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If I Stay (If I Stay, Bk 1)
If I Stay - If I Stay, Bk 1
Author: Gayle 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 po...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780142415436
ISBN-10: 014241543X
Publication Date: 4/6/2010
Pages: 208
Reading Level: Young Adult
Rating:
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 241

3.9 stars, based on 241 ratings
Publisher: Speak
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

daredevilgirl013 avatar reviewed If I Stay (If I Stay, Bk 1) on + 746 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
To me this was not a OMG, break out the tissues, bawl your eyes out, read this alone type of book. If you watch soap operas, this is old hat to you (especially if you watch Young and the Restless, when Colleen died, this is like a remake of that). So yeah, no boohoo here. It was still kinda interesting but still kinda not. You get flash backs, you get what's going on at that moment, but it's so much like a soap opera that you can predict what's going to happen and when. This book is nothing overly special. It's ok. Not great, not so horrible I couldn't read it..just ok.
GeniusJen avatar reviewed If I Stay (If I Stay, Bk 1) on + 5322 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Reviewed by Sarah Bean the Green Bean Teen Queen for TeensReadToo.com

Mia has a lot to love in life. She is a cellist who could be on her way to Julliard. She has a wonderful, loving, and supportive family. And she has a boyfriend who is perfect. But as wonderful as Mia's life is, she has choices to make. Should she go to Julliard and leave everyone behind?

When a terrible accident occurs, Mia suddenly finds herself with only one choice left - should she stay?

This book is just WOW! Do not read this in public because this one will bring tears to your eyes - I'm warning you! That doesn't mean it doesn't have humor though, because there were many times I found myself laughing out loud. This is an intense story that will not only appeal to teens, but have a lot of crossover adult appeal, as well.

Gayle Forman does an excellent job going from Mia's present to Mia's past and drawing the reader in so they truly understand her love for the cello, her family, and Adam, her boyfriend. As I was reading, I felt like I really got to know Mia and her family and found myself grieving along with Mia - the writing is just that powerful.

IF I STAY is a short read, but it packs so much in and I wanted to savor every moment. At times I found myself reading slower and drinking in the words because I didn't want the story to end.

The story centers around music: Mia with her cello, Adam with his band, and Mia's dad being a drummer, and Gayle Forman's writing felt lyrical. She was able to capture music and put it into a book. I don't know how to describe it, but it was like I was reading a song - hopefully that makes sense! Music is such an important part of the book, Gayle Forman has included a playlist for the book on her website. I loved checking out the songs that went along with the story and listening to them when Mia did.

IF I STAY is a must-read. The themes of love, loss, grief, and hope are so powerful and beautifully written that this story will stay with you long after you finish the last page.
reviewed If I Stay (If I Stay, Bk 1) on + 213 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I really liked this book a lot. It is targeted at young adults but any age can enjoy it. It was beautifully written and just such a unique book!
reviewed If I Stay (If I Stay, Bk 1) on + 48 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
A quick read that packs a huge punch! It really tugs at your emotions and makes you think. I highly reccomend this book!
susieqmillsacoustics avatar reviewed If I Stay (If I Stay, Bk 1) on + 1061 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
One of the best books I have ever read! An amazing, compelling, beautiful story! I could not stop turning the pages! I laughed and cried and was blown away!
Read All 27 Book Reviews of "If I Stay If I Stay Bk 1"

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emilyjane avatar reviewed If I Stay (If I Stay, Bk 1) on + 19 more book reviews
I wanted to read this book because I have heard so many people talk about how much they liked it. Three stars is a very low rating for me - I generally give books the benefit of the doubt and try to emphasize their positive qualities.
This book just did not resonate with me. First of all, it isn't that original. It seems like the idea of a person walking around outside their body "deciding" whether or not to pass on has been done so many times before. The dialogue was, in places, very unrealistic and irritating. In the first few scenes/flashbacks, the interactions between her and her parents almost made me put the book down - no one is that witty/sarcastic. I kept imagining her dad as Ron Burgandy. Her dad was a character that I actually liked despite all of that but her mother, on the other hand, I could not stand. I was getting really fed up with all the feminist, pro-abortion, Planned Parenthood, and atheism references. It was very difficult for me to relate to her family at all (which I think was a necessary part of evoking emotions during this story). At NO point did I feel sad for her or her family. Her relationship with her boyfriend was very strange.

Overall, a book that just flat out missed the mark. It was a quick read but not worth it in my opinion.
reviewed If I Stay (If I Stay, Bk 1) on
I was really disappointed with this book. The movie made this book seem so...incredible!I had high expectations. But really it was kind of boring, and didn't really get interesting until the very end, then BOOM! It's over, and you're expected to read the second book to find out what happens next. I don't think I can handle reading the second one if it's as lifeless as the first.
StephanieLeiske avatar reviewed If I Stay (If I Stay, Bk 1) on
Awesome book! Gave me goosebumps from start to finish!


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