The Selection audiobook

Upon re-read 5 years later- Welp, it's still the "guilty pleasure" light silly read I knew it to be, but definitely not quite as entertaining as I remember.

I can never ever get enough of this series! To start off, I will say that I liked this book more than I thought I would. I was originally looking for a book for a reading challenge (needed blue covers) and just happened to see this at the library and figured it didn't look too bad and that I would just read it since nothing else was working. I have now read this four times since it came out. It has yet to tire for me.It is hard to explain why I like it. It is a true guilty pleasure, fluffy kind or read with a hint of action and intrigue for future books in the series.I will admit, the concepts are not very original. The ideas that this is in between The Bachelor and Hunger Games (in the dystopian sense) are fairly accurate, with heavy leanings on The Bachelor. The love triangle setting adds a bit extra to character complexity.I will not say much on what the books is about. The summary already does that in itself in this book. The book is written from America's perspective and what I will say otherwise is what I thought. First, I must admit, I dislike the character names. Yes, I know the last names refer to what the person does, but the first names are horrid in my opinion. Yet the main thing is the writing style and pace. I literally laid down last night thinking I would read a few chapters. Next thing I knew, the sun would be rising soon and the book sat finished in my hands. I don't get that with many books anymore. This book made me giggle at times, and twitch in anticipation at others. It left me desperately craving the sequel. Wondering who she picks, or who Maxon picks, what is up with the other girls, etc.So, while the concept is not original, the characters are interesting, and the story is written in a way that is easy to get wrapped up in it. I actually just put it back on hold at the library so I could skim through it once again before the next book comes out. I read it so fast I fear I might have missed things. I honestly had a hard time rating this. In the way in captured my attention once I started reading, and my desire to read it again I would normally say 5, but since it does lean SO heavily on the concept of The Bachelor. Which is interesting because apparently the author said she had either never heard of (or at least never seen) the show before writing this. Very clean, fun read. Time just flies while stuck in this book! So, I give this a 4 1/2.As an audiobook, I feel Amy Rubinate does a fair job. Not a great job as some voices blend together but it is done enough where I can easily follow while working on light task projects. Yet not engaging enough to fully pull me back into this world of happiness the way I wish it would have.

i like my teenage dystopian dating competitions like i like my drama - catty, pointless, and OTT. this is all of that and more. i never knew that a hunger games meets the bachelor crossover is the most ridiculously entertaining story that i needed in my life. i know now how my mother feels when she watches her reality TV shows. lol. ↠ 4 stars

WHERE DO I BUY A MAXON SCHREAVE?

4.5 stars!! I LOVED this book and I am SO excited to start the sequel. The premise and the setting are so unique. I haven't read a dystopian book in so long. Plus the love triangle had my heart TORN. Overall, an absolute must read if you like YA, romance, and dystopian novels.

4 Stars......and trust that no one is surprised more than me.This series has been sitting on my shelves with the pretty hardcover spine cover girls in pretty dresses just staring at me in judgment for years. And I suppose I put off reading it for several reasons...1) I just haven't been loving YA books for a while now. Especially the trope-y dystopian variety we were bombarded with for so long...this series being one of them. 2) I heard it was like The Bachelor, which I have no interest in, as well as reality TV in general, really... In fact, I'm not even sure why I bought these. But I digress and no one really cares anyway. After all, everyone else has already read these, right? As most people have probably already mentioned, this book was like The Bachelor and Hunger Games had baby together...and no one is more surprised than me that I was basically a trash panda for it all. But seriously, I picked this up on a whim last night and ended up reading the entire thing in one sitting. It was fairly basic...and trope-y...and very 2012 YA. All the things I don't usually love anymore. But, you know what?I don't even care. And everyone needs a mindless fat angel sometimes. Off to read the next one.

** spoiler alert ** I really really was enjoying this until page 190 or so. Then Aspen came back and I HATE HIS CHARACTER UGH He made America be all stupid and Maxon is so perfect just annoying.I did enjoy the America and Maxon romance though.It was a cute quick read!

