Book Review: Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen coming out May 5

[sylvikb]

I have been a fan of Sarah Dessen novels for years now, starting with Along for the Ride, Dreamland, Someone Like You, and now to my pleasant surprise, another great hit will be on the book-stands on May 5, 2015 called Saint Anything.

Saint Anything is about a girl, Sydney Stanford, who had willingly lived in her brother’s shadow for as long as she could remember. Many of us know that our families influence some of our most keen personality traits; sometimes it is our parents, but in Sydney’s case, it was her brother, Peyton. He was older, smarter, and loved to be in the center of everyone’s attention. Sydney never envied her brother for his innate charisma and charm; she enjoyed living in his shadow, where she could easily follow his footsteps without fear of failure.

It isn’t until Peyton gets into some trouble that Sydney realizes that she needs to stop idealizing her brother and start being true to who she really is, even if she doesn’t know it yet. Her parents unknowingly give her the opportunity when they move her out of her private school and enroll her into a public school. They are worried that too many people might be talking about her brother, but Sydney is appreciative for the opportunity to start somewhere that she could be more than Peyton’s little sister.

The first day of school comes with nerves and an unexpected, welcoming crowd of people. Sydney starts to love her new school, and before she knows it, she is becoming more her own person every day. This new side of her might look great on Sydney, but when her parents start noticing her friendly and talkative attitude, they start to get flashbacks of Peyton’s behavior and buckle down. This means more curfews, part-time jobs, and less time for her new friends. Sydney’s changes aren’t rebellious, but her parent’s lack of interest and harsh rules start to get the best of her. Now, we have a young girl who has outgrown living in her brother’s shadow, but her old friends and parents wont let her be anything else but Peyton’s little sister.

Saint Anything is beautifully written, and I felt like I was right there with Sydney as she was growing. It wasn’t anything obvious, but by the end of the book you realize you are in the mind of a completely different character. Someone who is smart, beautiful, and finally confident enough to speak up.

[ALynnPowers]

Thanks for the summary. I love Sarah Dessen!

You've already read it, haven't you? Where did you get it? How can I implant myself into your life so that I can get it as well? That sounded creepy, but that was kind of intentional.

[sylvikb]

Lol,

A little creepy, but a love for books kind of does that to me too so don't worry!

Since I write book reviews on a few websites I am able to access the book online. You can check out the NetGalley website and sign up for books as well. You might qualify!!!! GLUCK!!

[gozde08tr]

On the surface, Saint Anything is a book about a girl who is constantly living in the shadows of her older brother.
On the inside, it is so much more...

Sydney has always lived in the shadows of her older brother, Peyton. He is charismatic, smart, and adored by everyone including herself. Sydney was content with the way things were until her brother's reckless behaviors became the cause of a drunk driving accident. Sydney's whole world is turned upside down and she doesn't know where she belongs anymore until she meets the Chathams.

Everything changes for Sydney after her brother's reckless drunk driving becomes the cause of young boy's inability to walk. When her mother is so hell-bent on painting Peyton as the victim in her mind, Sydney does not know where her loyalties lie anymore. Torn between staying true to her brother and wanting to do the right thing, Sydney is in a catastrophic battle to find herself.

Enter the Chathams. They're everything Sydney's family is not. Chaotic, warm, welcoming, open and understanding. With them, Sydney slowly discovers herself and her place in the world.

With every turn of the page, the readers will slowly, gently fall in love with Saint Anything.

[Snigdha Pandey]

I love all of Sarah Dessen books! I read all her books in no specific order actually, the last one being Dreamland. For some reason, I kept postponing it, but then I finally read it, it became my favourite book by Sarah Dessen. I was so touched, and also so heartbroken! But, that's the best book ever that explain why people stay regardless of the abuse. Because they can empathize with their abuser.

Saint Anything was one of the first ones I read actually. I love this thing about her books, on the surface, they all are about teenage girls, how they face obstacles and overcome them. But then when you actually read it, it's almost always tackling a heavy issue so delicately, the characters are so well written. The way she portrays families and relationships so well, not only the romantic ones, that's probably my favourite part about her books.