Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 70
 And Another Book Read's Reviews March 3, 2010
And Another Book Read
It has been years since Auden has slept at night. It all started when her parents started fighting, and even though they have moved on and gotten a divorce, Auden is still an insomniac.
The summer before she heads off to college she is give a choice. Spend the summer at home with her professor mother and get a head start on her college reading or go off to the small beach town where her dad, step-mom and new baby sister, Thisbe Caroline, live. Hoping for a chance for a carefree summer and to escape the craziness of her mother, Auden opts for the charming beach town. What she gets though is not what she expects.
Auden is quickly introduced into the world girls and the normal teenage life - something she completely missed out on growing up with her demanding mother. Theirs talk about clothes, make up, boys, and more boys, and Auden isn't sure if its really what suits her, especially the girls at her job. Then Auden meets Eli, a fellow insomniac and absolutely adorable guy. He soon introduces her to the nocturnal world of the small beach town and their friendship blossoms. Auden soon finds herself having quite the unexpected summer, but it may just be exactly what she needs to cure her insomnia.
Sarah Dessen is amazing, plain and simple. Her books are so lifelike and real that you can relate to them in an instant, her characters are beyond believable, and of course her style is just impeccable. ALONG FOR THE RIDE is definitely one of her best books, in my opinion, and the absolute perfect summer read.
The plot was extremely detailed, which made the story come alive. Every little street corner popped up right in front of the reader's eyes and all aspects of the story were relatable, whether it be putting up the girly girls, riding a bike or learning how to act around your crush. All these regular activities really made the reader connect with the little beach town and made the book that much more enjoyable. Another aspect that made the book so good was even though the book was very realistic; it still felt like you were being transported to a parallel universe.
Now the characters, I think, are what made the book. Auden was extremely relatable, especially for me, and I couldn't get over how well Sarah Dessen knows the teenage mind. I considered Auden more of a friend then a character early on in the book and really got to know her throughout the story. I also loved Eli. Dessen always comes up with really cute guy characters, but I think that Eli definitely is the best so far. It was really interesting to see that he had issues too and they added a small side story that kept the reader intrigued. I also loved how even the side characters, such as Thisbe, all had personality. This made the book come even more alive and it made the story hard to forget, as it felt like you were meeting realy people.
Overall this was a fantastic book that I highly recommend; it is easily one of my favorite books of the year. I cannot wait to see what Sarah Dessen has in store for us next, while we're waiting though I suggest a re-read of all of her books!
Loved It! February 26, 2010
Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf (PA, USA)
My love for Sarah Dessen books started innocently enough. It was my second or third time in the young adult section in my local library and I was in sixth grade. After looking around for a while I came upon a book called, This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen, it looked interesting enough and I simply loved the cover, so I decided to check it out. The next day I was nearly done with it and had found out who my new favorite author was. Now, switch back to current times, when I got the amazing chance to read an early copy of Along for the Ride. You could only guess how happy I was!
Along for the Ride is truly another Sarah Dessen classic. Since, in this she creates another set of memorable characters and a story that you hung on it's every word, cherishing it until it was over.
Auden was someone that I could relate to in her insomniac and overarching ways, though both are not nearly as bad, to her the feeling that her parents divorce was partly her fault. While she is not the strongest main character in a Dessen novel, she is still one that many girls will come to adore. Then, there was Eli, who was incredible. Defiantly one of my top three faves in top male leads in a Deseen book. I loved Auden and his journeys in the night since they always brought for a laugh or two.
The plot in this is basic and predictable, though with Sarah's writing she added a charm to it that not many others would be able to do. One of my favorite parts of this novel was about the different relationships you make in life: between friends, parents, siblings, ex. It was interesting to see how Auden dealt with them and let them grow.
One issue I want to address in this review is how some have said that this is basically a collaboration of some of her previous novels, though with new characters. Yes, some of the scenes and issues in Along for the Ride were a bit similar to previous novels such as This Lullabay and The Truth About Forever, but that happens with any type of novel. Since, most novels are mainly based on the same basics: relationships, first loves, friendships, ex.
Overall, Along for the Ride is one of my favorite Sarah Dessen novels so far! I deeply suggest you go pick this book up form your local book store come June 16!
Grade: A+
 Dear Sarah, I know you can do better (because you have before) February 24, 2010
Nell H. Bonaparte (Portland)
For seven books, Sarah Dessen utterly enchanted me with her clear prose and fresh plots. She managed to create an entire world within her books. With each book, Dessen allows the reader to enter the fictional town of Lakeridge. She populates her books with original, drawn out characters. I love Remy and Dexter, my heart breaks for Caitlin, I'm so proud of Colie, I wish I could really listen to Owen's radio show, etc. Moreover, Dessen manages to create drawn out secondary characters as well. I've always loved Dexter's band mates.
