The Rest of the Story

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Just when you think you‘ve aged out of coming of age stories, you read one that hits you at your core. Emma Saylor, raised by her dad. Her mom had struggled with addiction eventually succumbing to it. She never knew much about her mom except the lake. Her dad eventually remarries and after some unexpected changes in plan Emma Saylor goes to the lake to spend the summer. There she learns about her mom and ultimately herself.

19 likes1 stack add

CaramelLunacy

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

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When Emma Saylor's summer plans fall through, she ends up at North Lake staying with her grandmother (on her mother's side) - and working through memories of her mother and getting to know that side of the family. As usual, Dessen's characters have real flaws, they figure themselves out with hard work and new friends and a summer romance. Plot was slow to build and the romantic plotline less swoony than others, but I enjoyed it.

9 likes

LiteraryNib

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

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Sarah Dessen crafts this refreshing story of acceptance, mourning together, and love by creating “epiphany” moments, when Emma Saylor becomes acutely aware of something new, and the reader grows with her.

sharread

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

so-so

This is a cute story about young love, loss, grief, and family ties. Emma visits her Grandmother on her mother's side for the summer. She meets boys, new friends and a new family. This isn't my kind of novel, I didn't like the writing style, which was dialogue driven. There was long sections of just dialogue. #BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y

45 likes1 comment

cleoh

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

• so many, but Saylor‘s family in The Rest of The Story are wonderful
• I love Halcyon and Eva from Sisters of Sword and Song by Rebecca Ross

#favouritefam @Mavey

mavey Thanks for sharing, Cleo! 4y

51 likes1 comment

SanjanaGhosh

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

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YAs are such comfort reads ❤️

12 likes

BookMad7

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

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4/5 Also a very cute book but I would have loved it more if I was still in high school. Read August 2020

4 likes

Tigey_rules

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

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It was a book that I would recommend to anyone who isn't into romance but in family drama and adventure. The book itself was written beautifully and the storyline progresses nicely. Why I chose to read this book is because when reading the description of the book I fell in love with how the story didn't just focus on the romance but it was more about reuniting with family and fighting for what you believe in.

4 likes

BookishGirl06

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

pan

This was just pretty meh for me unfortunately. Wasn‘t that into it. +10 for impulse read +120 for 6 hours reading. +1 for participation #ReadNosedReindeer #WinterGames2020

StayCurious

BookishGirl06 #readyourway #crushtherush @TheSpineView @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick (edited) 4y

TheSpineView 🤩📖📚 4y

63 likes1 stack add2 comments

BookishGirl06

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

82 pages in and so far it‘s ok.

73 likes2 stack adds

freeatlast1137

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

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Emma must choose between the party life of her dad or the work life of her mom.

15 likes1 stack add

Tigey_rules

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

This post contains spoilers

show me

10/13-10/16
The story revolves the setting because Emma's family history depends on having Lake north and North lake as the setting. If they didn't have the two lakes as the setting it would be a completely different story. Emma's mom may have not died or Emma's dad may have not met Emma's mom at all. The story could take place at a summer camp but it doesn't line up with the characters wants or needs.

1 like

Tigey_rules

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

This post contains spoilers

show me

10/04/2020
The main character: Emma aka Saylor had a wonderful life with her parents as a only child. When things take a turn for the worst when her mother's past drug addictions come to light again; as a result her mother died of an overdose. Since then Emma and her father have moved on, Emma's father has remarried and is going on honeymoon with his new wife. Over the four years since her mother had died Emma is still struggling to cope.

Sresendez12

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

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I‘d had forgotten how easy it is to fall in love with a Sarah Dessen book. I just couldn‘t get behind the one she wrote before this one, so I thought maybe I had outgrown her books. I‘m so glad I was wrong. This had a little bit of ya romance, but that wasn‘t the center of the book. I was hooked from the beginning. And it was a great summer read where I felt like I was at the lake with the characters.

22 likes

Sresendez12

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

I seriously had forgotten just how much I love Sarah Dessen.

