A review by amy_alwaysreading
Christa Comes Out of Her Shell by Abbi Waxman

3.5

Many thanks to my friends at @berkleypub and @prhaudio for the free #gifted copies of this book.  

 

When Christa’s father turns up out of the blue after going missing decades before, she is thrust out of her quietly satisfying life into a stress filled media frenzy.  

 

This premise and the fact that I adored the Bookish Life of Nina Hill had me eager to get my hands on this book.

 

One thing is certain:  Waxman has a way with zany characters!  Christa, a scientist that studies snails, was living her best solitary life amongst the marine life on a remote island.  (Introverts unite!)  So, it was no surprise that she was a completely and totally awkward character, particularly in social circumstances. Her thought process, sometimes noted in the footnotes, often had me in stitches. 

 

Brimming with family drama, the dysfunction in this family was oftentimes comical.  But occasionally the antics went beyond the realistic into the absurd.  Still, it kept the storyline interesting and juicy. 

 

The title is spot on for this read.  Christa’s growth throughout the book is its strengths.  With a focus on leaving the past behind, I appreciated the way Christa evolved into herself and found her voice.  And by the end, she had definitely come out of her shell.  

 

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill is my favorite read by Waxman.  But this book continues to show Waxman’s talent for writing warm storylines that entertain.  

 

🎧 With dual narration from Jesse Vilinsky and Jonathan Todd Ross, the audiobook was a treat to listen to.  Vilinsky’s portrayal of Christa felt genuine and vibrant, adding to the eccentricities written into her character. Vilinsky’s depiction was engaging and kept me fully tuned in to the story.  The “In the News” segments were adeptly portrayed by Jonathan Todd Ross, making them feel authentic to an actual broadcast.  (Watch out Lester Holt!)