Why’d I Listen To This Book?:
I initially purchased Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock on audio because Christina at A Reader Of Fictions was giving it all of the praises and she told me I would like it. Clearly, Christina knows my taste because I did indeed enjoy Dairy Queen. However, purchasing something does not always immediately mean I will get to listening to it, just ask all of my unheard audiobooks. I chose this book because I was in the need for a short, fun palate cleanser, and yo, this contemporary young adult book fit the bill perfectly.
What’s The Story Here?:
Basically, Dairy Queen is all about DJ Schwenk and her summer. She pretty much failed English, so in order to make up her grade she’s writing a paper on her summer. She’s not one of those kids who goes to Europe or fancy people camp over vacation. Instead, DJ is much like the rest of us. She spends her summer working on her family’s dairy farm. It’s hard for DJ, though, because the farm is struggling, and her dad was recently injured, so he is unable to be much help. Also, her brothers are off in college and they have had a falling out with her dad. Aside from farming being in her blood, football is also in DJ’s blood as her dad and her older brothers were football stars. Her little brother, Curtis, is also destined to be a football star too. This becomes important later because this is one of those books where the girl plays football – only you guys DJ is not at all obnoxious like certain other characters. OH! And to make DJ’s summer even more complicated, Brian Nelson is being forced to work on her family’s farm because he needs to learn work ethic — FYI he is quarterback for her school’s rival team.
What’s The Verdict On DJ Schwenk?:
DJ Schwenk is authentic, you guys. I mean, she’s not like a bookworm’s wet dream. Instead, she is not a genius. She’s not gorgeous. She’s awkward without being ‘cute’. She struggles in academics. I liked her. I liked that she was quiet because she was thinking of what to say. I liked that she was direct with people – even with Brian. I liked that she didn’t take anyone’s bullshit. I liked that she grew from being someone who keeps everything inside to being the sort of character who talks about her feeling. There is legitimate character development in Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock.
Are There Swoons?:
There is kissing, yes. I will admit that. There are also multiple instances of angst. And tension. And surprises. BIG SURPRISES. While this isn’t quite Anna And The French Kiss when it comes to romance, it’s still there and in an amount that I found to be satisfactory.
How’s The Narration?:
I might have recently complained in a different review about the narrator being too subdued. In this audiobook, Natalie Moore, the narrator shines. She puts on this awesome, what I would imagine to be a Wisconsin accent. She does different voices. She’s never boring and there were zero instances where I felt like zoning out. Also? If you like short books, you will like this — it’s only 6 hours and 7 minutes long. OH and it’s produced by Listening Library which usually does a superb job.
Sum It Up With A GIF:
I picked this one because Dairy Queen features a girl who plays football who is not annoying and of course I thought of Becky from Little Giants who I also thought was not annoying as a kid. Also? Both girls just really kick it.
Disclosure: Purchased My Own Copy, Suckas!
Other reviews of Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock:
Pure Imagination – “Dairy Queen is my new favorite thing ever.”
Quinn’s Book Nook – “D.J. is such a likable character”
Reader Of Fictions – “Romance is really kept on the back burner”
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I love this audiobook. The two sequels are just as good, too. Glad you enjoyed it!
Oh my gosh, now I really want to watch Little Giants. I loved that movie as a kid. A large part of that was I had athe biggest crush on Devin Sawa. I was sure I was going to marry him.
Anyway, I’m so glad you liked this audiobook. It was a surprise for me. I mean, I didn’t go into it expecting not to like it, but I’m not really into sports, and books abuot sports aren’t something I’m drawn too. But DJ was just the most awesome main character. You’re so right about all the growth that happens to her in Dairy Queen. I’m thinking I should listen to the next book.
I haven’t listened to the audiobook, but I used to read it aloud every year to the middle schoolers at my old school. I’ve never had a book that appealed so much to both boys and girls (the girls all thought Brian Nelson was dreamy, of course).
One year, after I finished reading the third book to them, one boy (a total non-reader) said, “Can we just start the trilogy all over again?” Best comment I’ve ever gotten from doing a read-aloud. 🙂 Glad to hear the audio is so great – this is a book I always want *everyone* to read.
This is so funny, I just wrote up a little review for this audioook too ! I got mine from the library because I wanted something to listen to, but not anything I was too invested in ….and I ended up really enjoying this ! I first heard about this book at a Miranda Kenneally signing, so I went in thinking it was a lot like Catching Jordan, but it has a much more authentic feel.
Do you think you will read the other books in the series ? I kind of feel like it was a perfect ending for me.
Yay! I’m glad you liked this audiobook! I love this series and can still hear DJ’s voice perfectly even though it’s been months since I finished the last book in the series. Catherine Gilbert Murdoch’s new book Heaven is Paved with Oreos is a sort of companion to the Dairy Queen series. I haven’t read it yet, but I’m thinking of listening to the audio.
I recently read the entire Dairy Queen trilogy and was a bit surprised at how much I actually enjoyed it. I don’t really like books about sports and turned away from reading Kinneally’s books, but I’m glad I gave this one a chance. I am curious about the audiobooks, however, especially as to how the narrator sounds. I live in Wisconsin (although I don’t actually have a Wisconsin accent), so I wonder how authentic her accent really is.
I’ve never listened to an audio book, but I could totally hear DJ’s voice in my head as I was reading this book. She is totally authentic!
I’m glad you like DJ!! she was awesome! 😀 I love The Off Season the most out of this series, I hope you read/listen to it next
You probably thought I pushed this on you and then didn’t stop by to visit. But I’m just slow.
ANYWAY, yes, these audiobooks are short, and it’s great. Seriously any audiobook under like 7 hours feels like nothing. You can finish it in like two days without even trying and it’s awesome. Somehow, as soon as you jump over 7 hours, it takes like a week minimum unless it’s the best audio ever. I do not understand how this works, but it does.
Awww, yeah, you and your Jordan hate. Who’s less obnoxious than Ashtyn from Wild Cards, so watch out for that if you have that one yo.
It’s funny because just yesterday I was thinking about how annoying it is that pretty much every heroine is bookish. This may or may not relate to my listening to Clockwork Prince. *coughs*
Natalie Moore totally embraces the character and she’s just awesome. Also, there’s nothing worse than a monotonous audiobook narrator. HOW DID YOU GET THIS JOB AND WHY DO I NOT HAVE IT, TERRIBLE NARRATOR?
I’ve been hearing nothing but good things about this series, so I’m definitely going to have to check it out at some point. I love that fact that DJ seems very authentic as a character, quirks and all. That definitely gives me an extra incentive to check this one out!