From the accounts of Dessen herself and many of her fans, this is one of her most popular books. It delves into "tough stuff" and is a frank portrayl...moreFrom the accounts of Dessen herself and many of her fans, this is one of her most popular books. It delves into "tough stuff" and is a frank portrayl and discussion of abortion and (arguably) emotionally abusive relationships, teen sex and teen pregnancy long before Teen Mom made it "cool".
Halley and her best friend, Scarlett's, lives are changed the summer after Scarlett's boyfriend dies in a motorcycle accident. Michael's death sets of a chain of events that bond Scarlett and Halley stronger than ever, while a new boyfriend encourages Halley's independence and break from her usually tight knit family.
Much like That Summer, Someone Like You also deals with missed perceptions. Halley thinks she knows how Elizabeth Gunderson the popular cheerleader is, she thinks she know what she is getting into with Macon Faulkner, even more so she thinks she knows who her mother is.
Despuite the bright beachy covers this isn't a light hearted novel. What I think truly sticks with readers of Dessens and fans of this book is the rock solid friendship between Halley and Scarlett.
Connections : Someone Like You possible takes place in the same town, "Lakeview" as That Summer Someone Like You is about perceptions and illusions(less)
Keeping The Moon is a short read that manages to hold its own and pull a at the heart strings. This was the first Sarah Dessen novel I'd read almost t...moreKeeping The Moon is a short read that manages to hold its own and pull a at the heart strings. This was the first Sarah Dessen novel I'd read almost ten years ago *cringe* when I was 14-years-old. I remember that as soon as I finished it I sat there for a minute and then started to read it again.
Now 45 pounds lighter Colie Sparks is no longer the "fat" girl in school.While she could easily shed the pounds, losing her low self-esteem and self consciousnesses is going to take a summer of change.
With bullying a hot topic nowadays this novel is still relevant today .Fifteen year old Colie Sparks has been called called fat, she has been made fun of and is even called a slut. She is so down in her self that she begins to expect these things even whens she spends the summer in a town where no one knows her.
In the beach town of Colby, NC Colie befriends a pair of 20 something best friends. Morgan who is a sweet optimist and Isabel, the straight forward brash beauty..As we are introduced to the town of Colby and its residents you really get the feel that you are meeting and getting to know these people for the first time
I did find this novel off plotting wise. It seems as if two plots; the friendship between Colie's and her aunt's young border, Norman, and her friendships with Isabel and Morgan could have been worked together. Instead it felt like they were separated into different sections.
This isn't your average light summer at the beach novel. This novel begins real turn in Dessen's writing. Plot and message began to flow more evenly through the book. This is one of Dessen's first books about summer and I think she really finds her place there.(less)
Dessen is the queen of Manic Pixie dream guys romance, but the romance isn't the main story happening in Colby, NC. What really stuck out for me in Al...moreDessen is the queen of Manic Pixie dream guys romance, but the romance isn't the main story happening in Colby, NC. What really stuck out for me in Along For The Ride were the friendships, families and characters.
I found Auden was a sympathetic character but she isn't the girl next door. I enjoyed the way she progressed through the novel, she is the kind of character you want the best for but sometimes it's really hard to like her. Her relationship with a broken bike-loving boy was sweet but didn't really stand out to me.
What I did love was the secondary characters and all the little quirks they have. Even though there were so many side characters they were developed so well by the end of the book I felt like I knew what they would say and do before they would do it.
What is great about this novel is that it is the least "teen issued" focused Dessen novel I've read so far. Instead we get a glimpse into a the hardships of marriage, motherhood, divorce and death. Adults, who have a tendancy to get shafted in YA are allowed to have personalities and story arcs in this novel
My only issue with this book was towards the end the retrospective story telling was in overdrive ometimes it was retrospective inside retrospective for tiny little events. and all of the characters got a little to prophetic. It seemed like every other paragraph there would be a stunning realization-metaphor-monologue. . S
While this book is an amazing ride, the ending has few bumps and goes a little off road before coming home. Along For The Ride is truly a coming of age contemporary that has heartfelt lessons about family, tragedy and friendship that will really stick with you. (less)
So, this is the first Sarah Dessen novel I've read in a few years and I was nervous. I've always raved about her writing and I wondered if her writing...moreSo, this is the first Sarah Dessen novel I've read in a few years and I was nervous. I've always raved about her writing and I wondered if her writing was nearly as good as I remember. Would I still enjoy it ? The answer is yes.
Just Listen follows the story of Annabel Greene, a girl who is trying to keep up the facade of a perfect life when in reality her friendships and family relationships are crumbling around her.When she starts to sit next to Owen Armstrong at lunch, that all slowly changes.
Just Listen is a beautifully crafted novel and I adore it on so many levels. This is a book not only about a girl and her coming-of-age story, but also one about ideas. Powerful and brilliant ideas.
What Dessen does in so well is she allows her characters to tell their own stories. They characters know (or at least think they know) themselves so well that the storytelling feels completely organic.
In Just Listen, Anabel plays the role of both antagonist and protagonist. She is the character you want to cheer for, but sometimes she is her own worst enemy.The main male character, Owen Armstrong is easily likeable. It's hard not to be taken in by his easy going yet intense dialogue. It just leaps off the page. I found his insights and concepts in this book to be so interesting. My favorite character was Anabel's sister, Whitney. She was the most vivid character and I felt like she was someone I knew. Her storyline is the one that stuck with me the most.
One of the major themes of this novel is about the difference between what we think we see and what we are actual seeing. It also explores the ideas of why we do this and the impact of that judgement.
One weakness I'd point out is how Dessen leans on the Manic Pixe Dream Girl Guy plot alot. Often these girls don't see what is wrong with their lives until a guy comes into their life and shows them. However I find the guys in Just Listen to be extremely likeable. Dessen doesn't write about insta-love or overly dreamy chiseled cliches. She writes about real people and about relationships. She spends more time describing characters traits than their eye color.
This novel is gripping, relatable with smart and witty dialogue. Dessen has created a characters you want to cheer for and situations we have all experienced.(less)
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