Last Friday, as I was walking past a teen display in Barnes and Noble, chasing my daughters down the aisle to check out, I literally stuck my hand out and grabbed a paperback copy of Gayle Forman’s IF I STAY. The name sounded familiar, but more than anything, the hauntingly beautiful cover mesmerized me. After getting the girls buckled in, I flipped the book over to read the back synopsis and couldn’t wait to read this gem of a lucky find.
IF I STAY follows a day in the life of seventeen-year-old Mia, but it is a pretty significant one. It is the story about a girl who has a beautiful family, amazing rocker-boyfriend, snarky best friend and a promising future, and how it all can change in a single moment.
The story draws you in from the very beginning with possibly the best opening to a story ever:
Everyone thinks it was because of the snow. And in a way, I suppose that’s true.
And it never lets up. In fact, there are no clear chapters in the book; rather a ticking clock and memories separate the story into sizable chunks. We live a day in Mia’s shoes as she comes to grips with the horrible accident that steals away her family and is faced with a life or death decision beyond her years.
I could not put this book down. In fact, I read it through two football games! There was so much to love about it. The poetic prose searing images and word pictures into my mind. The carefully created family relationships radiating love and acceptance. The variety of music underscoring the story and becoming a character in itself.
I totally respect Forman for not shying away from the tough questions or shocking parts of a tragedy like the one Mia experiences. In fact, throughout the book, she raises interesting questions for both Mia and the reader: What defines a family? When faced with two unthinkable choices, how do you choose? What are you willing to sacrifice for your loved ones? and What inspires you?
While this book pays homage to the bonds of family and friends and their profound influence on us, it is also a tribute to the affect music has on our souls. Mia is a cello player, raised by rockers, dating a punk. While they clearly all have different musical tastes, the characters are united in their passion for music. The resulting effect on the reader is you walk away with a greater appreciation for the musical styles showcased and somehow feel as though you experienced a concert along the way.
All these bits and pieces add up to a beautiful book, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the romance. The relationship between Mia and Adam was a breath of fresh air. A realistic portrayal of a teenage couple, who have problems, seem incompatible, and are moving in different directions, yet manage to focus on what brought them together to begin with–their passion for music and each other. Reading Adam’s anguish over Mia’s condition was heartbreaking, but I smiled through the tears. I swooned during the flashback scenes, showing them fall in love, and I cheered at the end when Adam found the one thing that truly spoke to Mia’s soul and brought her back to him.
I highly recommend picking up this book if you haven’t yet. The paperback copy I purchased comes with author information, discussion guide, a Behind the Music special segment, and Author Q&A. I am also EXTREMELY excited about the sequel to this beautiful story, WHERE SHE WENT, which is told from Adam’s POV. It doesn’t come out until April, 2011, but it is already available for pre-order at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
