Saturday, April 16, 2011

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Young Adult: 288 Pages
Published: October 2011
Publisher: Razorbill
Series: None
Source: Personal copy
Buy the Book: Amazon | Book Depository
Find the author: Blog

Jay Asher's brilliant first novel is a moving, highly original story that focuses on a set of audiotapes made by a girl before she committed suicide, and which explain to 13 people the reasons why she decided to end her life. Told in a highly effective duel narrative -- alternating between the girl s voice and the thoughts of a boy who is listening -- this honest, poignant story reveals how other people's actions shape, and by extension can ruin, an individual's faith in people. Intensely powerful and painfully real, Thirteen Reasons Why reveals how brutal high school can be, the consequences of spreading rumors, and the lasting effects of suicide on those left behind.

"You can't go back to how things were. How you thought they were. All you really have"

13 Reasons Why is one of those books that grab you from the very beginning. The moment you lay your eyes on the mesmerizing cover, and read the blurb. The book hooks you in and does not let you go. I absolutely loved how this book was delivered. It was written in 2 narratives but instead of breaking up the point's of view through chapters, it is done all together. Clay's thoughts and reactions occur the very same time Hannah's tapes are playing. You are getting the best of both worlds without having to wait for the next chapter to find out which character is thinking what.

Clay Jenkins comes home from school one day to find a package waiting for him on his doorstep. In this package are cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker who just 2 weeks before committed suicide.On these tapes are the 13 reasons why Hannah decided to end her life. Clay is one of them, but he must listen through the tapes to find when and where his name pops up...and why. The intensity of this book is like no other. There were times that I laughed, and many times that I cried. I felt for Hannah the moment I began reading/listening to her story. Although deep and brutally honest, the book comes with a message that needs be told. It is scary to know how much people can effect one another. The snowball effect as Hannah calls it. A spiderweb of events. It all starts with one person then grows bigger and harder to handle as times goes by.

As the tapes go on so does the intensity and the suspense. 13 Reasons Why turns into an "Un-put-downable" book. You will stay up till the wee hours of the morning to finish and find out how it all unfolds. Another aspect I loved was the journey Hannah takes her listeners on. She includes a map with the tapes so that the person listening knows when and where they made their mark on her. The map is included with the book, on the back of the cover jacket, so I would pull out the map when Hannah instructed and would follow along.

13 Reasons Why is a compelling novel with a powerful message. One that shouldn't be missed.

What I liked: The message this book tells. The bonus features like the map and an option to listen to the tapes. (Contains spoilers)
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  1. This is one of my favorite books of all time. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm kind creeped out by the tapes though,but I think I might listen to them anyway.

  2. I loved Thirteen Reasons Why, too. I really hope Jay Asher is working on something else (I've not heard that he is).

  3. I loved this book and your review is great! The way it was presented was perfect and the message was subtle. I think every teenager should read this one!


  4. After reading your review I immediately when to the kobo site and purchased this book. It looks like one of those books that you just *have* to read. Great review and thanks for bringing it to my attention!

  5. This book was recommended to me by a friend of mine, after I read the premise of the book I was very intrigue not until my birthday last year my cousin was kind enough to give me his credit card in order for me to buy three books and I took the opportunity to buy it.


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