My First Sarah Dessen Book
Like many Sarah Dessen fans, I will always remember the first Sarah Dessen book that I ever read. It was Someone Like You and it was during the Summer of 2003. I’d just finished graduate school, I was looking for a full-time “grown-up” job, and wanted an entertaining book to take my mind off of the worries of that stress. There was a bookstore near the restaurant where I worked part-time and I grabbed up the book just about as soon as I saw it. It was the How to Deal movie bind-up which included Someone Like You and That Summer. I willingly admit that it was the upcoming movie and my love for Mandy Moore that pushed me to read it. :-)
I took the book in to work with me with the hopes of getting to read a few chapters throughout the night. I was a cashier at the restaurant and on slow nights, like that night, I could spend my time reading. Thank goodness we didn't have many customers, because once I started reading, I didn't want to stop. I loved Halley and Scarlett and their story. It touched my heart.
What I love most about Sarah’s books is that they are about so much more than romance. Sometimes it is an element of her stories, but it isn’t what motivates the characters. I love reading of the character growth as they navigate their way in the world. There is a lot of depth to her characters and their relationships and friendships.
While the movie was my initial motivation to read Someone Like You, I didn’t see How to Deal until it came out on DVD. I thought it was unusual to combine the elements of both books to make one movie. I've yet to read That Summer (hey, I can still be a Sarah fan with a few unread books on my shelves), but I want to so I can see how each book was made into the movie that I adore so much. How to Deal does have mixed reviews, but any Sarah Dessen fan (and Mandy Moore fan) needs to see it!
Sarah signing my copy of How to Deal!!
With Sarah Dessen at YALLFest 2014
Readers, Do you remember the first book by Sarah Dessen that you read? Tell me about it (in the comments below) and then enter for a chance to win another one of her books for your shelf.
I've only read one Dessen book so far, "Just Listen". I love the movie How to Deal though!
ReplyDeleteJust Listen is another one of my favorites! Yes! to How to Deal, I watch it anytime I see it when flipping channels. When I was writing my post, I kept thinking that I should be watching it right now.
DeleteSarah Dessen is my go-to for when I need a book that is guaranteed to make me warm, fuzzy and happy. She never lets me down, and after attending her panel at BookCon, I think I love her more.
ReplyDeleteI've always held her at a high regard, but I agree, after seeing her on a panel and meeting her, I love her even more!
DeleteSarah Dessen is my all time favorite author and I honestly can't remember a time when I haven't been reading her books. They are so good. I got to meet her recently while she was on tour and she is the nicest! Makes me love her books even more--which is crazy cause I love them a lot already! The Truth About Forever and Just Listen are my two favorite. I always find myself reading those two over and over. They really stuck with me. Also, now I really want to watch How To Deal! Been a while but it's one of my favorites when I do watch it. :)
ReplyDeleteYou must watch it again soon! I'm going to. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteThe first Sarah Dessen book I read was Along for the Ride and it was amazing. It was one of the first books that I read that started my love for reading. I had always read before but only at school, when I had time after a test or in study hall. Then I started Along for the Ride and I found myself pulling my book out of my bookbag to read at home. That had never happened before. I fell in love with her characters and her writing and I went crazy and read nearly all of her books. (I think I have three left to read, of which I own two.) I don't own Along for the Ride but I've been really wanting to re-read it lately (something I have never done...) She is my favorite author and I will be forever grateful for her sparking my interest in reading to grow to what it is now. (:
ReplyDeleteI love this story and knowing that this is the book that started your love of reading. It's wonderful to discover an author who has so many books published and that when you've finished one, there's another to pick up next.
DeleteThanks for sharing!
I have only read one book so far by Dessen. What Happened to Goodbye. I loved it. It's about a girl who keeps reinventing herself to hide who she really is since her parents divorce and the constant moves with her Dad. Finally she thinks it might be time to see who she really is! So good!
ReplyDeleteI sounds good! That book is one of the few that I still need to read. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteMy very first Sarah Dessen book is The Truth About Forever. I fell in love with the story, the characters and the romance and since then, I've been a huge Dessen fan. I've also read Just Listen and Lock & Key. Her latest book, Saint Aything, is also a favorite of mine.
ReplyDeleteThank you! <3
YES!! Just Listen and Lock and Key are great! I haven't read Saint Anything yet, I don't even have it yet. I hope to get it at one of Sarah's future signings.
DeleteMy first Sarah Dessen book was also How to Deal!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am sad to admit though I've only read that book and recently Saint Anything... I am not sure why since I loved those two book!!!