So I don't know if you've heard about Sarah Dessen or not but she's a favorite contemporary writer of mine. Her books call to me and I've found some that I have loved a lot and some that have not been a favorite. I have had a few that I have not read a second time and then there are some that I have read two or three times and some that I have read even more than that.
Ranking:
Since her parents' bitter divorce, McLean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move-four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, McLean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, McLean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself, whoever that is. Perhaps Dave, the guy next door, can help her find out.
Combining Sarah Dessen's trademark graceful writing, great characters, and compelling storytelling, What Happened to Goodbye is irresistible reading.
Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo's sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.
Emaline's mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he's convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?
Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she's going?
Sarah Dessen's devoted fans will welcome this story of romance, yearning, and, finally, empowerment. It could only happen in the summer.
But sometimes, unexpected things can happen—things such as the catering job at Wish, with its fun-loving, chaotic crew. Or her sister's project of renovating the neglected beach house, awakening long-buried memories. Things such as meeting Wes, a boy with a past, a taste for Truth-telling, and an amazing artistic talent, the kind of boy who could turn any girl's world upside down. As Macy ventures out of her shell, she begins to question her sheltered life.
Next on the list is Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen. This was the first book that I ever ready by this author. I spent a few days reading it. I enjoyed it and this was the book that kept me wanting more by this author. I borrowed this book from my best friend who told me to read it. I was reading a lot during my junior and senior year of high school when it wasn't required reading of course. As I read this I fell in love with the characters and the story but it wasn't the story I wanted to read. It wasn't exactly a book I fell in love with. As the years have gone by I have fallen in love with this book more out of nostalgia than anything else. If you've read this book and enjoyed it let me know what you loved about it most. You can always find me on goodreads and let me know your opinions. I would love to hear them.
But then she lands a job at the Last Chance Cafe and meets fellow waitresses Morgan and Isabel, best friends with a loving yet volatile relationship. Wacky yet wise, Morgan and Isabel help Colie see herself in a new way and realize the potential that has been there all along.
Not long after reading Keeping the Moon I read That Summer and Someone Like You and I have to say that out of the first three books that I ever read by this author Someone Like You is my favorite. It's one that I never really have let go of. It's not that I've had a personal experience like this. I was one of those girls who was shy but was outspoken when I needed to be. I kept to my close friends. I was never in the shadow of my best friend. We were side by side taking in things together. This book was about friendship and the trials it goes through. My best friend and I have put our friendship through the ringer. We've had moments where we didn't speak for months and we have had moments where our friendship was tested in other ways. Boys always the moments of our truest test. And it's survived just like Halley and Scarlett's. So out of my three original read by Sarah Dessen this is my favorite of all time.
Now for the two books that surprised me the most. These are down towards the bottom not because I dislike them that much. No that's not the case with these last two. Lock and Key was a surprise from the start. I never really knew how to feel about this. This book just didn't seem like one that I would be able to like under any circumstances. Now keep in mind even your favorite author can write a book that you don't like. However, for me, this book turned from a I don't know about it book to I've fallen in love with it book. Now This one and the next book are down at the bottom like I've already stated. I just didn't know exactly where to put them because they aren't my favorite and they aren't my less favorite. Lock and Key holds a special place in my heart for reminding me that even I sometimes have a change of heart about a book and never even realize that I disliked it to begin with.
Along for the Ride was an enjoyable read. I really enjoyed this book and like I stated about the previous book I just didn't know where to put it in my listing of books because I didn't hate it but I didn't absolutely love the book like my top choices. I enjoyed this book a great deal and it's cute and amazing. After spending a lot of time reading Sarah Dessen I've discovered which books I enjoy and which books I debate on how much I enjoy them. Or even how much one calls to me and seems to speak to me on levels that I didn't realize. For me, this book spoke to me on a different level. It's not that this book was me. That's another book of Sarah Dessen's. This book spoke to me on a level that I can't even begin to describe.
Ranking:
- Just Listen
- Saint Anything
- Dreamland
- What Happened to Goodbye
- This Lullaby
- The Moon and More
- The Truth About Forever
- That Summer
- Keeping the Moon
- Someone Like You
- Lock and Key
- Along for the Ride
There are two addition books by Sarah Dessen that I have not had the chance to read yet. One of them I do not own yet and that is her most recent release The Rest of the Story. I have not even been able to stop long enough to get my hands on the book to read the synopsis of it. However, because I love her books so much I would still buy it. The other book that I have not read but do own is Once and for All. This book is sitting on my bookshelf waiting for me to read it.
Each of the books on this list is a book I have read and some of them are books that I have read several times over. Now I will admit that there are a few like the last five that are not huge favorites of mine. The first seven book on this list are books that are some of my favorites. Now I will go into detail for each one and which ones I have read several times over.
