ROOMIES

The summer before one’s first year of college can be fraught with emotion. Narrators Emily Eiden and Becca Battoe bring to life all the excitement, anticipation, and worry of this time with breathy youthful voices. Elizabeth and Lauren will be roommates at UC Berkeley in the fall, and they spend the summer getting to know each other by email. Battoe’s and Eiden’s voices sound similar, but since the book alternates its point of view in each chapter, listeners are never really in doubt about who is speaking. Boyfriends and parents are portrayed with suitable deepening of tones, and young siblings are all squeaky energy and charming lisps. While telling the story of a difficult transitional time, this audiobook is still as light and enjoyable as a summer day. G.D. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2014]