Thursday, September 25, 2014

Review: If I Stay movie and book and Where She Went by Gayle Forman

If I Stay (If I Stay, #1)  If I Stay (If I Stay, #1) Wanted to add the movie tie-in edition not only because that is what I read, but it is powerful summary of the book/movie in my opinion.

 If I Stay Gayle Forman
Just listen, Adam says with a voice that sounds like shrapnel.
I open my eyes wide now.
I sit up as much as I can.
And I listen.
Stay, he says.
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.
If I Stay is a heartachingly beautiful book about the power of love, the true meaning of family, and the choices we all make.

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Publishes in US: April 2nd 2009 by Dutton Juvenile
Genre: YA contemp
Source: bought
Series? If I Stay #1

Buy it: Amazon Barnes & Noble IndieBound Book Depository

Author stalk away: ~site ~twitter ~facebook ~blog

 

    Okay, so short and sweet, but not quite tweet. I read this book before I started blogging, so no review is already on my blog. This is a re-read but I think that I feel a lot of the same things. Yes, a few things may be colored because this is a re-read after I watched the movie. 

    Which, yes, I enjoyed the movie. I think that the casting was dead on, and I was emotional for the whole thing. I couldn't remember what detail the end of the book went into that the movie didn't but that is the one thing my mom complained about going into the movie without reading the book. 

   I loved the realistic nature of the relationship between Adam and Mia. They are both so in love with music and I think that the draw of seeing someone else your age just get it is believable and made me totally immerse into their relationship. Music, and the importance on their life wasn't watered down for them, the book explored so many issues that would have been sources of possible problems for teenagers in love. The fact that she wants to get into Julliard and Adam and his band are on the brink of something huge. 

   The emotions of Mia, having to make a choice, to stay without her mom, dad and brother, who were such a close family. They did life together, they were open and honest with each other. But most of all, they loved each other hard, no matter their differences. I don't know what I would have chosen in her place, and it was all powerful and beautifully written. 

Bottom Line: Emotional and powerful story about a girl with an impossible choice.


Where She Went (If I Stay, #2)
Where She Went by Gayle Foreman
It's been three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life.
And three years he's spent wondering why.
When their paths cross again in New York City, Adam and Mia are brought back together for one life-changing night.
Adam finally has the opportunity to ask Mia the questions that have been haunting him. But will a few hours in this magical city be enough to lay their past to rest, for good - or can you really have a second chance at first love?

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Publishes in US:  April 5th 2011 by Dutton Juvenile
Source: bought

Buy it: Amazon Barnes & Noble IndieBound Book Depository


    I don't know how I have gone this far and still not read the follow up. I think that I was afraid of it being from Adam's point of view because then I wasn't so used to the dual narrative and getting into the heads of our guy protagonist. But I have grown to love so much the second chance stories of love, especially first love. 

   I wasn't easy to be in his head because he was pretty messed up and that was apparent from the beginning. Stardom hasn't been as easy on him and he'd hoped. He is anxious and feels awkward and has an issue getting through one day much less facing down a 67 day tour. 

   It's obvious that this is a few years after the first book, but I just don't know what sort of decisions led him where he was and what became of Mia. The story is told like If I Stay, partly in the present and then flashbacks. It is interesting to get Adam's perspective for what drew him to Mia, what he thought about her more reserved nature. It was also heartbreaking to see him so messed up and wanting resolution to her disappearance without a word. 

    The night that they spent together reveals so much and it made my heart lighter and also hurt at different times in their talking. Its hard to see how both of them are dealing with the loss of her parents and Teddy as well as their relationship. It is neat to see them on their own  paths, following dreams and love of music. How the experience changes them both and little by little showing them what's important and worth fighting for. 

     There was a good bit in this one that I didn't think that I was going to get the ending that I wanted, but I think that the weighted conversations needed to be had and the pink elephant talked about. The tension was so well written but also painful and heavy. I knew the ending I wanted for them I just didn't know how I wanted for it to come about, but I think that this way resolved it in ways that the simpler path would have left too many avenues unexplored and issues swept under the rug.

