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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
reflective
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Sexual assault
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Violence
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I felt an insanely strong connection with the protagonist of this novel, and not simply because we happen to share the same name. It was unreal how much of myself I saw reflected in Annabel's words, her story.
This time around I appreciated the way the main character's journey really seemed to be leading somewhere, but I still can't help noticing the similarities in Dessen's work and how once again I was left wanting more. Specifically between Annabel and Owen, since the inevitable break-up continues to come way too soon. I need more moments towards the end of the book, more time to properly delve into Annabel's happy ending, to truly be satisfied.
This time around I appreciated the way the main character's journey really seemed to be leading somewhere, but I still can't help noticing the similarities in Dessen's work and how once again I was left wanting more. Specifically between Annabel and Owen, since the inevitable break-up continues to come way too soon. I need more moments towards the end of the book, more time to properly delve into Annabel's happy ending, to truly be satisfied.
I LOVED IT!! I DEFINITELY did not expect for that to happen!!! WOW!! I LOVED THE BOOK; JUST LISTEN!!!! THE WHOLE STORY IS REALLY GOOD AND I WISH THERE WAS MORE I REALLY ENJOYED IT!!! ^.^ I AM GLAD THAT IN THE END ANNABEL TOLD SOMEONE INSTEAD OF KEEPING SILENCE!!!! :) I LOVED OWEN HE IS AMAZING I WISH THEY WOULD HAVE GOTTEN TOGETHER IN THE BEGINNING I LOVE THEM TOGETHER AND WITH THERE WAS MORE ON THEIR RELATIONSHIP!!! ;) :) :D I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK :) :D
This was my first Sarah Dessen book and I absolutely loved it. It introduced me to her writing and I believe it is the first book I read where music was a key part of the book.
**3 Stars**
Sarah Dessen is known in young adult circles for her contemporary stories that address the tougher side of teen life. I have a friend that almost exclusively reads her books (she's not a reader), so I pretty much associate them with each other. Because of this friend, I developed a sort of attitude about Dessen's books despite never having read one. Basically, I deemed them fluff and had no interest.
Looking to expand my horizons, I picked up a copy of Just Listen at the used bookstore one day. I didn't even know what it was about - I figured I had heard of it, so there was a good chance it was one of Dessen's bestsellers, a.k.a. more enjoyable. I promptly put it on my to-read shelf and forgot about it. It was contemporary; no way I was going to jump right on that one. Last week, however, I found myself without my wisdom teeth and without anything to do. My eyes scanned my ever-growing to-read shelf, finally stopping on Just Listen. The day had come.
Just Listen follows Annabel Greene, local commercial model and high school student, as she starts off another school year. This school year is markedly different in that she has lost all of her friends and had spent the entire summer in isolation. Throughout the course of the novel, we learn exactly why that is and how she responds to it during the year.
I literally read this starting at 8pm one night and finished by 11am the next morning (with a break for sleep). It wasn't because the writing was amazing or the story was riveting. I just really wanted to know what happened, and now. There are hundreds of books out there that address exactly the same topics but this one just got me. I wormed my way out of high school exactly 3 years ago, but somehow Dessen drew me back in. Not so dissimilar to The Boyfriend List. I felt Annabel's pain each time she was confronted by Sophie. I felt the olive branch being extended by Clarke. I felt the comfort of Owen's hand. I felt the helplessness of watching her sister Whitney. I wasn't truly absorbed in the story, but the emotion got to me. When Annabel told her family what happened, and she described her family's reactions, I felt a little pang in my heart.
I loved Mallory. She was so full of spirit, especially when she had her faux modeling shoot. Whitney was also a great, somber character without really saying much. Emily was both tragic and brave; the fashion show was a great moment for her. Sophie was such a bitch that when she turned on Annabel, it felt so right for her character. A lot of the female characters were pretty strong in their own right, albeit one-sided.
Of course this novel does have it's problems. There was a lot going on in Annabel's life and sometimes it was hard to keep track of what she was doing or when it was occurring. The role Owen played in her life seemed to make her out as helpless, which I guess at first she did act like it. Owen is better described as a catalyst rather than someone doing all the work. There was a lot of music mentioned, which made me wonder about their connection seeing as they hardly talk about anything else. I was kind of disappointed we never heard more about Sophie at the end, but maybe that's for the better.
Summary
Expectations were shattered by this surprisingly thoughtful novel. A relatable protagonist, vivid characters, a few interesting subplots, and a light romance. Though my curiosity for Dessen's novels has been satisfied and I won't be seeking out others, that shouldn't stop anyone else.
Sarah Dessen is known in young adult circles for her contemporary stories that address the tougher side of teen life. I have a friend that almost exclusively reads her books (she's not a reader), so I pretty much associate them with each other. Because of this friend, I developed a sort of attitude about Dessen's books despite never having read one. Basically, I deemed them fluff and had no interest.
Looking to expand my horizons, I picked up a copy of Just Listen at the used bookstore one day. I didn't even know what it was about - I figured I had heard of it, so there was a good chance it was one of Dessen's bestsellers, a.k.a. more enjoyable. I promptly put it on my to-read shelf and forgot about it. It was contemporary; no way I was going to jump right on that one. Last week, however, I found myself without my wisdom teeth and without anything to do. My eyes scanned my ever-growing to-read shelf, finally stopping on Just Listen. The day had come.
