Sunday, October 25, 2009

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen


Hey guys! Sorry I haven't posted in a few days, but I was on a trip to see my friend all weekend so I couldn't get to a computer. Today I'm back and my next review is going to be Just Listen by Sarah Dessen! The description of the book is:

Last year, Annabel was "the girl who has
everything"—at least that's the part she played in the television
commercial for Kopf's Department Store.This year, she's the girl who
has nothing: no best friend because mean-but-exciting Sophie dropped
her, no peace at home since her older sister became anorexic, and no
one to sit with at lunch. Until she meets Owen Armstrong. Tall, dark,
and music-obsessed, Owen is a reformed bad boy with a commitment to
truth-telling. With Owen's help,maybe Annabel can face what happened
the night she and Sophie stopped being friends.



This was the first book of Sarah Dessen's that I ever read. As soon as I was done with the book I remember thinking, wow that was the best book I've ever read. This book has so many things going on with it: friend drama, modeling, boy issues, anorexia, and even some bigger issues I don't want to tell you about so I don't ruin the story! This book isn't all serious though. There are plenty of happy moments that keep you reading. Once again Sarah has written another masterpiece! I definitely recommend you read this book! Even if you're not an avid reader, this book will definitely catch your attention! It's a perfect example of true YA material. Hope you guys enjoy! :]

8 comments:

  1. Hey Tricia, sorry I haven't been commenting in the last two days. I've been so sick I've barely been able to get down the stairs without falling from dizziness!!! But anyway i TOTALLY agree with your discription of the book. This was the first book I read by Sarah too and I thought it was one of the best books I've ever
    read. Oh and I just wondered if you've read the House of Night Series? Have a great day!!!

    -Bella

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  2. Bella,

    No problem! I of course enjoy your comments but I think your health is more important :] my roommate is sick too! No I haven't read the House of Night series. There are so many books I need to get my hands on.. hopefully going to the library sometime this week! I'll look for it there!

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  3. Hi my name is Henrie (short for Henrietta, my parents and names...) and I'm trying to write a novel. I trust you won't steal the idea but I don't trust other people out there online. I just wanted to know what you thought of a song I wrote because it goes along with the plot. Also, have you ever noticed how music speaks to you in different ways? How it touches your heart even without lyrics? Also, I got my inspiration from Taylor Swift. Tell me if you think it's too close to some of the things she's written. I respect and admire her greatly, I don't wanna playjurize. Please let me know what you think!

    You’re wild and free, somethin I’ve wished I could always be.
    Instead I’m at home, rereading books and wishing I didn’t feel so alone. I close my eyes and wait for something beautiful on the radio to come along, to my surprise it’s that song.
    The one that makes me wanna dance, dance with you. Maybe if we did, you’d see. You’d see the true feelings really shine through.

    Chorus
    Are you listening? Are you listening to that song that plays on the radio all day long?
    Can you see how it describes us so perfectly?
    Can’t you see that there’s more to me than what other people might say or believe?
    Can’t you hear the sweet sound of the piano in the background?
    It’s sayin how perfect we fit, if you would just look past everything, just listen and you’d see, just listen for the sweet sound that’s me.

    I found out that love really hurts, but the story books say it’s the best feeling in the world.
    I think they got it wrong, ‘cause it feels more like that song. I know you've heard it, it's the one that says we belong, aren’t you listening?
    If you were, would this love still hurt?

    Repeat chorus

    I remember the touch of your hand, how we didn’t even know they were clasped together.
    Too busy searching for something else. What was it? Do you remember? ‘Cause I think I do, but its something different than what you might replay in your mind, if you’ve ever done that like I always do, especially with memories of you.
    I’m pretty sure I’m on the brink of something. I hope you are too, if you’re having trouble, try listening for that sweet sound. I’m waiting, oh I’m still playing for you, even if its in the background.

    Repeat chorus

    Are you listening? I just wanna dance with you, maybe if we did the true feelings would shine through.

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  4. Oh its Henrie again. Sorry for the looooong comment! Oh and I forgot to say that I loved this book and its one of the best I've ever read.