    I enjoyed this and can't wait to see if they make this one into a sequel movie, I will surely read it because I loved Adam's character and how Mia grew and changed. 

Bottom Line: Raw, emotional, but conclusion I can be happy with even if a bit different than I imagined.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Could you stay alive without your whole immediately family or do you think you'd join them?

32 comments:

  1. Great reviews Brandi! It is good to see you enjoyed both the movie and the book!
    The second book looks good too. Interesting to get Adam's POV too. Lovely reviews!

    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

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  2. This does sound like a good emotional read and movie but I hate crying!!!

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  3. Everyone seems to love the movie and the book and I confess that I'm curious to try them as well.

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  4. Not a book or film I had heard of until now. Definitely two to keep a look out for. Thanks.


    http://pettywitter.blogspot.co.uk

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  5. I read these books on their release day. I think death was imminent waiting for Where She Went. Gayle sure knows how to torture her readers!

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  6. So I guess Mia survived the accident...

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  7. I've been meaning to read these before the movie (I'm waiting for the DVD, so I have time) a little bit intimidated though, but I think I'll hold off on them until I need a good cry, haha. Because there's no doubt there will be crying. :( Though, the second one sounds a whole lot more of angst than the first. And at least it ended the way you wanted (even if it wasn't the way you thought it would).
    In all honesty, I'd join them.

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  8. I've had these books for years and still haven't read them! I've heard they're wonderful. So glad you enjoyed both!

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  9. I was one of those few people who werent the biggest fans of If I Stay but nonetheless I read Where She Went and was completelg captivated.

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  10. I really need to read these two books. Every mentions how amazing If I Stay is, and the movie stars one of my favourite female actresses as the lead role! So I better pick it up soon. I didn't read your review of book 2 in fear of spoilers :) But from what I read of the first one, I could gather it really is an emotional story :)

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  11. I have heard mixed reviews for the movie so I really cannot wait to see it now. Seems good to me. Also I'm so happy that you've read the sequel. Great reviews, Brandi :)

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  12. I only read sequel after seeing the movie

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  13. Yes, very emotional! There are some spoilers but always that danger with sequels

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  14. Hope you love it. Have you seen Fault in our stars?

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  15. Hope you like it if you decide to read

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  16. I probably would join too, but maybe love for music and family left could persuade me

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  17. Its pretty popular in the YA genre a few years ago

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  18. I read book years ago, and that is how I like to go into movies, otherwise I am comparing too much

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  19. Heh. I don't actually cry very much but this and fault had my eyes a little misty.

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  20. Yes. being in Adam's head was a whole new experience

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  21. I really do want to see the movie. But I'm still going to try and wait and read the book first. I've had it sitting on my shelf for quite some time. I'm glad you enjoyed the movie and the second book!


    Great review!

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  22. Oh it seems like some very tough decisions had to be made, but I like that you say things didn't turn out exactly how you pictured, even while you were still happy with them. That means quite a lot. Great review :D Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.

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  23. Oooh, I can't wait to see the movie! I don't think it's on DVD yet? Will see it for sure when it'll be. So glad you loved the cast! :D

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  24. My best friend and I have been discussing reading these. I think I will bump them up the list but I will most likely watch the movie first otherwise I find myself struggling to engage with the movie. Great Review

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  25. This is one of the few book to movie translations that I want to see. From the previews it appears that they got it right.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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  26. I loved everything, the books and the movie. The movie wasn't genius but as far as ya adaptation goes, it's freaking gold. I loved both books too. At first I didn't love Where She Went but now, I feel like it has to be a sequel too. Plus when I saw it in the theaters everyone was groaning because they wanted more.

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  27. I haven't decided whether or not to read this one...I only read If I Stay because of the movie previews, and wanting to read the book before the movie. But then I enjoyed the book and the movie...and now I'm curious about what happened next. Thanks for sharing.

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  28. Oh, these books were a painful journey! I loved the movie, too, although I'm still not completely sold with the casting. The second book was even more painful than the first and I hated the situation. I was mad at Mia, but I'm happy things worked out. Great reviews, Brandi! :)

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