Wednesday, July 15, 2009

If I Stay by Gayle Forman


Genre: YA Contemporary
Published: April 2009
Pages: 199


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 heartachingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make—and the ultimate choice Mia commands. - If I Stay Website

My Thoughts:
I have been blessed by the 'good-reading' fairy because the last few weeks have been filled with exceptional reads and If I Stay definitely falls into the exceptional category. Quite simply, it is beautiful!

Mia becomes an invisible observer, watching and narrating her ordeal from the time the accident occurs. The passage between Mia's recollections and the present is seamless and through this we get to know Mia, her family and friends, and her passion for music and love of the chello. It's an insightful look at the very real moments that make us human and give our lives meaning.

Forman's writing is honest & 'moreish', you want to know Mia and the people in her life & I felt like I came to know not only Mia, but her parents, her brother Teddy, boyfriend Adam, & best friend Kim intimately. It was impossible not to become emotionally invested in the story, feeling the love, in all it's different forms, relating to the choices and sacrifices, we sometimes have to make for love, crying buckets & at times laughing out loud.

You would think given the subject matter that this would be a depressing read, and I certainly shed a tear or two but it's far from depressing and the tears were SO worth it.

Emotive, heartwarming, life affirming, hopeful, and memorable, I actually felt bereft when I finished If I Stay, it was just that good, I didn't want it to end. And if I haven't convinced you .... check out the book trailer.



The film rights for If I Stay have been acquired by Summit, the same company that produced Twilight. To find out more about Gayle Forman and her other works visit her website

12 comments:

  1. I have added this to my ever-growing list! If a book moves you to tears, I believe, the writer has done their job. This sounds like a wonderful story. Thanks for the review!

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  2. I am waiting for this from the library at the moment. Can't wait to read it.

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  3. I just won this and am really looking forward to reading it!

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  4. Wow, I have not heard of this one..thanks for the review!

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  5. I have sure heard good things about this one. Sounds like a great read, and fun about the movie news

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  6. I have had this sitting on my shelf for a while now but now I think I may move it up on my to be read list. Thanks for the review! :)

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  7. I have this one on my wish list!

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  8. Great Review! Hey I have an award for you come get it here, great blog =)

    http://thebookwars.blogspot.com/2009/07/heartfelt-award.html

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  9. I loved this book too!! Your review was gorgeously written and you nailed the feelings that this book elicits perfectly. Now, I just hope that the movie is as good as the book!!!

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  10. Great review. This one looks interesting.

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  11. Great review.
    I already have this book on my TBR list. Now I need to read it sooner than later.

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