If I Stay
(If I Stay #1)
(If I Stay #1)
Author: Gayle Forman
Publication Date: January 1st, 2009
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
A sophisticated, layered, and heart-achingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make, and the ultimate choice Mia commands.
Genre: Realistic Fiction / Contemporary
Synopsis:
In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...A sophisticated, layered, and heart-achingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make, and the ultimate choice Mia commands.
My Thoughts: If I Stay is probably one of the most heart-wrenching, beautifully written, amazing books that I have ever read. Every one kept telling me to make sure I had a box of Kleenex when I read it. Yes, you definitely need it. I have this thing where I never remember to read the synopsis of a book before I read it. Like, I've read it before when adding the book to my TBR, but generally forget what it's supposed to be about, just that I wanted to read it. Well, I forgot again with this and therefore didn't realize there was going to be an accident. All I can say is Gayle Forman has written something amazing. This book it definitely going to be one of my favorites for this year I think, it was just so good.
If I Stay revolves around Mia, the protagonist, as she experiences an out of body experience after a tragic accident while driving with her family to visit friends. It takes her awhile to realize that she's not ok, about until she finds her own broken body laying on the ground, and then she thinks she died. She didn't die and follows her body to the hospital where she watches as the doctors try to save her and as her family and friends wait patiently for her to awake from her coma. The story takes place over a 24 hour period and constantly alternates between the present and past. After the accident, every time there was a scene from the present I literally had tears streaming down my face. Mia faces a choice. Stay and live, or move on. She doesn't know which she should pick.
Gayle Forman is an extremely talented writer. Her writing style makes you fall in love with Mia and suffer with her. I was so emotionally attached to the story and just couldn't put it down. I'm extremely glad that I have the second book, Where She Went to read because I just need to know what happens next. If I Stay left off at a point that leaves a lot of questions going through my mind, but since it was so amazing, I have high hopes for the next one.
So if you haven't figured it out yet. Yes, I completely LOVED this book. I will probably read it again. Sometimes I just need a really good cry and this book definitely helps get that out. Maybe too much. I had to keep wiping off my tears since there were so many. My shirt was getting soaked. I think this is a great book to buy and I'm so glad I own a copy because I will definitely be recommending and lending and rereading. So should you read this? Yes, yes you should.
I've heard so many good things about this one and I definitely need to get to it soon. I'm so glad you loved it and I'll try to remember that I need a box of Kleenex when I do read it.
ReplyDeleteYeah, you don't want to forget them!! you'll need them ..lol
DeleteLately I've been reading novels with a life-after-death stories like Five People You Meet in Heaven and Before I Fall. And now after seeing your review, I think I will have another book to add on my to-read list. :)
ReplyDeleteThis book was really good, if you're into those books right now, you'll probably like this one! Hope you enjoy it if you give it a read!
DeleteSadly, when I picked up this book, I couldn't get into it. But I'm glad you enjoyed it. Maybe I'll give it a try at another time.
ReplyDeleteAww :( Maybe, but it might just not be for you. At least you tried it :)
DeleteOooh, this book. So sad and yet so beautiful. I cried and cried and cried. I need do read Where She Went, but I'm kind of afraid... :s
ReplyDeleteI cried so much in this one. It just never stopped. Where she went isn't as bad for crying though.
DeleteI read If I Stay and I loved it too, definitely one I will be pick up again :) Hopefully Where She Went is just as good!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a reread, and Where She Went is pretty good as well!!
DeleteI loved this book! I was actually thinking about re-reading this one a few days ago, and I think I might now. Thanks for the great review!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy the reread, I'm going to have to reread it in the future for sure! Thanks for the visit :)
ReplyDelete