Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

TITLE: Saint Anything
AUTHOR: Sarah Dessen
PUBLISHER/YEAR: Viking Juvenile
SERIES: No
SOURCE: Purchased

Summary
Peyton, Sydney's charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion's share of their parents' attention and—lately—concern. When Peyton's increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?

Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time.
The uber-popular Sarah Dessen explores her signature themes of family, self-discovery, and change in her twelfth novel, sure to delight her legions of fans.

Thoughts and Reactions
You guys, I know I haven't written anything in ages. Again. I'm terrible at consistency, but I've also felt like I haven't had a lot to say. I've read sporadically for the past little while, but between work and some personal things no book has jumped out at me and said Hey You Have to Talk About This! I don't know if that's changed for awhile or just for now or maybe just for this one book, but after putting down Saint Anything I knew I wanted to post. I don't have anything revolutionary to say, but I wanted to chat. I miss just talking about books sometimes, you know? 

Sarah Dessen books and summer just go to together; a porch, iced coffee and one of her books are all you need on a hot day. I love the characters and towns she creates and even though the characters are flawed and have problems, you know that things are going to work out for them in one way or another at the end of the day. Sydney is a pretty average girl whose brother has some major issues that have caused her family and others a lot of pain and her trying to figure herself out within that mess was captivating. Family dynamics in a book are so important to me and Dessen creates realistic, if sometimes painful, families to read about. The lack of perfection, the mistakes; it felt all to real sometimes, but in such a good way. 

A lot of times the perfect summer book has to be filled with swoons and romance, but with this one, I don't know that was my favourite part. Mack was a great book boyfriend, so down to earth and reliable and I was totally rooting for them the whole time. It's just not what really drew me to the book. The way friendship was portrayed, both good and bad, was spot on and just so good. Losing touch with good friends because of physical distance or a new boyfriend or whatever; the friendships were so relatable. 

I basically buy every new Sarah Dessen novel as soon as it comes out because I know I'll devour it. I love the way she writes characters and mixes, serious and real problems with lightness. Saint Anything proves yet again that this is just the type of novel I need in my life. 

Lock & Key by Sarah Dessen | Book Review

TITLE: Lock & Key
AUTHOR: Sarah Dessen
PUBLISHER/YEAR: Viking / 2008
SERIES: No
SOURCE: Purchased

Goodreads / Author's Website

There's a reason Sarah Dessen has such a huge following. She consistently writes engaging young-adult novels that touch on themes close to many people's hearts. Lock & Key is no exception. Ruby has been living on her own for months after her mother took off, but once social services finds out she goes to live with Cora, her estranged sister and Jamie, Cora's down to earth, family oriented husband.

Honestly, it took me awhile to get into this book and I don't think it was the story, but me. I don't think I was in the right mood for this particular book on this particular day. That having been said, Dessen constantly writes compelling, flawed characters that draw me in and make me want to keep reading. Ruby is so hurt and this story is really about her and learning how to trust and reconcile her old life with her new one. I felt for her despite her flaws and her occasional obvious obliviousness.

Of course, there's also the boy next door. Nate, the hot swimmer who seems to have a perfect life, but as the two get closer and Ruby learns to open up, it becomes obvious that not all is what it seems. I found Nate's story to be almost more compelling than Ruby's. He was such a sympathetic character, always putting others before himself. I kind of wanted a glimpse into his head. I felt for him and wanted to know more.

Being a comfort read, the plot was fairly predictable,but sometimes that's okay. You know what you're getting when you read a Dessen novel and you start it because you know you'll like it in the end despite it's predictability.

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen | Book Review

TITLE: The Moon and more
AUTHOR: Sarah Dessen
PUBLISHER/YEAR: Viking Juvenile / 2013
SERIES: No
SOURCE: Purchased

Goodreads / Author's Website

Another week, another Sarah Dessen review, shocking I know. I wasn't joking when I said I was trying to catch up on her entire back catalogue, so when a new book was released at the beginning of the summer I obviously couldn't resist. However, life happened, things got crazy and I just got around to reading it. It's been sitting on my shelf mocking me for months. I've got mixed feelings about The Moon and More which makes it a little difficult for me to review. I didn't dislike it, but it didn't really grab me either. I'm a little on the fence and while there are things I appreciated about it, it just doesn't make it into my favourites list.

