Mystery

I should have really disliked this book, because (1) it’s YA, which usually wallows in feelings I left behind decades ago, and (2) it’s mostly written in first-person-present-tense, which I usually hate with the heat of a thousand fiery suns. I was convinced to give it a try by two excellent reviews from people I trust, and I decided to go with audio as the FPPT style is usually less obnoxious when read aloud.

And… I truly enjoyed it. It’s well-written, and the FPPT style actually fits with the story, and I could get over the adolescent drama, because getting over it is really what this book is about. I won’t go into plot details, because that’s been done elsewhere by more skilled reviewers, but I will mention the few flaws that made this a 4 star read for me. The mawkish romance toward the end felt like an obligatory addition to the plot, because apparently, all YA must include a love story and a teen girl’s life is incomplete without it. And the love interest was a male version of the manic pixie dream girl, and the only truly unrealistic character in the book.

A word of caution: As the book starts out, the main character is a truly unpleasant person, and I felt crazy impatient with her and her friends. I might have DNF’d if I hadn’t known that this was the point of the story. I’m glad I stuck with it.

Audiobook, via Audible. Sarah Drew provides an excellent performance.

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I enjoyed this, but not as much as I think I would have if I was still a high schooler.

The maladies of the MC were a little annoying, and the use of the R-word was not fun to say the least. However, the idea was fun and I really liked and appreciated the growth of all of the characters. ( )

Full Review on my blog!

I was watching the movie trailer for the new Fifty Shades movie and I saw a trailer for Before I fall, I recognized the title and I knew there was a book by Lauren Oliver.

This book was such a amazing surprise. I honestly didn’t think that it would be so good and I was amazed that it was. It was so heart breathtakingly beautiful, it was so thought provoking and powerful. I’ve never read a book like this, where the same day plays over and over again, and its different every time. I’ve seen a ton of movies like this but never really read a book like it, It was different, good different. I really enjoyed it. Even though it had elements of supernatural (being brought back to life and all) but this book is so realistic especially how high school is. The book describes the whole high school atmosphere and being a teenager perfectly.

I didn’t expect it to turn out the way it did, but I’m sure glad it did. So amazing. Lauren Oliver is an amazing writer, and has managed to make Sam’s story come alive in a way that made me unable to put the book down.

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Oh god, what did you do to me?
I'm weeping my heart out, feeling choked up and sad and miserable.
And OMG all those people she's leaving behind!... It's so sad, so sad.

I swallowed the book whole. I gulped it down without choking, feeling I wanted more. I'd really like to read, say, about Kent and how he moves on after this. I bet seeing the world through his eyes would be amazing. But we can't always get what we want.

GO GET IT AND READ IT ASAP! ( )