21 likes

Sresendez12

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

First time in a long time that I managed to finish all of my current reads and start new reads on the 1st. Really looking forward to my Sarah Dessen book. I‘ve been reading her books since I was in high school and I love them so much #readingnow #summerfun

StayCurious

13 likes

Sharpeipup

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

“To summer, and to us.”

🍦coconut milk cookie dough

38 likes1 stack add

TamTracy

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

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This was the first book by Sarah Dessen I‘ve read even though she is recommended to me a lot. I thought it was very sweet with a little family drama as well. The ending was a little more exciting than I expected. I really enjoyed this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

64 likes1 stack add

BookishBlonde12

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

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Emma Saylor doesn‘t remember a lot about her mother, who died when she was ten. It‘s just Emma and her dad, until she is unexpectedly sent to spend the summer with her mother‘s family, who she hasn‘t seen since she was little. For Emma, it‘s like a whole new world is opening up. The more time Emma spends at North Lake, the more it starts to feel like she is divided into two people.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

38 likes1 stack add

BookishBlonde12

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

Next up for #24B4Monday

A little audio and cleaning action. 🧼🧽

36 likes

Shay1097

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

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2020
Life is big and huge and scary. But you have to go and take your part of it. There‘s a reason the saying is ‘Seize the day, not Wait for it to come along at some point.”
This was another great book by Sarah Dessen, she really knows how to write a good ol fashioned love story. I loved the setting of this story and I really enjoyed Saylor, Roo, Gordon and all the other characters. I thought this was well done and I really enjoyed reading it.

5 likes

GinaKButler

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

Finally! I get to chair Book Fair!

Come-read-with-me You are so lucky! It will be great!!!! 5y

10 likes1 comment

Krystle13

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

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Loved it!!! Such a sweet story of a 17 year old girl trying to get her story of her mom and her family after all the long lost years!

BookKenz Cute doggo! 😍 5y

Krystle13 @Kenziejo thanks. Hes our "old man" ? 5y

ladym30 Such a sweet face!❤️ 5y

Krystle13 @ladym30 he is a big suck. 🐶💕 5y

Prairiegirl_reading Omg what a sweet pooch!!! 🥰 5y

32 likes5 comments

Krystle13

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

Onto book 7 for January 2020. My BFF told me to read it. So here it goes!!!
@kmiller20

28 likes

AlisonM

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

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Cute, easy read about self discovery, and family dynamics while lightly touching on complications from addictions. #Book1of2020

4 likes

GirlNamedJesse

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

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A lovely story about reconnecting with family while creating a new one. I had a few issues, but overall I really enjoyed this one. Roo is a great character, but my favorite people in the story are Emma Saylor‘s cousins. They are distinct individuals who bring out new aspects of Saylor she and the reader do not expect. ⛵️⛵️⛵️⛵️⛵️

8 likes

Megabooks

Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

Sarah Dessen is definitely a #notsofavoriteauthor for cherry picking a two year old quote from a grad student at an obscure school and using her platform to turn a lot of people against this poor woman. Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Weiner were particularly egregious at heaping on the mean. I hope they realize someday that #kindnessisbest 😞

Given what Dessen did, this apology is very lame.

#gratefulreads #namastenovember

OriginalCyn620, Eggs, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Skeebies05 I was so sad to see some of the people dog piling on. IE Roxane Gay :( and Jennifer Weiner equating it MeToo!! 🙄🙄 5y

Eggs Yes yes yes just be kind - it‘s not that hard to do 🥰😍 5y

Megabooks @Skeebies05 I feel like Roxane‘s apology was the best, and Ng and Picoult using hers because they couldn‘t write a better one?? You‘re writers! 🙄🙄🙄 the whole situation was an exercise is women acting in a way they said they wouldn‘t act. People can not like your books. It doesn‘t mean they have “internalized misogyny.” It May mean they just don‘t like your writing and that‘s okay. I don‘t like Dessen, et al‘s shitty attitude/behavior. 5y

