Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Hodder Paperbacks (2010), Paperback, 368 pages
Description
After she dies in a car crash, teenage Samantha relives the day of her death over and over again until, on the seventh day, she finally discovers a way to save herself.
Media reviews
School Library Journal
Although somewhat predictable, the plot drives forward and teens will want to see where Sam's choices lead.
User reviews
LibraryThing member lenoreva
First of all, I just have to say now I am stunned by how amazing this novel is. Definitely one for my all time favorites list.
In case you don't know the premise, it's a doozy: Popular high school senior Sam dies but then keeps coming back to relive the day of her death until she realizes she may
At the beginning, Sam was so unlikeable, I was terrified I wouldn't like the book, but I need not have worried. Sam probably experiences the most growth of any character I've ever encountered, and I love how chaos theory was so seamlessly integrated, giving the story an impressive depth and enough unpredictability to make it edge-of-your-seat, stay-up-all-night perfect.
This is one of those novels that you hold close to your chest after you're done and are just thankful that you had the chance to read it. Not only is it amazingly creative, but it also makes you want to be a better person.
I'm in love.
In case you don't know the premise, it's a doozy: Popular high school senior Sam dies but then keeps coming back to relive the day of her death until she realizes she may
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hold more power than she ever imagined. Small changes in her routine shuffle the cards and produce different outcomes while bigger changes give her fresh insight on her family, her friends, her classmates, and which boy she should have been kissing all along. At the beginning, Sam was so unlikeable, I was terrified I wouldn't like the book, but I need not have worried. Sam probably experiences the most growth of any character I've ever encountered, and I love how chaos theory was so seamlessly integrated, giving the story an impressive depth and enough unpredictability to make it edge-of-your-seat, stay-up-all-night perfect.
This is one of those novels that you hold close to your chest after you're done and are just thankful that you had the chance to read it. Not only is it amazingly creative, but it also makes you want to be a better person.
I'm in love.
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LibraryThing member jonilee73
before i fall by Lauren Oliver is a book that caught my attention right away while I was perusing the young adult section of my local Barnes and Noble about three months ago. The cover of the book just captivated me and I absolutely loved the title. before i fall is about a girl named Sam who has
This book is about secrets, It's about how things are rarely as they seem. I went away from this book with a sense of hope. I literally walked past a homeless person on the street and I wanted to help them. Not that I don't always feel bad, but I almost could feel the possibilities of how I could help them.
I would definately recommend this book. To anyone really. There are many lessons to be learned from it and it is so well written.
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it all, popular friends, a boyfriend she had crushed on for years, prime choice of lunch tables in the school cafeteris. Basically, any teenagers dream. Then, after one fateful night, her life ends in a terrible car crash. After her death, she finds herself reliving the day she died over and over again for week. Unsure of why she has been given this opportunity, Sam starts to change details about that day, hoping to avoid her fate. While playing out her last day over and over again, she realizes that one small detail can mean a lot in the long run.This book is about secrets, It's about how things are rarely as they seem. I went away from this book with a sense of hope. I literally walked past a homeless person on the street and I wanted to help them. Not that I don't always feel bad, but I almost could feel the possibilities of how I could help them.
I would definately recommend this book. To anyone really. There are many lessons to be learned from it and it is so well written.
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LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver is about the last day in the life of high school senior, Samantha Kingston. She gets to relive this last day over and over again until it works out the way it is supposed to. There were times when the teenage angst became a little too overpowering and I found myself
Was this last day repeating itself so that Sam would understand what was happening to her or is this a chance to change her fate. She changes little things every day, at first trying to change the outcome and later to simply be a better person. Although Sam is a member of the “it” girls, has a popular boyfriend and lives a seeming happy life, she needed to face the fact that she was just another “mean girl” who made life miserable for the social misfits and people less popular than she. I thought the character of Sam was both conceived and executed very well. Even though she changed considerably by the end of the book, she remained a believable character.
Overall this book serves as a message about bullying and how thoughtless actions can impact others in a very negative way. Writing the story from the popular girls point of view brought this story to vivid life and showed that even these girls have a depth of feeling and emotional insecurities that they need to work through. In the end I found Before I Fall to be a worthwhile read.
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wanting to throw the book across the room, but gradually the story took hold and by about the fifth repeat of her last day, I was hooked.Was this last day repeating itself so that Sam would understand what was happening to her or is this a chance to change her fate. She changes little things every day, at first trying to change the outcome and later to simply be a better person. Although Sam is a member of the “it” girls, has a popular boyfriend and lives a seeming happy life, she needed to face the fact that she was just another “mean girl” who made life miserable for the social misfits and people less popular than she. I thought the character of Sam was both conceived and executed very well. Even though she changed considerably by the end of the book, she remained a believable character.
