You audiobook

What a lucky Goodreads Giveaway win! I would have never picked up this book on my own and it ended up exceeding all my expectations. The novel is addictive from the very first lines:You are surprised at all the blood.He looks over at you, eyes wide, mouth dropping open, his face almost as white as his shirt.He's surprised, too. There is not a lot of broken glass, though, just some tiny slivers around his feet and one big piece busted into sharp peaks like a spiking line graphs, the blood washing down it like rain on a windshield.He doesn't say anything clever or funny, doesn't quote Shakespeare, just screams. But no one can hear him, and it would be too late if they could.You are thinking, this wasn't the way it was supposed to go, this shouldn't be happening. And now things are only going to get worse... What did just happen? Who are these people? What are they doing?As the story unfolds, we gradually learn who this mysterious "you" is, how he got to this point, what life choices (or circumstances?) made him what he is now. It's not a feel good story. To see the main character make poor choices and become passive and apathetic is truly disheartening, but there is a meaningful lesson. You is an extremely intense novel written in a very unique way. Although it is very short (220 pages in large font and with huge margins) and the prose is sparse, the book managed to keep me in a state of anxiety throughout. What is also remarkable about the style is that the story is written in 2nd person. I don't come across this POV very often and Charles Benoit uses this perspective to the fullest advantage. In fact, You is written and paced so well that I believe the book might be a Printz award contender.The novel might not appeal to everyone - it is a dark, frustrating story. Many will think the ending unsatisfying. But I personally found the message of the book very powerful. You are the choices you make rather than a victim of circumstances, even though it is often more comforting to think so.

Reviewed by Karin Librarian for TeensReadToo.comKyle is a hoodie. One of those kids that sits in the back of the class, tries not to be noticed, doesn't do his homework (only because he doesn't see the point), and dresses in the same "uniform" every day - black jeans, black shirt, black hoodie.You can find hoodies in every school, even though they might be called something else - slackers, freaks, stoners. Whenever you see them walking down the hall or through the mall, you don't know exactly what to expect - you just know it won't be good.YOU by Charles Benoit provides a glimpse into the mind of Kyle. By writing in a second-person point-of-view, the reader actually walks around inside Kyle's head. You are the character going through the story.* You are the one listening to the teachers explain how important it is you turn in all your work the rest of thegrading period even though you still won't be able to pass the class.* You are the one attending Midlands High School because your grades weren't good enough to go to theprivate school with the people you already know.* You are the one with a secret crush on a girl you're afraid you have no chance with.* You are the one who thinks that your cute, kindergarten-age sister is the best person you know.* You are the one with a tragic end.Kyle is a good guy. Is he misunderstood? No - he projects exactly what he wants to project. The people in his life don't give him a reason to do anything differently.EVERY educator needs to read this book!

You open a book and it hits you in the face with broken glass, blood, and screaming. You haven’t met anyone yet and so don’t know who the other players are. You’re confused. You’re anxious. You might even be angry. You decide to just go with it.You are Kyle, a high school sophomore and hapless and angry loner. He made some bad decisions and is now resigned to a path in life that he can’t find a way off of. His father is a disembodied voice shouting at the TV, his mother is the Muppet Babies Nanny who constantly nags about school, clothes, and responsibility. There’s a Girl, a New Kid, and more Bad Decisions (or is it just unavoidable fate?) leading up to the desperate scene that opens the book.Kyle is equal parts uncomplicated and unfinished. But he’s you, so what more do you need? Ashley is a pretty incidental character, more of a symbol, which I initially didn’t like but eventually appreciated. Zack, however, is a fascinating YA psychopath.I didn’t really know what I thought of this book. I still don’t, but I know I think well of it. It’s a quick read. The words are actually pretty sparse on the page and are very terse. It’s tense and gripping and I found myself reacting strongly and without conscious thought. It all seems unfair, but was ultimately avoidable. Because, the truth? You chose to do this.

