Review: If I Stay

[nsharpes]

When I first picked up If I Stay at my local library I was apprehensive about reading it, to say the least. After all, on the cover is a blurb about how fans of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight will find If I Stay appealing. For the record, I hated Twilight, which I why I almost didn't read this book. However, after reading reviews I decided to give it a go and let me tell you.....I'm so glad I did!

I was immediately hooked right from the start. Mia and her family were so wonderfully described that I felt like I had known them for years. The same goes for Mia's boyfriend Adam, Mia's parent's friends and Mia's best friend Kim.

The romance in this book was a breath of fresh air. Usually, I hate romance in YA novels, only because all the relationships seem to be the same one, just in a different book. This one however, was written in a way that broke those stereotypes of young adult romance and made the relationship seem more mature.

Music in this book was also a major theme. It connected all the characters together and the descriptions about how music impacted the characters respective lives was amazing. After all, the saying goes music is what we, as humans, share and it definitely shows in this book.

Finally, the concept of choosing to stay or go captured me right from the start. I often wondered throughout the book, what I would choose if in Mia's situation and I couldn't decide....at all. Trust me, I tried to pick one. I weighed the pros against the cons, and I just couldn't do it. The decision in the book rests solely on Mia and through flashbacks to her childhood and her relationship with Adam, we, as the reader, can see how hard the decision is for her.

Favorite Quote: “Sometimes you make choices in life and sometimes choices make you.” - Mia's Dad(less) [edit]

[kaitlyniskay]

I haven't read this book yet, but it is on my to read list, especially since it is being made into a movie.

[Saoirse200]

This seems like an out of the ordinary young adult read.Nice review

[Words-are-life]

I loved this book too. As you said, the characters were so developed I just felt like I knew all of them. I loved how the story was told by a mixture of scenes in the present and flashbacks to before the accident. This book proposed the idea that despite our basic instinct to live, sometimes death is preferable. I honestly did not know what Mia was going to decide, that's what made the book so captivating to me. I bought it one afternoon and finished it before I went to bed that night. I haven't yet read the sequel, but I look forward to it!
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My favorite quote was "Love, it never dies. It never goes away, it never fades, so long as you hang on to it. Love can make you immortal."

[cduggins17]

Ever since I saw this book was being adapted into a movie, it has been on my "to read" list. I am a newer fan of YA novels ever since I took a class titled "Literature for Adolescents." I think I know what you are talking about when discussing the stereotypical YA romances that can get repetitive and annoying, but I wish you would have expanded on that and then how the romance between Mia and Adam is different. Romance between teens is extremely important in YA novels because it usually facilitates the "coming of age" portion of the story.

[SophiaJones]

I actually read this book when it first came out in 2009 and loved it because I felt it was so different to your atypical young adult novel. The plot was so powerful that it remained with me, even though I had forgotten the title, and ensured that I recognised the trailer from that alone - I cannot wait to see If I Stay!!

[sammisinmeiho]

I'm so excited to read this. I ordered it online and went to pick it up yesterday!! this is soo exciting (especially bc it was a bargain )

[RussetDivinity]

I read this book a few years ago and enjoyed it a lot. I agree with some of the above posters that the choice is a difficult one, and that the characters all seemed very well developed. I think the relationship was different from more typical YA novels because it didn't feel quite as passionate. From what I recall, there weren't any fights provoked by jealousy or that fiery feeling that's supposed to convince us the two characters are madly in love. It felt solid and real.

[Sunjay]

Awe i want to read this book. I saw the preview i think its quites interesting. I prefer to read them instead of watching it its weird to explain. I never ever read a book that involve music to able to grasp the similarity that people have. I enjoyed reading the review its brief, simple, interesting, and understandable. Thanks

[allesha]

I read this book back when it first came out and re-read it last week because I finally got my hand on the sequel. I really enjoyed the book, reading through it fast both times. I felt very connected to Mia and felt like her relationships were more realistic than in most other books. The author did a fantastic job in my opinion. I found out there was a movie of the book coming out last week too, thanks to this site. After watching the trailer, I am worried that the movie will be mostly a romance and portray Adam as a perfect and unrealistic guy. I still plan on watching it anyway and will try to not compare it to the book too much.

[nedge77]

I loved this storyline and thought it was very creative to go back and forth between the present and past to get a better understanding of the characters and how difficult her decision would be. I was torn and anxious to find out what she was going to choose. Great book and second book in the series is just as good.

[littlebook]

I have to say that I don't really care for much romance books. That being said, I wasn't too willing to read this. However, I did and I must admit it was pretty good.

[amullins516]

I devoured this novel. It sucked me in right from the beginning. Such a breath of fresh air from the typical YA novel. The love element was heartfelt and sweet, but not the main focus. Great pacing and development. Overall a wonderful book.

[leanndaniel]

I could read this book every single day! I just couldn't get enough of it and I'm super excited for the movie to come out!

[Maddy_Knapp01]

I was pretty hesitant to read If I Stay however I don't like to judge a book by its cover. I read it because I'm in a book club on my tumblr and they all voted on the book and surprisingly I ended up enjoying it very much! It was a beautifully written story and I loved how the main character Mia went to moments back before the accident happened. It was cool to read about how her and Adam got together and their story as a couple. When I finished it I was so sad to finish it because it was just so good! I was in love with the characters and literally the whole time I was praying for Mia to stay because I wanted her to be with Adam and continue their journey as a couple. However I did pick up the sequel today and I'm already hooked so hopefully it will give me the fix I crave!