sarah · dessen

You are up early! Maybe the baby was too? =)

I finished Lock and Key this weekend. I was thinking of contacting you to ask about a few questions that I had. Ahh! I wish I wasn't up at school so that I could go see you too!

I'm glad your husband is okay and that all the public events with your new book are going well!!<3

Two unrelated thoughts - I can't wait wait wait wait until you are in Atlanta, and I am so lad your husband is okay!

I'll be at the second Atlanta signing... Just be on the look out for the cute one legged girl.

Those eggs look delicious. Now I'm hungry.

Just wanted to say I'm on page 314 of Lock and Key, and loving it. :-)
Have a nice Monday,
Monique

those devieled eggs look great! yum! I'm glad your husbands okay.

Hey Sarah- I wanted you to have a copy of the review of Lock and Key I posted on Amazon. Best, Suzie

Masterful writing wrapped up too quickly, April 28, 2008

I have to agree with the other reviewer who says she can see how Sarah has grown as a writer. One of the things I absolutely love about Sarah is how she weaves elements of nature (koi, monitor lizards, herons, fragrant gardens on a summer's night, dogs) and everyday activities (running, Zen-mode calculus, the temperature of a swimming pool) into such seemingly effortless metaphors that have taken my breath away on more than one occasion. I should mention at this point that I'm 34, a faithful adult fan of Dessen's since the release of This Lullaby in 2002 (?). I loved The Truth About Forever, was iffy on Just Listen but read it more than once, nonetheless and was absolutely enchanted by Lock and Key. It is true that the symbolism of the lock and key was a mite overexposed (as one reviewer said) but that is totally forgivable. There was so much meat and possibility and nuanced writing here that my only *major* complaint is that the book felt hurried in its conclusion. Almost like Sarah had a lot more to say but the bell was about to ring.

The surprises in Nate's parallel story are fantastic as far as character development goes. He seems, of course, to be the total opposite of Ruby in the beginning but it's a real pleasure as a reader to watch their story arcs reveal a place of true resonance. Sarah dealt with some tough, heart-breaking issues: abuse, neglect, abandonment, drug culture, destructive and consistent deception and in all honesty, I really felt Ruby's pain. Having none of her experiences as a child and teen, I still felt her circumstances were written expertly. I found myself actually worrying about her and another character (don't want to give away too much- it is certainly a big part of what makes the book such a good read.) Anyway, I'm totally babbling here. With the exception of a hasty ending that felt a bit like a rip-off (and ultimately this is a compliment to Dessen since it just left you wanting more) this book is a gem (Ha, Ruby.)

I believe Dessen has a solid base of adult readers because she has never been a pink-bubble-gum writer with shallowly developed characters and equally empty-calorie plot lines. Highly recommend; love the image of the cat's eye pupil dilating and constricting as it takes in Nate and Ruby's two steps forward, two steps back dance at Sabrina's house; really liked Reggie as a character (what a sweetheart); looking forward to watching Sarah's ability to weave poetry into prose, substance into a growing populace of beloved characters and little and embedded points of identification as you tread to the deeper end of the pool. High five, Sarah.

Those guys do seem like amazing boyfriends lol.
I'm glad your husband is okay...and I think you're right, regular hospitals just don't have the McDreamy factor quite like Seattle Grace.
Deviled eggs! I'm really kind of jealous lol. Although deviled eggs just make me think of Gilmore Girls which makes me slightly sad because it's not on anymore.
Loving Lock and Key so far. I'm quite pleased with the hint of Jump Java in the beginning. I have to admit that for a fictional coffee shop it sounds pretty amazing. lol.

http://feministing.com/archives/009089.html

Hey Sarah,

I just wanted to let you know they were talking about you on Feministing today:

http://feministing.com/archives/009089.html#comments

:)

I was really hoping to make it to Quail Ridge this weekend to meet you, as your my favorite author, but everything else in the world is going on that day and my mom doesn't have the time to fit in a 3 hour drive to Raleigh!! No worries though because I alreay have my copy lined up for you to sign and hope you'll do another visit there in the future.

Cheers,
Tasha
http://andanotherbookread.blogspot.com

Thats good you had an okay time! I love Lock and Key so far. I am dissapponited in myself though because I haven't finished it yet. Busy, busy, bee...LOL! I love it so far! I love Nate! *smiles*
those deviled eggs do look good....lol.
well, have an amazing day sarah!
fit in a good, long nap... you'll be better off...lol.
much love!
%%
drea♥

I'm a school librarian, and I just have to tell you that I think the cover of Lock & Key is the MOST BEAUTIFUL cover of a book I've ever seen. It's beautiful with the jacket on, and it's beautiful with the jacket off. So lovely.

To be completely honest with you, i feel lke my comment will never be read by you.I know, it is completely strange and pessimistic but i feel like after the 13 comments above, you will somewhow skip over mine. I wish there was a way you could justify my curiousity by making a sign that you read all the commments. I know, crazy, very weird! Nontheless, i have to congratulate you:
I read Lock and Key in 2 daysand was completely distracted and mesmerized by your words, character--everything!!! I think you have found a comfortable "voice" in your writing that is powerful. As a teenager, it puts a realistic view on the problems growing up, and help to realize that we all seem to complain about silly things as compared to Ruby and Nate...
Best of luck with your book touring, and congratulations,

Emily from NJ

O.O That's a weekend!
I'm glad your husband's okay,though.

