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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
Pretty good YA young romance book. I thought the characters were more unique than some novels, but this still hasn't topped my fav Dessen book (The Truth About Forever).
Definitely one of my favorite Sarah Dessen books I've read. Dexter was such a sweeheart, while Remy was kind of a bitch sometimes. I'm glad Remy was able to figure out that she and Dexter were meant to be.
Full Review:
http://ibeeeg.blogspot.com/2009/06/this-lullaby-by-sarah-dessen.html
I have heard many good things about Sarah Dessen and I must say, after reading my first book by this author, I can see why there are so many reviews hailing this author's books as must reads. Indeed, I did enjoy the reading of This Lullaby. I liked this book well enough that I know I will read more Sarah Dessen books. Matter of fact, I plan on placing at least one if not two Dessen titles onto my reading list for the month of July.
With the above said, why did I like This Lullaby?
Reason: This Lullaby is written from the first person perspective of Remy which allows the author to pull the reader into the world of the main character. By using the first person perspective, the story felt personal.
Remy, while not a character that I would want my daughters to emulate, she was a character that had depth and meaning while she is searching and floundering around for a sense of belonging. Ok...Remy would not agree that is what she was doing but that is what I saw. This young 18 year old girl has witnessed her mom marry many times over. This also lead to the witnessing of many failed marriages which equates to Remy that there is no such thing as love. That love is not worth the effort or time. That she does not need love, the kind of love you get from being honest, open and willing to risk your feelings with another. By ingraining these feelings within herself, led her to a string of boyfriends, all of whom she dumps in a timely manner. She drinks, she smoked and she has had sex. She actually seems like a wayward teen bent on self-destruction. Except, she does very well in school, she likes to keep her life in order, she is driven. Why does Remy endear herself to me with all the negatives? Well, she is maturing and slowly sees the error of her ways. First step, she quit smoking. She still drinks but on a far less basis. She is not "sleeping around" as she does not want to see herself as an "easy" girl. Her eyes are opening to the fact that her lifestyle is not positive. She is trying to make changes to make a better way of her life.
I could go on about why I do like Remy and as to why I do think there are positives that my older girl could take away from reading this book. However, I will not go on. Why? I am afraid that listing my reasons would lead to plot spoilers and I do not want to do that. I really think that you should read this book. You should judge and decide for yourself about Remy's character - lack there or and growth.
http://ibeeeg.blogspot.com/2009/06/this-lullaby-by-sarah-dessen.html
I have heard many good things about Sarah Dessen and I must say, after reading my first book by this author, I can see why there are so many reviews hailing this author's books as must reads. Indeed, I did enjoy the reading of This Lullaby. I liked this book well enough that I know I will read more Sarah Dessen books. Matter of fact, I plan on placing at least one if not two Dessen titles onto my reading list for the month of July.
With the above said, why did I like This Lullaby?
Reason: This Lullaby is written from the first person perspective of Remy which allows the author to pull the reader into the world of the main character. By using the first person perspective, the story felt personal.
Remy, while not a character that I would want my daughters to emulate, she was a character that had depth and meaning while she is searching and floundering around for a sense of belonging. Ok...Remy would not agree that is what she was doing but that is what I saw. This young 18 year old girl has witnessed her mom marry many times over. This also lead to the witnessing of many failed marriages which equates to Remy that there is no such thing as love. That love is not worth the effort or time. That she does not need love, the kind of love you get from being honest, open and willing to risk your feelings with another. By ingraining these feelings within herself, led her to a string of boyfriends, all of whom she dumps in a timely manner. She drinks, she smoked and she has had sex. She actually seems like a wayward teen bent on self-destruction. Except, she does very well in school, she likes to keep her life in order, she is driven. Why does Remy endear herself to me with all the negatives? Well, she is maturing and slowly sees the error of her ways. First step, she quit smoking. She still drinks but on a far less basis. She is not "sleeping around" as she does not want to see herself as an "easy" girl. Her eyes are opening to the fact that her lifestyle is not positive. She is trying to make changes to make a better way of her life.
