If I Stay - Gayle Forman

I had never seen or heard about this book before. I just literally fancied reading it when I was in the library the other day. But now, I swear I keep seeing it everywhere! On people's book blogs, in Oxfam today, in Selfridges, in Waterstones. It's following me! It's so weird hah :)

First Sentence: Everyone thinks it was because of the snow. And in a way, I supposed that's true

This story is all about the choices we make, before and after. Seventeen year-old, Mia has (possible) the perfect family, an amazing best friend, Kim and a gorgeous supporting boyfriend, Adam. She would rather, unlike most teens, go out with her family on a drive or play her cello.  She has lots of choices about her life and even though decisions are tough, they are mostly about her music (she's a cello player), school life or love.
    But then, one snowy February morning, something tragic happens and all her choices are gone. Except two (in the book it says one, but I think it's more two): to stay or to die.

This book had me on the verge of tears. Which is hard for someone like me where it takes a lot to cry. Even though the book is only 210 pages, so relatively short, it is so powerful and makes you think. We follow Mia as basically her conscience, she's in a coma but her conscience can walk around, see people but people can't see them. It's through this that we read her, trying to decide and for practically the whole book, I really didn't know which she would choose. The tense, sad moments are broken up by mostly funny moments and for me, I found some of Kim's comments, hilarious. Through her decision making, she is reminded of her past and we find out what happened leading up to this moment. Even though the flashbacks aren't in chronological order, we can still understand them easily and get things from them. Adam. You just have to love him. He is from a completely different 'group' but he falls in love with Mia and makes an effort and supports her. I want a boyfriend like that, basically. I mean who wouldn't, girls?
This is a really deep, gripping, heart breaking but somehow uplifting that makes you appreciate your life at the moment.
Will you cry? Probably
Will you laugh out loud at Kim's comments? Yep.
Should you read it? Definitely. Just go out there and get this book.

Author's Website: www.gayleforman.com
There's also a really good If I Stay Book Trailer to watch!

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Book #2: Where She Went

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac - Gabrielle Zevin

I got recommended this book by a friend when I was at her house. She gave me the book, promising me that I'd love it. I've read 'Elsewhere', also by Gabrielle Zevin and even though I thought Elsewhere was good, it wasn't amazing. So, I guess, I was a bit negative when I started this book. But I finished it this morning....oh dear god...I LOVE IT. haha :)

First Sentence: Above all, mine is a love story.And like most love stories, this one involves chance, gravity, a dash of head trauma. It began with a coin toss. The coin came up tails; I was heads.

If the coin had hit heads, there would be no book. But it hit heads... Naomi Porter has woken up in hospital with no idea why she is there and what has happened over the last 5 years. She doesn't know that her parents are divorced, she has a sister, who are friends are and if she has a boyfriend or not. As she pieces together what has happened before she lost her memory, she finds out that some of her life is best forgotton.

To start off with, I was sitting there thinking 'Get on with it.' but to be honest, the opening paragraph is needed and immediatly captured my attention. (That really sounds like something my english teacher would say, sorry). Naomi falls in love with guys (trying not to let too much away) - and if it wasn't a book and real life, she would be classed many things. Though, if the book was real life, you probably wouldn't remember your boyfriend and happen to like the guy that found you at the bottom of some steps. You never know. My favourite characters were Will, her best friend who if, in my opinion, was a real person, I would beg him to be my best friend. And Alice who just comes out with some of the funniest things. Didn't like Ace, you'll find out who he is, he's a bit of a jerk. I found a movie of it release this year but it's a Japanese movie (with Emma Roberts as Alice?) and I don't think it's going to be release over here. Sad. Overall, I would read and recommend this novel to anyone reading this.

I give it 5 out of 5

Author's Website: www.memoirsofa.com/