Book Recap: If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Cover Inspection:
I like this new cover better than the tree branch cover.
At least now, I see the cover's connection to the story. 

SUMMARY (book description based on GoodReads):
In the blink of an eye everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall what happened afterwards, watching her own damaged body being taken from the wreck. Little by little she struggles to put together the pieces - to figure out what she has lost, what she has left, and the very difficult choice she must make. Heart-wrenchingly beautiful, Mia's story will stay with you for a long, long time.

BOOK REPORT CARD:

Cover	3.0
Plot	3.0
Writing	3.5
Characters	2.5
Ending	2.0
Overall Rating	2.5 Good! (85% to 88%) * highest rating possible is 4.0

LOCATION/SETTING:
Snowy day in Oregon

MAIN CHARACTERS:
The story is about Mia, a seventeen year old girl. She comes from a very musical family. She plays the cello, and is on her way to Julliard. She has a very loving boyfriend named Adam.

WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT:
It's a snowy day and Mia's family decided to go for a drive to visit some people. At first everything was normal until a car accident occurred killing all of Mia's family except her. Now, Mia is some sort of a ghost. She witnessed her body being taken by the paramedics to the hospital. She saw herself lying on a hospital bed, and watched friends and relatives visit her. She's in a coma at this point, and is fighting for her life. The book is some sort of a collection of memorable moments in Mia's life.

LOVE:
THE BOOK ATTACKED ME on chapter one - I held on to this book and did not let go until I finished it. It was short so I was able to finish it in a matter of hours. The story is booming with LIFE - full of family, friends, music, and different kinds and forms of love. I like Mia and Adam's relationship. It felt real to me as it was both awkward and sweet. I also loved the birthing scene. I thought it was funny when Mia's mother was screaming all kinds of profanities while giving birth to Mia's brother.

NO LOVE:
The book is short too short. It felt like I was just reading someone's diary. It was beautiful, yes... but I am not a fan of these "walk down memory lane" kind of books. The middle part of the book got boring too.

FAVORITE CHARACTER:
I feel like I didn't get to know the characters well enough to point out a favorite. Like I said, the book was just too short. But I did like Mia's mom - a loving rocker mom.

FAVORITE LINE:

“Please Mia," he implores. "Don't make me write a song.”

MUSINGS:
I don't really read YA realistic fiction. Not my thing. But anyway, the story beautiful and sad. It's a roller coaster of emotions. It does more than tug the heartstrings, it wrenches it. At one part of the book, I actually found myself thinking that Mia should just give up as she doesn't have anyone. She's going to be alone in this world. But the author was able to convince me that she has a lot to live for, and that giving is just not and cannot be an option. The book sends a very positive message.

DOODLES:

AUTHOR'S WEBSITE:
Gayle Forman

SIMILAR READS:
The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

CONTENT REVIEW:
profanity: moderate
violence: moderate
sexual content: mild - moderate
mature themes: moderate
age recommendation: 14+