Auden was never a typical girl — or even a typical kid, for that matter. Having parents who worked in academia surely played a part in this development, but they never really pressured Auden to be so studious. She just kind of felt safer in that environment and gravitated toward being an overachiever. Instead of playing with dolls or riding bikes, she studied and joined the “geek” clubs that focused on math and science. It paid off, in a sense, by getting her into an prestigious college… but Auden knew she was missing something. The summer before college, Auden decides to spend some time with her father [and his new wife and baby]. And while she knew that life would be somewhat different than it had been at home with her mom, she had no idea how much a single summer could change her. What started as a part-time job keeping the books at her step-mom’s trendy clothing boutique eventually became a gateway to friendship with some “normal” teenagers. As soon as Auden learns to stop judging people based on how they look, she starts to catch up on a lot of the things she missed out on during her childhood — like learning to ride a bike. There’s so much more to this story that I just can’t put into words (at least, if I want to do them justice), so you just have to trust me. If you like Sarah Dessen, this is a book you need to read!
Happy Reading!
I have not read all of Sarah Dessen’s books, like many of my friends and colleagues, so I thought it was really important to at least read her latest. Well, I am more than happy that I “forced” myself to check this one out! It’s all about love, family, trust, and friendship, but it’s not just a sappy tearjerker. When Ruby’s mom abandoned her in a run-down rental house, she thought she could get by until she turned 18. No one would have to know, and she would not have to worry about the foster care system. One day, nevertheless, the landlords figure it out, and Ruby is taken into custody. She is sent to live with her long-lost sister, and suddenly finds herself in the lap of luxury. Her sister and brother-in-law live in a posh gated community, send her to an elite prep school, and can actually afford to buy her new clothes from some of the most expensive stores at the mall. You might think that it would be easy to adjust to such a life, but how do you leave behind everything you ever knew in life and start again?
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