THIS TIME WILL BE DIFFERENT

Narrator Joy Osmanski delivers the sarcasm of 17-year-old CJ Katsuyama. Her demeanor thinly veils her pain at the lack of love she feels from her mother, a driven business executive. CJ believes she will always fail to meet her mother's expectations. On the other hand, Osmanski makes clear the love and support this teen has from her best friend, Em; her Aunt Hannah; and Owen a new friend. Just as distinctly, Osmanski voices CJ's lack of self-love, rigid thinking, and then, gradually, her emerging emotions of tenderness, compassion, and self-acceptance. The story involves a lot of issues--including abortion, historical injustice toward Japanese-Americans, white privilege, and LGBTQ identity. However, Osmanski conveys wit and authentic feelings that keep listeners from feeling the story is too problem driven. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2019]