Hello, boys and girls. Hannah Baker here. Live and in stereo.
I don’t believe it.
No return engagements. No encore. And this time, absolutely no requests.
No, I can’t believe it. Hannah Baker killed herself. I hope you’re ready, because I’m about to tell you the story of my life. More specifically, why my life ended. And if you’re listening to these tapes, you’re one of the reasons why.
What? No!
I’m not saying which tape bring you into the story. But fear not, if you received this lovely little box, your name will pop up...I promise.
Now, why would the dead girl lie?
Hey! That sounds like a joke. Why would a dead girl lie?
Answer: Because she can’t stand up.
Is this some kind of twisted suicide note?
Go ahead. Laugh.
Oh well. I thought it was funny.
Before Hannah died, she recorded a bunch of tapes. Why?
The rules are pretty simple. There are only two. Rule number one: You listen. Number Two: You pass it on. Hopefully, neither one will be easy for you.
A death is always devastating, but what if you were the reason behind that death?
Clay Jensen lives a normal teenage life, Hannah Baker commited suicide and no one knows why. When you put these two stories together what do you get? A box filled with tapes in Clay’s front door. Hannah isn’t coming back, and she’s here to explain her story. Mostly why her story ended. As Clay listens, he will find out his school’s deepest and darkest secrets, he will know everything and he will know why. Read and find out the devastating story of Hannah Baker.
This book is beautifully tragic; it’s a page turner and it carries an amazing message. Also, I loved the fact that it was a two person narrative. I could see the story through Hannah’s tapes and I could see Clay’s reaction and it was truly amazing how Asher managed to do that. This was a great book; one of my favorites. I recommend it to anyone who just wants a good read.
Praise For Thirteen Reasons Why:
“Thirteen Reasons Why, Jay Asher’s first novel, is eerie, beautiful and devastating.” -Chicago Tribune “A stealthy hit with staying power...thriller like pacing.” -New York Times
“Heavy but compelling... Asher’s novel asks us to look at how petty cruelty can deal crushing blows.” -Miami Herald
“It is a brilliant debut that will leave readers feeling a sense of remorse for Hannah, guilt for Clay, and hope for the lasting lesson of the story.” -Bookazine
What Readers Are Saying About Thirteen Reasons Why:
“THIRTEEN REASONS WHY WAS A BOOK THAT I COULDNT PUT DOWN AFTER JUST READING THE FIRST PAGE, HELD ME IN PERFECT SUSPENSE AND ALLOWED ME TO LOOK AT MYSELF. THANK U JAY ASHER” — KIRSTY“The truth is that this book saved my life. It gave me the hope I needed to get where I am today. Thank you so much. For everything.” —ANONYMOUS
If you like Thirteen Reasons Why you might also want to take a look at:
1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
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| the perks of being a wallflower |
This is the story of what it's like to grow up in high school. More intimate than a diary, Charlie's letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating. We may not know where he lives. We may not know to whom he is writing. All we know is the world he shares. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it puts him on a strange course through uncharted territory. The world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends.
2. If I Stay by Gayle Forman
In the blink of an eye everything changes. Seventeen year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall what happened afterwards, watching her own damaged body being taken from the wreck. Little by little she struggles to put together the pieces- to figure out what she has lost, what she has left, and the very difficult choice she must make. Heart wrenchingly beautiful, Mia's story will stay with you for a long, long time.
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| If I stay |
Dear Cristina,
ReplyDeleteI think I would like to read this book. For some reason, I prefer mysterious and depressing over other kinds. From the excerpt and from your opinion, the plot seems interesting and unique. Not many books are written from a boy's view of a girl's suicide through tapes. Though it seems tragic, I think it will only make the story more realistic. Thanks for recommending this book, I appreciate it!
~Sammy
Cristina,
ReplyDelete13 Reasons Why has actually been on my list of books to read for about a year now, but I wasn’t so sure that I wanted to read another book about death after finishing The Lovely Bones (it would make me depressed :(). However, your recommendation really intrigued me to read it. Both the quote you chose and the summary you gave left me on an extreme-cliff hanger. It was also great that you wrote about how the story is from two different perspectives because that gives another extra twist to any book—especially one about death like 13 Reasons Why. Also the reviews/praise that you included were helpful and touching—“The truth is that this book saved my life. It gave me the hope I needed to get where I am today. Thank you so much. For everything.”
13 Reasons Why really made an impact in some people’s lives, so the next time I stop at the bookstore, I’ll be sure to pick it up!
~Karen J :)
P.S. The use of 13 in the title is cool and creepy at the same time…
Cristina,
ReplyDeleteI have heard about this book and even have it at home, but I have never actually read it. I thought you did a really good job of summarizing the book's plot. You described the story well, without giving too much away. Even though I don't usually like to read sad stories, 13 Reason's Why seems like a really intersting book. Also I think it was a good idea to include the praise that the book recieved in your recommendation. Overall, 13 Reasons Why seems like a great story, and I can't wait to read it over the summer.
-Liana :)
Dear Christina,
ReplyDeleteYou were extrememly detailed and used multiple quotes from others about this novel. I really like how you explained your thinking on this book. Your book recommendation was, so good, you convinced me to read the novel.
-Melissa C.
I heard you and other people talking about this book and I think your excerpt helped me understand why; I like the way "beautifully tragic" sounds but it seems to describe the book well. The secrets of the school, it makes me wonder, did she do it because of bullying or other personal reasons? Your recommendation is good and makes me want to know the truth about her death and why she decided to leave these tapes, was it to express herself, reveal some hidden truth or to punish those that practically left her with no other options; to escape the horrors she faced every day or continue to suffer under the harsh pains that a troubled school life can leave you with.
ReplyDelete