Search This Blog








2022 Literary Escapes Challenge








The 52 Book Club's Reading Challenge 2022

2022 Build Your Library Reading Challenge

If I Stay: Contemplative YA Novel Asks the Big Questions

Through flashbacks, we learn about Mia's quirky, bohemian parents; her funny little brother, Teddy; her loyal best friend, Kim; and her rocker boyfriend, Adam. In the one day that she floats between her world and the next, we see exactly why her choice is so difficult. Even though the accident has changed things, Mia has plenty of reasons to return. She also has good reasons to go. As Mia spends the day contemplating her decision, the reader also has the chance to ponder the big questions: What happens after we die? Do families endure beyond the grave? Can comatose patients really choose to fight or let go? How do those left behind cope with the death of a loved one?
While I don't have a problem with contemplative novels like If I Stay, this one dragged quite a bit for me. I'm not sure why, since it had plenty of conflict, but it never really grabbed me. Maybe it's because the story's not terribly fresh, or because the only characters who really stand out are Mia's parents (who are charmingly original), or because Mia's voice isn't strong enough to make her truly come alive (pardon the pun). The ending did surprise me, though, and the sentimentality might have even coaxed a tear or two out of me. Still and all, I found If I Stay disappointing - one of those books that comes nowhere near to living up to its hype. Always a bummer.
(Readalikes: A little like The Everafter by Amy Huntley)
Grade: B-
If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for strong language (several F-bombs, plus frequent milder invectives) and some sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I bought If I Stay from Amazon.
6 comments:
Comments make me feel special, so go crazy! Just keep it clean and civil. Feel free to speak your mind (I always do), but be aware that I will delete any offensive comments.
P.S.: Don't panic if your comment doesn't show up right away. I have to approve each one before it posts to prevent spam. It's annoying, but it works!




Reading
Farm to Trouble by Amanda Flower

Listening
The Lost and Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs



Followin' with Bloglovin'



-
FO Friday: Kitty Mine Craft OOAK Yarn2 hours ago
-
Traitor King by Andrew Lownie4 hours ago
-
-
Book Quotes of the Week8 hours ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
Let’s Talk Bookish #110 hours ago
-
Review: Baden by Sawyer Bennett12 hours ago
-
Nona the Ninth16 hours ago
-
-
#AmReading1 day ago
-
-
-
101. Miraculous1 day ago
-
-
-
-
-
Travelers 01x053 days ago
-
-
-
Review: True Biz by Sara Nović5 days ago
-
-
Killing Trail - Margaret Mizushima6 days ago
-
Stay Awake by Megan Goldin1 week ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
An Honest Lie by Tarryn Fisher3 months ago
-
Left Neglected by Lisa Genova4 months ago
-
Back to the Classics 20227 months ago
-
-
-

Grab my Button!



Blog Archive
- ► 2021 (159)
- ► 2020 (205)
- ► 2019 (197)
- ► 2018 (223)
- ► 2017 (157)
- ► 2016 (157)
- ► 2015 (188)
- ► 2014 (133)
I really liked this novel. While the premise may not have been original, I thought the way the story was told was lovely. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you didn't like it. I absolutely loved it. But it's always disappointing to dislike books that so many others love - for me it was The Dark Divine and Prophecy of the Sisters.
ReplyDeleteThis is a book that has been on my TBR list for awhile now. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeletesounds like a book with an interesting premise.
ReplyDeleteI finished reading this last night. I found it an interesting read that brought tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteAfter I read this book, I thought, "How did this book make it onto my list? I really don't think that Bloggin' 'bout Books would have suggested it." So I searched for it on my Google Reader and found that it was NPR that suggested it, not you. Thank you for being more insightful about books than NPR.
ReplyDelete