Here's my latest bookworm review... The last book, I read was If I Stay by Gayle Forman. This is Forman's second novel.
17-year old Mia is forced to make a decision that will keep you guessing and wondering. In a book about love, family, acceptance, being true to yourself, and making tougher than life decisions, Forman delivers her characters in a believable, well-rounded way. Written in first person, a compelling story is told to the reader by Mia, a talen
ted and in-love cellist and how her life changes forever on a snowy morning. I recommend this book as a Must Read. It is a fast paced, yet quiet and delicate story.
ted and in-love cellist and how her life changes forever on a snowy morning. I recommend this book as a Must Read. It is a fast paced, yet quiet and delicate story. It has been compared to The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold and I can see why. Both stories are written in the same haunting first person style and both tell a tale about a teenage girl who needs to perhaps reconcile or decide what to do. Both are gripping and stay with you for a long time to come.
If I Stay has recently been optioned by Summit, the same company that produced Twilight, although there is no comparison between the stories, Catherine Hardwicke, who also directed Twilight will be directing the movie version of If I Stay. But, my advice, read the book BEFORE the movie.Some honest feedback: I didn't love the book's first few chapters. I had a hard time liking her perfect, happy family and her place in it. But very quickly, that all changed. As soon as The Point of No Return occurred, I was hooked which, thankfully takes place pretty soon. If you find yourself struggling through the first few chapters, I suggest sticking with it until after the turning point, at least.
And what about the ending? Well, without giving anything away, I wasn't exactly dissatisfied but I wasn't blown away either. It ended the way I thought it would, and I guess I was happy about that, but I was hoping Forman would have something unpredictable up her writer's sleeve.
Give If I Stay a try and let us know what you think.
I hope you'll consider trying my five minute writing prompt... There will be a first place prize... A copy of If I Stay.
5 comments:
ARGH!!! I want this book so much. *sigh* OK, OK, I guess I'll just have to buy it now!
Oh, Beth, if you do read it, please let me know what you think! I am dying to know someone else who's read it and can share their thoughts.
That's interesting that you didn't get into the first few chapters. Isn't that what editors keep hounding - that we must hook our readers in the first few pages? How is it that some authors can get away with that, and others can't?
This is on my TBR. :) Thanks for the review!
Like the cover. : )
Amy, I had the same thought as I was reading it... The only thing I can think of is that I suppose her editor/agent didn't share my thoughts. To each her own... But if any of you read it, I'd be very interested to know if you felt the same way about the first few chapters.
Keri - I know! I love the cover. It was actually the cover that really made me first interested in the book which then lead me to realize, that for me, I am drawn to covers with simple illustrations or pictures of objects MUCH MUCH more than those with people on the cover.
I also want to thank you all for still visiting me even though I had to disappear for a month!
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