Hey, I love your books. I haven't read all of them yet, but you are so talented. I have high hopes of becoming an author, and you are such an inspiration. I read your book, Lullaby and it was wonderful. My favorite book of yours would have to be The Truth About Forever. I just love the way you put together the wish gang. I have told so many of my friends to read that book it's not even funny. I have a few questions though. Is Colby a real place? Is the Last Chance really there? I tried to find it on google maps, and for the last who knows how long I have been searching throughout the internet trying to find Colby or the Last Chance, but no such luck. It's weird, but I just have to know if they are real, and if they are that would be the coolest thing. Could you email me with the answers? I know you must be very busy, but it would just be the coolest thing in the world if you could email me. My email is xox_wadda_dreamer_xox@live.com.

Glad to hear you husband is okay! The few ER trips I've had with my kids I've always sat there thinking, "WHY can't hospitals be as much fun as they are on Scrubs?" Funny how we are attracted to shows with hospital drama/humor yet no one ever WANTS to have to visit one.

Can't believe your cutie is 7 months already! My daughter just turned 1 1/2.... it's insane....

I'll be catching up with "Lock and Key" as soon as I can. It sounds really good! Keep up the fabulous work....

Your fan of 9 years (almost a decade, lady!),
Bridgette

So... I read your book this weekend. And I hardly did anything else. I really liked it! It's a bit different from all your other books, which I think is why I liked it so much (I love all your other books too don't get me wrong.) Of course now that I've read it so quickly, it seems like I have to wait forever until your next book comes out! lol. Anyway, I loved the book, and you are an amazing writer
-Sara Thomas, MO

Hey, I have a quick question, was the yellow house from lock and key the same house from this lullaby?

-kd

Yes it is....you can tell from the decription of the words..

I bought Lock and Key yesterday and am on page 233 right now. I'm loving it. It's also been really fun to see past characters popping up all over the place! Seems like you did it a lot more in this book than in any of your others. :]

I'm glad your hubby is okay!

Dearest Sarah Dessen, you continually amaze me. My brother thinks I'm a freak because I own about 3 copies of every single book you've ever written (the paperback and the hardback and usually another copy that I received as a gift and cannot bear to return). I just finished Lock and Key, and it was just as spectacular as the rest. It's probably my second favorite (next to The Truth About Forever) especially because I can really relate to Ruby. You're books are so difficult to put down-- in fact, the only time I turn my homework in late or fall asleep in class is when I am up all night reading (and REreading) your stories. I absolutely love them. Thank you so much for sharing your immeasurable talent with the world, and please please please keep writing!

Brightest blessings and best wishes to you and your family.

Much love always,
Madeleine

So, my sister bought your book on the DAY it came out, and spent the first few days after she bought it cooped up in her room reading it. My family and I hadn't seen her in days, and were quite convinced that she'd been abducted, when she lumbered into the kitchen on Sunday morning, hair a wild mess and looking thoroughly tired. Turns out, she went on a non-stop reading-binge of Lock & Key and hadn't slept - I feel like I should make a clever name for this reading addiction like, "Saraddiction" or "Dessen Trip" - anyway, my dad asks, over the piles of cinnamon toast, "What's so great about the books?" which immediately causes my sister and I to perk up. My answer was, "She gets me. It's like she reaches into my head, pulls my brain out, and puts it down on paper - only, it doesn't hurt and I'm totally cool with it," and my sister's, "They're awesome!" - which is pretty much the same thing. Then he asks, "So, how does she know all this? How old is she?" Here comes the lull. In my head, I'm thinking, "28, 28, 28," but I'm not sure, so I just stuff some more cinnamon toast in my mouth and chew. My sister is equally as eloquent. So, later, I google "Sarah Dessen" and find out that you're actually 37 - which, I have to tell you, rocked my world. I mean, because my mom is six years older than you (not saying that 37 is old or anything - I'm really not!) and she's definitely not as in-tune with her Inner-Teen as you are - I mean, she's got an Inner Teen, but Adult Mom grounded her a few years back because of her immature and inappropriate behavior at a high school reunion and now she never comes out of her room, just sits there listening to "Eleanor Rigby" on repeat and
hating the world in general. You must be really in touch with your Inner Teen - you let her out and about, but she has to be home by ten (alright, eleven), but she has to have all her chores done! Anyway, I'm just saying, you REALLY get us Young Adults and it is so refreshing that at least one Adult out there does. You're Cool People, Sarah Dessen.

Jasmine

P.S. Since you have an article on Wiki, do you ever get the urge to edit it with all your info? Come on, admit it. :D

The first thing I thought of when I saw the eggs was Keeping the Moon. Now I really want to re-read that book and eat some deviled eggs.

-Catherine

I'm glad ye husband is fine. **insert nostalgic boys-will-be-boys comment**

Your devilled egg platter is adorable. Maybe it's a staple in NC but I've seen nothing like it in Australia!

You know, I had no idea what a devilled egg was until I read Keeping the Moon. I then proceeded to wikipedia it. Very informative.

Okay, hope you rest up enough for Atlanta. Have a good time!

politics and prose bookstore has photos from your event on flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/politicsandprose/

great event - and it was wonderful to meet you (i was the one who has a husband who think you look like you're twenty years old, and came back to get a remaindered "the truth about forever" signed). congratulations on the success of your new book so far! -grace

You can never have too much paprika! It's the best thing to put on deviled eggs. The second is dill.

totally never to much paprika

Haha i agree with this comment for sure...lol

i like devil eggs and by the way i read your book keeping the moon and it had devil eggs in it since morgan made them when she was sad.

your funny and weird. this is a message from the ira....haha im just kidding. Im a friend of yours