This month on the Teen Advisory Board we had a visit from Nina Kenwood, author of It Sounded Better in My Head. She was delightfully generous with the teens, talking to them about different designs of the US cover and asking them which they preferred. She talked about the discipline needed to actually finish a novel (as opposed to just starting one) and gave plenty of tips on how to become a better writer for the teens that are interested in writing as a career or passion. The teens overwhelmingly loved Nina’s book and had plenty of great questions to ask her as well.

Read on for their feedback.

‘One of the most relatable novels, guaranteed to take you on a whirlwind of emotions, from laughter to frustration to sadness. This book perfectly sums up the feelings of wanting to leave your childhood behind but still feeling so lost in navigating the waters of adulthood. With this book, it’s so easy to get lost in the thoughts of Natalie and how painfully relatable she is – I’d recommend this book to all the teenagers out there struggling with young adulthood and the problems it brings.’
– Carolyn

‘ It Sounded Better in My Head is a fast-paced, heartwarming, lovable novel that highlights the insecurities that teenagers experience in their young adulthood in a relevant context which the youth of today can identify with.’
– Claire

‘Never have I seen an adult author capture the insecurities and fears of young adult life so well. It’s almost magical how perfect it is.’
– Siena

‘Kenwood 'spills the tea’ on everything from the making and breaking of relationships to finally graduating high school, yet having no idea where to go next. She takes what would have been a fond but inaccurate re-telling of ‘high school’ and mixes it with a perfect combination of reality and romance to deliver a heartwarming and funny coming-of-age debut.‘
– Chenuli

'I really enjoyed It Sounded Better in My Head – particularly the universal experiences in a familiar setting. I also was impressed by how accurately and seamlessly Kenwood captured the voice of a modern teenager.’
– Riley

‘ It Sounded Better in My Head is intensely relatable, belly-achingly funny and dream-crushingly realistic. It is relevant to every Australian high school student, and through reading about Natalie’s mess-ups, I feel that I have been saved from making the same mistakes, and for that I am grateful. Most importantly, it leaves you with a sense of hope that not all is lost, and in the middle of teenage struggles, sometimes that is what is most needed.’
– Sasha

It’s not just teens that love It Sounded Better in My Head! Staff have been giving it rave reviews too. Read more here.

Angela Crocombe is the manager of Readings Kids.