Helpful Score: 3
I loved reading about the further adventures of Katie and her friends CherylAnne and Cynthia as they progressed into their teen years. This is the 3rd in a series (Durable Goods, Joy School) but can be read and appreciated entirely on its own. Not just for teens... In fact, a better read for those of us who grew up that baby-boomer era. We can relate to the usual activities, brand names, games and heart throbs much better than can today's teens. Read it, read it, read it! Elizabeth Berg gives us another outstanding novel. Will there be more about Katie? I hope so!
Helpful Score: 2
I really enjoyed this book. I am a fan of Berg, of course, and this is the first time I've heard this reader, Arija Bareikis who is very talented with voices. You'd swear a 13 year old is telling her story. Also, I'm a sucker for coming-of-age tales, and there are so few about girls. This takes place in 1961, and the memories and nostalgia this evoked in me were so strong, hearing the little background details. The main character is real, and she is caught in a betrayal that just makes you cringe...have we all not done something similar when we were young and foolish? "True to Form will cause listeners to remember and reflect on their own moments of discovery and self-definition." So very, very true.
Helpful Score: 1
This book took me back to my childhood. 1961...Katie tells of the summer she learned about true friendships both young and old. I felt like I was her friend and reliving memories of my life then. If you are wanting to have that warm cozy feeling of when you were young, you will really enjoy this book.
I felt like the reader was a little slow to start with, but I began to enjoy the story more as I listened and her slowness fit right in.
I felt like the reader was a little slow to start with, but I began to enjoy the story more as I listened and her slowness fit right in.
Great story
Unabridged audiobook 4 cassettes
The book is set in the late 1950's but that doesn't matter overmuch as the story could just as well take place today and the setting isn't a huge part of the telling. Katie is a lonely 13 year old living with her stern father and his new wife (who isn't, thankfully, an evil witchy stereotype). They recently moved to a new town and Katie is having a tough time making new friends. She wants to hang with the cool kids but only terminally uncool Cynthia has been friendly.
Katie is looking forward to spending her summer ogling sexy young lifeguards at the beach but those dreams come to a crashing halt when her father insists she spend her summer assisting a bedridden neighbor and babysitting some neighborhood brats. Katie, the dutiful daughter, does as he demands but slyly enters a "free vacation" contest which she wins. She uses it to visit the home town she misses so much and visit an old friend (a "cool" kid) for a few days. The trip turns out to be a bust as Katie realizes cool kids can also be very shallow and downright boring. The story continues as the days of summer pass and Katie grows up, makes mistakes and experiences all of the angst as only a 13 year old can. After reading this I've realized I wouldn't want to be 13 again even for all the chocolate in the land.
Katie is an easy to like character that makes some very wise observations about life and how things you thought were forever can all change so quickly. I enjoyed this little glimpse into her life.
The book is set in the late 1950's but that doesn't matter overmuch as the story could just as well take place today and the setting isn't a huge part of the telling. Katie is a lonely 13 year old living with her stern father and his new wife (who isn't, thankfully, an evil witchy stereotype). They recently moved to a new town and Katie is having a tough time making new friends. She wants to hang with the cool kids but only terminally uncool Cynthia has been friendly.
Katie is looking forward to spending her summer ogling sexy young lifeguards at the beach but those dreams come to a crashing halt when her father insists she spend her summer assisting a bedridden neighbor and babysitting some neighborhood brats. Katie, the dutiful daughter, does as he demands but slyly enters a "free vacation" contest which she wins. She uses it to visit the home town she misses so much and visit an old friend (a "cool" kid) for a few days. The trip turns out to be a bust as Katie realizes cool kids can also be very shallow and downright boring. The story continues as the days of summer pass and Katie grows up, makes mistakes and experiences all of the angst as only a 13 year old can. After reading this I've realized I wouldn't want to be 13 again even for all the chocolate in the land.
Katie is an easy to like character that makes some very wise observations about life and how things you thought were forever can all change so quickly. I enjoyed this little glimpse into her life.
Really enjoyed this quick, sweet read. When you're looking for a little pick-me-up, this is it!
This is the absolute best yet from Elizabeth Berg. I could not put it down. The story of 13 year old Katie continues and it unfolds in a beautiful way...full of life's questions, search for meaning, betrayal, forgiveness, redemption and self-understanding.
Katie is 13 in 1961 in this last of the Katie Nash novels. Good as always!
3rd in a trilogy by Elizabeth Berg. Follows "Durable Goods" and "Joy School". I love all of her books!
This book is very entertaining and lots of fun to read.
Final book in Berg's "trilogy" (which began with Durable Goods and continued in Joy School) of Katie Nash.
3rd in a series and the best one yet.
I Loved this one, but then, I've never read an Elizabeth Berg book I didn't like!
My daughter loved this book.
Great story, book three of the growing up of Katie.
Final and best book in Berg's trilogy of Katie Nash.
It began with Durable Goods, then continued with Joy School.
I liked each book better than the last; this was the best- terrific.
It began with Durable Goods, then continued with Joy School.
I liked each book better than the last; this was the best- terrific.
Another nice read from this author. A teen's-eye view on growing up.
good book
I got this book from the local library. I had read the first book ("Durable Goods") about two months ago and when I found out there were two more books in the series, I decided to read them as well. I finished "True to Form," third book in the series about six weeks ago. Should have written the review while it was still fresh in my mind. I enjoyed all three books in the series. Yes, they seem to be written for a teen/young adult audience but I still liked the books. They are also a fast read. Katie Nash, the main character in all three books, has settled into her new town and has a new gal friend. Katie continues to hear from her friend back in TX. We learn some interesting things about that gal.
Katie also makes some comments about her new friend that has significant consequences for Katie. However, it is also a period of growth for Katie. This last book was published in 2002. It would be nice if author Berg would write another book, perhaps 10-20 years in time after "True to Form" so we can see what Katie did with her life.
When I was checking this book out from the library, the librarian said she loved Elizabeth Berg's books. I will have to read some of the others.
Katie also makes some comments about her new friend that has significant consequences for Katie. However, it is also a period of growth for Katie. This last book was published in 2002. It would be nice if author Berg would write another book, perhaps 10-20 years in time after "True to Form" so we can see what Katie did with her life.
When I was checking this book out from the library, the librarian said she loved Elizabeth Berg's books. I will have to read some of the others.
Another of Elizabeth Berg's in depth character studies. It holds you until the end and you hate that it's over. I wonder if it's the last we'll hear of Katie.
This is the third book in a trilogy and it was absolutely awesome !! I wish Elizabeth Berg would come out with another one. I love all of her books !!!
If you love Elizabeth Berg this is one of her better books
Elizabeth Berg is truly a fine writer who captures the nuances of her teenage character. I enjoy all her books.
Elizabeth Berg is my current favorite author, so I'm biased. I love all her books because they are gentle, life-true works with believable characters and settings that some how feel familiar.
This was the first book I have read written by Elizabeth Berg. I will definitely order the other two books about Katie. It is a wonderful story about a young girl who faces disappointments and learns much about life.
The third in the series about Katie, a wise, funny girl on her way to becoming a sensitive young woman. The kind of character you know you'll miss when the book is finished.
I loved this. It was meaty but fun to read.
I haven't read so can't provide a rating.
