Waking up to snow, the sweet scent of her father’s pipe tobacco, and her mother’s Bisquick pancakes, seventeen-year-old cellist Mia couldn’t be happier. She’s trying not to think of the small complications in her life: going away to Julliard, or her rocker boyfriend Adam touring, so that when school is canceled for the day, the choice is easy. Piling into the rusty Buick with her punk parents and her cool little brother Teddy, Mia’s content to spend a day with them in which the only disagreements will be about which CD to play in the car. Coincidentally, the music is the only thing remaining after the accident, after Mia loses everything that matters. Now it’s up to her to choose life – to stay – and to decide if what’s left will be enough.
I’m not sure why I overlooked If I Stay when it was released two years ago but once I opened up a copy it was not difficult for me to stay with it. Taking place within a 24-hour period with time entries in lieu of chapters and at just under 200 pages, it’s a quick read. What stood out to me was how seamlessly Mia’s present at the hospital and her past recollections were woven together. Even though the present events occur in just one day, with the addition of Mia’s memories it’s enough time for the reader to become well-acquainted with Mia and her life. Mia’s randomly shared memories could have easily felt like telling rather than showing in the way they were written but Ms. Forman gives us just enough descriptive detail for us to “see” those flashes of Mia’s life, which felt authentic. For a book that consists mostly of scenes that have already taken place, evoking imagery was key and she does it beautifully. I can’t help reflecting upon what memories my mind would recall in a life-or-death situation to build a convincing case for life. Appropriately enough the main events of If I Stay begin and end with music and while I liked reading about Mia, her hip parents and her cool boyfriend, my favorite part of the novel by far was the ending, which is exceptional and struck me with its heartache and its beauty. Lush and palpable, the prose has guaranteed that I will be reading the sequel Where She Went as soon as possible.
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I like what you wrote about wondering which memories in your life would present the case for life. I have no idea what mine would be.
I’m glad you loved this book too.
That end was fabulous but also killer and heartbreaking and so very appropriate with the music and all.
Yeah, me neither. I’d have to spend more time thinking about it.
I loved this book and actually liked the second one even more, after I got over the disorientation at how different it was from the first!
Oh, okay. Good to know.
I haven’t read this one! I think I put off reading it because it felt similar to Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver? I’ll keep it in my mind though.
It’s true, it is similar. Angie read and liked it too if that encourages you.
It’s great when you need a quick read.