    Sincerely,
    Henrie

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  5. Henrie,
    Sorry I haven't replied to your post! I love Taylor Swift! She's my favorite singer and she just won all her CMA's including Entertainer of the Year! So Awesome! I'm glad you like her too. The song sounds really cool. I wish I could hear the melody you came up with. I like the idea of it too. Especially this part: "I found out that love really hurts, but the story books say it’s the best feeling in the world.
    I think they got it wrong, ‘cause it feels more like that song. I know you've heard it, it's the one that says we belong, aren’t you listening?" I don't think it sounds like any of Taylor's songs, so don't worry about plagiarizing! Keep up with the good work and glad you enjoyed the book! :]

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  6. Thank you! I play the piano and so I came up with the melody first because that's how the song came about. I actually have a recital on Saturday. I'm really nervous, but I'm lucky this one doesn't have judges. But when I write a song usually I hear the melody randomly like in school. Very inconveinant let me tell you. I KNOW I SAW THE CMAS THEY WERe SOOO AWESOME AND I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE GOT SO MANY AWARDS IN ONE NIGHT!! Sorry I'm still excited! But anyway, thank you Tricia for responding, it means a lot. I actually wrote it about a guy who I'm friends with, but he just isn't listening yet because he likes someone else. I'm still really young, so maybe in the future. But it still hurts. My book will probably have a lot of songs in it because of the plot. (and how I'm feeling right now) So would you mind if I posted them? It's nice to have your opinion. Thank you again!

    Sincerely,
    Henrie

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  7. Hi Tricia, it's Henrie again.

    I wrote another song. It just popped into my mind tonight so I wrote it down and formed it so it fit my story. I really like it. It's about a girl who found her ex kissing someone else and she's mad. When she plays it for her friends they insist she play it at the talent show because her ex will be in the audience.

    In the dialogue she says, "Yeah he made me pretty mad. I’ve already vented and stuff to my friends and they’ve apparently signed me up to play it at the Talent Show. I feel like Taylor Swift. That will be one satisfying night.” Sos thank you for responding to my last comment. I'd love to know what you think about this one.

    Why

    You don’t see me, but I’m there. Oh I'm watchin you hold hands with that girl that has everything. Everything that I used to call mine. But it’s fine, guess you don’t really care. And if you think I’m gonna share you, well you’re outa your mind. That’s all I’ll say ‘bout that for now, I’ll be nice. Even though you broke my heart.
    You reach down kiss to her, bet you won’t even miss her when you’re through. But you don’t hear me as I let a tear fall down. I won’t ruin the moment for you, it’s too special. I would know. Even though you broke my heart. Well where do I start?

    Chorus
    Baby its over now. I thought it’d last forever. But forever never lasts. I shoulda known, baby it’s in your past. But some how I overlooked it all, ‘cause when I fell, I fell hard. So now all I gotta do is say goodbye and not cry while I’m doin it. But before I do I have to ask you, Why?

    Well I’m not plannin revenge. I’m just not that girl, though I wish I could be. Man, it’d come in handy. I don’t know how in the world I said yes to you the first time, but like a drug you’re addictive. That first time, our eyes met in the hall. I looked deep into those beautiful eyes, and to my surprise you swept me off my feet. Didn’t have time to realize who you were. Well you were the jerk who cheats on more than one girl.

    Repeat chorus.

    You whisper “I love you,” in her ear. Another tear escapes and I fall down to the ground. But an idea flutters through my mind.
    That poor pretty girl you’ll break the heart of closes her eyes. You pull her close, but your phone vibrates. You say you only need a sec. A second’s all I need. You open it and I stifle a laugh when I see your face. Well, I guess you never thought you’d read from me

    Baby its over now. I thought it’d last forever. But forever never lasts. I shoulda known, baby it’s in your past. But somehow I overlooked it all, ‘cause when I fell, I fell hard. So now all I gotta do is say goodbye and not cry while I’m doin it. But before I do I have to ask you, Why? Well, I guess you better turn around and tell me why before I get the nerve to hurt you ‘til I make you cry like I have because of you.

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  8. Again, it sounds like a cool idea for a song, but you can never get the full picture without hearing it. That's really cool that for your book your going to put songs in it! I've never read a book like that before, sounds interesting. I write songs too! It's very helpful. keep up the good work! :]

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Comments anyone?