Just Listen

This is a review of momentous significance and importance. (No, I’m not bragging.) You see, Just Listen is my first-ever Sarah Dessen book! I know, I know—”But Renae, you say contemporary YA is your favorite. How have you not read Sarah Dessen before?” Uh…yeah, I have no valid excuses. I’m a failure, okay? Point at me and laugh; make fun of my unworthy fan status. I can handle it.

But now that you’re done heckling, we can move on the important part: I read a Sarah Dessen book! Thank you, thank you. I’d like to especially thank the Academy, and my parents, and Viking Juvenile and…

And we’re done. I apologize for excessive silliness. On the the important part—my review.

The thing with Just Listen is that it doesn’t bring anything new to the bookish world (or maybe it did back in 2006 when it was first published). The formerly popular girl who made mistakes and then hooks up with sensitive loner guy? We all know that story. It’s everywhere! So I think that if you want to read this book (which you most definitely do, if you’re one of the uncool persons who hasn’t done so yet, and no need to worry, because I was formerly uncool also), don’t expect fireworks and shock-factor and moments of “OMG!” Because basically, I figured out the entire story within the first chapter.

However, predictability and unremarkable story (in my opinion) did not stop me from grinnng like a fool during a goodly portion of this book. I would say that I very rarely smile whilst reading, but because I’ve been reading a lot of light contemporary of late, that is no longer true. Anyway, yes—Just Listen is really cute. The interaction between the protagonist, Annabel, and her love interest, Owen, was adorable. See, Owen is really big into music, like…obsessed with obscure, weird music like drippy faucets or chanting or whatever. And then Annabel gives him her opinion on the music, and they sort-of-argue and it’s really cute. So cute I had a happy-grin.

As far as plot, I’m not really sure I could give a good run-down. Wendy said that Sarah Dessen books are “about nothing and yet absolutely everything at the same time” and though I only have Just Listen to use as evidence, I definitely agree. This book is just about one girl living her life, in maybe less-than-great circumstances, but it’s not all depressing, and it’s not all awesome. And I would say that this is very realistic, except for the almost (but not quite) cheesy-movie factor Dessen’s storytelling had, especially when, toward the end, Annabel was suddenly enlightened and discovered great insight into everything, all at once. I didn’t really buy it, but I think it worked for this kind of story.

Anyhoo. Overall, my first encounter with the Sarah Dessen (that author of mythical proportions), was a fairly solid success. Just Listen isn’t my favorite book, and I’m hoping that any future Dessens I try out will work better for me. But either way, I liked Just Listen, and I can now gracefully (or not so gracefully) bow off of this awards podium with my shiny trophy for Not Being A Poser YA Contemp Fan.
It’s been an honor.

Reader reviewed by Kristin

I enjoyed this latest book from Sarah Dessen, but it definitely wasn't my favorite. I'm a fan of all of Dessen's books for a lot of reasons - she has realistic and likable characters, a clear, easy tone, peppered with humor and poignancy throughout, interesting situations that draw the reader in, and lots of intricate subplots. Dessen delivers all of this in Just Listen, a novel about Annabel, 16, the "girl who has everything" but whose life is really falling apart. However, I disliked how it was often quite similar to Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, and I think Speak did a better job in portraying this type of situation. Overall, worth reading, especially if you're a Dessen fan, but not one of my favorites. If you like this book, you may want to check out Speak as well.

Reader reviewed by Val

Just Listen is like any other Sarah Dessen novel in that it involves a female protagonist placed in a realistic situation and thats why many young adult readers among them many girls read her books and find they can relate. In Just Listen the main character Annabel Green begins to narrate her situation. The reader doesnt get the whole story until towards the end of the novel but one can put two and two together to infer what happened. Annabel is the epitome of an American girl with blonde hair, blue eyes and a modeling figure. But when readers learn more they discover that she in fact isnt the glamorous girl she appears to be on commercials and photos. She IS a teenage girl who gave up her true friends to hang out with a girl who finds pleasure in dominating people. This girls name is Sophie and something happens that makes Sophie think that Annabel is worthy to be called rude names like slut and tramp. Annabel like most girls when faced by this sudden betrayal are stunned and doesnt know what to do. She lies to her mother when she continues modeling, which she doesnt like, and she tells her that Sophie and her just got into a little fight.

There are times where you want to shake Annabel and knock some sense into her to remind her that its okay to stand up for yourself, you dont have to be a doormat because your so called friend treated you meanly. Unfortunately, we cannot do so but never fear because just when weve thought about giving up all hope Owen steps in. Owen is considered to be an outcast because he got into fights and he sits reclusively by himself at the lunch table always listening to his ipod. One day after a particularly vicious attack by Sophie, Owen sees Annabel and helps her. They talk and Annabel begins to discover its not the end of the world if she isnt by Sophies side. She finds Owens presence comforting and he opens her into a whole world of music and listening. The change is evident when Annabel becomes more opinionated and more confident. With the inadvertent help of Owen she is able to conquer her fears of her family with her sisters eating disorder and her moms emotional fragility. She begins to make friends with the friends she lost when she began hanging out with Sophie. She is able to face her fears and the incident that has mentally and physically hurt her& the reason why Sophie ostracized her.

Owen serves as her rock and its an interesting combination because you wouldnt think that a fallible character like him what with his anger problems would be a good sort of structure for a somewhat weak character. The novel is uplifting and doesnt disappoint in terms of plot. However I, having read almost every Sarah Dessen book had to say I wasnt as pleased with Just Listen as I was with many of her other novels. My favorite Sarah Dessen novel was Dreamland because it was one of the few books that have been able to move me to tears with its wonderful language and gripping plot. When I found out that Sarah Dessen was working on a new novel I was ecstatic and couldnt wait but reading Just Listen came off more as a beach read. You know& the kind of novel you bring to the beach and forget about maybe for a few days then find it again and read it. Its a good book dont get me wrong but I felt it lacked that powerful impact Sarah Dessens novels usually have on me.