First, I want to say that I LOVED this book. I've been wanting to get to this series for so long and it most definitely did not disappoint. I love the names of the three main characters, America, Aspen, and Prince Maxon. Awesome names. To describe America Singer, I would say she is loyal, tough, passionate, and at the same time, vulnerable and a little bit naive. I instantly fell in love with her. Aspen is someone she has known all her life and the last two years, they fell in love. But in this society, people are divided by castes. America is a 5 which is below the average. They are artists and musicians but frequently struggle for money. Aspen is a six. They frequently clean houses and other such jobs and never have enough money for food or clothes. Five's are not allowed to marry six's. Their relationship is secret. But, Aspen has decided that he has to let her go. He cannot provide for her and feels she can do better. The Royal Family has decided it is time for their young Prince Maxon to find a wife. So they hold a lottery and eligible young ladies send in an application. 35 ladies are chosen to participate in The Selection. Hopefully The Prince will find his future bride among these young women. America does not want to enter but Aspen tells her he wants her to and so does her family. And, much to her surprise, she is chosen. So, she goes off to the Royal Palace. She tastes food like she never has tasted before. She gets to wear the most beautiful gowns. And, she meets Prince Maxon. I INSTANTLY fell in love with Maxon. He is so adorable. And there is an instant connection between he and America. I was team Maxon from their first meeting. This book is super sweet and I just hated to have to put it down. I hope I can inspire anyone who reads this to give it a try.

I'm honestly here just for Maxon. I miss him so much and I honestly don't know what to read so am I going to reread the addictive trash aka my guilty pleasure that is the selection? yes I am. Send help

