Helpful Score: 4
It was the snow's fault. Oregoners aren't used to snow. 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 literally 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 literally 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.
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