YouByCharles BenoitKyle Chase is a loser…in his own mind. He has dropped out…he has made poor choices, he doesn’t care, he doesn’t like the way his parents treat him, he doesn’t respect his teachers, he doesn’t really even like his friends. He knows if he had made other choices he would be in a different school doing very different things. And yet he is not. And there is nothing he can do about it. He has everyone figured out. He has life figured out and he is not able to change anything. He doesn’t know how or even better he knows how and yet he doesn’t want to do anything to change. He appears to be stuck. He gets detention after detention, he doesn’t study, he yearns after a girl named Ashley and does not do anything about it. He wonders when his mom became awkward around him and when his dad began to dislike him. He seems to love his little 5 year old sister. Her innocence and her love for him mean a lot to him. One day he hears his sister tell his mom that when she grows up she wants to be just like Kyle. When his mom responds that she hopes not…Kyle is sad even though he doesn’t want to be. Then…new student Zack comes into Kyle’s life and nothing will ever be the same again. Zack knows how to find Kyle’s weak spot and use it to his own advantage. This results in a devastating end of this story.I was really caught up in this story. It is narrated by Kyle. It was heartbreaking. I wondered what I would do if I had known someone like Kyle. He is intelligent, awkward, rebellious…all the things a 15 year old male can be. I don’t know if I would have gone out of my way to talk to him. It seemed as though all he needed was one understanding parent or one teacher he could talk to but all circumstances were against him. He walked alone. His story was so sad. He seemed to not know joy. He did not understand what to do with his tortured anger.So…how did I feel about this book…I think it is an important book to read.

What do you get when you mix a kid with anger issues and another kid who is a sociopath? A very intriguing book with a surprising ending. This was a random pick from the library that turned out to be a very quick read that was twisty and dark. I need to pick up random books more often.

Kyle is a hoodie – one of those kids that sits in the back of the class, tries not to be noticed, doesn’t do his homework (only because he doesn’t see the point), and dresses in the same “uniform” every day – black jeans, black shirt, black hoodie. You can find hoodies in every school even though they might be called something else – slackers, freaks, stoners. Whenever you see them walking down the hall or through the mall you don’t know exactly what to expect – you just know it won’t be good.YOU by Charles Benoit provides a glimpse into the mind of Kyle. By writing in a second-person point-of-view, the reader actually walks around inside Kyle’s head. You are the character going through the story.You are the one listening to the teachers explain how important it is you turn in all your work the rest of the grading period even though you still won’t be able to pass the class.You are the one attending Midlands High School because your grades weren’t good enough to go to the private school with the people you already know.You are the one with a secret crush on a girl you’re afraid you have no chance with.You are the one who thinks the your cute, kindergarten sister is the best person you know.You are the one with a tragic end.Kyle is a good guy. Is he misunderstood? No – he projects exactly what he wants to project. The people in his life don’t give him a reason to do anything different. EVERY educator needs to read this book! In the end, Kyle is left wondering, “Where did it all go wrong?” The problem is, by the time he starts to wonder, it is already too late.

TW: Blood, (view spoiler)[self-injury, death, (hide spoiler)] intensive bullying, recalcitrant behavior, body shaming, violence, discriminatory remarks, substance use, mention of drugsI offer 4 mind-boggling stars to You, Mr. Benoit. 4 because (view spoiler)[I hate Zachary McDade so much and all those who had fallen prey to his overly disturbing cruelty and nagging disruptive behavior and did not even do something as much as lay a finger on him. !@$# I cannot believe I've never been more honest in my life till now, probably. (hide spoiler)] I cannot stop thinking about You. You disgust(s) me. (clearly referring to the book and not you, dear author. I believe you've done more than enough.) Thinking about You makes me sick and nauseous and giddy and out of breath.. huh, but you see, I'm running out of words to describe You. It's possible everything about You is vile and reprehensible yet You did not fail to astound me, amuse me, beguile me. You are one hell of a book with a story that tampered with the deep recesses of my mind. Bravo, You! You know exactly who You are, and if You still don't get it, it is You. Yes, You. Totally You. None other than You yourself. Don't blame me, though. You have been made. It's all You. You did it to Yourself. I know You must be wondering what You did to feel like You have been blamed for something you either did or did not do. But guess what? All this is Your doing. You have been the cause of Your own downfall. But You know full well this is where it all comes down to. The only question is, what did You do?Want to find out what You did (and certainly what You did to me)? Well then, You should read it for yourself. Trust me, You will be doing Yourself a massive and eminently rewarding favor. An intriguing and thought-provoking gem!