The Selection (The Selection #1), Kiera CassThe Selection is a 2012 Young adult Novel. It is the first in a five-book series, followed by The Elite (2013), The One (2014), The Heir (2015) and The Crown (May 2016). In a futuristic world where society is divided into castes, with Ones as the most prosperous, consisting of royals and elites, and Eights who are mostly orphans, drug users, handicapped, and unemployable. America Singer is a Five, the "artist" caste (e.g. musicians, artists, actors, dancers, etc.). Since their prosperity depends on their desirability, Fives live a lower-class life. America Singer, however, doesn't care, because she loves entertaining, especially with a violin. The prince of Illéa, Maxon Schreaves, announces that he is following his father's footsteps by holding the Selection, a competition for the prince's hand in marriage and the crown. Despite pressure from her mother, America has no interest in entering the competition, because she already has Aspen, her secret boyfriend, and next-door neighbor. ...عنوانهای چاپ شده در ایران: «انتخاب»؛ «گزینش»؛ نویسنده: کایرا کاس؛ تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز سی ام ماه دسامبر سال2015 میلادیعنوان: انتخاب کتاب یک از سری انتخاب؛ نویسنده: کایرا کاس؛ مترجم: رباب پورعسگر؛ ویرستار نیما کهندانی؛ تهران، نشر بهداد، سال1395؛ در288ص؛ شابک جلد یک9786008203209؛ موضوع داستانهای نویسندگان ایالات متحده آمریکا - سده21معنوان: انتخاب کتاب یک از سری انتخاب؛ نویسنده: کایرا کاس؛ مترجم: مهسا شفیعی؛ تهران، نشر آذرباد، سال1395؛ در؟ص؛ شابک جلد یک9786006225890؛ عنوان: گزینش کتاب یک از سری گزینش؛ نویسنده: کایرا کاس؛ مترجم: رضا اسکندری؛ تهران، نشر آذرباد، سال1395؛ عنوان کتاب دوم از این سری: «برگزیده»؛ عنوان کتاب سوم سری: «شاهدخت (شهبانو)»؛ عنوان کتاب چهارم سری: «وارث»؛ و عنوان کتاب پنجم سری: «تاج»؛ هستندرقابت «انتخاب»، برای سی و پنج دختر، شانس به‌ دست آوردن یک عمر زندگی است؛ فرصت فرار، از یک زندگی‌ که از زمان تولد، برایشان تعیین شده است؛ مهلتی که بتوانند، در دنیای لباس‌های پر زرق‌ و‌ برق، و جواهرات گران‌ قیمت، غرق شوند؛ در قصر زندگی کنند، و برای به دست آوردن دل شاهزاده «مکسونِ» جذاب، رقابت کنند؛ ولی «انتخاب» شدن، برای «اَمِریکا سینگر»، یک کابوس است؛ و باید به عشقش برای «اَسپن»، پسری که یک درجه‌ ی اجتماعی، از او پایین‌تر است، پشت کند؛ خانه‌ اش را، به منظور شرکت در رقابتی تنگاتنگ؛ برای به دست آوردن تاجی که نمی‌خواهد، ترک می‌کند؛ و در قصری ساکن می‌شود، که شورشی‌های وحشی، پیوسته، به آنجا حمله می‌کنند؛ سپس «آمِریکا»، شاهزاده «مکسون» را، دیدار می‌کند؛ به تدریج، در مورد تمام رؤیاهایی که برای آینده‌ اش داشته، تردید می‌کند، و به این نتیجه می‌رسد، زندگی‌ ای که همیشه در ذهنش تجسم می‌کرده، به هیچوجه، با آینده‌ ای که هرگز، تصورش را هم نمی‌کرده، قابل قیاس نیست؛ و ...؛نقل از متن: (فصل اول: وقتی نامه را، در اداره ی پست تحویل گرفتیم؛ مادرم، به وجد آمده بود؛ از نظر او، دیگر همه ی مشکلاتمان حل شده، و برای همیشه، از بین رفته بود، اما بزرگترین مشکل نقشه ی درخشانش من بودمفکر نمیکردم، دختر سرکش، و نافرمانی باشم، ولی تحملم حدی داشت؛ دوست نداشتم، عضوی از خانواده ی سلطنتی شوم، نمیخواستم طبقه ی اولی باشم؛ حتی دلم نمیخواست تلاش کنمدر اتاقم پنهان شدم، تنها جایی بود، که میتوانستم از جروبحثهای خانه ی شلوغمان، در امان باشم، و سعی کردم، از شری که احتمال داشت، مادرم راه بیاندازد، دور بمانم؛ تازه، من برای خودم مجموعه ای اعتقادات راسخ، و صادقانه داشتم...؛ که البته فکر نمیکنم، حتی یک نفر، به آنها گوش میدادبیش از این نمیشد از مادرم دوری کنم؛ به وقت شام، همدیگر را میدیدیم، و به عنوان بزرگترین فرزند باقیمانده در خانه، وظیفه ی آشپزی، بر دوش من بود؛ از تخت پایین آمدم، و قدم به لانه ی مار خشمگین گذاشتممادرم چشم غره ای رفت، ولی حرفی نزدوقتی داشتیم جوجه و پاستا، و سیبهای قاچ شده، درست میکردیم، بی هیچ حرفی، بین آشپزخانه و اتاق غذاخوری، در رفت و آمد بودیم؛ میز را برای پنج نفر چیدیم؛ به محض اینکه، سرم را بلند میکردم، با نگاه خشم آلودی، حسابم را میرسید؛ مثل اینکه بخواهد، مرا به دلیل خواستن کاری که، خودش نیز انجام داده بود، سرزنش کندهرچند وقت یکبار، به همین شکل، رفتار میکرد؛ مثل وقتهایی که، نمیخواستم سفارش کار به خصوصی را، قبول کنم؛ چون میدانستم، خانواده ی میزبان، بیجهت رفتاری ناخوشایند، و بی ادبانه دارند؛ یا وقتهایی که اصرار داشت، یک خانه تکانی مفصل، انجام دهیم؛ چون وسعمان نمیرسید، یک طبقه ی ششمی بیاوریم، تا کارهایمان را، انجام دهد، بعضی اوقات، این روش جواب میداد، بعضی اوقات، نه؛ و اینبار، بحث بر سر چیزی بود، که نمیتوانستم پا پس بکشم.)؛ پایان نقلتاریخ بهنگام رسانی 02/11/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ 27/11/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی

I reckon the haters might have a point, but this book won me over. At the time of writing, I only know that this book was very good and that there are sequels. I don't know how many or whether this series has been brought to a conclusion.The story flows very much like a Chaplinesque film such as the Great Dictator. When two of the love triangle are talking, the decor, the surroundings, the palace, the tree house all of these melt away. There is a lot of symbolism involved. E.g. the clumsy name of Maxon that preempts the strange character of the Prince. There's the assignment of 3 maids to each selected. So many more. The ear tug... was a nice touch.I'm slowly being won over by the YA genre, a concept that I had ditched in favor of the cozy genre. What I prefer most about the genre is that it sits slightly above the beach read label. That's what a bestselling book like Crazy Rich Asians lacks. The Selection doesn't try to please everyone. That's the key in art.