But, I digress. After reading Along for the Ride, something felt unfulfilled. After mulling it over, I realized I didn't particular care for the main character, Auden, and therefore had a hard time sympathizing with her. I felt like the whole "girl works at a boutique, finally makes friends, and discovers her inner girly self" felt downright overdone. I couldn't stand her co-workers, especially Maggie. The worst part is, I know Sarah Dessen can do better. Her first seven books prove this.
Along with the Ride begins with Auden, on the brink of her high school graduation. Her parents, both academics, are divorced, and her brother is off partying in Europe. Auden was forced to grow up at a young age, and so she never really got to experience being a kid. She decides to visit her dad (and her new step mom and half sister) at the beach for the summer. While there, Auden meets Sam, a local teen who hangs around the beach shop. The beach is the same one where Keeping the Moon was set. Colie even appears for a very small cameo. Auden begins working at her step mom's boutique, along with several other girls around her age. She begins hanging out with Sam, driving around the beach with him, due to their mutual insomniac. Naturally, as this is a Sarah Dessen book, Auden's family is fairly screwed up, but by the end, she has learned to let lose while still loving her family.
Just typing a short plot description reminds me of how much I didn't like this book. I would assume that this book was just a fluke, except for the fact that I didn't love Lock and Key either. I really hope that Sarah Dessen's next book goes back to her roots.
Bottom line, this book ranks no where near This Lullaby or Someone Like You
Along for the Ride February 6, 2010
Lindsay Frost (OR, USA)
Along for the Ride
by Sarah Dessen
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
# of Pages: 383
Age Rating: +13
My Rating: 10 Stars
Where I got it: Library
Synopsis:
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.
Review:
This is the second Sarah Dessen book that I read and I have to say, WOW! Sarah's books are Amazing, Beautiful, Perfect, I could go on forever but I am going to stop so I can tell you why you have to read this book( or any other of her books)
First thing is the storyline. I saw some reviews on this book complaining that her storyline is the same in every book and here whats I have to say about it, I love the storyline, it is kind of the same but it's like a chocolate, you can make all different kind of things with chocolate but it's still chocolate( and it's good too.)
Same thing with the storyline, it's made in different ways but it's has the same taste and it's NOT a taste that you grow sick of too.
Now that the storyline is out of the way, lets move on. the whole story felt very realistic but it's predictable,(but that's ok) and the ending? Two words. Perfect and incredible. I LOVE it, it was so...even.
All of the characters seem very real, you could relate with them. Auden, I really like, she not a girl who doesn't do anything but she try to make the best of what's going on. And we can't forget Eli, he was kind of moody around people at first but then you start seeing why he is.
This book is a perfect light read that you should read (unless you are like my sister where she doesn't like to read any thing except for action fill books, then you may skip reading this book.)
I give it 10 stars. (I know.)
Enjoy! :D:D:D
 Okay story with lackluster heroine... January 20, 2010
silenceiseverything (Manchester, CT)
I've read every Sarah Dessen book (with exception of Someone Like You) and had varying degrees of like as I finished with them. Regardless of that, Auden, the main character of Along for the Ride, is the first Dessen heroine that I disliked.
At the beginning, I found Auden snobby, pretentious, selfish, etc. I don't know if it's because that's the way the parents were portrayed, but I just couldn't completely warm to her. After a while I did start to find her less annoying, although, a couple of bothersome aspects remained.
In my opinion, where Dessen excels are the supporting characters, but even they felt a bit forced to me. I didn't fall in love with Eli the way I usually do with the guy in her other books. I also felt that while Maggie was a bit fleshed out, nothing came of Leah or Esther. I had no idea what their purpose was in the book. Their presence just fell flat.
But I gave it three stars. That's mostly because Sarah Dessen's books are comfortable. They're just about a regular girl falling in love with a normal guy. And after a plethora of supernatural YA novels out there on the market, it's refreshing to just go back to the basic formula. Girl goes away for the summer. She meets regular boy. They fall in love. It is a predictable formula, but I like it.
So, Along for the Ride wasn't my favorite Sarah Dessen novel (Keeping the Moon is), but it was better than That Summer, it just didn't keep up with Keeping the Moon, Just Listen, or Dreamland. Still, it was a quick read (read it in about a day and a half) and had a few funny and heartwarming parts.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 70
|
