Book Name: Along for the Ride
Author: Sarah Dessen
Published: June 16, 2009
Publisher: Speak
Genre: YA Contemporary
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Blurb:
Ever since her parents' divorce, Auden has been unable to sleep. She's built a routine that gets her through each night; but when the opportunity comes for her to spend her summer at the beach with her father and his new family, she jumps at the chance to break out of her rut.
Life at the beach proves more challenging than Auden expects. In addition to trying to figure out how she fits into her father's new life, she also has to navigate the girls at work with their gossip and friendship and crushes. And then there's Eli, a fellow insomniac who becomes her nocturnal tour guide. With an endless supply of long summer nights between them, anything can happen…
Lisamentary:
Along for the Ride is one of my favorite books by Sarah Dessen!! I've been reading it every summer for like 3 years now, but I have read this book 5 times I'd say in actuality.
What's so great about Sarah Dessen's books is that there's no external drama like the world is ending or something of that sort. It's just about life and growing up, which makes it very relatable and relaxing. Also, this book is located next to a beach!! Personally, I hate, like loath, the beach but the illusion of being near the beach is nice. Funny thing is though that the characters in this book never go to the beach at all.
I forgot to start with this but this beach town is called Colby, for future reference.
I loved the two main characters and love interests, Auden and Eli. For Auden, I just connected with her in so many ways besides her family life. She's quiet and smart but focuses on school work to relax, which is totally unlike me because school, for the most part, stresses me out. However, it's the little things like how she doesn't know how to ride a bike that makes her more endearing; I don't know how to ride a bike either and it's a bit, just a bit, embarrassing admit for someone my age. Also, she prefers being up at night (me too!) and this is how she connects with lovely Eli.
Oh, Eli. Typically, I don't like the depressed, quiet guy but Eli is just so great. Especially with babies!! And how can you not love someone who's good with babies?!?!!? Because it's commonly known that babies and children are a great judge of character and Eli is a prime example of how RIGHT they are. Besides that, Eli rides a bike, is mellow to Auden's perfectionist attitude, and is a really caring person. AND he hangs out with Auden, the newbie in town, and accompanies her on her elusive "quest," aka the bucket list of the things she felt she missed out in high school and her childhood since she was repressed. (Sigh) How nice of him...
This book has a bunch of characters. Like a BUNCH. There's Mom, Dad, Hollis, Heidi, Thisbe, Maggie, Esther, Leah, Adam, Jason, Abe, Jake, Mrs. Stock, Clyde, Laura, and Belissa. WOAH, hold up, I need to take a breather. And these are all the characters other than Auden and Eli. Basically, all these people are locals besides the West family and there are are bunch of "local" secrets that only the locals know. So, there's that. These people make this warm, quirky, eclectic family that makes me want to live in a small town. If you can't tell already, I have a thing for small towns.
Other than the amazing characters, there indeed exists a plot. Auden goes on her quest and grows up in a way she was never able to. Being the perfectionist she is, she learns about second chances and that it's okay to not get things right the first time. Alongside her, Eli learns to let go of the past and that there are just some things you can't control in life. And yeah, some of you may be thinking, "How cliché!" However, the themes are pretty subtle and I don't have any beef against clichés as long as it's not overly cheesy.
This is a perfect summer read!!! It's very relaxing yet not boring. You can enjoy this on the beach, on the bus, in the park, and the list goes on. Everywhere really!!
P.S. I included some pictures of possible Auden and Eli! They're not perfect and look best in black and white because their eye color doesn't show. Also, Eli is a chill biker dude, so his usual attire would not be a suit and tie but that's besides the point. Also, I don't even see faces really when I read; I just feel and know if they're right.
Anyway, enjoy!!!!
Visual Reference:
Ever since her parents' divorce, Auden has been unable to sleep. She's built a routine that gets her through each night; but when the opportunity comes for her to spend her summer at the beach with her father and his new family, she jumps at the chance to break out of her rut.
Life at the beach proves more challenging than Auden expects. In addition to trying to figure out how she fits into her father's new life, she also has to navigate the girls at work with their gossip and friendship and crushes. And then there's Eli, a fellow insomniac who becomes her nocturnal tour guide. With an endless supply of long summer nights between them, anything can happen…
Along for the Ride is one of my favorite books by Sarah Dessen!! I've been reading it every summer for like 3 years now, but I have read this book 5 times I'd say in actuality.
What's so great about Sarah Dessen's books is that there's no external drama like the world is ending or something of that sort. It's just about life and growing up, which makes it very relatable and relaxing. Also, this book is located next to a beach!! Personally, I hate, like loath, the beach but the illusion of being near the beach is nice. Funny thing is though that the characters in this book never go to the beach at all.
I forgot to start with this but this beach town is called Colby, for future reference.
I loved the two main characters and love interests, Auden and Eli. For Auden, I just connected with her in so many ways besides her family life. She's quiet and smart but focuses on school work to relax, which is totally unlike me because school, for the most part, stresses me out. However, it's the little things like how she doesn't know how to ride a bike that makes her more endearing; I don't know how to ride a bike either and it's a bit, just a bit, embarrassing admit for someone my age. Also, she prefers being up at night (me too!) and this is how she connects with lovely Eli.
Oh, Eli. Typically, I don't like the depressed, quiet guy but Eli is just so great. Especially with babies!! And how can you not love someone who's good with babies?!?!!? Because it's commonly known that babies and children are a great judge of character and Eli is a prime example of how RIGHT they are. Besides that, Eli rides a bike, is mellow to Auden's perfectionist attitude, and is a really caring person. AND he hangs out with Auden, the newbie in town, and accompanies her on her elusive "quest," aka the bucket list of the things she felt she missed out in high school and her childhood since she was repressed. (Sigh) How nice of him...
This book has a bunch of characters. Like a BUNCH. There's Mom, Dad, Hollis, Heidi, Thisbe, Maggie, Esther, Leah, Adam, Jason, Abe, Jake, Mrs. Stock, Clyde, Laura, and Belissa. WOAH, hold up, I need to take a breather. And these are all the characters other than Auden and Eli. Basically, all these people are locals besides the West family and there are are bunch of "local" secrets that only the locals know. So, there's that. These people make this warm, quirky, eclectic family that makes me want to live in a small town. If you can't tell already, I have a thing for small towns.
Other than the amazing characters, there indeed exists a plot. Auden goes on her quest and grows up in a way she was never able to. Being the perfectionist she is, she learns about second chances and that it's okay to not get things right the first time. Alongside her, Eli learns to let go of the past and that there are just some things you can't control in life. And yeah, some of you may be thinking, "How cliché!" However, the themes are pretty subtle and I don't have any beef against clichés as long as it's not overly cheesy.
This is a perfect summer read!!! It's very relaxing yet not boring. You can enjoy this on the beach, on the bus, in the park, and the list goes on. Everywhere really!!
P.S. I included some pictures of possible Auden and Eli! They're not perfect and look best in black and white because their eye color doesn't show. Also, Eli is a chill biker dude, so his usual attire would not be a suit and tie but that's besides the point. Also, I don't even see faces really when I read; I just feel and know if they're right.
Anyway, enjoy!!!!
Kristina Romanova as Auden Penelope West
Gasaprd Menier as Eli Joseph Stock
Rating:
Story: 9
Characters: 9.5
Enjoyment: 10
Overall:
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