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 Deeper than you think Mar 13, 2010
I only just discovered Dessen recently, and by accident. And she is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Young adult novels have a tendency to be overly fluffy without too much depth, but Dessen goes beyond that and writes novels that I feel are completely worth reading with believable characters and real issues that girls of today may be going through.
Ruby is a strong-minded, independent spirit who was abandoned one day by her mother and then sent to live with her sister and brother-in-law. I simply adored all the themes and issues of family, trust and independence that were brought up in the book and making it in a way that a girl who is going through the same thing can relate. It touches base on what it REALLY means to be a family... and a friend.
I felt that the book was very well written and put its point across very clearly. And i FELL IN LOVE with these characters, specifically cora and jamie and their interactions with Ruby. I kind of wish cora and jamie were real people so i can hang out with them. :)
Based on amazon reviews i feel like this is one of the least favorites on the site, but I don't really understand why. Maybe it's because it doesn't have a typical summer romance, fluffy type of feel with boy meets girl, but is more about a girl, meets boy, and saves herself and him as well along the way. Definitely give this book a read. i fully read it in the span of one day! I can't wait to pick up another dessen novel.
P.s. - this is my second dessen novel (the truth about forever was first, which is still my favorite) and i went NUTS with the character cameo from QUeen homes. and i'm almost convinced that the kid in the apocalypse shirt and the girl with him was bert and kristy.
BBE*!
*best book ever Feb 28, 2010
Wow. I have to say, Dessen has done it again. I love all of her books, but this is one of the best. Not only does this book teach about what life is like for the less fortunate, it does it from an interesting point of view.
What Is A Family? Feb 24, 2010
What Is Family?
That is the first assignment Ruby Cooper is given at her new school at Perkin's Day Institute. Before Ruby arrives at her answer (of which there are many) she has to go through her own discovery of what a family is to her.
When we first open Lock and Key we find a very torn teen told in her point of view whose mom just abandoned her in a run down filthy apartment. Now she must deal with a new life living with a sister who she hasn't talked to or seen in about ten years and living with her brother-in-law entrepreneur who she has never met before. Not only that, but they live in a much bigger lifestyle - something Ruby has never known.
Ruby is divided with facing moving on without her mom, wanting to live and be independent as much as she can be, or trying to start a brand new life with her sister/brother-in-law.
This is a very emotional, realistic book for teens. Tough topics like: emotional/some physical abuse, a hint of sex (?), drugs, and alcohol. Please do not let that stop you from reading this beautiful book. I also like the fact it touches on a dash of therapy for Ruby and how it can help talk through some very emotional issues that she goes throughout.
We see Ruby truly grow and mature in her new life as she allows herself to finally open up not only to others, but also with herself. Which in turn helps her to establish healthier relationships and even enter into college. It is a big change throughout from when I first started reading and wanting to reach in and give Ruby a big hug to watching her accomplish new HUGE life goals and learning how to move on with her life for the better.
I think this is a wonderful book for teens - adults and gives a message of hope. Not only that, but Ruby also sees that not everyone is as perfect as she believes when she moves up in life. Everyone has their own problems and issues that they have to deal with everyday.
Check out Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen it is a truly beautifully written book. I can not wait to check out Sarah's other novels!
Best Sarah Dessen book! Feb 22, 2010
I really love how Sarah Dessen writes. While most of young adult authors tell you about the big picture, she takes her time and writes about details, the day-by-day picture. The stories are stories that could happen to anyone, they are belivable but still you fall in love with them. Maybe thats why, because we can identify, not to a certain extent, but fully with the characters and the story.
