Now Is Not the Time to Panic Audiobook By Kevin Wilson cover art

Now Is Not the Time to Panic

A Novel

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Now Is Not the Time to Panic

By: Kevin Wilson
Narrated by: Ginnifer Goodwin, Kevin Wilson
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About this listen

An Earphone Award Winner

Audiobook performed by Ginnifer Goodwin

A bighearted, coming-of-age novel about two teenage misfits who spectacularly collide one fateful summer, and the art they make that changes their lives forever

Sixteen-year-old Frankie Budge—aspiring writer, indifferent student, offbeat loner—is determined to make it through yet another summer in Coalfield, Tennessee, when she meets Zeke, a talented artist who has just moved into his grandmother’s house and who is as awkward as Frankie is. Romantic and creative sparks begin to fly, and when the two jointly make an unsigned poster, shot through with an enigmatic phrase, it becomes unforgettable to anyone who sees it. The edge is a shantytown filled with gold seekers. We are fugitives, and the law is skinny with hunger for us.

The posters begin appearing everywhere, and people wonder who is behind them and start to panic. Soon the mystery has dangerous repercussions that spread far beyond the town.

Twenty years later, Frances Eleanor Budge gets a call that threatens to upend her carefully built life: a journalist named Mazzy Brower is writing a story about the Coalfield Panic of 1996. Might Frances know something about that?

A bold coming-of-age story, written with Kevin Wilson’s trademark wit and blazing prose, Now Is Not the Time to Panic is a nuanced exploration of young love, identity, and the power of art. It’s also about the secrets that haunt us—and, ultimately, what the truth will set free.

©2022 Kevin Wilson (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers
Coming of Age Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Southern United States World Literature Heartfelt Funny Witty Feel-Good
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Interview: Kevin Wilson Brings Wit and Perspective to This Coming of Age Story

'When I'm trying to write, oftentimes I have a character who feels slightly outside, like a loner.'
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  • Now Is Not the Time to Panic
  • 'When I'm trying to write, oftentimes I have a character who feels slightly outside, like a loner.'

Featured Article: Best of the Year—The 15 Best Fiction Listens of 2022


To say it’s a challenge to select the top fiction listens of the year (and this year especially!) is an understatement. But as hard as it is, it’s an even greater honor for our team to be able to listen deeply to so many amazing stories and then highlight the best of the best to you. Fiction is a big category—one that includes everything from epic family sagas to clever short stories, from historical fiction to near-future speculative works.

Thought-provoking Story • Unique Premise • Excellent Narration • Beautiful Writing • Heartfelt Author's Note
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Second Kevin Wilson book. Very creative idea and great writing. Narration is very good. Really enjoyed this book!

Creative and entertaining

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May be good for some. Just not my liking. More of a young teen or young adult

Just not for

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I think I’d given the book a higher rating if I’d have heard the authors ending notes first. Recommend listening to that portion first, to help pull the story together. Lots of build up with a less than equal ending.

Let down

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I was totally captivated! I became invested in the two main characters. I won’t deny it, I cried at one point.

Interesting and unique!!!

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I had never heard of the author but I'll definitely find more. I can't think of one thing I didn't like about it and it isn't the type of thing I would typically listen to.
It kept me entertained throughout and the narrator did an excellent job.

I don't understand the bad reviews.

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"A Timely and Thought-Provoking Read: 'Now Is Not the Time to Panic' Deserves Four Stars"

"Now Is Not the Time to Panic" is a thought-provoking book that provides valuable insights into navigating challenging times. The author's perspective on resilience and adaptability resonates, offering practical advice and a reassuring voice in uncertain times. The book addresses various aspects of crisis management and personal growth, making it a comprehensive resource. However, some sections could benefit from more in-depth exploration, and the tone occasionally veers into the overly optimistic. Despite these minor drawbacks, "Now Is Not the Time to Panic" is a timely read that encourages reflection and action during moments of adversity, making it a valuable addition to self-help literature.

A Timely and Thought-Provoking Read

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I believed all of the characters, even the ones who were less developed, like the triplet brothers. I loved the topic, and how it connected the character’s younger self to who she became.

The writing made the central character seem so connected to her voice and her thoughts.

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I loved the premise of the book and enjoyed the first few chapters. But the theme then just seemed to hang out there for the rest of the book and never really get developed any deeper. I felt like I was just getting hit over and over by the same message when I wanted it to become more nuanced, more complex, and to mature as Frankie matured.

I can understand why readers might really like this book, but it just seemed like a great idea that ran out of gas to me.

Underdeveloped

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The story fell a little flat to me. I think it was my inability to relate to the main character, her obsession with the poster so late into her life and the repeating of the of The Lines made me cringe at points. I kept thinking it was so unrealistic that anyone would be this obsessed with something that happened when they were a child. Towards the end I found myself not really caring what happened.

Fell a little flat

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A happy, sad ,earnest, sweet story about how our teenage struggles shape who we are. I could see this book being added to high school curriculums.

Loved This Story

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