DIOS MÍO. No sé por qué no he empezado con esta saga antes, pero sin duda, si sigue en la misma línea que esta, va a ser una de mis sagas favoritas. Sin duda. The Selection ha sido toda una revelación para mí. Desde la trama, hasta los personajes o la manera de escribir, he disfrutado todos y cada uno de los pasajes y he sufrido y he gritado con otros tantos. Ha sido una experiencia, de verdad, pocas veces me ha pasado estar tan obsesionado con un libro y conectar tanto con la historia y sus protagonistas. Y encima es una novela que rompe TANTOS esquemas que de verdad no me lo creo. Por favor, leedla. POR FAVOR, LEEDLA.

[If you didn't know by now, four stars is my guilty-read rating.] I shouldn't like this book. Most of the time I actually don't. I just keep going back to it.Why? Logic.Four stars: I took off half a star because this isn’t even close to a favorite of mine - I just enjoy it for no reason. And then another half star for the terrible, terrible representation. Everyone was white and straight except for that one quintessential Asian girl who was Chinese because of course she is.[white person logic X10000000.] But that said, I did enjoy this book each time I read it. It’s my "guilty-pleasure" skim read. A light book that I like but also don’t care too much about, so I can read it when I don’t want something intense.The world-building could have been a bit better. The caste system was interesting, as was the “reformed” version of the US, but I think if there had been more detail and elaboration it would have been a lot better. I see why it wasn’t elaborate, because adding more to the world would have deviated from the story, but I am the kind of reader who intensely loves super elaborate fantasy worlds.The characters were all endearing to me – except the king (obviously) and Aspen. I’m sorry, but I hated Aspen. He dragged America on for years, and she broke the law to help him and meet him every night, then he let his stupid, selfish pride get in the way of their relationship. Then forced her to fucking join the Selection. I mean, I’m not complaining that she joined the Selection. But Aspen was a dick to America and made her do a lot of things that landed her in trouble.Asshole Leger – the epitome of teenage male egos.Maxon, on the other hand, I liked. Not loved, but liked. I liked how awkward and sweet he was, and how open. He knew that his privilege had blocked him from doing normal things like dating and friends and going to school, and he acknowledged it, and he was willing to ask for help. He was kind to all the girls, a bit too generous, and an overall good person. He was misunderstood in the beginning but quickly became a lovable character. The fact that he was terrified of crying girls was also hilarious.“You get confused by crying women, I get confused by walks with princes.”America, our heroine. Our humble, red-haired, musical heroine. I loved her wit and daring and fierceness, and I loved that she was so empathetic to others. I know that it’s “boring” to love the main character but I really, really loved her.However, I didn’t like Marlee all that much. I see why everyone does, but I didn’t. She was a bit too bubble-headed (in a good way I guess – I mean, her character was great) and sweet and we didn’t see much dimension in her. I liked her less than most of the others. I guess Maxon and I think alike.I’ve seen mixed reviews on this, but I automatically loved Celeste. Some people say she’s too much of a bitch in the first Selection book, but I always love the ruthless and fierce girls. Reading from her perspective in the novellas gave more weight to her character, and I loved reading her to the point that I scanned every page for her name. I think in the first book, it’s more exploring her character and introducing the stage for everything else, but her arc over the series is something I love. Admittedly, in the first book it’s more of an I-love-to-hate-you sort of vibe with Celeste, but I love her anyway.“There, walking toward us, was a brunette with sunglasses on. She had a daisy in her hair, but it had been dyed red to match her lipstick. Unlike Marlee and Ashley, she didn’t smile. But it wasn’t because she was unhappy. No, she was focused. Her entrance was meant to inspire intimidation.”Queen. The love triangle. I mean…I’ve read worse. Was this annoying? Yes. Was it necessary to the plot? Yes. Do I have very opinionated feelings about why Aspen was a fucking dickhead? Yes. So it wasn’t awful. I’m just tired of the love triangle trope. It did add more to the story though, so I’m not really complaining.Not really.“So you're choosing him over me?" He asked miserably.No, I’m not choosing him or you. I’m choosing me.”I loved how true America was to herself. She never strayed from what she wanted, and even though she was determined she knew not to get caught up in something. She kept herself from becoming obsessed. She knew what was good for her, and she made that choice.Overall. I can’t say this is a full five-stars, because the plot felt more surface-level than the books that I consider my favorites. I did enjoy this a lot, but it wasn’t the most amazing thing I’ve ever read. It’s a much lighter, sweeter read than the intense fantasies I stick to, but it’s a good book.