If I Stay / Where She Went

Over the summer I managed to get my dad to buy me 'If I Stay' and 'Where She Went' by Gayle Forman and I managed to read them both over about two days. They were quite short books with about 200 pages each but the story just wraps its hands around you and doesn't let go so you end up just reading them in one sitting. 

'If I Stay'  

"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."

The first book was brilliant, the author managed to mix detailed flashbacks with the occurrences happening at  the current time without making a wishy-washy storyline like some others have, she made it detailed with out over picking things and showed the emotions of the other characters without making the story too confusing. She describe the gore of the car accident without making it vile for the reader to read and didn't leave in information that wasn't needed. It was beautifully written with characters that didn't seem like a dream. 

Yes, the relationship between Mia and Adam is a bit cliche but we all love a bit of a cliche really, right? And nothing is really original so why not use a cliche as a component to a heavy storyline? The storyline would have been to much in my opinion and she didn't abuse the cliche it was just there, adding a happier emotion to the weight of the situation. This is a must read, it makes you laugh (slightly), smile and cry. It holds your attention unlike other books I have read  and pulls your heart strings without pulling them off completely. 

But oh, the cliffhanger. This book contains a huge cliffhanger that kills you, even if you do have the next book waiting expectantly next to you. My one piece of advice when reading these books is to buy them together. The wait between finishing the first and starting the second will kill you.

Although I love it, I do have one piece of annoyance when it comes to this book. The cover. I know that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover but all of the recent redesigns of it has made it look a bit naff to be honest. I have put the first cover here just to make it look truly amazing (like it is).

'Where She Went' 

"Picking up several years after the dramatic conclusion of If I Stay, Where She Went continues the story of Adam and Mia, from Adam's point of view. Ever since Mia's decision to stay - but not with him - Adam's career has been on a wonderful trajectory. His album, borne from the anguish and pain of their breakup, has made him a bona fide star. And Mia herself has become a top-rate cellist, playing in some of the finest venues in the world. When their respective paths put them both in New York City at the same time, the result is a single night in which the two reunite - with wholly satisfying results."

'Where She Went' wasn't as breath taking as the first but it was still amazing. It starts off a bit 'eh' and slow going but once you power through that then it starts to get interesting.

Like the first book, it managed to fill you in with the past without sounding like a mess, it conveyed their emotions and feelings without making it sound boring and confusing and filled you in on everything after that massive cliffhanger without being too in the past. I liked this book because you got to see Adam's point of view instead of Mia's and it wasn't just the same as the first but with a new story line. I think this book is compulsory if you have read the first one you have to read the first one to understand the second.

Submarine

Remember ages ago when I was reading Submarine? Yeah well me neither but I thought I would do the review now anyway. 

"Meet Oliver Tate, 15. Convinced that his father is depressed ("Depression comes in bouts. Like boxing. Dad is in the blue corner") and his mother is having an affair with her capoeira teacher, "a hippy-looking twonk", he embarks on a hilariously misguided campaign to bring the family back together. Meanwhile, he is also trying to lose his virginity - before he turns sixteen - to his pyromaniac girlfriend Jordana. Will Oliver succeed in either aim? Submerge yourself in Submarine and find out..."

This book is hilarious, I may have only laughed out loud a few times but most it was read with a grin slapped on my face. Although, I couldn't help but cringe at the very clearly described sexual parts but its the sort of thing you take in your stride as you read something as intriguing as this. The story was odd, which was a factor I enjoyed (who wants a boring story) and the characters even odder which made me really like them, however I don't think a real life connection would happen. I wouldn't describe it as the best I've ever read but it is definitely very high up there. 

AND I have a shock for you all, I think the film was actually better than the book. It is very often said but I believe that in this case it is. I can't put my finger on why but it just is. The storyline in the film is similar but after both reading and watching 'Submarine' I wouldn't say they were the same. 'Inspired by' would be the phrase I think, but the film has shredded some of the original weirdness that the book held which has, in turn, changed the details of the story slightly and, if I was at gun point, I think that is what I would say has made the film better. Don't get me wrong though, I love the weirdness of the book and it is what makes the book 'Submarine' rather than just another book on a bookshelf.

I highly recommend you read this book at some point your life.

em,

Submarine (book)

I am currently halfway through this magical, hilarious adventure and I am impressed to say the least. I am on page 213 out of 290 and it is sooo hard to put down, I have found myself having 1-2 hour sessions of reading and then having to forcably keep myself away from it so I can do other things. I think the reason the book is so addictive is because of the frank speech, the relatable thoughts and a storyline which most people have had experience with but with added hilarity. I love the fact that it doesn't have an opening as such but just begins the story and explains on the way, it also doesn't give much detail on the appearance Oliver Tate so it let's you create an image in your mind, making the story even more relatable and easy to visualize. The intelligent words used, while increasing your own intelligence, catches you as a reader due to the fact it adds a twist on the character, a type of peculiar personally trait which everyone has but tend not to show. I would, so far, rate this novel a strong 5/5 but it may change as I reach the end. When I do finish it I shall update this post with my overall thoughts and how it compares to the film. (Blame the book for my lack of activity)

em,

If I Stay

This is a film I am really looking forward to seeing. The reason for this is not just because I love Chloë Grace Mortez but because the book is one I have been dying to read for a long time and the trailer had me in tears. The storyline is also good since its not been an abused one.

The book was released in 2009 and is written by Gayle Foreman, an American author.

"17-year-old Mia deals with the aftermath of a catastrophic car accident involving her family. In a coma, Mia has an out-of-body experience, and watches as friends and family gather at the hospital where she is being treated. Mia watches as her memories flash before her eyes as she comes to realize that she must decide if she is to wake up and lead a life far more difficult than she ever anticipated, or to slip away and die."

The reason I am so interested in the book is because its from the point of view of the person in a coma rather than those who are affected which is a more common storyline. The film has the same storyline and is said to be released on August the 22nd but I'm not sure if this is the American release date or not. Chloe Grace Mortez is accompanied by Mireille Enos, Lauren Lee Smith, Liana Liberato, Jamie Blackley and Aliyah O'Brien in this upcoming great.