Certain Girls (Abridged): A Novel Audiobook, by Jennifer Weiner Play Audiobook Sample

Certain Girls (Abridged): A Novel Audiobook

Certain Girls (Abridged): A Novel Audiobook, by Jennifer Weiner Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Michele Pawk, Zoe Kazan Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 4.17 hours at 1.5x Speed 3.13 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: April 2008 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780743569873

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

5

Longest Chapter Length:

77:59 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

69:37 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

75:29 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

38

Other Audiobooks Written by Jennifer Weiner: > View All...

Publisher Description

The eagerly-awaited follow-up to Jennifer Weiner's blockbuster bestseller, Good in Bed

Listeners fell in love with Cannie Shapiro, the smart, sharp-tongued, bighearted heroine of Good in Bed. Now Cannie's back. After her debut novel -- a fictionalized (and highly sexualized) version of her life -- became an overnight bestseller, she dropped out of the public eye and turned to writing science fiction under a pseudonym. She's happily married and has settled into a life that's wonderfully predictable.

As preparations for her daughter Joy's bat mitzvah begin, everything seems right in Cannie's world. Then Joy discovers the novel Cannie wrote years before and suddenly finds herself faced with what she thinks is the truth about her own conception -- the story her mother hid from her all her life. When Cannie's husband surprises her by saying he wants to have a baby, the family is forced to reconsider their history, their future, and what it means to be truly happy.

Radiantly funny and tender, with Weiner's whip-smart dialogue and sharp observations of modern life, Certain Girls is an unforgettable story about love, loss, and the enduring bonds of family.

Download and start listening now!

"Much better than Good in Bed, this is the sequel to that book. It's told from the points of view of both Cannie Shapiro and her daughter, Joy. It's much more believable, more heartwarming and in fact heartbreaking toward the end. It probably doesn't hurt to read Good in Bed first for the background but it's not absolutely necessary."

— Deb (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Weiner displays her signature wry voice and sap-free knack for capturing heartfelt moments; an unexpected plot twist gives her story emotional heft. Fans should find Girls a worthy successor.”

    — People
  • Hilarious. Weiner offer her signature snappy observations and spot-on insights into human nature.

    — Publishers Weekly
  • Heartfelt and funny...A touching examination of both the comic and tragic moments that mark the mother-daughter relationship.

    — Kirkus Reviews
  • Clear your calendar and prepare to read: Cannie Shapiro is back! Weiner is a talented writer who consistently delivers the goods. Readers will laugh and cry...

    — Library Journal (starred review)
  • Weiner displays her signature wry voice and sap-free knack for capturing heartfelt moments; an unexpected plot twist gives her story emotional heft. Fans should find Girls a worthy successor.

    — People
  • Filled with family tumult (lesbian mother, rebellious teenage daughter, nutjob sister), career uncertainty, heart wrenching plot twists, and plenty of Weiner's classic sass, Certain Girls is like literary cotton candy -- it's light, fun and sweet, yet sticks with you long after it's gone. Label it a beach season must.

    — Gotham
  • Weiner's follow-up to Good in Bed is, in a word, fantastic. You'll laugh, you'll cringe, you'll cry as you follow Cannie and her now nearly teenage daughter, Joy. Told through alternating first-person narratives, Weiner's tale gives mothers and daughters alike a treat to devour.

    — Romantic Times
  • Weiner is a talented and accomplished novelist, with real stylistic flair, excellent and sometimes laugh-out loud wit, and good insight into her characters...Cannie has retained her wit and her sharp takes on the world she lives in, but she has evolved. Weiner's voice is smart and edgy, and her male characters are sharply drawn. She writes about issues, such as the dynamics of family life, that are of interest to all humans.

    — Philadelphia Inquirer
  • In this smart-mouthed sequel to Good in Bed (a chick-lit classic), heroine Cannie is older but thinner, and in a terrible tussle with her soon-to-be-bat mitzvahed daughter.