Just Listen follows Annabel Greene, local commercial model and high school student, as she starts off another school year. This school year is markedly different in that she has lost all of her friends and had spent the entire summer in isolation. Throughout the course of the novel, we learn exactly why that is and how she responds to it during the year.
I literally read this starting at 8pm one night and finished by 11am the next morning (with a break for sleep). It wasn't because the writing was amazing or the story was riveting. I just really wanted to know what happened, and now. There are hundreds of books out there that address exactly the same topics but this one just got me. I wormed my way out of high school exactly 3 years ago, but somehow Dessen drew me back in. Not so dissimilar to The Boyfriend List. I felt Annabel's pain each time she was confronted by Sophie. I felt the olive branch being extended by Clarke. I felt the comfort of Owen's hand. I felt the helplessness of watching her sister Whitney. I wasn't truly absorbed in the story, but the emotion got to me. When Annabel told her family what happened, and she described her family's reactions, I felt a little pang in my heart.
I loved Mallory. She was so full of spirit, especially when she had her faux modeling shoot. Whitney was also a great, somber character without really saying much. Emily was both tragic and brave; the fashion show was a great moment for her. Sophie was such a bitch that when she turned on Annabel, it felt so right for her character. A lot of the female characters were pretty strong in their own right, albeit one-sided.
Of course this novel does have it's problems. There was a lot going on in Annabel's life and sometimes it was hard to keep track of what she was doing or when it was occurring. The role Owen played in her life seemed to make her out as helpless, which I guess at first she did act like it. Owen is better described as a catalyst rather than someone doing all the work. There was a lot of music mentioned, which made me wonder about their connection seeing as they hardly talk about anything else. I was kind of disappointed we never heard more about Sophie at the end, but maybe that's for the better.
Summary
Expectations were shattered by this surprisingly thoughtful novel. A relatable protagonist, vivid characters, a few interesting subplots, and a light romance. Though my curiosity for Dessen's novels has been satisfied and I won't be seeking out others, that shouldn't stop anyone else.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
I wasn't a huge fan of Sarah Dessen in high school, but I did like this one.
emotional
reflective
medium-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
This was just utterly crap and boring. I am really sad, I was looking forward to this one. But I hated the characters, the overload of settings/problems.
Annabel, dear Lord girl you need some backbone and you need to care for your friends more. Dropping Clarke like that, because of what someone says? Bad, very bad. And then thinking she hates you? Seriously girl what is wrong with your head...
Also if you don't want to model, come out with it. I don't need 100+ pages of boohoo I actually don't want to be a model but my dear mommy wants it so badly.
And throughout the book I was wondering if there ever was a song/genre of music that she liked. She was bashing everything that Owen offered to her.... Seriously, there must be one song she must have liked.
Sophie, I hated her from the beginning, and I was totally right. Little miss Bitch, thinking she is the almighty queen or something. Not listening to her friends (or were they ever her friends), not checking the other side, the other story. No, someone is in a dark room with your boyfriend and you immediately go into bitch mode, not caring to listen, not caring to see how your friend looked. Did she look happy at all? I am sorry, but she just got raped, I am sure you can see that clearly. Sad pathetic little bitch.
The whole thing with Owen? Urgh, he was nice, but so boring and plain. I didn't once see him as a love interest. More like a friend, nothing more.
I also felt like there was just too much going on. Rape, Loss of Friends, Modelling (and not wanting to do that), Sister Problems (Kirsten/Whitney, Whitney's eating disorder), Parent Stuff, Boy Stuff. I think it would have been better if there was less stuff and that it just focussed on one or two things. Like Loss of Friends and the Rape. Or just Modelling and Boy Stuff. Or any other combination.
I am disappointed, however I will not give up on reading Sarah Dessen books. My Summer Challenge 2014 will continue. :)
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Annabel, dear Lord girl you need some backbone and you need to care for your friends more. Dropping Clarke like that, because of what someone says? Bad, very bad. And then thinking she hates you? Seriously girl what is wrong with your head...
Also if you don't want to model, come out with it. I don't need 100+ pages of boohoo I actually don't want to be a model but my dear mommy wants it so badly.
And throughout the book I was wondering if there ever was a song/genre of music that she liked. She was bashing everything that Owen offered to her.... Seriously, there must be one song she must have liked.
Sophie, I hated her from the beginning, and I was totally right. Little miss Bitch, thinking she is the almighty queen or something. Not listening to her friends (or were they ever her friends), not checking the other side, the other story. No, someone is in a dark room with your boyfriend and you immediately go into bitch mode, not caring to listen, not caring to see how your friend looked. Did she look happy at all? I am sorry, but she just got raped, I am sure you can see that clearly. Sad pathetic little bitch.
The whole thing with Owen? Urgh, he was nice, but so boring and plain. I didn't once see him as a love interest. More like a friend, nothing more.
I also felt like there was just too much going on. Rape, Loss of Friends, Modelling (and not wanting to do that), Sister Problems (Kirsten/Whitney, Whitney's eating disorder), Parent Stuff, Boy Stuff. I think it would have been better if there was less stuff and that it just focussed on one or two things. Like Loss of Friends and the Rape. Or just Modelling and Boy Stuff. Or any other combination.
I am disappointed, however I will not give up on reading Sarah Dessen books. My Summer Challenge 2014 will continue. :)
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/