Just Listen is tied for my over all favorite Sarah Dessen book with two other books. This book is a favorite by far. I have read this book over 5 times. I decided to stop counting after my fifth read through of this book. Just Listen is an amazing book and it's a book that hits a point that when you think about it there are girls just like this in schools across America. When I was in college reading this it made me think about the people around me who may have had drastic changes happen to them in high school. This book was one that I feel in love with and the main characters have real problems. And the coupling isn't forced on you. You can see the friendship and watch as this friendship grows and she opens up. This book was like I said my favorite for the longest time after reading it. So I'll share with you the Synopsis for this book now and hope you decide to read it. If you've already read this book let me know what you think of it.
Synopsis of Just Listen: 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 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.
Another book tied for first in my heart of books written by Sarah Dessen is Saint Anything. This book pulled at my heart strings. My best friend is the person who actually introduced me to Sarah Dessen. My first Sarah Dessen book is pretty far down on the list. So while it wasn't a favorite of all time it was enough to wet my appetite for more of Sarah Dessen's books. I'm glad I never gave up on finding a favorite by her because I have so many. This book though was a book that pulled so much at my heart strings. While this book is not everything like my life the Chathams made me think of my best friend and her family. While her mother did not suffer from multiple sclerosis. They were an amazing but and my best friend and I were talking together about this book. We decided to read it together. We both feel in love with this book and we would laugh together and talk about different areas in the book. We would recognize things that the two friends did in the book that we also did. It's just one of my favorites honestly. I have read this book a few times since the original read with my best friend. If you've already read this book let me know what you think. If you haven't yet then I'll leave the synopsis down below for you to read.
Synopsis for Saint Anything: Peyton, Sydney's charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion's share of their parents' attention and—lately—concern. When Peyton's increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?
Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time.
The uber-popular Sarah Dessen explores her signature themes of family, self-discovery, and change in her twelfth novel, sure to delight her legions of fans.
Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time.
The uber-popular Sarah Dessen explores her signature themes of family, self-discovery, and change in her twelfth novel, sure to delight her legions of fans.
The third and final book tied for first place in my love of Sarah Dessen books is Dreamland. If I am honest I have probably read this book about ten times. I'm not sure on the exact count of how many times I have read this book. As I sit here eating ice cream and reading the synopsis for this book I'm reminded how much that this book just feels like a wake up call. You see each of the different girls around school who are wearing make up to heavily or who are wearing long sleeves in the middle of a heat wave you don't think anything about it. You think they are crazy for doing those things but you never stop to think on if they are actually doing those things for a reason. You never think about the girl who was your friend and suddenly started to pull back from you and the people she once hung out with. You never really think about the things staring you in the face. How terrified they must feel because they want to say something but the thought of saying anything leaves them with the possibility of something even worse happening to them. Is it their significant other or is it a parent? You never question these things sometimes until it's to late. This book speaks volumes and it's a favorite of mine and I read it every once in awhile when I'm feeling the need to read something that speaks volumes. If you are not triggered by abuse then you should give this a read. I love this book I really do and it's why it's tied for first place with two other books written by this amazing author.
Synopsis for Dreamland: Wake up, Caitlin
Ever since she started going out with Rogerson Biscoe, Caitlin seems to have fallen into a semiconscious dreamland where nothing is quite real. Rogerson is different from anyone Caitlin has ever known. He's magnetic. He's compelling. He's dangerous. Being with him makes Caitlin forget about everything else--her missing sister, her withdrawn mother, her lackluster life. But what happens when being with Rogerson becomes a larger problem than being without him?
Ever since she started going out with Rogerson Biscoe, Caitlin seems to have fallen into a semiconscious dreamland where nothing is quite real. Rogerson is different from anyone Caitlin has ever known. He's magnetic. He's compelling. He's dangerous. Being with him makes Caitlin forget about everything else--her missing sister, her withdrawn mother, her lackluster life. But what happens when being with Rogerson becomes a larger problem than being without him?
Following in the foot steps of my top three favorites at number one we have What Happened to Goodbye. This story was a bit of a wow moment for me. And the reason I say that is because when I was younger I went to several different schools. I was able to move around the cliques as I pleased and make new friends with each new school I went to. When the last move happened while I was in school, high school to be exact, I knew who I was. I was a band nerd and there was no denying it. However, even your cliques have sub-cliques. I was one of those who was a popular band nerd. Wow right. It's definitely a thing that happened when I was in school. However, I was able to connect to McLean better than I really thought I would. I adored this book which is why it's so close to the top of this list. Haven't read it give the synopsis a read. You've already read it give me a heads up on what you've thought about it.
Synopsis for What Happened to Goodbye: Who is the real McLean?
Since her parents' bitter divorce, McLean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move-four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, McLean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, McLean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself, whoever that is. Perhaps Dave, the guy next door, can help her find out.
Combining Sarah Dessen's trademark graceful writing, great characters, and compelling storytelling, What Happened to Goodbye is irresistible reading.
I've read so many of Sarah Dessen's books that by the time that I got to This Lullaby I never really thought about how her books all kind of cross paths with one another. I read Just Listen before I got to This Lullaby so when I noticed the names of the characters I was so excited to see that the books started to cross with other characters making cameos I started paying more and more attention to each of the books as I read them. This is another reason why I have been reading some of the books over and over again so I can see if any other characters make cameos in the books. This book is a beautiful book and I love reading it. I love how she has rules and how she can't stand how he defies all of her rules. This book is beautiful and meaningful. If you've never read it you should.
