I'd like to, once again, welcome Shona from Shona's Book Shelves as this week's guest reviewer.
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From Amazon.com...
"In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen year — old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...
A sophisticated, layered, and heartachingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make—and the ultimate choice Mia commands."
It has been quite a while since I read a book that moved me to tears and this book did just that. Mia was a character I connected to instantly and the main reason for this was the beautiful narration by Gayle Forman. There were times when I was reading this I actually pictured Mia going out with her boyfriend Adam, having those jitters playing her cello in front of experts, having a great time with her parents and little brother and finally seeing all this slipping from her hands right in front of her eyes.
The narration moves alternately between past and present, giving a depth to the characters which helps readers to understand them better, to understand Mia better. It was a very ordinary story told in such a way that I had no other choice but to love it and recommend it everybody I know.
Mia, is definitely one of the best central characters I have read this year. She is an unsure teenager at places and in someways she is someone who knows what she wants in life. It felt was good to see a girl her age so responsible, when these days some YA books show them to be troubled and damaged.
Mia being surrounded by people who love her, people who do everything possible to make her feel that they need her with them, even though they know how difficult it will be for her to pick up from where life has left her shattered. The strength they provide her emotionally and how every person related to her lives through the worst phase of their lives while trying to give her hope, not knowing if she is even understanding them, makes it a must read book. A book about understanding the value of family, love and friendship, and more importantly, it’s a book about having hope of a tomorrow.
Advice: Try reading late at night, so that you won’t be seen crying like a baby.
Highly Recommended
************************** Thank you so much Shona for this fantastic review! Please visit Shona and read her original review.