Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well crap.
I've done it again. I got really excited to read this because there were so many 5 star ratings and everyone just seems to love it. And maybe I would have, too...a decade ago. I felt like I was back in high school as I read it (although I couldn't relate to Annabel at all) because it is the type of book I would have swooned over back then. Owen was the type of guy I would have swooned over back then.
What irked me about this was that it wasn't really anything new. Pretty girl (hell, this one is a model) is for some reason an outcast with no friends. She meets a guy who also seems to be a loner - or at least eats alone everyday. No one seems to talk to him, but she ends up talking to him and discovers this diamond in the rough that no other girl noticed. The description of him: Like that he was tall and muscular, with broad shoulders and thick biceps. And he always wore boots with thick rubber soles that made him seem even bigger, his steps heavier. His hair was dark and cut short, spiking a bit at the top... Yeah, I can see why no girl would have been interested in him. Wait, he punched a dickhead guy in the face? Oh, that always makes every girl in the world run the other direction. Actually, I kept getting this image of him:
Juicehead, anyone?
I mean, I thought his personality was pretty cool and all and loved that he loved music (because - oh, hey! I love music, too!), but I just couldn't connect.
Moving on...poor Annabel also has this seemingly perfect home life but there are all these problems going on that no one else knows about, and she is trying to hold it all together while this is going on. And, of course, she has a secret. A secret that the reader pieces together right around page 24. I just didn't really like Annabel. She was a little too wishy washy for me.
I didn't dislike everything about this book. I did like the parts about the sisters even if it was hard for me to understand (because I also have two sisters and the way each feels towards the others and acts didn't strike me as completely realistic especially at the ages they were). I thought the story line about Annabel's sister Whitney made me give at least two out of the three stars. It was interesting and heartbreaking. I even had a couple tears slip.
I also really liked Annabel's former best friend, Clarke. Now that is a cool girl that I can respect and admire.
I really wish I could have loved this book. It was just meant for a different time and place in my life, which is unfortunately long gone.
I've done it again. I got really excited to read this because there were so many 5 star ratings and everyone just seems to love it. And maybe I would have, too...a decade ago. I felt like I was back in high school as I read it (although I couldn't relate to Annabel at all) because it is the type of book I would have swooned over back then. Owen was the type of guy I would have swooned over back then.
What irked me about this was that it wasn't really anything new. Pretty girl (hell, this one is a model) is for some reason an outcast with no friends. She meets a guy who also seems to be a loner - or at least eats alone everyday. No one seems to talk to him, but she ends up talking to him and discovers this diamond in the rough that no other girl noticed. The description of him: Like that he was tall and muscular, with broad shoulders and thick biceps. And he always wore boots with thick rubber soles that made him seem even bigger, his steps heavier. His hair was dark and cut short, spiking a bit at the top... Yeah, I can see why no girl would have been interested in him. Wait, he punched a dickhead guy in the face? Oh, that always makes every girl in the world run the other direction. Actually, I kept getting this image of him:
Juicehead, anyone?
I mean, I thought his personality was pretty cool and all and loved that he loved music (because - oh, hey! I love music, too!), but I just couldn't connect.
Moving on...poor Annabel also has this seemingly perfect home life but there are all these problems going on that no one else knows about, and she is trying to hold it all together while this is going on. And, of course, she has a secret. A secret that the reader pieces together right around page 24. I just didn't really like Annabel. She was a little too wishy washy for me.
I didn't dislike everything about this book. I did like the parts about the sisters even if it was hard for me to understand (because I also have two sisters and the way each feels towards the others and acts didn't strike me as completely realistic especially at the ages they were). I thought the story line about Annabel's sister Whitney made me give at least two out of the three stars. It was interesting and heartbreaking. I even had a couple tears slip.
I also really liked Annabel's former best friend, Clarke. Now that is a cool girl that I can respect and admire.
I really wish I could have loved this book. It was just meant for a different time and place in my life, which is unfortunately long gone.
seriously this was one of my favorite books as a kid. probably what got me into romance books. ugh I just love the book and owen. why don’t they write books like this anymore?
