Still talking about our YA Extravaganza (Gayle Forman, Stephanie Perkins, Nina LaCour, and Jess Rothenberg) on April 18th and this time focusing on Gayle Forman's wonderful book, If I Stay
Mia is happy: she is a talented cellist who has just auditioned for Julliard, she is dating Adam, the lead singer in an up and coming band, and has a happy home life with supportive parents and an adorable kid brother. The only thing bothering her is whether to follow her musical dreams or stay closer to home to be with Adam.
But an unforeseen snowstorm leads to a snow day, a family trip to see friends, and a terrible accident. And while in a coma, she watches herself and those who come to visit - her family and friends, and of course Adam who goes to desperate measures to get in to see her.
Events taking place in the hospital are juxtaposed with flashbacks of Mia's life as she thinks about all she's lost (can she go on without them?) and all she has left (and what her leaving will mean to them). This heart-wrenching story is romantic yet uplifting, poignant yet never maudlin. It's a book about love, friendship, family and the choices we make. It is beautifully written and lingers well past the last page.
This gets high rating from practically everyone and I STILL haven't read it...it's the coma, I think. And the weeping I don't want to do. Am on the fence...