Not to mention, that Sarah doesnt write specificaly "romance novels". Of course they talk about romance, there is always romance in her books, but that is not the topic of the book. At least it is not for me. They are self-growth books. I mean, of course there is romance, and that is part of the self-growth I am talking about. But, the whole book isnt based on the fact that the guy wants her, or what the guy does, or what she feels about him. There are many other factors. It is not the center of the book. It is how SHE develops and how HER mind changes, and how maturity can be something subjective, etc. And the main character always thinks about her future first than in her boyfriend or other stuff that are not as nearly important as her future. She goes to college, she doesnt stay because "her boyfriend is there", but almost always finds a way to work it out. She doesnt settle for the easiest thing to do. That is also why I love Sara Dessen.
I honestly think this is the best book Sarah Dessen has writen. I havent read them all, but I seriously doubt any other is going to top this one.
Ruby, the main character, is a seventeen year old, that thinks the only way to live her life happily is being a one-woman-operation. To do all by herself, without anyone`s help, or pity. She was raised this way by her mom, who is a tormented woman that is continuously drunk and hit her and her sister when they were younger. Ruby and her mom lived "fine", moving constantly from one one-bedroom-apartment-with-putrefact-odors to the other. They evaded taxes, and she changed schools and used fake names many times. Her sister, Cora, ten years older, had escaped all this when she moved away as soon as she turned 18. Ruby never saw her again since. But now, that her mother abandoned her, she is forced to go live with her sister and her husband in a rich neighborhood and to go to a private school for "rich kid"s. Everything changes so fast that Ruby finds herself attached to her old life and doest want to start a new one. But, as everything in life, her opinion changes and you find yourself thinking with her to solve her fears, and her future, if she still has one.
I absolutely adored this book, and hope it kept going. I read it in three days, couldnt put it down!! So, definitely a page-turner.
Apart from all this, there is a guy in the story. Of course. I mean, what would a Sarah Dessen book be without a guy for the main character to fall in love with? Well, this guy is Nate. And he is absolutely dreamy. I adooooooooored Nate. In other of her books, such as (for example) "Along for the ride" Eli (the guy) is fabulous, I loved him, and in "This Lullaby" Dexter was like a stalker for me, Sarah didnt create a guy so good as Nate. I would have to say that Nate is almost perfect. You will know when you read it.
One great book. It leaves you with a warm feeling inside, and in my own personal experience, I found the ending so heart warming that I cried. So, be sure to read this one. One fantastic book! You will absolutely love it.
Sometimes to stand on your own, you need to rely on others. Jan 30, 2010
Ruby can take care of herself. At least that was the ruse she kept up for a few months after her mother disappeared, again. Only this time her mother was gone longer than usual. So Ruby decided that she would continue her existence as if nothing was wrong. Well, that only lasted so long. Now she finds herself being forced to live with her older sister Cora that Ruby had pretty much forgotten all about.
Ruby moves to Cora's house, a.k.a. mini-mansion, from the foster facility and is astonished to discover what her sister has been up to in Ruby's absence. Cora has obtained a college degree, gotten married, and is living the life that Ruby always dreamed about; but she feels out of place. So as soon as she believes the happy couple to be asleep, Ruby slips out of the house and tries to make a daring escape over the fence into the neighbor's yard. To her utter surprise though, she winds up face to face with Nate, the swimming phenomenon hottie. Now it doesn't seem like such a terrible idea to stick around.
While she begins adjusting to life in a new private school and attempting to rekindle her relationship with her sister, Ruby is constantly returning to her old habits and clinging to her independence fiercely. Over time, she learns the hard way that sometimes in order to gain that which you most desire, you have to let others help you.
A charming, captivating novel, Lock and Key is par for the course for Sarah Dessen. Ruby is tough young woman who I found very easy to relate to throughout her story. Many teens go through a stage of rebellion, especially when an authority figure is attempting to tell them what is best. I found Cora, and to an extent her husband Jamie, to be prime examples of those who really do want the very best for their loved one. Even though I found the "love story" aspect a little overdone (I seem to be reading a lot of next-door-love stories), the character of Nate was a spot-on reminder of a teen boy. This was a really great, fun read and I'm hoping to read more of her in the near future!
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