Benoit slices high school open and lays its steaming, stinking entrails on a stainless steel table, ready for the reader's autopsy.

The drama novel “You” by Charles Benoit follows 15 year old Kyle Chase through a dramatic few months of tenth grade. After being forced to go to a different high school than his friends due to poor grades, Kyle begins to hang out with a sketchy cast of characters. He and his friends enjoy drinking beer, smoking, vandalising, and a long list of activities that run afoul of the law. Throughout the book, he tries to impress Ashley Bianchi, a girl he’s liked for a while. He also meets a new schoolmate named Zack McDade, who seems mildly annoying at first, but after interactions with him and his acquaintances, he soon learns of Zack’s nefarious intentions.The novel’s narrative provides an interesting way of storytelling. Instead of using first person narration, it uses second person narration, as if you were Kyle. This creates a feeling of the events happening to Kyle, but also you, the reader and a very dark, ominous mood. A good example of this is, “You feel your breath catch and your stomach cramp, your knees threaten to buckle, and you see your reflection sway.” The author also provides glimpses into Kyle’s mind, which allows you to understand what he’s thinking. My favorite scenes from the book are Zack's party and the ending, because you get a taste of what Zack really is.The characters are very convincing too. Kyle’s thoughts, like not wanting a job and hating school are typical of some teens. He is a rebel who does what he wants. The character of Zack is rather carefree, daring, and a bit of an evil mastermind. After appearing as a mild annoyance to Kyle, he slowly begins to manipulate and destroy Kyle’s life at school. Another element of this novel is Charles Benoit’s way of keeping the reader hooked. The novel starts at the end, giving you no context about what is unfolding, then flashes back to a few months earlier, describing the events that lead up to the end. The thrilling writing style keeps you wanting more.

I think that "YOU" was a good book because there is this kid in high school but it is not the one he wants to go to. He wanted to be put in a school with his friends but he got put somewhere else. His mom was getting tired of him being lazy and laying around so she wanted him to get a job. So what she did was tell him to dress nice and finally when he got in the car she told him where they were going. When they got their after the interview he went back home and a couple of days later he was told someone else has applied for the job and they wanted him to work there because he knew what he was doing.

3.5 or 4 not really set on a specific rating. Easy read, kept me interested and curious, but needed something more.

