I picked up a library discard of this book at the Friends of the Library book sale a few months ago and just got around to reading it. I was saving it for when I knew I needed a sure thing and after starting two books, one YA, one adult, and not getting sucked in, I was wanting something I could count on so I picked this up and read last night until 1am, but had to finish this morning because I was bleary-eyed.

A writer once told me that authors are insulted to hear that someone picked up their book at a library book sale, which is just silly if you ask me. I guess their ego only sees that someone didn’t like their book enough to keep it. I personally keep very few books and I get rid of lots of books I like if I know I can get them easily at the library. I don’t have room for zillions of books! Anyway, I doubt Sarah Dessen is reading my blog anyway, so if she is the kind of person (I doubt it) who would be insulted, she’ll probably never know.

The reason I’m even bringing up where I got it is because of the cover. This is obviously an old copy. My husband and I often discuss book covers because soon I will have one. Also, he’s a photographer and so he’s interested in the pictures publishers choose. We both agree that this hardback cover is a great one. When I went to Amazon to capture it, there was the new one (see above). I like this one much better.

As far as the book goes, what can I really say? It’s standard Dessen in that it’s quiet, beautiful, full of textures, smells, colours, quirky characters that come across not weird but real, pain, joy, personal growth, self worth, and lovely language. I cannot think of anyone who writes like Dessen. You could give me ten YA books and I could pick her out in a heartbeat. What I find so intriguing about this is that I cannot put my finger on what it is that makes her feel just different enough that you always know it’s her writing? Anyone have any ideas? Which cover do you like?