Overall this book serves as a message about bullying and how thoughtless actions can impact others in a very negative way. Writing the story from the popular girls point of view brought this story to vivid life and showed that even these girls have a depth of feeling and emotional insecurities that they need to work through. In the end I found Before I Fall to be a worthwhile read.
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LibraryThing member sch_94
There are only so many books you'll read that'll make you stop and think deeply about your life, and this is definitely one of them. It started off as just another YA book about a girl pretending to be something (or someone) she's not, but it quickly changed from that into something deeper and more
This book makes you question the way you're living your life; it made me want to be a better person. It made me want to go hug everyone I love and tell them exactly how much they mean to me. I actually cried while reading, and that is one thing that I have NEVER experienced before.
Ms. Oliver did an amazing job here. I don't want to give too much away, but I will tell you this: we need more books like this in the world, and it is definitely worth the time and money. I recommend buying this book (because you WILL want to re-read it multiple times!), and if you don't want to pay full price, then check out the used copies on any bookstore website.
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profound. This book makes you question the way you're living your life; it made me want to be a better person. It made me want to go hug everyone I love and tell them exactly how much they mean to me. I actually cried while reading, and that is one thing that I have NEVER experienced before.
Ms. Oliver did an amazing job here. I don't want to give too much away, but I will tell you this: we need more books like this in the world, and it is definitely worth the time and money. I recommend buying this book (because you WILL want to re-read it multiple times!), and if you don't want to pay full price, then check out the used copies on any bookstore website.
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LibraryThing member stephxsu
Samantha Kingston is the girl you love to hate: she has popular friends, a good family, looks, the hot boyfriend. Then she dies in a car crash one night—only to wake up the next morning, to redo the day of her death over and over again. Each little decision she makes ends up having a bigger
It’s hard to believe that this is Lauren Oliver’s debut novel, that’s how excellent this book is. This 480-page novel is smoothly written, wonderfully developed, and never ever dull, enthralling all the way through.
From the first page, Lauren Oliver’s assured writing sucks you in and never once lets go. The transformation from writer to character is effortless: Samantha and all her friends are pitch-perfect teenagers, without any of the try-too-hard fakeness often exhibited by YA mean girls. Instead, every character has their good and bad points, and even though these girls may not necessarily be nice, we still are interested in them, and care for them, because they are just like us, or our neighbor, or our friend, or that girl in our class.
Each time Sam relives her last day, she gets to know different people differently, learns something new about herself. It says a LOT about Lauren’s writing skill that the book never gets dull. The pages fly by in smooth reading, and Sam’s development from mean girl to, well, not-so-mean girl is so subtle that you’ll find yourself falling for her and/or cheering for her even as she messes up or reveals unlikable aspects about her character.
Even if BEFORE I FALL is not action-packed, it’s full of such careful observations about teenage nature and our ability to change that it’s literary gold: you’ll treasure the first time you read through it, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to pick it up and read it again immediately after you finish it. It’s not often that a debut novelist instantly becomes one of my favorite authors (I usually give it two books before I call favorites), but Lauren Oliver’s incredible novel has made me a fan of hers for life. I’ll read anything she writes from now on, even if she chooses to write about zombie/werewolf mutants—because she has the power to make fiction real.
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effect on the day’s outcome than she could’ve imagined, however, and in the process Sam learns that it’s never too late to change…especially if it means she can save someone else’s life. It’s hard to believe that this is Lauren Oliver’s debut novel, that’s how excellent this book is. This 480-page novel is smoothly written, wonderfully developed, and never ever dull, enthralling all the way through.
From the first page, Lauren Oliver’s assured writing sucks you in and never once lets go. The transformation from writer to character is effortless: Samantha and all her friends are pitch-perfect teenagers, without any of the try-too-hard fakeness often exhibited by YA mean girls. Instead, every character has their good and bad points, and even though these girls may not necessarily be nice, we still are interested in them, and care for them, because they are just like us, or our neighbor, or our friend, or that girl in our class.
Each time Sam relives her last day, she gets to know different people differently, learns something new about herself. It says a LOT about Lauren’s writing skill that the book never gets dull. The pages fly by in smooth reading, and Sam’s development from mean girl to, well, not-so-mean girl is so subtle that you’ll find yourself falling for her and/or cheering for her even as she messes up or reveals unlikable aspects about her character.
