recently but everyone's life is full of ups and downs, it is part of life and if we fall down we pick ourselves up and start again.  I know I might have a relapse or little set backs but that happens to everyone and there is no shame in it, in fact it just makes us human.

I would like to thank Sophie for writing this book, not only are you raising awareness, you are also educating and helping to reduce the stigma attached to mental health conditions. 

You can buy a copy of Finding Audrey from Waterstones by clicking here or you can find it on Amazon by clicking here

To find out more about Sophie Kinsella you can visit her website here



36 comments:

  1. Really good to see a book like that being written by such a popular author.

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    1. I was delighted to see her write a book like this, x

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  2. Really good to see a book like that being written by such a popular author.

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  3. I think that books that you can relate to make the best reads. I will have to check this one out x

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    1. It is a fantastic book. Let me know if you get it and what you think x

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  4. I do like Sophie Kinsella, it sounds like a great book for a struggling young person and I'd have probably brought it for my daughter had it been around a few years ago. I might still read it myself, it's always good to get some insight.

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    1. You will like it. The topic is aimed at everyone yet the character can appeal to younger people too.If you give it a read and let me know what you think

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  5. sounds like me !
    I think this is a book I would enjoy

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    1. It is a great read, I am going to read it again! Let me know if you get it xx

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  6. Great that Sophie Kinsella is writing about mental health issues!

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    1. I was delighted to hear she was writing this book. It is so well done x

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  7. I am glad you enjoyed the book and that Sophie has raised such awareness but sorry you could relate to the negative feelings x

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    1. I am so happy she is helping to raise awareness in this way. its brilliant. Thank you for your kind words I am much stronger than I used to be and if I get any negative comments I brush them off, not time for negativity :) xx

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  8. I love Sophie Kinsella, she is such an honest, believable writer. I can't think of a better choice to raise awareness of these importnat conditions.

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  9. I don't know of this book but does sound very good.

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    1. It has just came out today, it is a great book well worth the read x

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  10. I am so interested to read this. Going to order it from the library.

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    1. aww fantastic, let me know what you think of it x

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  11. It is quite a departure in theme for Sophie Kinsella. I'd be really interested to read it. Hopefully topics like this can become more mainstream as people learn more about them x

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    1. It is very different to what she normally writes but it is a very interesting change. I also hope topics like this become more mainstream x

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  12. It's great to see a book like this being written by well-known author. Anything which helps people to understand mental health issues is good.

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    1. Hopefully more well known authors will follow x

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  13. This is a great book one i think i could of benefited from reading when i suffered with it

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    1. I think it will help so many who are suffering and even those who have been there. x

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  14. I have to admit I do like Sophie Kinsella - I'll have to try and get hold of this one it sounds like an interesting read.

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    1. She is a brilliant author. Let me know if you get a copy x

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  15. Going to buy this for my 18 year old - she has enjpyed sophie kinsella in the past and has social anxiety herself so I think she would really relate to it.

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    1. I hope she reads the book and it helps her. It is always good to have a book that you can relate to. It has helped me too. sending my love x

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  16. Sounds like a great book and the perfect medium to inform and educate people.

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    1. I plan on reading it again, I agree perfect way to inform and educate, its perfect x

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  17. Sounds like a great book. I was glad to read it made you feel better about yourself, hope you find more good reads like this x

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    1. It was a great read. Thank you! I wish there were more well known authors willing to write about anxiety etc xx

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  18. This looks such a good book - I don't have time for reading at the moment :( Kaz x

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    1. I loved it, such a great read. shame you dont have time just now but im sure you will soon x

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