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Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
published by Harper Collins
Genre: YA
407 pages
What it's about:
What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?
Samantha Kingston has it all—looks, popularity, the perfect boyfriend. Friday, February 12th should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it’s her last. The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. In fact, she re-lives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she had ever imagined.
Why I gave up:
I read the first chapter (so in other words, the first 82 pages. Longest chapters ever!) and I noticed I did not like Sam at all. I couldn't stand her character. She was bitchy, whiny, and overall unlikeable.
Then there was the last page of the first chapter. It preached at me. That is a giant no-no to me. I do not like to be preached at and it was even weirder that the book directly talked to the reader. That's rule number one in writing (especially in essays) that you do not directly ask the reader questions. It's just awkward.
So I decided to give up. I really didn't care what happened to Sam in the 7 times she repeated her last day. Her character wasn't one I could relate to and one I didn't particularly like as well. Kind of disappointing cause this book was so hyped up.
This is not the first time I heard this... Funny, cause that's exactly how my friend described the character as well! Sorry to hear it wasn't to your liking. The book WAS very hyped up. :/
ReplyDeleteAw, bummer. Though from the reviews I've read, apparently her character grows and improves throughout the book as she becomes a better person. But I am not a fan of preachiness either.
ReplyDeleteI had read many positive reviews on this book, and decided to give it a try. I started reading it, and I wasn't really enjoying it. Once I put it down, I had no desire to pick it back up. I think I made it to about 50 or 60 pages. I used to be the type pf person that had to finish any book I started, but have decided that there are way too many books that I want to read, to waste time reading a book that I am not enjoying.
ReplyDeleteI had a wide range of emotions while reading this book. I hated Sam at first, but slowly warmed up to her as she started to realize her mistakes. It was a really interesting experience that I never had with a book before. It made my favorite books post from last year.
ReplyDeleteI keep telling myself to just give up on YA but I go back. I have this one my Wishlist but more and more I just don't think I will enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the honest review.
I agree. I read this whole book (I always feel guilty putting a book down. I've only done it a few times) but I found Sam really hard to sympathize with. And it just felt really repetitive. I still love Lauren Oliver as an author! Just not this book. :/
ReplyDeleteMy students tell me that they love this book but iuhave yet to read it. But I understand about having to make priorities with one's reading choices.
ReplyDelete