Book Review: Saint Anything

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen
Release Date ~ May 5, 2015
Viking Juvenile ~ Penguin Random House
ISBN13: 9780451474704
ARC received from Penguin Canada for review

Goodreads Synopsis:
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.

It is no secret that I'm a long-time fan of Sarah Dessen; I have often shared my love and great appreciation for her books (with some fangirling involved).

I love that Sarah Dessen has her own style of books - whenever I pick up one of her books to read, I feel like I'm wrapping myself in an old, comfortable blanket. And yet, her books never stop leaving an impression on me. Saint Anything was no exception to this for many reasons.

1. An uncommon perspective:
   
   The main character in Saint Anything is Sydney whose older brother is currently in prison after he is convicted of drunk driving which left a teenage boy paralyzed. I have more often read books where the main character is injured in a similar type of incident, or they have a friend or family member who is the victim. So it was very interesting to read about how the offender's family was impacted by such an event, and to see how Sydney struggles to come to terms with these events and her relationship with her family.
   
2. Heartwarming relationships:
   
   Sydney's new friendship, which begins in Saint Anything, was one of my favourite parts of the book. I love to read about strong non-romantic relationships, particularly when we can read about two female friends who truly care for each other and actively work to build one another up. That is rarer to read about in a book than I would like, so I was thrilled to see it here. I was also touched by how the Chatham family bonded together in general, and to see how well they tried to care for their family and friends.
   
3. A realistic story:
   
   I usually enjoy fantasy books, but I always love how Sarah Dessen grounds her books in reality. Saint Anything is a story which is easy to relate to with characters that remind me of myself and of people I know. The resolution of the book isn't very surprising, but it is satisfying. It's also filled with just enough hope - the difficulties in life aren't glossed over, but it isn't unnecessarily pessimistic. 

But I really need to emphasize that despite the actions of Sydney's brother, this isn't the most thrilling book. It's engrossing and enjoyable, but readers looking for a fast-paced story likely won't be satisfied with Saint Anything. 

Saint Anything is a quiet sort of book - it isn't a busy, thrilling type which will grab everyone's attention. But it is touching and thoughtful and it offers a different perspective from the stories we may be used to reading. Moreover, it offers an important story which will hopefully leave readers with something to think about as they encounter the same types of peoples and stories in real life.

Blog Tour: The Moon and More

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen
Release Date ~ June 4, 2013
Viking Juvenile ~ Penguin
ISBN13: 9780670785605
ARC received from Penguin Canada for review

Goodreads Synopsis:
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.

Guys, I have been reading Sarah Dessen for FOREVER. I grew up on her books, and because of that I feel like I've been stalking her newest release ever since I heard about it... over a year ago. Believe me, that has been a difficult wait.

The Moon and More was a different experience for me as a fan of Sarah, because it's the first book  of hers that I've read after I've grown up (a bit.. I'm not sure I'll ever really feel grown up). And it was really cool that Sarah's newest book is actually perfect for someone who feels like that... like they're a little bit in between.

1. A novel for both old and new fans alike:
   
   I would easily recommend The Moon and More to readers who may be unfamiliar with Sarah's other books (after The Truth About Forever and This Lullaby, of course) but I was equally pleased that it turned out to be so enjoyable for longtime fans as well. The Moon and More stands out among her other books, and it has a distinct feel to it. All of Sarah's books deal with change and coming of age in one way or another, but The Moon and More is a bit more traditional in handling this. Featuring a girl who has just graduated high school and is looking ahead to the next chapter in her life- that's something just about everyone can relate to. It's Emaline's authentic voice as she navigates this transition that endears her to readers.
   
2. An ending that focuses on contentedness:
   
   I love a happy ending, I do. But sometimes? Those happily ever afters just don't fit. The Moon and More isn't a sad ending by any means, but there's something a little bittersweet about it. Change means something fresh and exciting is coming, but it also means letting go. And just because something is new, doesn't make it good for you. But this ending was satisfying. It's more about being content, then being happy. I like that.
   
3. Emaline has a unique voice, and an honest one:
   
   Emaline isn't so sugary sweet. But she isn't utterly whiney either. She falls somewhere in the middle... and probably sounds about the same as I did at 18, or any of my friends, or even you. (Possibly even my little sister next year... eeek.) She's a bit sassy, but not unbelievably witty. She makes stupid little mistakes but most importantly, she doesn't dwell on them. Her family feels so real, too. They aren't flawless, but they're easy to love and quirky in their own ways. Honestly? Her family was probably my favourite aspect of this book! And the romance was VERY unexpected, so pick this one up if you appreciate a different look at teen romance. 

I loved Emaline because I felt like I could really relate to her, with where I am now. I'm a wee bit older than she is during The Moon and More, but I'm still a little bit in that "in between" stage of growing up. It's weird and kind of makes me feel like this (enjoy that little video - you're welcome). 

I was disappointed with how much attention some secondary characters received though, in lieu of others. Truthfully, Emaline's close friends are far more intriguing than her love interests. I appreciated the love story... but not until the end of the book. Mostly because it wasn't what I expected, and that had its advantages and disadvantages. (Theo is just dull. Sorry, Theo-fans.) And I wouldn't say this is Sarah Dessen's BEST book, but it's definitely one of my top picks. 

The Moon and More is proof that I'll never be too old for a Sarah Dessen book. And I'm so pleased that I can feel like these books are growing up right along with me. 

Also- this book trailer? So cool. 

Kindred Reads {9}

Kindred Reads is my weekly feature where I recommend similar books. These books contain similar elements, whether it's content, writing style, or other themes found in the novels. They are always books which I have read, and clicking on the title of the book will take you to my review of that book (if I have reviewed it) or the Goodreads page (for those not yet reviewed). They aren't always books that I've loved, but always include reasons why I'm recommending them for specific similarities.

This is something that I personally wish I saw more of; after reading a book I enjoy, I often want to read similar books but they can be hard to discover! I've had a couple people ask about making this a public meme, so I'm now including a linky list for you to link to your post now too. Also, please note the permanent name change for this feature! Feel free to recommend some books you think fit nicely together and share your post here :)

This week, I'm recommending books that are all about growing up and self-discovery. And these picks are some of the best in the business- extremely talented writing, and expressive stories which are easy to relate to.

If you like...

Anna & the French Kiss or Lola & the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Stephanie Perkins is best known for her romancic boys and scenes so worthy of swooning, but I think something equally important about her books is how accurately she captures important life transformations and coming to terms with yourself. Something that I truly believe is important for everyone to read about.

Then you might want to consider reading...

The Truth about Forever (or ANY other others) by Sarah Dessen

The Truth about Forever was the first book I ever read by Sarah Dessen, and where I ultimately fell in love with her books. This is still one of my annual re-reads (another is This Lullaby), because of how much it impacted me when I was younger and continues to do so to this day. Sarah's books are always fantastic because of how her characters evolve and mature through hard trials.










I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You (Gallagher Girls #1) by Ally Carter

Another of my favourite series is the Gallagher Girls, one that I feel is often overlooked! It's a great series, packed with humour and adventure, but Cammie just changes SO much during the course of the books. As a girl who often feels hidden in the shadows, it's great to see her learn to adapt to the changes and surprises she encounters in her life.