I’ve gotten into the habit of scanning the teen literature section of my town’s local Target store whenever my mom and I visit. Even if we’re only there for one or two things, I always go back and scan through the books. If any of them catch my intrest, I write them down and look them up the next time I’m at the library.
It was through this procedure that I stumbled across the book “If I Stay” by Gayle Forman.
The name didn’t hit me at first, but after after grabbing the book from the library, I recognized the hardback-cover as one of the books that had been discussed during the most recent writing club. It had gotten a good, but very sketchy, review. So I put aside the other book I had been reading (“Girl in the Arena” by Lise Haines), and began to enlighten myself as to why the review had been so empty.
It was through this procedure that I stumbled across the book “If I Stay” by Gayle Forman.
The name didn’t hit me at first, but after after grabbing the book from the library, I recognized the hardback-cover as one of the books that had been discussed during the most recent writing club. It had gotten a good, but very sketchy, review. So I put aside the other book I had been reading (“Girl in the Arena” by Lise Haines), and began to enlighten myself as to why the review had been so empty.
Novel::
“If I Stay” by Gayle Forman
Summary::
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 was taken away from her. Caught between life and death, between a happy past and an unknowable future, Mia spends one critical day contemplating the only 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, and loving.
My Thoughts::
“If I Stay” was another one of those books that grabbed me with the first few lines. Of course, it also revolved around music, even from the very beginning, so that was definitely a quick and easy attention-grabber.
This novel was a roller coaster ride of emotions. In a good way, of course, but a severe ride nonetheless. One moment things were going good -- everyone’s outlook was great, smiles all around, jokes in the air, and then disaster strikes and it’s like fighting a losing battle.
The main idea doesn’t exactly show its face until about a third of the way through the story, but once it appears, everything makes sense. My favorite part, the best part, the key to everything:
“It’s okay,” he tells me “If you want to go. Everyone wants you to stay. I want you to stay more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.” His voice cracks with emotion. He stops, clears his throat, takes a breath, and continues. “But that’s what I want, and I could see why it might not be what you want. So I just wanted to tell you that I understand if you go. It’s okay if you have to leave us. It’s okay if you want to stop fighting.”
I don’t often get emotional over books. Movies? Sure. Books? Not so much. But this. This... It was phenominal. I finished that paragraph and tears had begun prickling at my eyes. I finished the remainder of that section and I was crying those silent tears of deep, sorrowful ache.
“If I Stay” is most definitely a must-read.
Rating::
FIVE out of FIVE stars!!
And that’s all for now. Maybe I’ll post a rant or something later?
I’ve seen several decent and not-so-decent movies in the past few weeks. ... And college begins in less than three weeks. So there’s that, too. XDD
