Publication date: April 2, 2009Tags: YA, death, music, love, Oregon
It was the snow’s fault. Oregoners aren’t used to it. And so a freak car crash kills 17-year-old Mia’s parents and younger brother and leaves her in grave condition at a Portland hospital. Mia has an out-of-body experience and looks down at her own messed-up body: asphalt abrasions, collapsed lung, brain contusions, orphaned, with a grim and devastating future ahead for her.
Even with all her loved ones praying for her in the waiting room, Mia feels like she has nothing left to live for. So what if she gets into Juilliard with her amazing cello playing? So what if her wonderful boyfriend, punk rocker Adam, wants her to stay? What is it all without her adoring family, to be known as the orphan girl for the rest of her life?
No matter what others want of her, the decision is Mia’s alone. Will she let herself go and join her family? Or will she choose the painful life and an uncertain future?
Calling this book stunning and heart-rending is no exaggeration. I was in tears for the last third of this book. Gayle Forman’s characters are so well drawn, realistic yet intriguing and lovable. After reading this book you’ll wish you had cool parents like Mia’s! I particularly loved Mia and Adam, the unlikely musical couple: her classical versus his “emo-core.” Their relationship is not perfect, but it’s their imperfections—and how they get through it—that strikes such a chord with me, makes me cheer for them through all their hardships.
I won’t be surprised if IF I STAY becomes one of 2009’s most talked-about books, racking up the awards—and the tissues. Don’t miss this one, please.
Even with all her loved ones praying for her in the waiting room, Mia feels like she has nothing left to live for. So what if she gets into Juilliard with her amazing cello playing? So what if her wonderful boyfriend, punk rocker Adam, wants her to stay? What is it all without her adoring family, to be known as the orphan girl for the rest of her life?
No matter what others want of her, the decision is Mia’s alone. Will she let herself go and join her family? Or will she choose the painful life and an uncertain future?
Calling this book stunning and heart-rending is no exaggeration. I was in tears for the last third of this book. Gayle Forman’s characters are so well drawn, realistic yet intriguing and lovable. After reading this book you’ll wish you had cool parents like Mia’s! I particularly loved Mia and Adam, the unlikely musical couple: her classical versus his “emo-core.” Their relationship is not perfect, but it’s their imperfections—and how they get through it—that strikes such a chord with me, makes me cheer for them through all their hardships.
I won’t be surprised if IF I STAY becomes one of 2009’s most talked-about books, racking up the awards—and the tissues. Don’t miss this one, please.
Similar Authors
Sarah Dessen
Elizabeth Scott
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
I have this one in my TBR pile and am dying to read it. :D
ReplyDeleteI love this book. The subject of music excites me. Hopefully I can get my hands on it soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review Steph : )
Nice review. I might have to pick this book up some time! For some reason, the cover reminds me of the Giving Tree... And I have No idea why!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to digging into this one!
ReplyDeleteGreat review, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! And I agree, I think this one will be talked about a lot, and at least be nominated for numerous awards. It's brilliant!
ReplyDeleteIf similar authors are Sarah Dessen and Elizabeth Scott I'll definitely try it!
ReplyDeleteI'm not big on romance but if you say this is stunning, I'm going to check it out. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSounds awesome! I'm definitely going to add it to my wishlist... and remind myself to get it in a few weeks! Great review :)
ReplyDeleteWow - it sounds like such a beautiful read! And 4.5/5, quite the feat =) Too bad the publication date's so far away; I'm not very good at waiting patiently ;)
ReplyDeleteWhoa - I just googled it, and http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/02/24/catherine-hardwicke-adapting-gayle-formans-if-i-stay/
ReplyDeleteThey're making it into a movie? With Catherine Hardwicke directing? (Or is it just a rumour...hmm)
I know EXACTLY what I'm asking for my birthday! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review!
Oh, interesting! I can't wait to read this one. Thanks for the great review!
ReplyDeletethis was on my Waiting on Wednesday list, now it's on my Spring Break reading list! Thanks for the great review.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I can't wait to read this one.
ReplyDeleteWow, this sounds like an extremely unique story. Can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteWhoa ... great premise. I've just added it to my TBR stack.
ReplyDeleteLesley
This is on my TBR list. Thanks for the warning about needing tissues!
ReplyDeleteI cant wait to read this one!
ReplyDeleteI (obviously) have been infected with the Gayle Forman adoration virus. I loved this book, it's equal top with Jennifer Echol's Going Too Far for best books of 2009.
ReplyDeleteMy only real comment - you're giving it away? I don't think I could part from mine lol.
I SO want to read this! It's getting great reviews everywhere, and the summary alone is enough to get me to buy it.
ReplyDeleteI've heard good things about this. I think I'll give it a try.
ReplyDeleteI really want to read this. I've heard amazing things about it!
ReplyDeleteWow. This book sounds amazing. I've been seeing it everywhere, and the cover especially has intrigued me. But the story sounds amazing too. I really, really want to read this now.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this as soon as I can get a copy. One of my top 5 wants this season! Thanks for the great review!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read it yet, and I wasn't going to read it at first, but all the talk about that I've read about it made me want to read it so now I'm waiting to save some money to buy it.
ReplyDeleteI've read SO many great reviews about this book, which makes me really want to read it!
ReplyDeleteI heard good things about this one!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so sad! Another book for my TBR pile!
ReplyDelete