If I Stay by Gayle Forman--A Review

SYNOPSIS:

Just listen, Adam says with a voice that sounds like shrapnel.

I open my eyes wide now.
I sit up as much as I can.
And I listen.

Stay, he says.

Choices. Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones: Stay true to her first love—music—even if it means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind?

Then one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it's the only one that matters.

If I Stay is a heartachingly beautiful book about the power of love, the true meaning of family, and the choices we all make.

FROM MY PERSPECTIVE:

I did something in August  of this year, that I never do.    I went to the movie of If I Stay.    I so seldom go to a movie in the first place.   And I prefer to read the book before I see the movie--That way, I can crucify the troubling parts of the movie where they took liberties from the book.

After my daughter and I saw the movie, I bought the movie tie in version book from Target.    The cover is different from that above, the text supported the movie version(for the most part), the actor and actress were interviewed by Gayle Forman and there was an excerpt from the second book, Where She Went.

Then I purchased an Amazon copy...just to see if there were any real differences.    I really do not get why such a relatively new book has to come out in more than version.   However, maybe I succumbed to the marketing ploy!    Yeah, I would do that to satisfy my own curiousity.

So this was my result of seeing the movie and reading the book twice.   I found that both editions of the book were the same.   And as far as the movie went, there were only a couple of changes for dramatic affect.

I liked that this story was told from Mia's point of view.    I liked that she had no comprehension of what control she had of her out of body experience and the choice of staying or leaving.    I felt like Forman was honest and direct with the reader.  Her characters were strong and quirky and so delightful.    Other than Mia and Adam, I truly enjoyed the rest of her family...Mom, Dad and Teddy, a truly great representation of family life and the love between family members....so different and yet so well connected.

I enjoyed Mia and Adam's love story and the connection they shared.   Sometimes contentment allowed them to roll through the times with little effort on their part and others were frought with maybe thinking it through just a little too hard.   The story was very real and although Mia suffered through one of the greatest losses in life, she found she had more "family" that would see her through.

This was a very poignant and real story that made this reader feel and break and hope.    It was also very thought provoking and I shall remember for a very long time to come.

I gave this read 5 Winks!

Disclaimer:  I read for my pleasure.   I may receive ARC copies for review purposes, but I am not compensated for my reviews .  I like to read and I like to share my reviews.   I post my thoughts without prejudice or bias.  The words are mine and I write reviews based on my humble opinion.  I will admit, I seldom meet a book I don't like.  I purchased both books for my personal collection.