See All 35 Comments

Megabooks @Eggs Exactly. On social media I try to err on the side of kindness. I am not perfect, but I try not to be rude, catty, or mean. I just went through a major depression in 2017 and 18 so I realize how important that is. (And I‘m sorry for anything weird I said on Litsy those years. It was so bad that I have huge gaps in my memory.) 💙💙💙 5y

Eggs @Megabooks I don‘t recall anything too weird; I just remember you were struggling. I‘ve been there too (with depression) and when younger my filters were sometimes nonexistent 😳🤯 🙄... Growing older and modern meds have changed me. I‘m happy for you that you‘re feeling better❤️❤️ 5y

Megabooks @Eggs It was horrible to a factor of 10 worse than in my 20s when I first started seeing a psychiatrist. I‘m doing better with changed meds and weekly appointments, but it‘s so hard. I lost a job I loved because of it. I just didn‘t ever think it would be that bad for me which is conceited. The whole experience has given me more empathy and made me much more humble. 5y

MicheleinPhilly That whole shitshow reminded me why I gave up Twitter in the first place. 🐑 5y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I missed it 🤷🏼‍♀️ What did Jodi do? 5y

Megabooks @MicheleinPhilly I‘m rarely on it, but I keep an account to read things like this first hand. 5y

MicheleinPhilly I still have an account and did go back to read it firsthand after I heard about it. The only reason I won‘t delete my account outright is because Ellen follows me. 😂 5y

Megabooks @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Sarah Dessen found a two year old article that quoted a grad student saying she got involved in her (small, very small) college‘s first year reading programs selection board because she didn‘t want Dessen‘s novel chose. Sarah cut off here, but the student instead wanted to pick some nonfiction about racism in the criminal justice system. First, it was one reader‘s personal opinion, second Dessen cut out the part about 👇🏻 5y

Megabooks @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks that did get picked. So then a lot of writers including Picoult, Weiner, Gay, Vivian, Han, Angie Thomas, Silvera, Ng, Sepyts, Jemisin etc. heaped abuse on this student personally and publicly. It was sad and disappointing. Some have apologized, some haven‘t. I thought Jodi said some of the worst things and made a terrible apology. Jemisin hasn‘t apologized though, and she was very mean. The girl they attacked is in hiding. 5y

Megabooks @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks It‘s just a sad situation that so many authors would turn into Regina George from Mean Girls. 5y

brittanythebookdragon I just read some of the articles and Dessen originally said something like we put our hearts and souls into our work. And like...exactly. You chose to do that and you chose to put it out there. Expect the criticism. Surely this isn‘t the first time someone hasn‘t liked her books. I‘m not sure why this group of grown women decided to gang up on this girl. 5y

SconsinBookyBadger Wow did you see Northern State U‘s apology to Dessen? People are lambasting them for throwing the student under the bus. 5y

Eggs @Megabooks I understand the severity—it affected my job and relationships with others. I am sending hugs and zen thoughts to you 💗💗 5y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @MicheleinPhilly 🤣🤣 5y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Megabooks omg!!!! That‘s awful!!! 5y

OriginalCyn620 Wow 😳 5y

Megabooks @brittanythebookdragon Right? I mean I‘m sure there are negative reviews on some books on amazon, goodreads, etc. Why did she pick out this one girl in a tiny South Dakota paper?? And why was everyone else so eager to attack?? 5y

Megabooks @AnansiGirl Yes, I thought they were horrible for not supporting their student!! 5y

Megabooks @Eggs Thank you so much! It‘s sad how many people can relate. I felt like coming public after a blogger I follow on Instagram did. I really appreciate how supportive you are and your kind soul. 💕💕 5y

Megabooks @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620 it was terrible seeing so many adult women act so immature and mean. Some were downright vicious. 5y

MicheleinPhilly @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Clearly it means we‘re best friends. 😉 5y

Megabooks @MicheleinPhilly Ellen is a national treasure! Never. Delete. Your. Account! 5y

