Death & Dying | Book Chatter

Before I Fall
By Lauren Oliver
(HarperCollins, Hardcover, 9780061726804, March 2010, 480pp.)

The Short of It:

Absolutely riveting, from beginning to end.

The Rest of It:

After dying in a car accident, Samantha Kingston is forced to relive her last day a total of seven times. As repetitive as this sounds, each day is slightly different, and with her being a popular high school student, there are lots of choices to make. Some good, some bad and some with horrible consequences.

Realizing that I would be taken through her last day over and over again, I worried that it would be a bit like that movie Groundhog Day, where the main character was forced to repeat his day again and again (I really didn’t like that movie), but Oliver manages to keep it interesting. I could not put it down and sped through it in just a couple of sittings.

Samantha is a popular girl and runs with a fast crowd. There is a lot of drinking, and sex is THE big topic of discussion, but if you are able to put that aside, you’ll see Before I Fall for what it is, an absolutely riveting read about living life to its fullest.

Would I let my daughter read it? The Girl is only seven, but if she were thirteen or fourteen, I’d have no problem with her reading it. It brings up issues that teens face every day: underage drinking, sex, eating disorders, popularity and being different. I don’t think it hurts for young girls to think about these things. In fact, I think it helps them make better decisions in the long run. I think male readers would find value in reading it as well.

That said, once you start this book you will not be able to put it down and although it’s certainly geared towards young adults, older readers will find it just as readable. Highly recommend.

Source: Borrowed

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

If I Stay
By Gayle Forman
(Dutton Juvenile, Hardcover, 9780525421030, April 2009, 208pp.)

The Short of It:

A short but riveting story about the importance of family, the ability to let go and the impact that change can have on one girl’s life.

The Rest of It:

After surviving a horrific crash, Mia finds herself in an “in between” state. As she hovers between life and death, she reminisces over the life she’s lived thus far.

In just a few pages, Forman has you walking in Mia’s shoes. My heart was in my throat the entire time. You know the injuries are serious, and you know that she might not make it, so the suspense alone has you turning pages but at the same time, you sort of don’t want to know the outcome. The implications of her staying, are explained to a degree but what you imagine is far worse. I can’t say more about the plot because I would be giving the story away.

Beautifully written, with just enough detail. This is easily a YA book that will appeal to adult readers as well (such as myself!)

While reading it, I was told that there is a sequel. It’s called Where She Went and it’s out now. So if you want to read them together (and you will), you can pick both of them up.

Source: Borrowed from the library.