    — Good Housekeeping
  • Jennifer Weiner's new book, Certain Girls, is a sequel to her huge best-seller, Good in Bed. For those of us who loved Cannie Shapiro, it's a chance to see her years later, married, a mother and coping with a new set of challenges.

    — Cape Cod Times
  • A daughter's journey through teen angst to realizations about family, acceptance, love, and the nature of truth.

    — Elle magazine's "Elle's Letters" Readers' Prize April Winner
  • “Readers will laugh and cry. Weiner is a talented writer who consistently delivers the goods. Clear your calendar and prepare to read: Cannie Shapiro is back!”

    — Library Journal (starred review)
  • “Hilarious. Weiner offer her signature snappy observations and spot-on insights into human nature.”

    — Publishers Weekly
  • “Heartfelt and funny…A touching examination of both the comic and tragic moments that mark the mother-daughter relationship.”

    — Kirkus Reviews

Awards

  • A New York Times bestseller

Certain Girls Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.35 out of 53.35 out of 53.35 out of 53.35 out of 53.35 out of 5 (3.35)
5 Stars: 6
4 Stars: 9
3 Stars: 18
2 Stars: 7
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " deze zal ik later zeker door mijn tienerdochter laten lezen "

    — Olga, 2/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " So far this was my least favorite of hers. Easy read and liked it but was into like I have been with the rest of hers. "

    — Donnamae, 2/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I borrowed this pink covered chick lit shamefest from the lbirary. And read the whole thing. "

    — Kori, 2/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I'd heard of author Jennifer Weiner, and thought she wrote trashy novels, not that anything is wrong with that. But this story was much richer than that. I really enjoyed reading this book. "

    — Jean, 2/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Hmmm. This is the first Jennifer Weiner book that I've read. Despite its low ratings on Amazon, I still gave this book a shot and spent a few days reading it, in which I think is a mistake. I can say that Weiner is a good story teller. However, the story is not good. I can't relate to the characters, I don't feel for them. Generally, I didn't like it. "

    — Naj, 2/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Needed a fun read. I liked a couple of her other books better, but I did enjoy this mother / daughter story. "

    — Elizabeth, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Love Jennifer Weiner's writing style. She sucks you in with descriptive sentences that flow together seamlessly. "

    — A.J., 1/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Amazing continuation of Good in Bed ... "

    — Renee, 12/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " i had to pick this one up after reading good in bed. I laughed, I gasped, and I cried with this book. its written from cannie's point of view and alternates to joy's in every other chapter. "

    — Lorri, 12/20/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Not as satisfying as Good in Bed, but it was nice to see the characters again and it had me laughing aloud as well as welling up with tears with every turn of the page.... what Weiner seems to do best, and that's what I loved. "

    — E, 12/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A nice follow up to Good in Bed, Certain Girls follows Cannie Shapiro as she negotiates life with a tween girl, a loving husband, and a writing career. While not as good as Good in Bed, this novel was a very enjoyable read, and I really liked the update on Cannie's life. "

    — Leesa, 12/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This was a wonderful sequel to Good In Bed. Cannie is a lovable character that I can connect with. "

    — Tanya, 12/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I love Jennifer Weiner's writing style along with her sense of humor. I was disappointed in the ending and that's all I have to say! "

    — Kelley, 12/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I read her first book and I thought it was so cute. This is a sequel to Good in Bed. You don't have to have read the first to pick this one up though! "

    — Heather, 5/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Not as good as some of her others. A bit slow. Still worth reading I thought. "

    — Amanda, 1/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I did not like the end of this book. Her boyfriend left her when she was pregnant with her daughter, now her husband dies after they have gottan a surogate to have their child. "

    — Mom, 11/12/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I was ecstatic when I saw I could read more about Cannie, my literary BFF. I love how the plot ties in with the first book. The ending broke my heart! "

    — Nycol, 8/23/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Another great book by Jennifer Weiner, although they are all getting a bit too much alike one another. "

    — Amy, 7/5/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Very entertaining continuation of In Her Shoes, especially amusing due to Jewish inferences "

    — Jennysdavis, 5/24/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " listening to on Audio CD. Hopefully won't be too scratched "

