If I StayAuthor: Gayle Forman
Series: If I Stay #1
Published by: Speak
Publication Date: April 2, 2009
Format: eBook
On a day that started like any other,
Mia had everything: a loving family, a gorgeous, admiring boyfriend, and a bright future full of music and full of choices. In an instant, almost all of that is taken from her. Caught between life and death, between a happy past and an unknowable future, Mia spends one critical day contemplating the only decision she has left. It is the most important decision she'll ever make.
Simultaneously tragic and hopeful, this is a romantic, riveting, and ultimately uplifting story about memory, music, living, dying, loving.
I’ve just finished this book, so please ignore my red swollen eyes. It felt like they were on a continuous drip while reading If I Stay, so it’s a good thing it was a quick read.
I heard of If I Stay years ago when everyone was going on and on about how great it was. Did I listen? Not really. Then I saw the trailer for the movie and it brought me to tears. So I figured if a two minute movie trailer could do that to me, then the book would rip me to shreds. I couldn’t wait!
There’s no way around the heartbreak in this story. It’s sad, plain and simple. At the same time, with all of the hurt and loss, there is also beauty, hope and love.
It’s told so perfectly with Mia narrating the past and present. As we experience what Mia is going through at the present, we get lots of memories that allow us to get to know her and her family. Even though the memories were often happy, that made it even more painful at times. We’re getting attached and falling in love with these people, knowing they’re gone, and that’s what Mia will have to live with if she chooses to stay. It’s heart-wrenching.
In the midst of all this is an absolutely beautiful love story. Adam and Mia were so opposite, yet so right together. And the way music played such a huge role in the story was wonderful.
If I Stay for sure deserves the hype it has received. I have no doubt that this is a story that will always stick with me.
Have you read this?
Will you watch the movie?
I’m so happy you enjoyed this! I was actually one of the few who wasn’t too crazy about it, but I ADORED the sequel ‘Where She Went’. It’s told from Adam’s POV and really was just amazing.
I read the 2nd book immediately after this one and loved it too. This one just had a lot more personal meaning to me.
Meh, the trailer did nothing for me. I could tell this would be a sad book. What is up with you and sad books lately? lol.
LOL – Dude, I just need them sometimes. Usually around the same time every month. 😀
I’m sooo scared of starting this one. I don’t know why but I just do O_O I saw the trailer as well and loved it to bits, and I may watch the movie way before I watch the book haha. Sometimes that’s how I roll >_> I’m just scared of how it would be emotionally scarring me, and when that happens, I’ll be too scared to watch the movie (this is the reason why I still have not wathed TFiOS… I don’t want to be emotionally traumatized all over again! D: )
lol – Once I watch a movie, I have no desire to read the book. So I knew I better do it now.
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the book and the dual narrations, I’ve read the book and I found that it leant towards the younger YA mark? The weird outer body experience she has halfway through the book was also way too weird for me lol. Great review!
It was just flashbacks, not dual narrations. I always love a good flashback. 😀 I don’t think it leans toward younger YA … I mean, she’s 17 almost 18. I thought it was a really good story for all ages.
Are you all cleaned up now??? Fantastic review, girl!! I can’t believe you can even type!
This is one of those contemp books I will always have to avoid, unfortunately… It will make me cry, cry, cry and end up giving me a headache. Real life sad stuff just kind of depresses me so I try and avoid the stuff that doesn’t come with a HEA. Pathetic, yes, but I don’t even watch the news so there is THAT.
-sigh- I guess I am. For now.
lol – I NEED books to do this to me sometimes though.
See, I didn’t listen either. I did buy it though, and had it for a while, started it once then put it down. Then watched the trailer and I NEED TO READ IT. Probably will before I see it anyway, so I have a while (I usually wait for the DVD’s now) unless I honestly can’t wait then I’m all over that, haha. I love ones that make you cry, but then I also hate them. But, if a book makes you love and hate it, it’s kind of done it’s job, right? I won’t cry, I won’t, I won’t Yeah, I said that with TFiOS. It totally didn’t worked.
lol – I seek out books that will make me breakdown. I just need to feel that sometimes, and books are what do it for me.
I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve seen the preview a couple of times, and thought that If I Stay might be based on a book, but I wasn’t 100% positive, so thank you for confirming that. LOL I’ll keep this one in mind for the next time I feel like bawling my eyes out. Lovely review, Christy!
