Thursday, May 13, 2010

Latest Read: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher


Title: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Summary: Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker--his classmate and crush--who committed suicide two weeks earlier.

On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.

Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

My Review:  This was one of those books that I didn't want to put down once I got a few pages into the story. I warn that it deals with suicide, so if that's a trigger for you, it might be a good book to avoid, but I think it deals with it in such a unique and yet truthful way. It was an interesting way to tell the story of one girl's life and have it understood by someone outside of her world. It's heartbreaking at moments, both for Hannah and Clay.  It's a lot like real life in many ways - that you want to know why and how it happened - and mostly, as you get to know Clay as a character more, you want to know why he would be on such a list as to receive the tapes.  You're both grateful and sad that it happens to him. 

Again, I really loved the style of storytelling with this book.  It was a great way to learn about so many different characters at the same time.

Highly recommend.  Couldn't put it down.

Overall:  5 stars

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