Queen Ella Bee Reads: How To: Read Sarah Dessen

March 13, 2014

How To: Read Sarah Dessen

Okay. So in case you missed it, I love Sarah Dessen. (See this week's Top Ten Tuesday post for reference - it's actually the last thing I posted before this so it shouldn't be hard to find.) She is wonderful, her books are wonderful and... well... I just want everyone to read them all.

I know that's not a particularly realistic desire because not every plot is for every person and I would never expect everyone to love all of them the way I do. But these books are my YA life. Actually. My friend Danna handed me This Lullaby one day back in 10th grade or so and 16 year old Gaby knew that she'd found the greatest realistic fiction thing she would ever find.

Which isn't to say I don't still read lots of other realistic fiction I love very much, but Sarah Dessen was first. Or, not the first realistic fiction I've ever read, but the first non-school-pushed realistic fiction that really grabbed me, shook me up, and then somehow hugged me back together, all before the last page.

So as a thank you to Sarah (because in my wildest dreams she actually see this) and a gentle push (JK a giant shove) in the right direction, I've made up and infographic of how I would like everyone to read Sarah Dessen books. In chronological order. Obviously this is information you Wikipedia clever cats can look up, but I like infographics (and I hope you do too), so this happened...

I have to thank a few people, of course.

First: Piktochart.com. I didn't do a ton (read: any) research before signing up for an infographic-making site, but I like this one A LOT, so go at it.

Second: Jen (@JenEllision), Sharon (@starsaloft) and Racquel (@purplebull) for this infographic would have fewer facts and more copy editing mistakes without them.

Third: Is thanking Sarah Dessen again too much? Because I think she deserves it. So thanks, Sarah!

Oh! And feel free to use this infographic wherever, whenever, but I do ask you credit me/not cut out that little thing on the bottom left that says "Made by Queen Ella Bee Reads" because creating this took quite a bit of time.

So that's it. This is what's been keeping me up late the last two nights. I hope you guys like it and if you have ideas for other author infographics you'd like to see, let me know in the comments below!

Comments (21)

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Heidi · 577 weeks ago

Love it! Sarah Dessen forever!
My recent post Liv, Forever

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fictionallyinclinedblogger 18p · 577 weeks ago

Or, not the first realistic fiction I've ever read, but the first non-school-pushed realistic fiction that really grabbed me, shook me up, and then somehow hugged me back together, all before the last page.

YES YES YES! You put that so perfectly! ♥

And no, thanking her is not too much. She totally deserves it. And that just made me smile!

I love Sarah Dessen SO MUCH, which you already know. And I adore this post, which you already know. But I needed to say them again. Just because. :)
My recent post Top Ten Favorite Contemporary Books (Plus a Bonus!)

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alongfortheread 2p · 577 weeks ago

I first read Sarah Dessen in grade 11 when the How to Deal combo caught my eye on the bookstore shelf. From that point I was hooked. Pretty sure that I read every single one of her books that was in publication at that time within the next few weeks (I wish goodreads existed back then so I could have official documentation of what order I went in), and proceeded to stalk her on her livejournal and buy every new book the day they were published. To me, Sarah Dessen is YA. The Truth About Forever is my very favourite, but I have loved every single one, and you are so right in saying that the best way for new readers to start would be at the start.

Um so in short, I liked your post.
My recent post Review: Don't Even Think About it by Sarah Mylnowski

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sarahf10 34p · 577 weeks ago

This is FANTASTIC! I've still yet to read Sarah Dessen and this post serves as a little primer for me. Cannot wait to get started! Thanks again!

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Lexi Ray · 577 weeks ago

Ya know, this is FANTASTIC because I just bought 2 Sarah Dessen books and was about to ask you where I should start my Sarah Dessen reading experience. YOU READ MY MIND!

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Natalie · 577 weeks ago

This is amazing and just so fun. I really enjoy Sarah Dessen books, too, although I did discover them later in life. I'm always trying to get them into the hands of the teen girls who come into my library (I work there, so it's not creepy). Awesome post!
My recent post Discussion Post: A Little Anticipation Never Hurt Anyone

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Cee · 577 weeks ago

Oh man, this is frickin' awesome! I had no idea that other characters pop up in later books. I think I will have to do a major binge-read of all Sarah Dessen's books to check that out. Any person who reads YA needs to read Sarah Dessen. She's a must!
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Lisa is Busy Nerding · 576 weeks ago

I'm still in love with this. ALWAYS AND FOREVER.
My recent post An already outdated bookshelf tour!

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Hagar · 576 weeks ago

I've never actually read and Sarah Dessen books, despite all the hype. I definately will now because of this post!

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prettylreader 35p · 576 weeks ago

This is AMAZING! I had no idea that that Mandy Moore movie was based off of two of Sarah Dessen's books!

I have yet to read a Sarah Dessen novel, but I will make a point to read them in chronological order, when I do get around to it :)
My recent post Book Review: After Eden

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thatkidinwonderland 11p · 576 weeks ago

SUCH a brilliant post Gaby!! So much love for it. This is definitely going to be my go-to once I start reading Sarah Dessen. In fact I may go buy her first three books now. *dashes off*
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Jess · 576 weeks ago

This is amazing ! I've read and enjoyed almost all of Dessen's books so this is helping m choose which one to read next. You picked the best covers.
My recent post Book Review : Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

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Chloe B · 575 weeks ago

Really like this idea, Gaby! Infographics are always a fun time :)

Although I have to admit, compared to most of the YA blogosphere, I'm not a huge Sarah Dessen fan. Considering contemporary is the main genre I read, it's a bit surprising, I know. From her books I've read so far: That Summer, Someone Like You, and Keeping the Moon. I wasn't a big fan of That Summer or Keeping the Moon, but I really loved Someone Like You. Oh, and I saw the movie How to Deal! Full of cheesy nineties goodness :)

Thanks for this super fun post - you've actually inspired me to give Sarah Dessen another try, as I have a number of these sitting on my shelf (including Dreamland, which according to the infographic is next up in line for me).

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mollymowrites 11p · 574 weeks ago

very cool! I do wish the text was a little easier to read, but it's a fun graphic!
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COC · 311 weeks ago

good job

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