This will always be among my favourite of Dessen's novels. It's back when her novels weren't too formulaic, and they actually tackled important issues.
A lot of my friends and people around school spoke so highly of Sarah Dessen books that when I was on vacation last summer I decided to try reading one. My problem with this book was that it was so cliched and the "secret" that was revealed at the end was made very obvious about 7 pages into the book.
At first I wasn't sure if I would like any of her books. But for an online Sarah Dessen book club I thought I'd give it a go.
"That is what happens when you try to run from the past. It doesn't just catch up: it overtakes, blotting out the future, the landscape, the very sky, until there is no path left except that which leads through it, the only one that can ever get you home.
I got mixed feelings on this book.
I liked the story line and I liked the idea, but I hated how it was done and brought to life.
Annabel Green was one of those girls who had everything, model looks, great family, cool friends; but then all that is just from the outside, just as the glass house she lives in, from outside it is just perfect but really no one bothers to know the inside. Annabel's likes to keep to herself her views, her thoughts so as to not hurt anyone with the bitter truth.
First Read:
2010/2011 (?)
Rereads:
~various undocumented ones~
18th of August 2015 - 21st of August 2015.
This book is great for young teens because it honestly depicts a family with some struggles, but not so many that the reader is overwhelmed with tragedy. It is very mainstream realistic story with lots of good ideas for how to turn to unlikely allies when you need a friend.
I have loved Sarah Dessen's books since I read The Truth About Forever back in 2007/08. So, when I get a Sarah Dessen book I have not yet read into my hands, I am doing the happy dance.
I really related to a specific situation in this book that Annabel went through. Reading her experience made me cry a lot.
Not bad, but I'm not sure if I really need to read much more Sarah Dessen... I can enjoy those typical high school stories, but they begin to blend into each other after a time.
Sarah Dessen is, without doubt my favourite author for her ability to combine serious issues with a lighthearted mood and, of course a drawn out romance. With, Just Listen she also manages to create my most favoured male character from memory, Owen - the mysterious music loving geek who has always been on the sidelines of Annabel's life but steps in when she needs it most.
WOAH! I was kind of scared getting into this because of it's mixed reviews but it did not disappoint!
Wow. I am pleasantly surprised at how much I do like this book.
Ik vond dit echt een heel erg leuk boek! Ben blij dat ik hem heb gelezen.
