Customer Reviews

If I Stay

5 star:		(166)
4 star:		(73)
3 star:		(30)
2 star:		(15)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

If I Stay is a bittersweet memory of a family and their loved ones. It's told through the eyes of Mia, who watches herself being treated in the hospital as her loved ones surround her. And she has to make the toughest choice of all...

I really love the way the story was told, while Mia is watching over her own body in the hospital she is reminded of memories of her family and friends and through that we got to know them better. It was beautiful how the story of her life unfolds. I absolutely adored her family and friends, everyone was their own character with specific traits and quirks, and what a loving family as well! That made me that much more emotionally invested in the story, they seemed so real.

For as much as this book falls into the heartbreaking and sad category it was actually rather funny at times! It made the book so much easier for me to read. I also loved how much music played a part of the story, Mia with her cello, her boyfriend Adam with his band and her father's days in a band as well. Music was a beautiful background for this story.

All in all a bittersweet and rewarding book! I'm not always one for sad books but recently I've been finding out that there are some I actually really love and this is definitely one of them!

I have a feeling that If I Stay may be one of those books that sells millions of copies, wins numerous awards, and inspires people to pick up a pen and tell a story of their own.

It starts off with a lighthearted chapter that showcases the close relationship Mia shares with her Mum, Dad and younger brother Teddy. I instantly fell in love with these four characters, as they reminded me very much of my own parents and sister: happy, fun, and more like friends than family. However, by page eleven, the tone of the book shifts, and everything has changed.

Mia is left staring at her broken body, while her family lie sprawled around her. She finds herself in a kind of limbo, a limbo where she can see, hear and touch, but can't feel anything. From here she must make the difficult decision of staying on Earth and living, or dying and hopefully seeing her family again. This has to be one of the most difficult decisions anyone could ever be faced with, and I applaud Gayle Forman for writing about it so eloquently and vividly.

I loved how the past was interweaved with the present, as this allowed us to get a glimpse into Mia's life before the accident, and to really get to know her. Mia is a strong and appealing character, and one which I think a lot of people will identify with. I also have to mention Adam, Mia's boyfriend. He's caring, thoughtful and the kind of person that we should all get to meet at some point or another. In fact, I think he might be my favourite part of the whole book.

'Just Listen', Adam says with a voice that sounds like shrapnel.

The above sentence is one of my favourites. To imagine that anyone's voice could sound like shrapnel has to be one of the most effective ways to describe someone dealing with unimaginable grief and fear. If that doesn't make you want to read more, I don't know what will.

If I Stay is moving, touching and beautifully written. It's so gripping that you have to read all two hundred and seven pages in one go, and is sure to be one of the year's most talked about releases. With brilliant characters that easily come to life, as well as a story so memorable and meaningful, I'd say that Gayle Forman is well on her way to Alice Sebold-like superstardom.

Mia has a wonderful life: extraordinary and loving family, a genuine boyfriend who loves her, an extreme talent at playing the cello, and a loyal best friend. But during a snowy morning, all that changes. She and her family experience a tragic car crash, and Mia is the only one left alive - just barely. Machines at the hospital are keeping her alive, but it will be her decision whether to keep or let go of life. In the course of exactly one day, Mia relives past memories with her loved ones, while hearing what they have to say to her while she's in a coma. It's a decision she'll have to make on her own.

Hmm...interesting book. It was told mostly in flashbacks, to show the significance of the friends and family that visited Mia in the hospital. The writing was alright - had difficulty sometimes visualizing what was going on. I liked the overall storyline, it was cool reading about Mia being stuck between life and death, but it wasn't screaming creativity. There were a couple funny statements in the book, but it felt out of place since the setting of the book was really depressing.

The basic theme of the story was well portrayed and it was interesting seeing how Mia changed through the course of one day. Her boyfriend goes to extreme measures in order to see her, which I thought was unrealistically sweet. However, even though the story is told in first person, the characters seemed sort of detached. I didn't fall in love with any particular character, or despise another; they seemed to mix in with one another, no one really leaving a mark on me.

