Sarah Dessen Book Club #2| Just Listen

Author: Sarah Dessen
Publisher: Penguin Books
Publishing date: 2016
Pages: 371

Annabel seems to have it all. Everybody imagines her to be perfect and having an amazing life full of loving people and exciting events. But there are things that Annabel keeps deep down in herself and even, or especially, her own mom doesn't know. Some kind of serendipity throws her together with Owen, whom she always expected to be scary and reclusive. But she soon learns that nobody is what you first suspect them to be. Owen will share his love for music with Annabel. And step by step Annabel will learn how important it is to open herself to the people she loves...

"Don't think or judge, just listen."

This is not the first time I am writing about this book on my blog. I had actually written a review on it already, but it was many years ago, so I might as well go ahaed and try to do my best to express my feelings about this book again. If you follow me continously, it won't be surprising for you to hear that I freaking love this book. In fact, I consider it as one of the most influental books in my whole life, if that says something. I think that because it came to me in the most important time, it had a really great impact on me. In this book Sarah Dessen helped me to see many things differently. I stopped being so immersed in my own problems after reading it. I also realized that I was not the only one person having issues. And I learnt that it's okay to have flaws because nobody expects from you to be perfect. And just as Kirsten found comfort in taking care of herbs and Annabel in listening to music, I started to think about what I could do with my free time. And so I established this blog which has become a big part of my life since then. So I've really gained a lot since reading Just Listen for the first time five years ago...

"No matter how much time has passed, these things still affect us and the world we live in. If you don't pay attention to the past, you'll never understand the future. It's all linked together."

It was amazing to re-read this book after such a long time. I was so surprised by how many things I forgot about it. I think I needed some reminders of the important things in life, therefore I am really glad I had a chance to pick this book up again. I found the main characters highly inspiring and I loved reading about them. Sarah Dessen writes about people willing to change themselves. They are still full of hope and optimism, even if they experienced really bad things. And I admire that about them a lot. That's the reason why I like reading Young Adult novels, even though I am not a teenager anymore. It's so easy to lose your ideals when you're getting older. And it's really not that hard to conceive hatred for people in general, once you've experienced some kind of betrayal. But to see these young people being so passionate and open, is something that makes me want to be like them. Therefore I adore Sarah Dessen for her writing. She created these characters which means she herself believes in better of the world...

I can't recommend Sarah Dessen's books enough. I would like to encourage everybody to read them, for I am convinced you'll find something in them that will resonate with you. Whether you need a little bit of hope, love or faith, you can find it in her novels. There's plenty for everyone. And if there'll come some time in your life when you'll need some more, you can always come back and find what you need in her books again...

Rating: 5/5