Even if BEFORE I FALL is not action-packed, it’s full of such careful observations about teenage nature and our ability to change that it’s literary gold: you’ll treasure the first time you read through it, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to pick it up and read it again immediately after you finish it. It’s not often that a debut novelist instantly becomes one of my favorite authors (I usually give it two books before I call favorites), but Lauren Oliver’s incredible novel has made me a fan of hers for life. I’ll read anything she writes from now on, even if she chooses to write about zombie/werewolf mutants—because she has the power to make fiction real.
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LibraryThing member 2chances
I admit it: I was surprised by this one. I was surprised it was so thick - it's a YA novel. I was surprised that I grew to love its slightly unpleasant narrator. I was surprised that, even though its plot was basically Groundhog Day, it was clever, unpredictable, poignant, bittersweet, in ways that
I was surprised that I skived off a whole day reading it from beginning to end. I was REALLY surprised that I even skipped my lunch.
I was surprised at how Sam - the 18 year old who dies every day for a week, and comes back to repeat her day, trying to figure things out and make things be right - changed, deepened and grew. And I think I was most surprised at how, as Sam changed, her friends and enemies, family and teachers changed with her.
Lauren Oliver has written a very strong YA novel with Before I Fall. It has terrific pacing - I didn't skip to the end as I almost always do, especially with such a lengthy novel - and better than all that, it has the most sincere and warm heart of anything I've read this month.
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Groundhog Day never achieved.I was surprised that I skived off a whole day reading it from beginning to end. I was REALLY surprised that I even skipped my lunch.
I was surprised at how Sam - the 18 year old who dies every day for a week, and comes back to repeat her day, trying to figure things out and make things be right - changed, deepened and grew. And I think I was most surprised at how, as Sam changed, her friends and enemies, family and teachers changed with her.
Lauren Oliver has written a very strong YA novel with Before I Fall. It has terrific pacing - I didn't skip to the end as I almost always do, especially with such a lengthy novel - and better than all that, it has the most sincere and warm heart of anything I've read this month.
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LibraryThing member zibilee
Sam Kingston is one of the popular girls. The kind of girl that is idolized by her peers and can get away with just about anything. In her close social circle are Lindsay the queen-bee, Elody the fast and loose girl, and Ally the not so bright one. As Sam and her friends plow their way to the top
This book was our July choice for the Books, Babes, and Bordeaux book club, but it’s not like I needed that excuse to read it, because frankly, it’s been on my radar since I read the first rave review several months ago. And while I usually eschew books that have been hyped, something about this one had me eager to read it and see what I made of it for myself. Though I’m probably the last person on the planet to have read this one, I’m glad I finally did, because it blew my socks off. It was a clever read to spend an afternoon with, and I finished it in one sitting. Now I’m officially wondering why I always insist on being the last to the party when it comes to books like this?
Sam and her friends are mean girls, there are no two ways about it. In a school full of prosperous students, these girls are at the top: wealthy, exclusive and snotty. While I was reading, I was mentally traversing the miles back to when I was in high school and remembering what it felt like to be caught up in the bizarre social intricacies that my kids are a part of now. I kind of wanted to smack Sam and her friends a lot of the time. They seemed to be unendingly shallow and narcissistic, and though I imagine it would have been nice to be on top of the world when I was seventeen, these four girls made me a little sick. I suppose that in a world full of designer boots and keg parties someone has to emerge as the alpha dog set, but reading about how Sam and her friends did that made me more than a little sad and angry. As Sam repeatedly teeters on the precipice of a day that will change her future forever, she somehow begins to register that the things she and her friends have been doing for so long might just be wrong.
One of the things I liked about this book was the fact that it was so realistic. I know it’s been many moons since I was in high school, but with two kids who are there now, you do hear things about what it’s like to be a teenager in today’s society. Drinking, sex, drugs and status are all beating about this story in a heady mixture, and the complex act of balancing them all, coupled with the popularity factor, was interesting to read about. Lauren Oliver understands teenagers quite well, and that fact is reflected in her writing. The social hierarchy of high school is represented unflinchingly here, and it all felt so real that it was hard not to get caught up in. Moving around from circle to circle as Sam tries to figure out what’s going on, the reader gets a peek at almost every social group in the school and how they impact each other. There is, of course, a romantic component to this book as well, and it was created with just enough longing, lust and romance to be both relevant and moving. In this stifling world of social pressure, Sam and her friends are at center stage, and the things they do, not only to those on the outside but to each other, are not only intense but very shortsighted.
