If I Stay by Gayle Forman
SYNOPSIS:
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 heart-achingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make, and the ultimate choice Mia commands.
My Thoughts:
I had heard so many great things about this book, as well as the second one, so obviously it was on my "up next" list. And then I saw it on Library 2 Go, and checked out the audiobook. I hadn't planned on listening to the audiobook, I actually already had it on ebook. But when I saw that it was only about 5 hours. I thought "that's great! I can listen to this and do random stuff on my blog." and exactly that's what I did. And it was perfect!Now, onto what I actually thought of the book. I thought the writing was well done, everything was there. It made sense. The characters were good, they were developed, as well as continued to grow. We had some back story, which is always helpful. But the way it all played out was a little weird. She's like outside her body, walking around. All over the hospital and listening to her family and the doctors. It was pretty scary to think that that could be you.
I loved the fact that I randomly chose to listen to the audiobook, which was read by Kirsten Potter. It was a great experience, I know it would have been very different had I read the text, I would've been very confused at times. She does a lot of switching back and forth between past and present. And I think it helped a lot to hear the emotion in her voice. And the way she said certain sentences. And expressing the emotion Mia felt. It was amazing. It helped a lot in keeping the story straight, as I mentioned before, there's a lot of remembering and flash backs. I loved her voice. It seemed to fit Mia very well. The age appropriate-ness and the tone. I couldn't imagine it being any better.
All in all, I liked the book, I didn't love it. I listened to this a few weeks ago and it's one of those books that after it sinks in and you really sit there and think about it.. The more you realize that you actually loved it! It probably wouldve only gotten 3 stars if i'd read it in text. But the audiobook was absolutely fabulous. So, I gave it 4 stars. And I will be listening to Where She Went very soon and obviously on audiobook.
Have you read it?
Plan on reading it?
What'd you think?
Have a great day!
