“7:00 A.M. Everyone thinks it was because of the snow. And in a way, I suppose that’s true.”
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
When seventeen-year-old Mia wakes up on a wintery day to snow falling she knows this can only mean one thing. No classes. Her little brother is overjoyed as can be expected, her father who is a teacher also has the day off and suddenly her family decides to make a day of it and go for a ride.
No one thinks of any consequences. Mia’s mother is happy to spend the day with her family instead of work, the only argument is which music to decide on for the road trip, Mia is a cellist so she wants the classical music station. NPR, SpongeBob, everyone gets a turn to listen and no one expects what happens next.
A four-ton pick up truck going sixty on the slick roads loses control and crashes into Mia’s family. The car is totaled and all Mia can distinctly make out is the radio but why is she outside of the car? As she starts to comprehend what has happened she realizes that her former life has been shattered. Her parents are dead and her little brother is hanging on to life. She realizes that her body is also hanging on to life.
But what kind of life will she have without her parents? As Mia wanders the halls in the hospital while her body is being cared for by the doctors, she takes the reader through her life. How her parents met, how she developed her love of music and how she fell in love with Adam, a musician in a rock band.
At the hospital Mia sees her grandparents, friends and Adam react to the tragedy. She realizes they are hurting just as much as she is and she listens when it is suggested that it is up to her to stay on earth. While I found Mia a bit distant at times and not really as emotional as I would have imagined her to be, which I assume was to show us that she was in a state of limbo, it was a moment her grandfather has at her hospital bedside that just made my tears flow.
Even though I thought it was a bit predictable in the ending I still really liked this book. I thought Mia’s character was very believable as she seemed to straddle that line between being almost an adult and still being young and full of insecurities.
Source: Library copy
Sounds like a powerful and an emotional intense book! Glad you enjoyed it, Iliana!
I loved this book and I can’t wait for her next one.
Yeah, I’ve heard lots about this book. It was hearalded as the next big thing at one point, and I think I can see why. Similar to Before I Fall, where a teen is allowed to reflect on her life in a sort of in between place, that is just powerful. Thanks for the review and the reminder about this one!
This sounds really good, but I’m sure I’d need tissues, predictable or not!
I’ve heard some very good things about this book. I need to see if my library has it!
I’ve seen lots of reviews of this book and for some reason none has ever made me want to rush right out and buy a copy, till now. Great review, Iliana! I’m going to have to seek this one out.
I like the cover.
The story sounds like it could happen anytime in the next few minutes. The winter has been horrible in the northern hemisphere!
Questions about your Kindle – Can you change the battery yourself? How long does the battery last without recharging?
Melody – There was one scene in particular that really moved me. It was so bittersweet.
vivienne – I’m so glad I hadn’t looked for any info on the author because when I went to Amazon I quickly found out about her next book and I’m so glad I wasn’t spoiled! But yes, I’m looking forward to it too 🙂
Sandy – I don’t remember hearing about it before but they reviewed it on NPR recently and it really caught my attention. I totally want to read Before I Fall although I probably should wait a bit so I won’t be making straight comparisons.
Anna – Indeed! Keep those tissues handy just in case 🙂
Nymeth – I hope you’ll enjoy it when you get to it. Also really neat that it had a strong focus on music. I totally forgot to mention that part!
Bookfool, aka Nancy – Ah, thank you! I hope you’ll enjoy it. The characters were a bit quirky but I really liked how the main character saw how her loss would affect others.
Isabel – It’s pretty isn’t it? I’ve seen the paperback cover and it’s nice but I think this one is better. Gosh, no kidding right. We are expecting another cold front tomorrow – ready for spring! And, not sure if I can change the batter on my Kindle. I guess I better read up on that! But the battery can last up to a month if you’ve got the wireless part turned off! I guess we’ll see if that’s true 🙂 I still need to read the full manual.
This book sounds intense…I am definately going to look into this one!
Another one to add to the wish list!
Adding it to my wishlist too–teaching teenage girls makes me always curious to hear more of their inner lives, even if it is imagined!
This book has sort of intrigued me for a while, but now I really must actually read it! Thanks for the review!
This one reminds me of Before I Fall. I’ll have to check this one out too.
I loved this book. The cellist and the rocker dating was such a cute storyline. The grandfather scene made me cry (actually sob) too.