MY RATING: (2.5 out of 5)
BACK COVER BLURB: Annabel Greene is the girl who has everything. At least, that's what she portrays in her modeling shoots. But Annabel's life is far from perfect. Her friendship with Sophie ended bitterly, and her older sister's eating disorder is weighing down the entire family. Isolated and ostracized at school and at home, Annabel retreats into silen acceptance. Then she meets Owen--intense, music-obsessed, and determined to always tell the truth. And with his guidance, Annabel learns to just listen to herself and gains the courage to speak honestly. But will she be able to tell everyone what really happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends?
MY REVIEW: This book was okay for me. I've been wanting to read a Sarah Dessen book for a long time and I finally got a hold of one. I do hope that the next book of hers that I read is a little bit better and holds my interest more. With all of that said, the book wasn't bad. It was alittle bit slow and slightly predictable, but a predictable book can be good sometimes. I've definately not lost hope for Dessen though and will be seeking out another of her books to read.
BACK COVER BLURB: Annabel Greene is the girl who has everything. At least, that's what she portrays in her modeling shoots. But Annabel's life is far from perfect. Her friendship with Sophie ended bitterly, and her older sister's eating disorder is weighing down the entire family. Isolated and ostracized at school and at home, Annabel retreats into silen acceptance. Then she meets Owen--intense, music-obsessed, and determined to always tell the truth. And with his guidance, Annabel learns to just listen to herself and gains the courage to speak honestly. But will she be able to tell everyone what really happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends?
MY REVIEW: This book was okay for me. I've been wanting to read a Sarah Dessen book for a long time and I finally got a hold of one. I do hope that the next book of hers that I read is a little bit better and holds my interest more. With all of that said, the book wasn't bad. It was alittle bit slow and slightly predictable, but a predictable book can be good sometimes. I've definately not lost hope for Dessen though and will be seeking out another of her books to read.
A good, solid read. I totally loved it. The story is finely balanced to give both a fell of reality and that sense of teenage rebelliousness, without tottering over with overused cliches and becoming a typical girl-meets-jerk/jock story.
Annabel is a girl who avoids confrontations - with her mother, her sisters, her ex-best friend. Though she is the youngest child - she gave me a feeling of a middle child. She wants to change a lot of things, but lacks the courage to do something --- more like she wants to hide under the blanket of familiarity, not destroying relationships and her day-to day life.
Her family is a good example of a thick thread whose strands are slowly but surely untwining. The relationship between the sisters, the fragility (or strength) of their mother are well phrased out. The father comes out to be the most vaguely made out.
The biggest surprise is Owen. A guy who is learning to manage anger and listens to "enlightened" music (techno, dripping faucets) and has no blinders on tell the truth, he comes off as a equally engaging character as the protagonist.
The best thing about this story - its not a love story. Well, there is love, but the story doesn't neglect the fact that there are other things too. If you're looking for an engaging y.a. read without fantasy - this is the one for you.
Annabel is a girl who avoids confrontations - with her mother, her sisters, her ex-best friend. Though she is the youngest child - she gave me a feeling of a middle child. She wants to change a lot of things, but lacks the courage to do something --- more like she wants to hide under the blanket of familiarity, not destroying relationships and her day-to day life.
Her family is a good example of a thick thread whose strands are slowly but surely untwining. The relationship between the sisters, the fragility (or strength) of their mother are well phrased out. The father comes out to be the most vaguely made out.
The biggest surprise is Owen. A guy who is learning to manage anger and listens to "enlightened" music (techno, dripping faucets) and has no blinders on tell the truth, he comes off as a equally engaging character as the protagonist.
The best thing about this story - its not a love story. Well, there is love, but the story doesn't neglect the fact that there are other things too. If you're looking for an engaging y.a. read without fantasy - this is the one for you.
very strong TW rape (that i had NO clue about) but other than that this was an engaging, easy read that really made me think about my own ability and desire to be honest. owen is an interesting love interest, very natural romantic progression, and i like the family dynamics.
i love how sarah dessen has a cinematic universe that references itself lol and the implication that all of these stories about pretty blonde girls are happening simultaneously in the same town. the little truth about forever reference was adorable. overall not my FAV book but there's a deep, introspective theme and it lingers
i love how sarah dessen has a cinematic universe that references itself lol and the implication that all of these stories about pretty blonde girls are happening simultaneously in the same town. the little truth about forever reference was adorable. overall not my FAV book but there's a deep, introspective theme and it lingers
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
In movies like Mean Girls there's always a queen bee character who runs the nasty clique of girls. Then there are the girls who actually make up the clique. They're almost always complete pushovers with no will of their own. This book is about one of those pushovers learning to be her own person. In other words, this is your stereotypical coming-of-age story.
