Before I go any further, I'll try to do a quick little summary of the plot for those of you who haven't heard of it...
There's this high schooler, Clay, who comes home one day from school to find seven cassette tapes lying on his front porch; on the tapes is the voice of Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush, who committed suicide very recently. He listens to the tapes, discovering there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Even crazier, he discovers he himself is one of the reasons.
It's totally enthralling, and a page-turner that's not just a "page-turner" for the sake of being put on a cover so people will buy a book. It's totally heartbreaking and does have a lasting impression (though I did just finish it an hour ago, so I can't really judge its "lasting" impression, I suppose), but I just know it will linger in my head. I had gotten it a few months ago, and for some time it had sat lined up with all my other "to read" novels on my shelf; when I was cleaning, I had to take all the books off to dust, and I cracked open the first page, started reading, and...well, here I am, writing about how great it was. So, I meant to read it, just...not now. I'm glad I did, though. :)
(I wasn't able to get an autographed copy, though that would've been amazing!)
So, that's all. :) I'm sure many of you have heard of it and probably read it, but I still just needed to blab about how great it was (because, honestly, how can you resist that plot and the mystery of it all?). Five out of five stars, no question. Mr. Asher is a fine writer.
I'm still trucking onward with my other books (both the readings and the writings), and I'll keep you guys posted if I have some breakthrough with anything or something magical happens (not yet querying, though, so I can't imagine anything yet). ;)
Any of you finish great books recently? Have any of you read Thirteen Reasons Why? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
I haven't read it, but now you have me intrigued! I'll add it to my to-read list!
ReplyDeleteI read this book around a year ago and thought it was glorious. The kind of novel I finish and which makes me say, "I wish I'd written that."
ReplyDeleteSimilar to Jenny Downham's BEFORE I DIE in a way. On the surface, depressing, but ultimately uplifting.
I wish everyone would read this book.
Wow,
ReplyDeleteNever heard of it, but sounds amazing and depressing at the same time. I generally like to read upbeat books, but I'd make an exception for this one.
I surprised myself these past few months and wrote a y/a contemporary dealing with a seventeen-year-olds abuse my his military father. Very intense, but I did enjoy writing it.
Our world is riddled with domestic violence and people need to me more aware.
Have a great day.
Michael
Yeah, great book! Jay Asher gave the keynote at the 2009 SCBWI conference in NY and his journey to publication was nothing short of amazing. Over TEN years of querying and bad agents before he finally got his current agent who sold that book. He gave me loads of hope!!!
ReplyDeleteHey Miles! Glad you're still blogging! Thanks so much for the blog award a few months back! I mentioned and linked to you in my post today! ;) http://charissaweaks.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine wrote a book that was heavily influenced by 13 Reasons Why. It won't be published until Jan. 2012, but I think you'd enjoy it. When you get a chance, check out our November Author Interviews - her name's Megan Bostic and her book is Never Eighteen.
ReplyDeleteerica
Good golly I love this book. I always forget about it because it's not part of a serious and I don't know any other books by the author, but I remember my friend shoving it into my hands in seventh grade along with What Happened To Cass McBride? and both of them were devoured before the school day was over.
ReplyDeleteI really love how it separates sections by play, pause, etc. It's amazing how it takes him on a tour around town. It's horrific and amazing and I haven't read it since seventh grade (good golly, three years) and I need to reread it because I really don't remember what happens. I just remember it was amazing.
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