Talking Culture: ‘Change of Plans’ with Sarah Dessen

Talking Culture: ‘Change of Plans’ with Sarah Dessen

From Chapelboro.com by Chapelboro.com

April 29, 2026 · 14 min

About this episode

Aaron Keck interviews Sarah Dessen about her new YA novel 'Change of Plans'.

Welcome to Talking Culture! In this weekly interview series from 97.9 The Hill WCHL, you’ll hear from writers, performers, musicians and individuals involved in advancing and promoting cultural arts in our community. This week, Aaron welcomes Sarah Dessen, a New York Times-bestselling author of YA fiction whose latest novel “Change of Plans” is due out May 5. It’s her first novel in seven years, but Dessen hasn’t missed a beat: “Change of Plans” tells the compelling story of Finley, a teen whose life is all figured out – right up to the point when it’s suddenly not. (Not to fear, though: she’ll reset herself over the course of a highly eventful summer, forging deeper connections with new friends and old family along the way.) Visit SarahDessen.com for more on “Change of Plans.” The novel is out on Tuesday, May 5, and Dessen will mark the occasion that same evening with a book launch event at Flyleaf Books , starting at 6 p.m. Visit FlyleafBooks.com for more on Dessen’s book talk. 97.9 The Hill WCHL and Chapelboro.com are your headquarters for local news and local voices in Chapel Hill-Carrboro. Every weekday…

People in this episode

Host: Aaron Keck

Guest: Sarah Dessen

Topics covered

  • YA fiction
  • author interview
  • cultural arts
  • book launch
  • teen fiction

Keywords

  • Sarah Dessen
  • Change of Plans
  • YA fiction
  • book launch
  • teen fiction

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: 97.9 The Hill WCHL, Chapelboro.com

Books & works: Change of Plans

Places: Flyleaf Books

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