Oh gads..chocolate and tissues required. Sometimes I crave a cleansing like only a book like this can give.
I haven’t listened either Christy! I know this one is going to make me cry so I just keep putting it off even though I always end up loving books that can make me cry. Ridiculous, I know. I think I want to see the movie first though, that way I won’t be nitpicking at all the things they changed from page to screen:) So glad to know you loved this!
It is great when a book can make you feel like this. I loved this one and I am really looking forward to the movie. I will have to have a big box of tissues though. Glad you enjoyed it.
I’ve avoided this book because it looks so sad, but I fell in love with the movie trailer, and now I really want to read the book. I will before the end of the summer for sure. I’m glad that you loved it, Christy.
Lovely review!
I’ve had this book for at least two years and still haven’t read it. I guess I’ve been worried about hype, and of the ugly cry.
I’m so glad you loved it!
Definitely a beautiful love story! Such an emotional, memorable book. I really hope the movie does it justice!
Great review! Glad you loved it 😀
I plan on listening to this soon. I adored Just One Day, I hope you read/listen to that one. I highly recommend the audio. It was beautiful and not too sad.
I’m so glad you read this and loved it. It really is emotional! I’m curious what you’d think of the second book, I loved it just as much, if not more (it’s less emotional, which made it easier for me to read).
I read the 2nd book immediately after this one. I loved it, but this one is the one that pulled me more. The story is very … close to home for me.
I loved this! I have yet to read the sequel though because I wasn’t ready to be heart broken all over again. I want her with Adam and I have heard that doesn’t end up being the case, which I know will bring even more tears. 🙁
I read it immediately after this. All I’m going to tell you is … read it. Trust me. 😉
That’s great that you really loved this one. I did too, and I’m so excited for the film!! i still need to read Where She Went though…
It’s definitely a story that has stuck with me. This is one of my all-time favourites. So glad you finally read it, Christy, and that it didn’t let you down! And YES. I definitely plan to watch the film. 🙂
I have this book but haven’t read it yet because of your response. I hate to cry and I know I’m going to be crying throughout the book. One day I’ll be brave enough to read it. LOL
Oh my gosh this one would do me in right now. I’m avoiding the tear jerkers like the plague. I’ve got a list going for when I’m back up to normal and can handle them ::snort:: And I can’t believe I’ve not heard of either the book or the movie. Have so been living under a rock! lol
Ow wow!! I love it when a book can emotionally suck you in like this one has! Fab review girl, I think I’ll have to grab this too, and soon!
I’ve read this a few years and ago and liked it as well, but my feelings for Where She Went is way more INTENSE. I loved that book to bits! And yes, I’m very excited about the movie. I’m so happy you enjoyed this! Please read the sequel!! 🙂
I read this over a year ago and I’m so glad you loved it Christy! I honestly love Where She Went more (I cried buckets in that book) but If I Stay was pretty awesome too and I can totally understand your swollen red eyes! DEFINITELY read Where She Went Christy! It’s the perfect ending to Mia and Adam’s story <3
I LOVED this book! I had such a bawl fest over it. Then I saw the trailer and heard that song… Geez Louise. My only gripe is that I read the sequel. Didn’t care for it and wish I had stopped at book one. Glad you liked it, though, and really happy you loved the first book,too!
I think I’ll be skipping the book and will watch the movie instead. So glad you were so moved by the story though, I love books like that.
I not sure if I want my heart broken at the moment, I do like intense and raw stories but honestly, you are scaring me…LOL I probably pick it up later and think to myself, “why was I such a wimp”
I read the book and was amazing! I hope that the movie will be at the same level!
Stay well Christy,
Amy
Stay well,
Amy
http://www.thebooksmachine.com
I read this book shortly after it came out and I was a complete puddle for days. But I loved it so much, as well as the sequel. Each time I see the trailer, I get a little teary. I hope it’s as good as the book.
Beautiful and heart wrenching. EXACTLY. Lovely review, Christy.
YAY! So glad to hear you loved this one! I read it a few years ago and it has always stayed with me too. And I saw the movie and it is wonderful! Hope you enjoy the adaptation too!
I’ve really ignored this book for the longest time. I knew of it, but had no clue what it was like until I saw the trailer…now I’m really wanting to grab a copy! I’m glad you enjoyed it Christy!