The Short Version:Entrancing and guttingly real, You combines a unique writing style, a relatable mess of a main character, and a shocking string of events for one powerful punch. Written as if both speaking to the reader and writing as if the reader were actually Kyle, the title denotes the narrative while the book still centers around Kyle. With a steady building of events and a jaw dropping conclusion, You will leave the reader reeling and dumbfounded in all the best ways.The Extended Version:Kyle is a slacker, a failure, and a mess. He looks at where he’s at in his life, and tries to figure out how he got there. He’s the kid you brush off and ignore, but he’s also kind and a good friend when given the chance. He’s quiet and lost in himself, but he has many redeeming and endearing qualities about him. He is absolutely real, raw in so many unflinching ways, with everything laid out about him, both the good and bad. He has a temper and a penchant for violence, but nothing too major or necessarily concerning. Kyle straddles the line between dangerous and teenage, still learning to control his temper and actions.Zack is the new kid at school and a large force in the plot. He is charming in all the worst ways, and thrives on his interactions—however messed up—with others. His own personality and psychology are intriguing, and he would certainly make a strong character for his own book, but cast in the light of Kyle, he leaves a lingering bad feeling throughout. His actions are reprehensible at times, and gutting at others despite the humor and charisma he brings with him.The second person narrative is interesting, creating an interesting mix of informal, personal narrative and pulling the reader in as though they are the ones walking in Kyle’s shoes. Adding to this is the lack of chapter designations, with only line breaks to indicate a new section. This gives a different feel for the life-like progression of time and flows smoothly. Insight is still strongly given to Kyle’s mind, showing his crushes, his wants, and his feelings. The shift and mix of this is fantastically well handled, and though it could be something that turns people off from the book, Benoit has skillfully handled the technique. A strong impact of the book, in the end, comes from this narrative and the genius behind it is very clear.The underlying messages of this book are potent and striking. Benoit has weaved a series of seemingly unrelated events together to lead to a fantastic, jaw dropping ending. With a sense of urgency and dread steadily building, and an innate fear of the worst, the reader is pulled in to Kyle’s thoughts and actions even without the direct narrative. With some brilliant flashes of insight and connection, Benoit drives some strong points home before his explosive and gaping ending. Kyle's crush on a girl named Ashley, his borderline temper, and a long string of choices are what drive the book to the conclusion, truly making the reader step back with questions about their own life and choices.You holds many of the fantastic elements that make up strong contemporary fiction. Mixing humor throughout an otherwise gripping story, and throwing in some surprising events and twists, You has many stunning scenes and a strong overall arc. With a gutting nature, a gritty, raw and real main character, and a steady stream of events, You will hit with a range of audiences.

** spoiler alert ** Sam Chamberlain3/14/16 Written by Charles Benoit, You is a realistic fiction about a boy who is fairly new to the high school and just trying to get his life together and figured all out. The theme of the book is that you shouldn’t let other people control your lives and you should take initiative if you want you life to turn out the way that you want it. Kyle is a boy who is very angry at the world, and is just trying to figure out what his purpose is in life. He gets himself into not-so-good situations, and has trouble getting himself out of them. Kyle is afraid of becoming a failure to the world which keeps him from everything he knows that he should have done. The authors style of writing in short bursts of language will keep you intrigued with the right amount of drama and suspense. Kyle really despises the school and most of the people in it. However one person that he wished he could be, was someone who approached him. His name is Zach, and he doesn’t care how he treats people--in fact he doesn’t care much about anything. He believes that he controls everyone else and usually can control almost anyone’s life simply by saying a few words. He gets rid of a bully who is angry at Kyle for ‘stealing’ his wallet. Kyle somehow ends up at one of Zach’s parties, and meets all the other people that Zach has trapped in his deceitful words. When he makes the mistake of picking up a jocks wallet, and is mistaken by basically the whole school for robbing the wallet from the jock. Kyle does have one close friend; Ashley. However he wants to be more than just friends with her, but never tells her how he feels about her. Kyle mostly just hangs around with Zach, even though he doesn’t really consider him a friend he still follows Zach and does what he wants to do, such as pee in the locker of the person who he tried returning the wallet to. Zach calls a meeting with Kyle to explain to him the purposes of why he was ruining Kyle's life. Zach believes that the world is a stage and every person is just an actor, but one person gets to be the star, and Zach thinks that he is that person. “He finds your weak spot, then keeps pushing till you crack. You didn’t think you had any, but it turns out, you’ve got more than you thought. And he’s found them all. But you’re not going to crack. And he won’t see it coming.” (208) Is Zach really the star here, or is he really the antagonist? Kyle asks Zach why they were meeting and Zach told Kyle about how he and Ashley hit it off--but they did much more than that Zach explains. This pushes Kyle to his breaking point, and the ending of the story. This book was an alright book to be honest. I would rate it 3.5/5 stars, because it could have used more plot development before the climax of the story. I recommend this book to anyone that is interested in criticism of the world and enjoys short reads. I especially recommend this book if you are a high schooler and are trying to figure out many of the same questions that Kyle has, and hopefully it will be a great help to you.