Eggs You‘re welcome. I try to treat others the way that I wish to be treated. My circumstances and missteps have humbled me...❤️❤️ 5y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @MicheleinPhilly clearly!! Besties for sure!! 5y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Megabooks Sher is the sweetest 💗💗💗💗 5y

CoverToCoverGirl How awful! 😢 5y

Megabooks @CoverToCoverGirl I just found it so disappointing. So many authors, so much negativity. 5y

CoverToCoverGirl I was completely oblivious until I saw your post, but what occurred is very, very disappointing and quite shocking! As authors they should understand the power of words. 5y

Jee_HookedOnBookz Thank you for sharing this! I had no idea! This is so heartbreaking...These authors are supposed to be inspiring, walk the talk and practice what they preach. To see Picoult, See, and Gay's names here, authors whom I look up to, as some of the 'bullies', is so disheartening 😭 5y

Jee_HookedOnBookz Sorry not 'See'. Gah thought I saw her name. This is what happens when one types half awake. I wanna say Angie Thomas. Not See. Also why did the Uni have to apologize? I don't see the reason! 5y

Megabooks @Jee_HookedOnBookz Right! I‘m not a fan of Weiner‘s writing, but she went so far as to compare a student not liking Dessen‘s writing to Larry Nasser???? The whole thing was just awful. 5y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I just googled this!! I was totally unaware!! 5y

70 likes35 comments

LazyLibrary

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

Curious about everyone‘s thoughts on Sarah Dessen leading a social media mob against a college grad student who voiced an opinion on her books. Personally?? I thought it was awful. Turned my stomach to watch her and other ya authors attack someone with such foul language and hatred. I won‘t be reading her for a while, that‘s for sure.

LazyLibrary I‘m not much for getting personal on listy, Bc this is my happy book place, but with social media taking over life, and people are able to hide behind screens, I think we‘ve forgotten basic kindergarten manners. Not everyone will like what you like, respect other people‘s opinions, BE NICE 5y

Laughterhp This is the first I‘ve heard of it..I thought Sarah Dessen was a nice person from what I‘ve seen, but who knows. That‘s too bad she felt the need to attack someone for not liking her book. 5y

LazyLibrary @Laughterhp It wasn‘t that the student criticized Dessens work. She just felt it shouldn‘t be included in the common read program at her university. Plus, the student‘s quotes were from an article that was published in 2017. Poor girl probably was blindsided by the onslaught. But a lot of well known...(in my case, loved) ya authors took part in some serious online bullying. Of course all deleted now! I did see Dessen apologized (kinda) tho 5y

15 likes3 comments

ErinAyin

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

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If you want to check out my review for The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen. Come check out my blog. https://wwwjustagirlkindleing.blogspot.com/

7 likes

That-Bookish-Hiker

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

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Sarah Dessen never disappoints me.

Emma Saylor only remembers stories told by her mother of the lake but now she will be spending three weeks with a family she doesn‘t remember while her dad is on his honeymoon.

Although this book isn‘t life changing it‘s still a great story about growing up and realizing your life story is still being written. So who you are at this moment may be different in the next.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

45 likes2 stack adds

BriannaT

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

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In this story, Emma Saylor explores the half of her family left behind after her mother died of addiction. She discovers a lot about her family history and learns about herself as well. I thought this story could go a little deeper, but it was still a nice read.

7 likes

Lindsbooklover93

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

so-so

Hi everyone! I finished a cute and sweet summer book. This book was about Emma spending the summer her family from her mom's side. She hasn't seen them since she was 4 years old. It's really read a book about the character getting closer with her family.

4 likes

Nitpickyabouttrains

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

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A girl ends up spending a few weeks with a grandmother she hasn‘t seen since she was a small kid, cousins she doesn‘t remember, and old/new friends. She learns about her mother and herself.

