Book Review: What Happened to Goodbye

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What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

What I like about Sarah Dessen's writing is how her characters seem like people you could actually know.  Mclean Elizabeth Sweet's parents had a messy, public divorce during her sophomore year, and she fought to live with her dad.  After living in three towns in two years, Mclean is starting over again in a new one.  Instead of adopting a persona (Beth, Eliza, Lizbet), she accidentally ends up as the "real" Mclean again. And, when life gets real, families, friendships, and relationships take on depth and meaning that can be hard to handle.  As in most of Sarah Dessen's books, there is a great guy in store (Dave, in this case)!  I also have to give Dessen credit for including characters' parents, and giving them their own problems and viewpoints. I didn't love this book as much as some of her others, but it was a satisfying read. It does have a few connections her previous book, Along for the Ride, which was fun.  This is a good book to curl up with on a rainy day or quiet weekend!

Books for Sarah Dessen Fans

Sarah Dessen's books have been flying off the shelves around here even more than usual!  So, I was inspired to create a cart of books that would appeal to her fans.  Sarah Dessen's books revolve around girls in upper high school dealing with common issues, and they usually have a bit of romance.  They're very easy to relate to; she is excellent at creating realistic characters.  (I'm not ashamed to admit that I have cried over a Sarah Dessen book more than once!)  Anyway, you can find the cart next to the teen series section.  It'will be there for the next two or three weeks, so check it out!

If you can't make it in, here are some suggestions:

AUTHORS

• Deb Caletti
• Susane Colasanti
• Maureen Johnson
• E. Lockhart

OTHER BOOKS

• If I Stay by Gayle Forman
• The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
• North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley
• Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta
• Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty
• Absolutely Maybe by Lisa Yee
• Sweethearts by Sara Zarr

Book Review: Along for the Ride

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

Click on the cover to see which libraries own this book.

SUMMARY: Riding a bike is only one of the many things Auden has missed out on in the past 17 years. Even before her parents' divorce, she was cast in the role of little adult, never making waves, focusing on academics to please her demanding mother and missing out any kind of a social life. Now she's spending the summer before college in a tiny beach town with her father and his new wife and baby. A job at a trendy boutique introduces her to the world of girls, and their friendships, converstations and romances. And friendship with Eli, an intriguing loner, begins a quest for Auden to recapture the fun she missed in her childhood and teenage years. It may be true that anything can happen at the beach in the summer. (adapted from the inside cover)

OPINION: This book made me want to have an IHDP (Impromptu Hot Dog Party), and maybe a food fight to go with it! Sarah Dessen always manages to create believable characters that I would like to get to know (and I don't just mean Eli). As a night owl, I think Auden and Eli's late-night ramblings sound like a perfect way to pass the time. The cover is cute, but misleading because this story is not just fluff (and Auden would never be caught dead in a pink polka dot dress). There are plenty of family issues explored, especially as Auden has a front-row seat to her father and stepmother's struggles with a new baby in the house. And the idea of finding a balance between academic and social life affects everyone in high school and college. The book did wrap up a little too neatly at the end (lots of relationships), and the epilogue from college seemed unnecessary, but over all I would say this is an easy read with plenty of substance. Whether you are already a Sarah Dessen fan or picking up her books for the first time, this one is worth the effort.

Book Review: Lock and Key

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
Reviews by Amy, Alexa, and Gretchen

Click on the cover to see which libraries own it.

AMY SAYS: Lock and Key begins with Ruby Cooper as she is moving into her sister's house after her mother abandons her. The story is an easy read and does not disappoint if you are expecting the sort of books Sarah Dessen writes. I am a huge fan of Sarah Dessen and I have thoroughly enjoyed every book she has written. The theme of this story is family. You can't choose them, and sometimes you can't stand them, but they are your family. You don't need to be connected by blood; they can be friends or neighbors. I think Sarah has done it again. She somehow always mangages to write books that you need to read with a box of tissues next to you, and somehow that's not a bad thing. This book will make you cry, it will make you laugh, and, most of all, it will make you think.

ALEXA SAYS: Lock and Key is a twisted story of many unforgettable backgrounds. There's Ruby, who's been abandoned by her mother just months before her 18th birthday. The last thing Ruby wants it to be taken under the care of her sister, Cora, and Cora's husband, Jamie. For all Ruby knows, Cora forgot about her early in her college career and only made contact with her every once in a while. But their mother has been keeping something from Ruby, something that will hurt Ruby beyond all measures. Then there is Nate, the golden-boy-next-door, who is keeping something from Ruby, too. Nate's father has a very serious anger issue whose results tend to show up on Nate's body. Through their problems, Nate and Ruby connect and support each other in a unique way that will bring you to your knees. Lock and Key is a story of responsibility, opening up, and finding yourself. I've never read anything so emotionally touching. Dessen has yet to disappoint. To say that this is a sufficient review is a bit of a stretch, but that is simply because I am speechless. Lock and Key is indescribable, to say the least!

GRETCHEN SAYS: Sarah Dessen's newest book is a story of possiblities. After 17-year-old Ruby's mother leaves her, Ruby tries to make it on her own. Discovered just a few months before her 18th birthday, Ruby is sent to live with her older sister who has been out of contact for almost 10 years. This new family, a house in a wealthy neighborhood, and an exclusive private school give Ruby stability, but leave her feeling off-kilter. Does she have anything in common with these people? Although the school assignment on the meaning of family drives the point home a little obviously, sometimes the best families are the ones we make ourselves. This is a quick and enjoyable read, and you will be drawn into Ruby's story as she struggles to find a new place for herself. And, yes, like most Sarah Dessen books, it made me cry.

Book Review: That Summer

That Summer by Sarah Dessen

This was Sarah Dessen's first book, and I have to admit that it made me cry. Through the story, Haven is feeling incredibly vunerable. Everyone in her family is progressing to new parts of their lives, and no one seems to think about how it is affecting her. Even Haven's best friend, fresh from summer camp, is consumed with her own stories. Then, Sumner Lee walks back into Haven's life. Haven relies on his friendship and her memories of the blissful season when he dated her sister a little too much, and finds that what seems perfect may not always be so. This book really captures what it feels like to be left behind when everyone else is moving on.

Book Grub Party!

Today was a really sad Book Grub meeting. It was the first time we've ever had seniors graduate out of the group! Sadiya, Sara, Huda, Julie, Marissa, Kaoutar, and Manpreet are all heading off to college this fall. A lot of them are staying local, though, so hopefully they will hang out with us often! Also, Jaicy and Lisa are both moving away this summer. Our group is really going to miss everyone! But we will welcome incoming 9th graders to our next meeting, which should be fun.

Today, we discussed The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen. We spent most of our book group time talking about what a bad boyfriend Jason was, and not enough time discussing the glories of Wes! A lot of people made really great contributions to the conversation, especially when we were talking about parent-child relationships and family dynamics.

Special thanks to Katie for bringing chocolate covered strawberries and to Jaicy for bringing mangos mixed with ice cream. It made our party extra special!

Next month, we are reading an ARC of Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. This is a long-awaited sequel to Stargirl. Yeah Author 411 for hooking us up!!!

Five of our graduates!

Katie made chocolate covered strawberries and I made cupcakes.

Nice shirts!


A rare photo with me in it.

We'll miss you!