The Moon and More is set in the fictional seaside of Colby (I think that's one of my favourite things about Dessen's novels, the beach). Emaline has been dating Luke throughout high school; he's caring and kind and everything she thought she wanted in a boyfriend, but now it's the summer before college and Emaline is no longer sure what she wants. She doesn't want to stay just as she is now forever, but she also doesn't want massive amounts of change all at once. She's still trying to figure things out. Enter Theo. He's an NYU film student assisting on a documentary about a reclusive local artist and thinks that Emaline can do better than Colby. Throw in some family drama surrounding Emaline's absentee father and that's kind of the story in a nutshell.

I do love being able to pick up a Sarah Dessen novel and know what I'm settling into. It's comforting in a way. She writes these incredible teenagers who don't go through anything super dramatic, but face realistic situations and just need to figure out how to get by. Emaline is this fantastic character who's worked her ass of in high school and at her after school job only to find out she doesn't actually have enough money to go to her top choice school. She's dating somebody who she likes, but maybe doesn't love. She's basically going through what so many people face every day. She doesn't overreact; she just deals. I love that Dessen creates these level headed characters who don't always make the right choices, but can serve as more realistic role models. Watching Emaline face just the twists and turns of every day life is kind of inspiring.

I have a feeling the reason I didn't love The Moon and More as much as I thought I would is because of the romance. It was just a different kind of book than I was expecting, with the romance playing a secondary role. Luke, the boyfriend and Theo, the new outsider, are representative of Emaline's overall life choices more than anything else. There's no great romance; there's the familiar and the different. Emaline's choices surrounding these two guys say more about her and her hopes and fears for the future than they do anything else.

The family dynamic is typical of Dessen novels in the best way possible. They're caring, but imperfect and super relatable. Like a lot of the problems they face aren't exactly out of the norm. I love Emaline's interactions with her mom, sisters and dad (technically stepfather) because they all knew each other so well and spoke their minds. They fought, but they also made up. The drama that really drives this story is between Emaline and her biological father. They were never close, but they grew apart when he failed to live up to some promises that resulted in her choosing to go to a school close to Colby. Their differences provide the tension and I just felt for Emaline.

Between the Emaline, her family and the setting I definitely think Dessen fans will be pleased with her latest. Sure I didn't swoon as much as I expected to, but I definitely enjoyed The Moon and More. The characters are super engaging and the drama is so realistic. I honestly love that it's understated; it's such a nice change from so many YA novels that I read. Like with many other Dessen novels, long time fans won't be disappointed, some favourite characters show up and there are a few other nods to past stories throughout. Basically, I think you all should go out and read it and enjoy it for what it is because it's such a comfortable read to get lost in.

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen | Book Review

TITLE: Just Listen
AUTHOR: Sarah Dessen
PUBLISHER/YEAR: Viking Juvenile / 2006
SERIES: No
SOURCE: Purchased

Goodreads / Author's Website

I spent a lot of time this summer catching up on Sarah Dessen's catalogue, like a lot. I feel like every second book I read was Dessen. I don't think this was a necessary bad thing since her books overall are fantastic. That having been said, I did find myself getting a little tired of the formula which is probably the main reason why I didn't love this book as much as I thought I would. I definitely enjoyed Just Listen and actually think it's one of Dessen's better novels; I just didn't fall in love. That having been said I think this book does a particularly good job of integrating romance with some very serious issues ranging from sexual assault to anorexia. The issues are given the gravity they deserve, but the book is still hopeful and accessible; it's a balancing act that Dessen has perfected.

Annabel used to be one of the most popular girls at her school. She was a local model, was best friends with Sophie, the resident mean girl, and a gorgeous house with a relatively happy family. Everything changed over the summer, leaving Annabel with just remnants of her old life. Sophie hates her, her older sister developed anorexia and she's alone and bullied at school. The only person who talks to her is Owen, the school's bad boy. He's the sort of brooding, music obsessed former bad boy who's now all about the truth after going to anger management therapy. With him Annabel begins to open up about what happened to her the night that everything changed for her.

I have to say Just Listen was a difficult read for me. I still enjoyed it; it was just more challenging than I expected. Annabel as a character hit me hard you guys. She had been through a lot already and she may not have been the nicest, most sympathetic girl to begin with, but the things she went through, well they change you. Sophie dropped her because she thought that Annabel was hooking up with her boyfriend. Well, you can infer pretty early on that this was actually a case of sexual assault. Not only that, but Annabel has nobody she can confide in. Her family is so worried about her older sister's anorexia that she doesn't want to put more pressure on the family. She represses her feelings time and time again and it's painful to read about and I found that it took me back to high school. Annabel has an inner strength about her, but she also has so much going on. She's a wonderfully complex character.

