Good, Sulky Listen

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I liked the sulky, angsty feel of this book. It pulled me in and matched my mood when I wanted to listen to something deeper and more serious. I love how Laurel's search of herself via writing through the diary really allowed her to work things out with herself towards the end of the listen.

25 people found this helpful

Shining Depths; Unfortunate Shallows...

The Publisher's Summary pretty much covers what the entire book is about. Laurel chooses those who died utterly tragic deaths, summing up how she feels about her sister, May's, death.
When Dellaira writes of Laurel's communion with the dead, the book really shines. It reads like the most tragic poetry there is. When she flows into the day to day life of Laurel, things falter a bit. It's the same thing that most YA is about: friendship, fitting in, first love, the angst of knowing you're different, knowing you may love people that society frowns upon. There's a remarkable lack of depth in the day-to-day.
Julia Whelan really knocks it out of the park, though--as she ALWAYS does. It's a decent enough listen, rather engaging. Just don't expect knock your socks off prose/story... until you hit the bits of poetry within.
The only thing worse than a waste of money is a waste of time.
"Love Letters to the Dead" is worth the time, but honestly? Not worth the whole credit. Daily Deal or Credit Bundle...

50 people found this helpful

Dear Diary...

Would you listen to Love Letters to the Dead again? Why?

Yes, If you like movies/shows such as "Mean Girls", "Clue less". This book reminds me of that type of genre

What was one of the most memorable moments of Love Letters to the Dead?

I like how you get to know the main character. I found myself cry at times because I really connected to her and felt her pain

What about Julia Whelan’s performance did you like?

I loved the animation she gave. Not only did she just read the words but she did a great job as getting the emotion as well.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did cry and get excited. I found myself cheering/laughing/crying for Laurel throughout the book

Any additional comments?

I love teenie booper shows. Saved By The Bell, Cosby Show, Popular, OTH, Dawson's Creek, 90210...This book seems to me to be this kind of show if it were made into one. Keep in mind it is written like you are reading her journal

14 people found this helpful

Brought Tears to My Eyes

What did you love best about Love Letters to the Dead?

The way she described each famous person and how she felt about their deaths made the story seem even more real.

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

I have not heard Julia in any other books except this one but I did think her voice was perfect for all the characters and the emotion in her voice made the story come to life.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I cried almost every other chapter, this story did hit close to home but it was much needed. It was nice to hear how the character learned to deal with her grief and to hear how others where handling theirs.

Any additional comments?

This was a great book that I am going to recommend to others.

10 people found this helpful

Moving storyline, amazing audio performance

In the beginning of this story, I was disappointed at how it seemed to fold out. I was expecting something much deeper than a girl writing to famous dead people about her high school problems. However, as the story continues and it got deeper, the story intrigued me more and more. While it still had typical YA tropes, it was a moving tale and one that captured my attention until the end.

9 people found this helpful

Writing is Therapeutic

Absolutely loved this book. The combination of angst and "teens being teens" and finding their way in a world that not always fair was just soul-soothing.

2 people found this helpful

Beautiful and haunting

I liked the way she wrote each chapter to a different deceased celebrity because it gave the book a beautiful and unique framework.

10 people found this helpful

Maybe a letter is enough to heal

This book I fell in love with I cried laughed felt upset... all most every emotion I can relate to the main character in so many ways the book has made me think about my past and look at my life and who I am today and who I want to be, I look at the world in a different way now I feel different now. This book gives me hope and helps me except the way things are and not how they are supposed to be this book makes me look at myself different helps me want to find who I am now that I think of it who is Jade wymes who am I, and will I ever really know??? I would recommend this book to any teenage girl who is having trouble in life the main character use theses words that make you feel in every way. I give this book a 5 stare because this book Is the first book I felt a connection to my life and how I'm feeling in every day life this book helped me open my eyes to this world.

7 people found this helpful

Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira

If you could sum up Love Letters to the Dead in three words, what would they be?

I read this amazing audiobook as part of the Hub Challenge and it was awesome. Laurel is still reeling from the death and loss of her older sister, May. She has transferred to a new school, and her first assignment is to write a letter to a dead person. This assignment beings a year long letter writing campaign from Laurel to Kurt Cobain, Judy Garland, River Phoenix, Amelia Earhart, Amy Winehouse, poets and many more...What I liked about these letters is that Laurel researches each subject and the reader learns about the lives of these dead people and we see parallels to May, Laurel, and her family. As Laurel struggles with her guilt, her silence, her own self image, and her idealization of May...who will she become? As a reader, I savored the New Mexico setting, the flawed (but real)characters, the letters, and Laurel's journey. Highly recommended, teens will relate to Laurel, Sky, Natalie, Hannah and their daily lives in high school

What did you like best about this story?

Towards the end when Laurel GETS it....

Which character – as performed by Julia Whelan – was your favorite?

Julia's performance was stellar but I love her Laurel the best. Laurel is such a tortured confused soul and Julia brought that to life often in the novel.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was devastated when Sky broke up with her.

Any additional comments?

I listened to this amazing book as part of the 2015 Hub Challenge and it did not disappoint and I loved learning about all those dead people's lives too.

5 people found this helpful

Lessons from those who have left.

Would you consider the audio edition of Love Letters to the Dead to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version but I enjoyed the audio. It is a great story to listen to as I do other things. Its a great story of growth and grief.

Which character – as performed by Julia Whelan – was your favorite?

I liked them all she did well juggling all the different characters.

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

Lessons learned from those who've left.

3 people found this helpful