    — Laurie, 4/13/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Great lite summer beach read! I enjoyed Cannie and Joy once again-I hope that we will see more of them. "

    — Terri, 3/31/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Certain Girls is the sequel to Weiner's book Good in Bed. I actually listened to it on CD on my way home to Georgia from Texas. It was great. Much better than the first. I laughed-I cried. Loved it! "

    — Sarah, 2/19/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I enjoyed this book. Nice to get more of Cannie. However, Cannie's over protectiveness drove me a little crazy. I spent a lot of the book wanting to scream just talk to each other!! I really enjoy reading Jennifer Weiner. Easy to get into and wonderful flow! "

    — Maryruth, 1/25/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Typically chick-lit. A quick, easy read, but missing depth. "

    — Jennifer, 10/31/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " This was my least favorite of Weiner's books. Did not like it at all. "

    — Dana, 8/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is the sequel to "Good in Bed." This book is almost just as good as "Good in Bed." Without giving away the ending, I cried at the end. That is RARE for me to do. "

    — Nancy, 5/24/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Had high expectations and was disappointed "

    — Jennifer, 5/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Can't remember exactly when I read this - late 2010/early 2011. I liked the evolution of the mother/daugher relationship & cried at the end. "

    — Denise, 5/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Should have just stopped at the first book. "

    — Jessica, 5/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Amazing continuation of Good in Bed ... "

    — Renee, 5/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I expected this book to follow a certain formula about mothers and teen daughters. And it did, to an degree. There is a real kicker at the end of the book which brings a deeper richness to the book. "

    — Dodi, 5/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This book should probably have 4 stars, I enjoyed almost the entire thing. I took away a star because of the ending...honestly, WHY?! Is the moral here that fat people don't deserve happiness?! Oh man I so hated that ending. "

    — Krissy, 4/29/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I think I liked this one even more than the first in this series. Cannie has her hands full with her teenaged daughter in this one. A fun read with a good theme. "

    — Regina, 4/27/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Oh my, this is a sequel that doesn't live up to the first book. I loved Cannie in Good in Bed but here she's less interesting and the plot seems to slog on. I also thought the daughter didn't quite hit the right notes - teenagers are hard to write about and Weiner didn't quite get it with this one. "

    — Tara, 4/23/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Got about a quarter of the way into the book during a dull day at work, but decided to give up after finding that I was not at all interested in Cannie or Joy's narratives. There was something about Good in Bed that I loved but was just missing from Certain Girls. "

    — Gricel, 4/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I love the character of Cannie Sharpo. I definantly understand her character from Good in Bed, but there is something about how she has changed that I can no longer relate to in this book. "

    — Tina, 4/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Fun, quick-read beach book. Written in Weiner's easy-going conversational style that makes you feel like your friend is telling you a story. Good entertainment. "

    — Kelly, 4/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Enjoyed but wasn't as good as Good in Bed. "

    — Elisa, 4/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " It was good but the ending made me mad. I definatly enjoyed the first book, Good in Bed, more than this one. "

    — Gabriella, 4/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " This book was comical and held my attention but I felt the ending was lacking. I was disappointed in the turn the story took and am not sure why the author felt the need to go in that direction. I thought the focus in the beginning of the story should have been followed through to the end. "

    — Lenn, 4/11/2011

About Jennifer Weiner

Jennifer Weiner is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-one books, including In Her Shoes , which was made into a major motion picture starring Cameron Diaz. She has appeared on many national television programs, including Today and Good Morning America, and her work has been published in the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, among other newspapers and magazines. Visit her online at JenniferWeiner.com.

About Michele Pawk

Boyd Gaines is an Earphones Award–winning narrator and an actor whose many film credits include Second Best, I’m Not Rappaport, Heartbreak Ridge, Fame, and Porky’s. He’s won two Tony Awards for performances in the The Heidi Chronicles and the musical She Loves Me. On television he has appeared in A Woman Called Jackie, A Son’s Promise, and in the popular series One Day at a Time.