IF I STAY by Gayle Forman Book Review
Series: If I Stay, #1
Publication Date: April 2nd 2009 by Dutton Juvenile
Rating: 
– Exceeds Expectations| 
Book Summary: 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.
Book Review Overview:
- An absolute tear-jerker
- Protagonist with an awesome relationship with boyfriend and parents
- One of the best books I’ve read so far in 2013
Have your tissues ready because If I Stay by Gayle Forman is one hell of a tear-jerker. Mia’s family was just going out for a drive one morning. Next thing she knows, Mia is watching herself get taken away by an ambulance after a horrific car accident.
I love how point of view is used in If I Stay. Even if Mia is in a coma, she has an out of body experience that sees what is going on around her while she remains in critical condition at the ICU. She cannot interact with anyone, but she can listen to conversations and follow family members and friends around the hospital.
Forman also uses flashbacks quite well. Through flashbacks, we learn more about how Mia and Adam’s relationship developed. We also learned more about Mia’s family. By the time I reached the end of the book, I felt such a strong connection with all of the minor characters that the whole novel became even more heart-wrenching. This is one of the few books in YA in which the protagonist actually has an awesome relationship with her parents. For once, the parents are not absentee or ignorant. Their relationship with Mia just makes this book all the more powerful.
Okay, there is so much buzz in the blogging world about swoon-worthy Adam. And alright, I admit it – he is very swoon-worthy. He’s such a nice guy and he’s such a perfect boyfriend to Mia. What more can a girl want?
If I Stay by Gayle Forman is one of the best books I’ve read this year. I had a hard time putting this book down. Now, I can’t wait to pick up the sequel Where She Went.
About the Author Gayle Forman is an award-winning author and journalist whose articles have appeared in numerous publications, including Seventeen, Cosmopolitan and Elle in the US. She lives in Brooklyn with her family. |
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I absolutely loved this book when I read it, too. It’s so powerful and heartfelt. Mia is one of my favorite main characters and her relationship with her family and Adam was so fabulous. I need to read Where She Went — I have it, just haven’t read it yet. I just bought Just One Day, too. Forman’s a stellar writer. Great review
Just imagine me chanting “Where She Went. Where She Went. Where She Went.”
awesome review
Yes. This is exactly how I felt when I read this and I am glad you loved it too. It’s just awesome. Great review
I’m so mad at myself for not buying this book yet! I’ll definitely add it to the list.