17 likes1 stack add

chlolovesbooks

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

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💙💙💙💙💙 Another great Dessen book! #SarahDessen

9 likes2 stack adds

Gillyreads

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

Put a dent in my tbr this month

19 likes

BookNightOwl

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

so-so

Emma Saylor's dad just got remarried and plans to leave on a honeymoon. Emma hasn't seen her mom side of the family since she was a small child. The death of her mother from an overdose has left the 2 families separated. When Emma has nowhere else to stay plans are made to stay with her ml mothers side of the family. Emma finds herself on an adventure of getting to know her family and finding out more about her mom then she ever knew.

BookNightOwl I liked the summer setting perfect for this time if year. The characters were wonderful and fun and all so different. I enjoyed this read but wanted more from Roo and Emma getting together. I wanted more of the story of them together. 5y

60 likes2 stack adds1 comment

Jojo990

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

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I will start off saying this is not my normal reading as I‘m more of a mystery girl but was reading this for our local book club. I liked the book it was light summer read with some twists. I enjoyed the family dynamic and premise of this book. I would recommend if you are looking for that great beach read.

4 likes

hes7

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

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A feel-good summer story about a perspective-changing trip to the lake, discovering family and the past, and of course, a cute romance.

Book 5 of #24b4Monday ✔️

Andrew65, jb72, BeansPage

Andrew65 5 books! 👏👏👏🙌 A great achievement. 🎊🎉 5y

92 likes3 stack adds1 comment

book_princessBritt

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

Late start to #24in48 . First book up, finishing the last 50 pages to this perfect summer read.

4 likes

TheQuietQuill

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

I think today is a good day to stay inside and read...for anyone out in the excessive heat, stay safe! Also, my little 7 month old is fighting an ear infection and has been on antibiotics for the third day now and he still seems to be tugging at his ear and his ear seems hot. I really hope the infection goes away soon because we leave next sat for vacay! Any tips for infant ear infections anyone?

Hestapleton So not a doctor or a mom BUT my hubby just had a double ear infection. And the dr said he should feel better within 24 hours. If he still seems in pain on day 3, it never hurts to give the pediatrician a call! A sick baby on vacation = not fun. :( Hope he feels better soon! 5y

TheQuietQuill @Hestapleton thanks and yeah I think I‘m going to give them a call and just tell them that he still seems uncomfortable. Maybe they‘ll tell me to give the antibiotics time but I feel like his symptoms should be subsiding at least somewhat. Thanks for the response and hope your hubby feels better! 5y

32 likes2 comments

book_princessBritt

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

Silent Book Club in Raleigh this time! Enjoying these bookish nerdy events!

monalyisha Tasty-looking beer! 5y

chlolovesbooks So excited to read this? 5y

4 likes2 comments

AshleyKorinE

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

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Dessen has this uncanny ability to gut me and then put me back to pieces just with words. I grew up with her stories, fell in love with her characters, glad to see her worlds mesh and this book is no different. Emma Saylor hurt my heart but I knew that ending would just make me happy, and I was right. Roo is adorable and just the best lake kid every. I want a whole other book just with these characters, I want more of their story!

9 likes

SLibrarian5

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

June was a busy month. I was promoted from part time to full time at my current branch and have been adjusting to my new schedule.

Favorite this month- The Rest of the Story.

1 ebook
2 physical books
2 booked2019 prompts
1 library book
1 physical TBR (on shelf)
3 Goodreads TBR

The Sandcastle Empire-⭐⭐⭐

Hearts Unbroken-⭐⭐⭐

The Rest of the Story -⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#monthlywrapup

#junewrapup

3 likes

SLibrarian5

The Rest of the Story | Sarah Dessen

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The Rest of the Story was love at first chapter. I can safely say this is my 2nd favorite Sarah Dessen book.

I found myself relating to Emma so much and we had quite a bit in common--reading the obituaries, an addicted parent, and anxiety about driving.

Roo and Emma‘s relationship was a slow burn, but so worth the journey. Roo is one of my favorite book boyfriends-he was so full of life and joy, even with everything in his past.

Booksblanketsandahotbeverage Moving this up the tbr list 👍 5y

SLibrarian5 I hope it‘s a good read for you, too. 😊 5y

2 likes2 comments

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