I think there was a lot of missing substance in the book, it needed more "meat". Mia's whole family is DEAD...she's a freakin orphan - yet she barely even lets that faze her. She's too concerned with other thoughts involving her boyfriend or bestfriend, etc. I think the story would have been more realistic and heart-wrenching if the author had actually spent time showing Mia's heartache or breakdown of her terrible loss. There was almost no emotion.

One thing I did love about the book though, was how the author incorporated music in it. Mia's punk-rock and quirky parents were what I enjoyed reading about, and I recognized some of the classical pieces that Mia plays on her cello. Overall, it was a quick and semi-enjoyable read. It wasn't dreadful, but definitely not a favorite either.

I can't quite remember where or how I heard of this book, but it sounded interesting and different. When I received this book I was surprised at how short it was, I wondered how can you tell a gripping even interesting story in under 200 pages? *Boy, was I surprised*
I am a 35 year old mother of two who is an avid reader, I'm also a sucker for a love story and just adore YA Books.
I picked up this book Saturday night at 9:30pm and literally read the entire book in one sitting. This book surprised me beyond words. I read the last 3-5 pages through my tears, and when I was done and closed the book the first thought that came to my mind was "this was the most beautiful well written story I've ever read!!!". The story flowed so well, at times I cried and laughed and it really made me think. I read about 20 books a year and this will be a book that I tell ever single person I know to read.
I wish I could write a review for this book that would truly do it justice!

I really wanted to like this book - it had great reviews and it seemed like the type of story that I could easily fall in love with. But it wasn't. I would have enjoyed it more if the author would have really made the reader fall in love with the main character before the auto accident. It lacked emotion...it lacked heart. There was too much jumping to/from the past/present, which I realize is necessary at times, but one thing I've learned in writing is that flashbacks STOP the action. Any time the book was getting good...BAM STOP...unnecessary flashback. The back story often flashed back to MORE back story...and it wasn't even that important to know at times. An example would be when the author flashes back to a time mom/daughter stopped at a casino and thought they were only there for minutes, but it had been hours, and then jumping to present time relating the casino experience to how time seems to stand still in the ICU. That right there is a perfect example of unnecessary back story. Also, anything that included too many details about people who were NOT important characters (Henry and Willow). Too much back story, not enough present time action and emotion to make the reader fall in love with the main character.

Mia is the odd one out in her family. Like Mia both of her parents are involved in the music world - the punk scene - while Mia finds her niche in the classical world. The first time she touched a cello in third grade music class she knew that she had found her passion. She quickly excelled and now, a senior in high school, has a specialized professor and surpasses most college students that she accompanies. She even hopes to go to Julliard in the fall, even if it means leaving her awesome boyfriend Adam behind.

Early on a February morning though life for Mia changes drastically. What was supposed to be snow day fun suddenly turned into the biggest nightmare that Mia has ever faced and it all happened in an instant. Now Mia has to make the biggest choice of her life, to hold on or let go.


I have to start off by saying; I'm going to try as hard as possible not to gush about this book, as it is truly great. I sat down and read it all at once, never taking my eyes off the page and just entranced by Mia's story, not wanting it to end. After I was done, my jaw literally fell open in awe of the greatness!

Let me start with the writing style. Gayle Forman managed to create this lyrical tone in the book that made the story dance through the reader's mind and implant itself in their heart. The words flowed off the page, just like they were notes coming off a cello. She created deep emotion in a short time and created a story that hits close to home, regardless of who you are or the experiences you have had.

The story itself was absolutely breathtaking. To have to go through what Mia does is heart wrenching. The decisions she has to make and the things she has to see are so vivid, that you feel like you are right there in her position. I also love how music, in all its shapes and forms, are an essential part of the book; it's a great finishing touch to the book.