Synopsis for This Lullaby: When it comes to relationships, Remy doesn't mess around. After all, she's learned all there is to know from her mother, who's currently working on husband number five. But there's something about Dexter that seems to defy all of Remy's rules. He certainly doesn't seem like Mr. Right. For some reason, however, Remy just can't seem to shake him. Could it be that Remy's starting to understand what those love songs are all about?
My love for The Moon and More cannot really be described in this book. I have to admit that I have always loved how Sarah Dessen has been able to really weave a story and characters that people can relate to. It was always just my mom and I. We lived with my grandmother but she always wanted to give me The Moon and More. And I can say that my mother did exactly that. Even after she got married to the man I call my dad. They always tried to give me the moon and more and that's the way this story read and I connected to Emaline in different ways. She and I aren't the same but we are similar and I loved that about this story.
Synopsis for The Moon and More: Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.
Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo's sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.
Emaline's mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he's convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?
Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she's going?
Sarah Dessen's devoted fans will welcome this story of romance, yearning, and, finally, empowerment. It could only happen in the summer.
I have to say that The Truth About Forever starts when my love for some of the books started going down. I enjoyed this book so much and this book was one that you never really think is going to be an immediate favorite. And that was not the case with me. I've read this book two or three more times on top of my original read. And each time I have read this book it's grown on me a little more. Not like leaps and bounds of love but it's more like little skips and hops. This book is still worth a read like each of her books. It may be your favorite and if it is please tell me why. I love seeing why someone else loves a book that I don't fully love. It gives me a new look at the books and I always love to have another outlook on a book I kind of love but don't fully love.
Synopsis for The Truth About Forever: That's what Macy has to look forward to while her boyfriend, Jason, is away at Brain Camp. Days will be spent at a boring job in the library, evenings will be filled with vocabulary drills for the SATs, and spare time will be passed with her mother, the two of them sharing a silent grief at the traumatic loss of Macy's father.
But sometimes, unexpected things can happen—things such as the catering job at Wish, with its fun-loving, chaotic crew. Or her sister's project of renovating the neglected beach house, awakening long-buried memories. Things such as meeting Wes, a boy with a past, a taste for Truth-telling, and an amazing artistic talent, the kind of boy who could turn any girl's world upside down. As Macy ventures out of her shell, she begins to question her sheltered life.
Getting into some more of my least favorite books written by Sarah Dessen but I still enjoy is That Summer. I have always enjoyed Sarahd Dessen's books but sometimes I don't love one of her books. That is the case with That Summer. While I enjoyed it and I like it... I have to say that I don't love it. I will say that this book is one that is good and I love so much of it. I don't love all of it but I love enough of it to keep it from the bottom of the list. Just like with The Truth About Forever please let me know if you love this book. I do enjoy seeing other readers look on a book. It'll give me another outlook when I pick the book up and read it for a third time.
Synopsis for That Summer: For fifteen-year-old Haven, life is changing too quickly. She's nearly six feet tall, her father is getting remarried, and her sister—the always perfect Ashley—is planning a wedding of her own. Haven wishes things could just go back to the way they were. Then an old boyfriend of Ashley's reenters the picture, and through him, Haven sees the past for what it really was, and comes to grips with the future.
Synopsis for Keeping the Moon: Colie expects the worst when she's sent to spend the summer with her eccentric aunt Mira while her mother, queen of the television infomercial, tours Europe. Always an outcast -- first for being fat and then for being "easy" -- Colie has no friends at home and doesn't expect to find any in Colby, North Carolina.
But then she lands a job at the Last Chance Cafe and meets fellow waitresses Morgan and Isabel, best friends with a loving yet volatile relationship. Wacky yet wise, Morgan and Isabel help Colie see herself in a new way and realize the potential that has been there all along.
Synopsis for Someone Like You: Halley has always followed in the wake of her best friend, Scarlett. But when Scarlett learns that her boyfriend has been killed in a motorcycle accident, and that she's carrying his baby, she's devastated. For the first time ever, Scarlett really needs Halley. Their friendship may bend under the weight, but it'll never break—because a true friendship is a promise you keep forever
Synopsis for Lock and Key: Ruby, where is your mother?
Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she's been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return.
That's how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn't seen in ten years, and Cora's husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future; it's a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?
Best-selling author Sarah Dessen explores the heart of a gutsy, complex girl dealing with unforeseen circumstances and learning to trust again.
Synopsis of Along for the Ride: It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.
In her signature pitch-perfect style, Sarah Dessen explores the hearts of two lonely people learning to connect.
A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.
So there you have it all of Sarah Dessen's books ranked by my preference. You may have another idea about the ranking system for Sarah's books because your absolute favorite may not be my absolute favorite. I'd love to discuss it.
In her signature pitch-perfect style, Sarah Dessen explores the hearts of two lonely people learning to connect.
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