Author: Jay Asher
Release Date: October 18, 2007
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 288
Source: KPL
Stars: 5/5
Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.MY THOUGHTS:
On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.
Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.
(summary taken from Goodreads)
When I first saw this book around, I avoided it like the plague. I know people who've had to deal with family members taking their own life (and it's awful), so I'm really sensitive about reading a book that revolves around suicide. But now I wish I'd picked this one up sooner.
Thirteen Reasons Why is an amazing book! Everything about it is just so breathtaking and well-executed and shockingly realistic. As Hannah's telling her story, you get attached to this beautiful girl and find yourself rooting for her to live even though you already know the outcome.
I adore Clay! He's such a genuinely sweet guy; the kind of guy that girls have crushes on and moms just love. So that's why I couldn't help but continuously wonder what his part in Hannah's death could've possibly been. After all, Clay had a crush on Hannah before she died.
But there's not just thirteen separate reasons why Hannah Baker decided to do what she did — they're all connected like an intricate web that I wouldn't be able to write better if I tried. This book shows that suicide isn't caused by just one big reason, but many little ones. I couldn't stop reading until I knew the whole story!
Nothing short of amazing, Thirteen Reasons Why is a beautiful, thought-provoking, and devastating book that kept me up all night. Even if you're hesitant to pick it up like I was, I wholeheartedly recommend that everyone reads it! People have said that this book has saved their life and I don't doubt it one bit.
BUY or BORROW?: Buy it! It was one of the most touching books I've read this year, and I'm so happy that there's going to be a movie coming out starring Selena Gomez! She's such an awesome actress and I think she'll do great as Hannah. :)
-Mimi
Posts
I avoided this one too because of the dark topic but I keep hearing about how good it is so I should probably pick it up. Thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteI don't know how authors manage to take a topic like suicide and make into something so readable. I've seen this book around and like you I have been avoiding it because of the suicide issue. I get really attached to my characters and the thought of one of them ending their life is traumatising. But I think I need to step away from the paranormal stuff a bit so will give this a go. Thanks Mimi!
ReplyDeleteThis was a great book. I think it is so important for my students to read because people don't realize how something they don't even think of when they say it can hurt someone so bad. Good review.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I want to read this one! I've also heard the audio book is pretty amazing!
ReplyDeleteI loved this book. For some reason, I like (can I use that word?) books about suicide, and this one was one of my favorites. I really liked how it showed how even our little actions can affect others. Great review!
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