Sunday, February 6, 2011

If I Stay by Gayle Forman



Book Summery:
Mia had everything: a loving family, a gorgeous, adoring boyfriend, and a bright future full of music and full of choices. Then, in an instant, almost all of that is taken from her. Caught between life and death, between a happy past and an unknowable future, Mia spends one critical day contemplating the one decision she has left—the most important decision she’ll ever make.
Simultaneously tragic and hopeful, this is a romantic, riveting and ultimately uplifting story about memory, music, living, dying, loving. -author's website
Book Trailer:



Book Review:
Gayle Forman has done an extraordinary job of placing the reader in Mia's metaphorical shoes. In an instant Mia is ripped from everything she knows, frozen in a coma-state, and forced to make the biggest decision of her life, literally. Beautifully told, this poignant tale is sure to take you on an emotional roller coaster. There were times that laughed, and times that I cried. Mia definitely had an interesting life before her accident. I loved getting to know her and her family through the various flashbacks as Mia tries to determine her ultimate choice. Another great aspect about this book is its centered focus on music of all kinds. The references were nicely placed and definitely gave the story a flair all of its own. I highly recommend this book to readers of all kinds. For more information, check out Forman's website, where you can also find the playlist to the story. :)

Favorite Quote:
"'Are you going tonight?' Dad asks.
'I was planning to. It depends if they shut down the whole state on account of the snow.'
'It is approaching a blizzard.' Dad says, pointing to a single snowflake floating its way to the earth." (p.6)

Cover Art Commentary:
I have the paperback, which is the cover I have displayed at the top. This cover coveys a girl frozen in time. Not looking forward, not looking back. Just existing in the here and now. Beautiful. Silent. Powerful.

Overall Rating:


9 comments:

  1. I love when a book moves me to tears and laughter. Great review.

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  2. great review! I've heard so much great stuff about this novel...perhaps I should give it a try!

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  3. I know this will be an emotional read for me and end up crying a lot when I do read this.

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  4. I loved If I Stay! I really liked how Gayle Forman interwove the flashbacks in with what Mia is going through in the present.

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  5. I really enjoyed reading this book, I cried at the end. So heartbreaking. I cannot wait to read the sequal.

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  6. Looks good! Such an interesting way to tell a story,

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  7. I loved this book. It was very simple really, no frills or anything unnecessary, but it was good! Looking forward to the sequel.

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  8. I absolutely loved this book! one of my favorites actually. I met Gayle last year and the story behind the book as well as the music were captivating. Glad to see you enjoyed it as well.

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  9. I loved this book! And I know what you mean: the flashbacks were genius, and I also laughed one minute, cried the next.
    Brilliant review!

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