Now we come to the characters, my absolute favorite part! Mia herself was fascinating. She had so much to offer to the reader by sharing her story and she expressed her emotions freely. The words truly did come off the page in her voice and she became real. Not only was Mia great, but the supporting characters were fabulous as well. They were all so real and you could feel the love in their voices and the hurt that they felt. I especially loved the grandfather, who was quiet almost the whole time until one moment when he said one of the most memorable quotes in the entire story. For me this just added to the amazingness.

I am still in awe of this book and urge you all to run and grab a copy as soon as possible, so that you might experience the magic of this story for yourself. It is horribly real and extremely emotional, but it leaves you with so much. I absolutely cannot wait to read more of Gayle Forman's future works, as she is truly a rising star.

If I Stay
By Gayle Forman
Published by Speak

This is the coming of age story of seventeen-year-old Mia, a classical cellist and Juilliard hopeful whose whole world is suddenly turned upside down. After a thin blanket of snow causes a school closure, Mia and her family set out on a fateful visit to a friend's house when they are in a horrific car accident. Waking to find that she is outside of her badly broken and comatose body, she is alone and confused.

Mia's life is revealed in passages from her memory as her body is transported to the hospital and doctors and nurses work to save her life. The crux of the story is that Mia must make the ultimate choice of whether to live a forever-altered life, or to simply let go.

Heartbreaking and poignant, If I Stay is an undemanding, honest narrative. I would not, however, feel comfortable recommending this book to the YA audience it is intended for. Regardless of how kids are raised today (or not raised as the case may be), I feel it's irresponsible to glorify a fifteen-year-old young girl having sex with her boyfriend, at home, with her condom providing parents downstairs. With several unsafe activities, overnight trips to other cities, and more swearing than I normally hear in a year, it was a little tough to swallow.

Gold Star Award Winner!

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 by: Sarah Bean the Green Bean Teen Queen

I've been wanting to read this book since it first came out, but was good and waited until it came out in the cheaper paperback.

If I Stay is about 17 yr old Mia, a talented celloist, who is in a coma following a car accident that kills her entire family. While in this coma she must make the ultimate decision: stay alive with grief and an uncertain future or join her parents and brother in death

I have to say this book isn't at all what I expected, and because of that, I may be a little disappointed. It was a surprisingly simple story. There was nothing supernatural about it and all the conflict was an internal struggle. It went back and forth between Mia's stay in the hospital, and her memories which only seemed to complicate her decision.

Truthfully, I didn't find it all that entertaining. Good thing it read very quickly, or else I probably wouldn't have finished it. For some reason, it never asorbed me. Perhaps it was the meandering pace. Even the question of Mia's choice couldn't make me feel interested.

Mia's memories served the purpose to give some background to Mia and help flesh out the story. I kind of felt that they were repetitive. They didn't show anything that couldn't be guessed atfrom the first chapter. Mia's loves her little brother. Mia loves her "hip" parents. Mia loves her punk boyfriend. Mia loves music. That's about it.

I guessed I just missed out on the genius of it all. I'm hearing that it was "beautiful" and "beautifully written, and while I admit that it had more substance than most YA literature, I still wasn't feeling it. A blurb on the front cover said it "will appeal to fans of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight", and I don't see that at all. I didn't like Twilight, but these books are nothing alike. On top of it all, I hear Summit bought the movie rights to this book. Did I miss something?

I've been wanting to read this book for ages. So when I finally got my hands on it and read it... Well, let's just say that this was a very disappointing book for me.

Instead of an interesting story about a girl trying to decide whether or not to stay living, we have a story based around a whole bunch of boring flashbacks that do little to move the story forward or develop the characters who matter. Seriously... my favourite characters are probably the main character's parents' friends. Why do I feel like I know them better than I know the main character?

The near-death experience was completely underutilized. Mia can do nothing she wouldn't be able to do as a human. She can't walk through walls, can't flit off to Hawaii, can't even visit her brother at another hospital. So what's the point?

I've read a few dead-narrator books, and this is the dullest one so far. For a much better read with characters you can actually care about, try Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones: Deluxe Edition.