Her romance with Owen is touching. It's slow and sweet. They build a friendship based on truth and honesty. It was a very adult relationship in a YA novel and it was refreshing. It wasn't unrealistically adult, but they didn't fall into a lot of the unnecessary drama that happens too often. Their problems aren't overly dramatic; when they have issues the feel real. Owen too is working through his own issues and he's learning who he is. He might seem a little older than the typical high school guy, but I'm guessing a year of anger management will do that to you? Basically, I think the romance worked because I got a sense that they cared about each other and it wasn't just love at first sight. They built up to it and had a friendship beforehand.

One of the things I love most in a Sarah Dessen novel is the family dynamics she presents. Every novel is slightly different, but I can't think of one where the family is non-existent. Just Listen is no different. Annabel's family has a strong presence throughout the novel. They're all trying their best despite the difficult circumstances they find themselves in. Depression and anorexia are two things they've faced and Annabel is acutely aware of this. They're not the perfect family; they don't always see what's going on with their daughter and sisters. They don't always express themselves appropriately and well Annabel does feel the need to hide her sexual assault from everybody including her family, but they were there. They cared even if they didn't always show it. They were a family going through a tough time and I for one found it to be very relateable.

Just Listen is one of those books that had me reflecting on my own family and friendships. It had me questioning what it was to be a good friend, to listen and to support. I think one of the things Dessen does best is create characters and situations that a lot of people can relate to and this is no exception. It's a book that warrants reflection despite it's glossy cover.

Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen | Book Review

TITLE: Someone Like You
AUTHOR: Sarah Dessen
PUBLISHER/YEAR: Penguin / 1998
SERIES: No
SOURCE: Purchased

Goodreads / Author's Website

Hm where to begin with Someone Like You. This is the second Dessen book I've read in a relatively short period of time since I was absolutely hooked after finishing What Happened to Goodbye. I actually have two books left sitting on my shelf. What can I say, I'm a book hoarder. Anyways, I had some pretty high expectations for Someone Like You and for the most part the book lived up to them. Dessen just does such a wonderful job portraying what it's like to be a teenager that even if I didn't love this one as much as the last it's still a book I totally devoured.

Halley is away at summer camp when she hears that her best friend Scarlett's boyfriend, Michael, has died in a motorcycle accident. That's the moment everything changes for both of them. Scarlett had always been strong and fearless while Halley had relegated herself to being Scarlett's best friend. She's always been close to her family and best friend and has been relatively happy. However, Halley had already felt herself changing and growing away from her parents, wanting to push out on her own. Michael's death is just one incident confirming that things will never be the same. When Scarlett finds out she's pregnant well everything changes, but their friendship is what pulls them through.

So did I straight up love this book? No, but I was pretty close. I read this book about a week ago and the more I've thought about it, the more I like it. Reading it initially I was slightly put off by Halley's relationship with her mother. The woman was reluctant to pick her up for a funeral. It just rung of stereotypical distant, but still controlling YA families. I should have known better. One of this book's greatest qualities is the realistic portrayal of changing family dynamics. I remember in high school fighting with my mom like all the time. I loved her, but we constantly fought. It's that whole time period where you're trying to be independent, your parents aren't ready to see you grow up and everything becomes a battle. Each side unable to listen or understand the other. This dynamic was captured perfectly. It's so frustrating to read and there are times when I just hated both people, but it was so realistic. That's probably why it was so frustrating.

Of course, I can't talk about Someone Like You without touching on friendship. Another strength of this book was showcasing two female friends discussing things other than boys. It was clear that they cared about each other. They've had a long established friendship; they're comfortable and they'll call each other out. Why can't more books feature strong friendships like this one?

So the romance definitely wasn't what I was expecting. It kind of broke my heart. It wasn't all smooth roads with some minor drama. There were definite problems and legitimate concerns that you don't necessarily see right away since this is a story told from Halley's perspective. But there are some very real issues present that broke my heart.

Someone Like You took me right back to my own teen years and I think that's why I love it, but maybe not as much as some other books I'm slightly more removed from. Reading it I could tell that it was one of Dessen's earlier works; she's grown since writing this one. I can't pin point it exactly, but there was just something in the characterizations that didn't have me jumping up and down screaming "yes I GET these people!" That knocked it down a bit for me, but overall it was a strong book that just, broke me a little. It's the little things that got to me, Halley's relationship with her parents, the boyfriend, the fights. These are all issues that I'm just like, every girl should read this book and learn. Overall, it proves that I waited way too long to start reading these novels and cannot wait to get to the next two on the shelf.