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Sunday, June 21, 2009

Book Review: Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

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.

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.

What i thought: Typical Dessen love story, with its own personality. Need i remind you, i went into this novel with thoughts of my last Dessen read, Keeping the Moon, in mind, so i was not expecting much. (click here to read my review. laina likes snarky reviews).

Eli's mysterious personality had me from the beginning, and i loved Hollis. Maggie and the other girls at Clementines were sweet and your typical gossipy--yet still not completely girly--friends, and Adam was hilarious. I feel the character development in this novel was very well done, and by the last page, each character had their own unique personality.

The main thing i enjoyed about this novel was that it was so easy for me to relate to. The insomnia, the divorce, the half sibling . . . i've got that going. I found most of Dessen's descriptions of Auden's feelings regarding the divorce very easy for me to appertain to. The one thing i did not understand was how suddenly Auden overcame the insomnia--because, for me, its not happening. I very easily understood Auden and her mother not wanting to talk about all of the emotional stuff, because that's something i never do either. Auden's lack of social history helped me understand her actions and thoughts better, as while i am not socially retarded, i definately would much rather spend my weekends and school nights at home reading and studying and reviewing then going out with friends.

And, ironically enough, i just read the last one hundred or so pages during my latest insomnia episode. As a matter of fact, its 2:15 AM right now, and all i want is a glass of OJ and some early breakfast, because i am getting REALLY BORED. Sadly, my mom would kill me if she found out i was awake (I keep on tellling her its not my fault . . . she doesnt listen) which would be inevitable if i went in the kitchen right now. plus, its a bit early for a glass of OJ, even for me. i'll HOPEFULLY be asleep by four thirty at least though, (amazingly enough i think i'll be able to fall asleep, which is really weird . . .) as my dad is coming to pick my sisters and i up for some quality father-daughter time at eleven i think.

But, now that i think about it, i'm not so sure Auden has insomnia. Because she just stays up, drinks a ton of coffee, and then crashes. Which is some other sleeping disorder, as far as i am concerned.

Back to the review, while i did thoroughly enjoy reading this book, i think it lacked a certain something her other books have. I cant pinpoint it exactly, but something's missing. Either way, i give this book . . . drum roll please . . . an A! I just dont think Dessen can top Lock and Key.

Grade: A

SIMPLY NERDY BOOK REVIEWS

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great honest review.I really enjoyed this book although The Truth About Forever is still my favourite Dessen novel. :D

Ms. Yingling said...

I am really looking forward to reading this! Thanks for the review. If any of your readers would like to win paperback copies of Harry Potter books 5, 6, and 7, they can check out the Harry Potter giveaway at my blog:
http://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/2009/06/harry-potter-giveaway.html

prophecygirl said...

I'm so excited to read this book. I love everything Sarah writes, so Im sure I'll love this.

Thanks for the review!

stargirlreads said...

cant wait for this

Just Your Typical Book Blog said...

Great review! I was so excited when I got to read this one. For me, I don't think Dessen will ever be able to top This Lullaby.


Amber

simply nerdy book reviews said...

thanks for all the comments, guys! amber, that's one of my favorites. i loved lock and key, this lullaby, and the truth about forever the most. i HATED keeping the moon, though.

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