There's a reason the ARC of You has blurb after blurb from authors, librarians and booksellers-Charles Benoit has written a stunning YA debut. In the author's note in the beginning of the book, Mr. Benoit states that Kyle is not a bad teen nor is he good teen, but he's a typical teen and I couldn't agree more. Kyle is that teen boy that doesn't feel like he fits in anywhere, is somewhat awkward, and that most everyone have pegged as a "loser." Kyle is an incredibly believable main character. I can see Kyle in many of the teen boys that know-in fact, I think I need to pass You onto my brother because I think he would really relate to Kyle's story. At the crux of the story is decision making-when did everything go wrong for Kyle? Was it the beginning of tenth grade? Was it when he started to crush on Ashley? Was it when Zach arrived? Or was it sometime before? We know Kyle has a lot of anger and that something happened in eighth grade to make him stop trying, though we're never told what. The way the story is told-in second person-really engages the reader. The author puts the reader in Kyle's shoes and in a sense the reader becomes Kyle. This style of storytelling really works well and makes the book flow at a non-stop pace. I started reading it and I couldn't put it down for the next two hours. The narration also adds to the suspense and mystery. This is a contemporary novel that in some ways reads like a thriller as we're given hints about what happens later, what people will say, but we spend the majority of the book trying to get there and figure out what's going to happen. Not only is this a read I would give to teens, but one I would pass on to adults as well, especially adults who work with teens. Kyle needs an adult to listen, to talk to him, to see him for who he is, but instead he's been branded a "hoodie" and a "loser" and so even the adults see him that way. I think You can serve as a good reminder to teens and adults that we shouldn't be so quick to judge the others we encounter. You is a riveting read that begs to be discussed.

ou is the story of a boy who is quiet, misunderstood, and eventually at wits end. The beginning of this book sets us up for heartbreak by giving us a glimpse into how everything will end. The journey to that ending is a look into the life of just an average kid who is a bit restless and prone to finding trouble around every corner. The book version is just over 200 pages. There isn't a lot of room to get off track. You has the right amount of teen angst, humor, conflict, and even mystery. We know Kyle finds himself in a situation with blood - lots of it. But, whose blood is it and how did a teen who travels down the road of mundane find himself in this situation? Told in the second-person narrative ("You run your finger down the list of homeroom assignments until you spot your name.") we get an insiders look into every emotion and thought process. It feels very intimate in this story and a welcome change from first and third person for me.I thoroughly enjoyed this audio book. The narrator, David Baker, is one of the best voice actors for audio books in my opinion. He is behind Graceling (one of my all-time fave's) and several Nicholas Sparks novels. His hauntingly tender rendition of Kyle Chase is exceptional. Although he doesn't have a particularly young voice, his acting skills are superb. Baker, and Anthony Hopkins for that matter, could read the phone book and I would think it is genius.A poignant story about the choices one makes and the consequences that follow. Mild language and references to sex. Recommended for 13+. This one is a top audio choice for me!

Know how you sometimes talk to yourself? How you sit there and wonder what the hell you're doing? How it's sometimes easier to take a step back from yourself, as if you've suddenly become this really interesting bug no one's ever seen before? How, if you employed second-person narration as an internal thought, your high school English teacher would ding you? That's You. Known for his adult mysteries, this is fellow Dear-Teen-Me author Benoit's first YA novel, one that employs that second-person narration to tell the story of Kyle Chase, an angry hoodie and misfit. Soon as I saw that, I thought: Aha, gimmick. Well, maybe. Not really. This is a book about choice and its ramifications--essentially, an extended flashback told in the second person. The story itself is fairly straight-forward, although there's a fabulous twist at the end which is why, I think, Benoit made the narrative choice he did. While the narrative style is somewhat distancing and a tad pedantic . . . that's the point, dude. Hoodie and all-around misfit Kyle Chase has made a bunch of very bad choices. Some are irreparable, and by the last page—when this short, nimble story has come full-circle—you understand that Kyle's taken that huge step back from himself so he can look down and wonder: Dude, what did you just do? Sure, this could've been told in first- or third-person, and I think the story would be just as powerful. But a good story is a good story, and Benoit tells his exceptionally well. If this isn't nominated for an Edgar, there is no justice in the world. Recommended for ages 13-up.