This Is How It Always Is Audiobook By Laurie Frankel cover art

This Is How It Always Is

A Novel

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This Is How It Always Is

By: Laurie Frankel
Narrated by: Gabra Zackman
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About this listen

“Every once in a while, I discover a book that opens my eyes in a way I never expected. This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel has done just that. It's a story about family: childhood, parenthood, and the sometimes-heartbreaking decisions that come with it. As a mother, this story absolutely tore at my heartstrings. I can’t wait for you to listen to it!" x Reese

This is how a family keeps a secret...and how that secret ends up keeping them.

This is how a family lives happily ever after...until happily ever after becomes complicated.

This is how children change...and then change the world.

When Rosie and Penn and their four boys welcome the newest member of their family, no one is surprised it's another baby boy. At least their large, loving, chaotic family knows what to expect.

But Claude is not like his brothers. One day he puts on a dress and refuses to take it off. He wants to bring a purse to kindergarten. He wants hair long enough to sit on. When he grows up, Claude says, he wants to be a girl.

Rosie and Penn aren't panicked at first. Kids go through phases, after all, and make-believe is fun. But soon the entire family is keeping Claude's secret. Until one day it explodes.

Laurie Frankel's This Is How It Always Is is an audiobook about revelations, transformations, fairy tales, and family. And it's about the ways this is how it always is: Change is always hard and miraculous and hard again; parenting is always a leap into the unknown with crossed fingers and full hearts; children grow but not always according to plan. And families with secrets don't get to keep them forever.

©2017 Laurie Frankel (P)2017 Macmillan Audio
Family Life Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Heartfelt Suspenseful
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Critic reviews

2017, "Amazon.com Best Books of the Year", Long-listed

2018, "Reese's Book Club x Hello Sunshine", Long-listed

What listeners say about This Is How It Always Is

Highly rated for:

Heartwarming Story Realistic Portrayal Excellent Narration Whimsical Fairytale Subplot Emotional Journey
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    5 out of 5 stars

This is how it Lways is

An amazing book. I hated for it to end. She brought the reader into the story and made you a part of it too.

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An extraordinary story

I so enjoyed this book. I felt intertwined with each character almost like family. Such an enlightening read. It is filled with love, fierce family devotion and support. It has made an impact on my thinking. Thank you...

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Amazing!

Such an incredible book that can teach us about who we truly are and the importance of telling our stories.

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exquisite

I had trouble putting it down! The narrator, story and writing made it a favorite!

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beautifully told story of a transgender child

this is a beautifully written and beautifully told story of a transgender child from birth to adulthood and family, school, friends and society handles the situation. So heartfelt, I have my book club reading it now. I would have included their reactions but that isn't until next month and "Audible 20 Review Sweepstakes Entry” is due today.

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Sweet story

The touching story of a family's strength and love for each other, no matter what cards they are dealt.
My only complaint is the narrator read it extremely fast. I had to slow down the speed so that it was enjoyable to listen to. Thank goodness Audible has that option

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Very Timely Work

This book takes a really full look at a topic that we are just starting to tackle in American culture. I loved the characters and the fairy tale subplot. I really appreciated how the material was handled and felt like I was being educated while inspired. Good work. I recommend this book to anyone with kids or trans people in their families or communities. (So, everyone.)

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The weirdness of parenting is universal

If you are (or have ever thought of being) a parent, read this book. Scratch that. Just read this book. I’m a lover of great writing and typically a tough audience and this book is way outside my wheelhouse. But maybe that’s the point. Thank you Laurie Frankel.

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amazing book! loved it! well written, well read.

I loved it! This book was so interesting and well written. the narrator was perfect for the story. I'm only sad that I finished it!

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Always Is- Always Satisfies

How does a family with still-in-love-with-each-other parents, four boisterous boys and a transgender child make its way in the world? Author Laurie Frankel answers this question with a resounding “Yes!” If the answer is ambiguous so is the situation. Frankel navigates readers through the shoals and sandbars of this uncharted sea with humor, patience, letting her characters run aground every once in a while then letting an incoming tide lift their ship and steer it towards new shores. The book is a delight from start to finish, the characters expertly drawn, and “life lessons” gently offered. Narrator Gabra Zackman delivers a superb performance, disappearing into the book and letting the author take center stage.

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