There’s not much of a plot, just an initial event that gets Annabel – our aforementioned pushover – into the situation needed for her to do her growing. I can’t tell you what that event was because it’s not clearly stated until the end of the book, but I'll bet you 5 bucks that you can guess what happened long before then. Still, to honor my spoiler-free credo, I'll just call that event "The Bad Thing". The Bad Thing happened at a party way back at the beginning of the summer and it quickly becomes clear that the rumor mill has done its thing. No one knows what actually happened and Annabel has been painted as a "slut" by her former leader - Sophie.
Could Annabel come out and fight this lie? In theory, sure, but she's terrified of confrontation or upsetting people, so she accepts her role as outcast. This leads to her spending her lunch in odd places which, in turn, leads her to form an unlikely friendship with another outcast. Her new friend is a rather scary-looking boy named Owen who loves strange music and has been in therapy for anger management for the last year.
What follows is a mundane tale about learning to speak up for yourself and why lying to protect others may not be the best idea. It's not a particularly gripping story, but it had enough going for it that I enjoyed reading it and I don't have any real criticisms for it. Sure, it’s standard fair for this genre with no real memorable aspects, but that’s not really a criticism. There’s nothing wrong with writing a generic (but entertaining) book that fans of the genre enjoy. It’s also serves as a great read for young girls who are similar to Annabel because seeing her struggles could easily resonate with someone who needs this kind of encouragement.
All my “real” complaints boil down to “I’m not a person who loves coming-of-age books”. I like strong plots and memorable characters. Strong plots and coming-of-age stories rarely go hand-in-hand and memorable characters are rare in all genres.
In summary, if you like coming-of-age stories and are good with a solid staple in the genre, Just Listen is probably right up your alley. If you’re looking for a stand-out member of the genre or dislike coming-of-age stories, then look elsewhere.
There’s not much of a plot, just an initial event that gets Annabel – our aforementioned pushover – into the situation needed for her to do her growing. I can’t tell you what that event was because it’s not clearly stated until the end of the book, but I'll bet you 5 bucks that you can guess what happened long before then. Still, to honor my spoiler-free credo, I'll just call that event "The Bad Thing". The Bad Thing happened at a party way back at the beginning of the summer and it quickly becomes clear that the rumor mill has done its thing. No one knows what actually happened and Annabel has been painted as a "slut" by her former leader - Sophie.
Could Annabel come out and fight this lie? In theory, sure, but she's terrified of confrontation or upsetting people, so she accepts her role as outcast. This leads to her spending her lunch in odd places which, in turn, leads her to form an unlikely friendship with another outcast. Her new friend is a rather scary-looking boy named Owen who loves strange music and has been in therapy for anger management for the last year.
What follows is a mundane tale about learning to speak up for yourself and why lying to protect others may not be the best idea. It's not a particularly gripping story, but it had enough going for it that I enjoyed reading it and I don't have any real criticisms for it. Sure, it’s standard fair for this genre with no real memorable aspects, but that’s not really a criticism. There’s nothing wrong with writing a generic (but entertaining) book that fans of the genre enjoy. It’s also serves as a great read for young girls who are similar to Annabel because seeing her struggles could easily resonate with someone who needs this kind of encouragement.
All my “real” complaints boil down to “I’m not a person who loves coming-of-age books”. I like strong plots and memorable characters. Strong plots and coming-of-age stories rarely go hand-in-hand and memorable characters are rare in all genres.
In summary, if you like coming-of-age stories and are good with a solid staple in the genre, Just Listen is probably right up your alley. If you’re looking for a stand-out member of the genre or dislike coming-of-age stories, then look elsewhere.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes