Wild Things: YA Grown-Up discussion

Has anyone read anything by her. I read Just Listen and Dreamland. I loved Just Listen, but was a bit annoyed by the main character in Dreamland. I am curious as to what others have read and enjoyed or not.

I love her! My favorite is This Lullaby <3 Dexter!!
I did enjoy Dreamland, I felt that in an abusive relationship it is hard to leave. I've never been in the situation thank God, but I can imagine being really manipulated into staying.

I read Someone Like You and Lock and Key buy her, but I want to read more. She is a good author!

I have been reading her books. I have read This Lullaby, The Truth About Forever, and finishing Just Listen.

I also bought Someone Like You and Lock and Key.

My favorite so far is The Truth About Forever.

I read Dreamland as an older teen and liked it, and then the books How to Deal was based on a few years later. Someone Like You and That Summer, I think.I wasn't crazy about them, but they weren't bad. I got an ARC of Lock and Key when it came out and I enjoyed that. This Lullaby is on my list for the challenge. It has a lot to do with a parent/child relationship, right?

Alexis wrote: "I read Dreamland as an older teen and liked it, and then the books How to Deal was based on a few years later. Someone Like You and That Summer, I think.I wasn't crazy about them, but they weren't ..."

It does. I think that The Truth About Forever is more about child/parent relationship, but either of them are.

I love everything that Sarah Dessen has written. She is my favorite author. I can't wait for Along for the Ride to come out. My favorite is The Truth About Forever. I love the character Wes in that book. I think every girl needs a Wes in their life.

Just read Lock and Key and loved it. I am now reading Along for the Ride.

Crystal wrote: "I love everything that Sarah Dessen has written. She is my favorite author. I can't wait for Along for the Ride to come out. My favorite is [book:The Truth About Foreve..."

I just discovered Sarah Dessen through a friend's recommendation. I finished Just Listen last week and fell in love with her writing style. I am currently 3/4 of the way through The Truth About Forever. I agree with your comment about Wes. I would truly have appreciated a Wes as a teenager. I would even appreciate an older Wes now! I enjoy the way that all of Sarah Dessen's characters interest me. The dynamic between Wes and Burt is also great. I have noticed that in the two Dessen books that I've read, she makes a point about having options and how that helps to give you a voice. Do her other books have this too?

I have read Dreamland and Just Listen. I have most of her other books on my TBR! They are quick reads.

I really like her, though her style sometimes leaves to be desired I love her stories. My favorite is Someone Like You, but I also like Just Listen and The Truth About Forever.

I've read Keeping the Moon and Someone Like You. It seems like Keeping the Moon isn't as popular as some of her other novels, but I enjoyed it, though I had a few critiques about the character development. I had mixed feelings on Someone Like You--I really liked the premise, but it seemed like the emotional core was with with Scarlett, not Halley, and I wondered about her use of Macon.

I think both Macon and Scarlett are examples of Halley experiencing a life not what her mother wants or expects. I think The Truth About Forever does a better job of this, but I liked that the two storylines made the book multifaceted.

I've read The Truth about Forever and That Summer, and I liked them, but I've come away with the feeling that Dessen is a bit of a functional writer, making sorta "grown up" books for younger readers, books that are well-crafted but a tad safe and bland. Sorta 'eat your vegetables' YA.

That said, I'm open to trying her again-- is there a *particular* title that wows people, or shows her range?

My favorite is "How to Deal." I read it for a Adolescent Literature class and I remember thinking that they never had books like that when I was growing up. It has a very, raw "real" feel to it.

Charlizechat wrote: " I've read The Truth about Forever and That Summer, and I liked them, but I've come away with the feeling that Dessen is a bit of a functional writer, making sorta "grown up" books for younger rea..."


My absolute favorite was Just Listen, but I haven't read the books you mentioned, so I can't personally tell you if it shows a range. In another group I was a part of, it seemed to be a consensus that Just Listen was one of her best.

I loved Just Listen and This Lullaby. This Lullaby is my all time favorite, though. Remy was a fantastic character.

I am a big fan of "The Truth About Forever."

I loved "Just Listen." It sort of reminded me of Laurie Halse Anderson's book "Speak." I tried "Lock and Key" but didn't like it as much. However, I think Sarah Dessen is a great YA writer because she deals with teenage angst. Because of this post, I plan to read "The Truth About Forever."

Definitely read "The Truth About Forever"!

Whitney, they definitely have structural and thematic similarities, but I kind of like them for that. They are well-written, thoughtful, and have a bit of romance in them, and I really enjoyed the ones I've read so far.

So excited to see this thread! I just finished The Truth About Forever and really enjoyed it. I read Lock and Key earlier this year and I think I liked it even better. It seems from reading this thread, that I should put Just Listen and This Lullaby on my list to read. Seems these two are favorites!

For my blog I spotlighted Sarah Dessen this month and I am reading her books as well. I read That Summer and I'm working on Someone Like You right now. I'm loving her books and I want to get through all her books. I am a major fan of hers now!!!

May have to put those two on my list also! What is your blog address?

Hi Cindy. I just finished Someone Like You and loved it : )

www.myteatimeisbooktime.blogspot.com

Great blog Jennifer!

Ok, I'm sold! I'm going to read her next. Lol

I hope you enjoy her books!!!

I have read and enjoyed several of Sarah Dessen's books. I really loved The Truth About Forever. I found the characters fun, entertaining and well developed. The story was engaging and not too predictable. A very satisfying read from beginning to end.

If you like Sarah Dessen's books, try Frannie in Pieces by Delia Ephron. It has a fun fantasy element that gave the story an extra spark.
I also like Deb Caletti's books, Honey, Baby, Sweetheart and The Nature of Jade.

Thanks for the recommendations Cathy!

Hi! I am new to this group and i am glad i found it. I like to read ya books. I have really wanted to read something by sarah Dessen,but didnt know what they were like, they sound good from every thing everyone has been saying here. Today after work i am going to the book store to pick up one of them and check her out.

Tammy, as I said before, I have only read two of her books and Lock and Key was my favorite. I'll be anxious to see which one you got!!

I've read The Truth about Forever, which was pretty good. I want to read more of her books though.

I second the Deb Caletti books.

Hi everyone, I'm new to this group. I started with 'The Truth About Forever' and I've been hooked to Sarah Dessen's books ever since. Just finished Lock and Key, and really enjoyed that as well, though it seems that I'm still partial to the first one I read. I've put Dreamland on my to-read list, what's your take on that book?

Dreamland was not one of my favorites. I think my problem was with the character, not the book or the writing though. I don't want to say too much because I don't remember what the description of the book said and I don't want to give too much away.

I would recommend Just Listen though, if you haven't read it. I still have to read Truth about Forever.

Thanks Vicki, I've read Just Listen already. Have you read Along For The Ride yet? The reviews look good, haven't managed to get a copy though.

I haven't but it does look good. I usually check out what's in the library, because I read them way too fast. I'll check it out and if you do get to it, I'd love to hear what you think about it.

Will do. I read so many of her books in a row. Now I'm at the edge of my seat waiting to get the next one. Aside from How To Deal, have any of her other books been made into movies?

No the only movie is just how to deal that is based on That Summer & Someone Like You.

I'm reading The Truth About Forever and totally loving it. I'm so enjoying my Sarah Dessen month : )

I adore Sarah Dessen!! She is such an inspiration to me. My whole life changed when I read This Lullaby... and I know that sounds crazy dramatic, but it's true :)

So I'd recommend all of her books, but especially This Lullaby.

Tell me about it...I'm still thinking about The Truth About Forever and I finished it like a month ago! I liked Lock and Key as well, have you read that?

I know right...her books are amazing. I really wished I discovered them when I was in high school.

I was thinking the same thing....only they weren't written yet when I was in high school! :o)

I've started on Dreamland. I know it's not as popular as some of the others, but I couldn't resist.

I've read Just Listen, This Lullaby, The Truth About Forever, Lock and Key. The Truth about forever is my favorite. I Love WES!

awwww Wes <3

Yup, I remember him :)

Yeah.....