Friday, March 29, 2013

Just Listen- Sarah Dessen


                                                     When Annabel, the youngest of three beautiful sisters, has a bitter falling out with her best friend—the popular and exciting Sophie—she suddenly finds herself isolated and friendless. but then she meets Owen—a loner, passionate about music and his weekly radio show, and always determined to tell the truth. And when they develop a friendship, Annabel is not only introduced to new music but is encouraged to listen to her own inner voice. with owen’s help, can Annabel find the courage to speak out about what exactly happened the night her friendship with Sophie came to a screeching halt?
 
 
 
 
Play list-
  1. Nothing- The Script
  2. Thank You- Led Zeppelin
  3. Not A Moment To Soon- Tim Mcgraw
  4. Secrets- One Republic
  5. It's Not Over- Daughtry
 
A Quote-
 
"He started to say something else- of course- but stopped as I slid my hand over to his, locking his fingers in mine. It wasn't over. Eventually, he'd make his point, or at least argue it into submission. But for now, the chords were building overhead, the chorus starting up again. So I moved closer to Owen, leaning my head on his shoulder to listen, as we settled into the sunlight coming through the window beside us. It was bright and warm, catching the ring on my thumb as Owen reached for it, spinning it slowly, slowly, as the song played on."

 
 
 
 
 
 
The Review
4 Stars
This book tackles a big issue, one that is near and dear to my heart because I am friends with someone who has experienced the same thing. Just Listen pulled on my heartstrings. I was reading the book but at the same time I was listening to what it was telling me. It was telling me that although someones life may look perfect, there's a lot of things hiding underneath that you're not aware of. It's saying that not everything is what it seems. Annabel appears to have this picture perfect life, a perfect family, and perfect friends. But in reality her life is the exact opposite. Her life is falling apart and her sister's eating disorder has left the family scared and restless. The "perfect" friend Annabel had hates her for something Sophie can't even begin to understand. Nothing is right in her life. Until she meets Owen Armstrong. All of a sudden her life begins to actually come together. Annabel starts showing her true colors. She shows who she really is. She says what she means and won't sugarcoat it for you. She starts telling you how it is. Annabel was the perfect main character. She was easy to love and the words she said sounded real. She was real. She went through a lot but she didn't let it break her even though there were times when she was about to collapse from the trauma. There weren't a lot of moments with Clarke but the moments I did see with her, were amazing. She is the kind of friend you would want beside you. Clarke used to be Annabel's best friend but then Sophie happened. They stopped being friends after awhile but at the end of the book when everything was coming out Clarke and Annabel started to work on their relationship again. It seemed to be working. I hated Sophie. She is a bully. She thinks the world revolves around her. She has no idea what is really going on. None and yet she bullies Annabel anyway for something she think happened. She is the perfect antagonist because it was so easy to hate her. Then there's Owen. All he wants to do is make Annabel happy. I loved him because he seems like he would be the perfect boyfriend. Sure he has a past but who doesn't? Everything he is now is not who he was then. Ad Annabel realizes this and realizes that the rumors surrounding him are wrong. He is actually a caring guy who just has some.... anger problems that he is working on fixing. Owen is obsessed with music. He always knows what to say and what not to say. He is exactly what Annabel needs. She needs someone strong and caring to take care of her. All in all I loved this book. It was an easy read with a great plot and unforgettable characters.


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