I could go on about why I do like Remy and as to why I do think there are positives that my older girl could take away from reading this book. However, I will not go on. Why? I am afraid that listing my reasons would lead to plot spoilers and I do not want to do that. I really think that you should read this book. You should judge and decide for yourself about Remy's character - lack there or and growth.
While entertaining, This Lullaby was not as fulfilling as Just Listen. My second Dessen novel (but not my last!) I was expecting a formulaic approach, heavy topics, and romance that I got from Just Listen. There was that, but nothing that stood out as novel.
Remy, our main character, is classicly avoiding relationships due to watching her mom’s marriages fall apart so many times. She is Type A, very focused on organization and planning. She continues to allude to the way she used to be as “trashy” and “slutty” (talk about rampant slut shaming throughout the book! although I get the sense it’s coming more from the teenage girls’ perspective than necessarily from Dessen’s, I’m not altogether sure if it’s necessary). Remy’s friends are close to her, and supportive, but also rather focused on keeping everyone on the same page. They seem to want each other to stay in their boxes, so they know where the other stands.
Remy begins to break out of her box when she starts spending time with a new romantic fling, and his completely different perspective shows her other ways to live. Dexter is clumsy, loud, impulsive, and completely infatuated with Remy (and unable to take no for an answer; a little too pushy and somewhat non-consensual). When Remy inevitably falls back into old patterns and pushes him away, he begins a very dramatic heart-break pattern where he drinks too much, gets quite down on himself, and makes bad decisions until she takes him back. It’s a little contrived now, but also some teens’ experiences, I suppose.
I’m curious to see how the rest of her books hold up!
Remy, our main character, is classicly avoiding relationships due to watching her mom’s marriages fall apart so many times. She is Type A, very focused on organization and planning. She continues to allude to the way she used to be as “trashy” and “slutty” (talk about rampant slut shaming throughout the book! although I get the sense it’s coming more from the teenage girls’ perspective than necessarily from Dessen’s, I’m not altogether sure if it’s necessary). Remy’s friends are close to her, and supportive, but also rather focused on keeping everyone on the same page. They seem to want each other to stay in their boxes, so they know where the other stands.
Remy begins to break out of her box when she starts spending time with a new romantic fling, and his completely different perspective shows her other ways to live. Dexter is clumsy, loud, impulsive, and completely infatuated with Remy (and unable to take no for an answer; a little too pushy and somewhat non-consensual). When Remy inevitably falls back into old patterns and pushes him away, he begins a very dramatic heart-break pattern where he drinks too much, gets quite down on himself, and makes bad decisions until she takes him back. It’s a little contrived now, but also some teens’ experiences, I suppose.
I’m curious to see how the rest of her books hold up!
A Sarah Dessen book. If you've read any of her other books, you'll know what I mean when I say I can use just that phrase to describe this one, too. The characters are interesting and well-developed, engaging and likable (for the most part). It's enjoyable to read, and I certainly read it quickly enough. But I can't say that it's the most remarkable book I've ever read, or that it's my favorite book by Dessen (The Truth About Forever still holds that honor). That being said, I'm happy with the way it ended, even if it was mostly expected.
I seriously just want to read all of Sarah Dessen's books that I haven't read yet right now. I have yet to find a book that she's wrote that I have not liked.
I loved Remy and Dexter's relationship and I was constantly swooning over them.
I loved Remy and Dexter's relationship and I was constantly swooning over them.
Watching her mother's string of failed marriages, Remy, who keeps every aspect of her life neatly organized, vows never to let herself love someone who will only let her down in the end. And then Dexter, messy, clumsy, and impulsive, stumbles into her life.
I enjoy the sensitive and realistic way that Dessen writes about love. Too bad she's about my age because I would have really loved her books when I was a teenager!
I enjoy the sensitive and realistic way that Dessen writes about love. Too bad she's about my age because I would have really loved her books when I was a teenager!
emotional
fast-paced
Due to the feelings I am feeling right now because of this book, I can't think of words to describe this novel. Maybe perfect? But it was a cliffhanger and it made me feel nothing but pain. Choz.
Anyway, it was reaaally greaaaaaaaaaaaat!
Anyway, it was reaaally greaaaaaaaaaaaat!