If I Stay

If I Stay
by Gale Forman


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 heartachingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make—and the ultimate choice Mia commands. - Back o' the Book

I thought this book had a very interesting premise, it reminded me of The Lovely Bones, which I should also do a review on. I was curious how the author would pace it since Mia is almost dead and just floating around but she brought you back to many flashbacks of her life. I would say this was beautifully written and hard to put down. The main character was very different from most female leads to see in Young Adult novels. It is pretty sad in some areas and I found myself torn, just like her, about whether she should stay or go.

I would recommend this to older YA readers since there are some gory scenes and death is a bit of a touchy subject.

-Recommended

By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead

By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead 
by Julie Anne Peters

     Daelyn has suffered major psychological damage from years of being bullied. The torment and embarrassment she received because of her weight started her downhill slide into despair. Daelyn has lost her desire to live and failed at several attempts to end her life. Her latest failure has left her unable to talk and on 24-hour suicide watch. Her parents barely trust her to go to school.
     Daelyn is biding her time. She only has 23 days until her Date of Determination. She discovers the Through the Light website on accident, but finds it to be a welcome change of pace to the other suicide websites and discussion boards she’s visited in the past. Instead of preaching and warning her against her decision, the website provides rational and informational posts and discussions about ending her life. - Back o' the Book
     You may have read that and thought "Oh my gosh, that sounds horrible!"  You're right, it does, but I loved the book. At almost 200 pages, this is a quick read and utterly engrossing. I had a very hard time putting it down. Although it deals with a very touchy subject, it is beautifully written. It is very blunt and the main character goes through some horrible bullying so you really feel for her. Her development is subtle but all pulls together at the end. I found her likable and real which made the story and situation believable.
     To say I enjoy depressing books is an understatement and this one was undeniably depressing; however, it does leave you with a good feeling and helps you appreciate the life and time you have been given. I won't spoil the ending but it was enough closure to satisfy. It's a quick book so you won't be trapped in the dreariness for too long and I would say it's worth it in the end.

-Recommended