Review: Where She Went

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I would like to start off by saying that the only reason that this review is two days late is because I haven't had internet that last few days. But that is neither here nor there.

I love this book. I say that a lot and it's always true when I say it but in this case I have to say that I liked this book even more than the first one. For those of you who don't know, Where She Went is the sequel to If I Stay which I really liked. Far more than I liked The Fault in Our Stars which a lot of people might try to compare it to. Having said that I find that I like this book even more. And it's not just because we get to see the other perspective. I think it is because I could relate to this story a lot more.

Though it still ties back into the events of the first book as that does heavily influence many of the characters, there is something more to be said of this book and the struggle that we witness. It is about someone who is trying to figure out their life while everyone else around them is telling them that it has to be a certain way. And in a very clear way it also says that no one can tell you what your life should be or how you should live it. Only you can decide that. And really, your life isn't worth living until you make the choice for yourself.



View all my reviews

Review: If I Stay

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I will start off by saying that this book did not make me cry. I cam really close, but I did not actively cry. I already know that a lot of people are going to be comparing this to The Fault in Our Stars, but honestly, I liked this book a lot better. I love the character Mia and I love the way that her story is told. I love that you see these glimpses of her life and that it isn't simple. She could live or die and the decision is up in the air the whole time. I know what I wanted her to pick, but it was never clear which she would. It all depended on a single moment that was being built up towards and that we just had to wait and see which choice would be made.

Now, I do not want to spoil the book for anyone because I do highly recommend it, but I do want to say that my favorite parts of the book involve two very important conversations in her decision making process. Though I do not think it is very fair to call them conversations since she can only listen while these people sit so close and yet so far away. It is her grandfather and her boyfriend Adam, who I believe are the most influential in motivating her. Their hands guide her. They love her and they do for her what she cannot seem to do for herself.

This story is truly beautiful. It might make you cry and it might not, but I don't think it matters either way. Really, the thing that matters is the sad and beautiful reality of it. This book makes you want to take a step back and look at life. Look at those moments which seem so inconsequential and yet so pivotal at the same time. Our lives can change in a moment. And we have to choose what path it is we take. That is what I see this book showing the most of all and it makes me love it that much more.



View all my reviews