I’m kind of hard pressed to say why this book worked so well for me. Obviously the plot had a lot to do with it, but I also think that the sense of urgency in which the book was written, along with the peek it gave into the random social workings of a group of high-schoolers was a big draw. Though Sam is desperately trying to turn back the hands of time or learn the secret that will change her fate, she ends up discovering so much more along the way. Like the fact that all the people she and her friends bully are real people, with real feelings, and the fact that the friends whom she so idolizes are not exactly who she thinks they are. There are some tough issues addressed in this book. Eating disorders, suicide, mental illness and promiscuity are just a few that I can mention, but there are many more issues that push the envelope in this narrative. It’s a complex book that doesn’t dumb down for it’s audience, and the effect is a feeling of timelessness and relevance. It also presents an object lesson but doesn't do it in a preachy or smarmy way; instead the book gives a simple and intelligent cautionary tale.
Though I’m the last on the bandwagon with this book, I will go ahead and echo what others have already said: Go get this book, now! It’s a brilliant piece of social commentary housed within a story that you won’t be able to look away from, and Oliver succeeds beautifully in creating the type of book that not only works for the YA audience, but for the adult set as well. A great crossover read that’s both intense and thought-provoking. Highly recommended!
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of the the social strata of Thomas Jefferson High, everyone else needs to make way. But today will be a day like no other, because today, Sam will die. This is just the beginning of the story, because although Sam is dead, she seems to be reliving her last day over and over again. As Sam navigates her way through that last fateful day time and again, she works on several different ways to circumvent the accident that will take her life and comes to discover just what life is like for the people who orbit her little cruel little clique. A clever textual cross between Groundhog Day and Mean Girls, Before I Fall is the story of the endless permutations of fate and one girl who will try to defy them all.This book was our July choice for the Books, Babes, and Bordeaux book club, but it’s not like I needed that excuse to read it, because frankly, it’s been on my radar since I read the first rave review several months ago. And while I usually eschew books that have been hyped, something about this one had me eager to read it and see what I made of it for myself. Though I’m probably the last person on the planet to have read this one, I’m glad I finally did, because it blew my socks off. It was a clever read to spend an afternoon with, and I finished it in one sitting. Now I’m officially wondering why I always insist on being the last to the party when it comes to books like this?
Sam and her friends are mean girls, there are no two ways about it. In a school full of prosperous students, these girls are at the top: wealthy, exclusive and snotty. While I was reading, I was mentally traversing the miles back to when I was in high school and remembering what it felt like to be caught up in the bizarre social intricacies that my kids are a part of now. I kind of wanted to smack Sam and her friends a lot of the time. They seemed to be unendingly shallow and narcissistic, and though I imagine it would have been nice to be on top of the world when I was seventeen, these four girls made me a little sick. I suppose that in a world full of designer boots and keg parties someone has to emerge as the alpha dog set, but reading about how Sam and her friends did that made me more than a little sad and angry. As Sam repeatedly teeters on the precipice of a day that will change her future forever, she somehow begins to register that the things she and her friends have been doing for so long might just be wrong.
One of the things I liked about this book was the fact that it was so realistic. I know it’s been many moons since I was in high school, but with two kids who are there now, you do hear things about what it’s like to be a teenager in today’s society. Drinking, sex, drugs and status are all beating about this story in a heady mixture, and the complex act of balancing them all, coupled with the popularity factor, was interesting to read about. Lauren Oliver understands teenagers quite well, and that fact is reflected in her writing. The social hierarchy of high school is represented unflinchingly here, and it all felt so real that it was hard not to get caught up in. Moving around from circle to circle as Sam tries to figure out what’s going on, the reader gets a peek at almost every social group in the school and how they impact each other. There is, of course, a romantic component to this book as well, and it was created with just enough longing, lust and romance to be both relevant and moving. In this stifling world of social pressure, Sam and her friends are at center stage, and the things they do, not only to those on the outside but to each other, are not only intense but very shortsighted.
I’m kind of hard pressed to say why this book worked so well for me. Obviously the plot had a lot to do with it, but I also think that the sense of urgency in which the book was written, along with the peek it gave into the random social workings of a group of high-schoolers was a big draw. Though Sam is desperately trying to turn back the hands of time or learn the secret that will change her fate, she ends up discovering so much more along the way. Like the fact that all the people she and her friends bully are real people, with real feelings, and the fact that the friends whom she so idolizes are not exactly who she thinks they are. There are some tough issues addressed in this book. Eating disorders, suicide, mental illness and promiscuity are just a few that I can mention, but there are many more issues that push the envelope in this narrative. It’s a complex book that doesn’t dumb down for it’s audience, and the effect is a feeling of timelessness and relevance. It also presents an object lesson but doesn't do it in a preachy or smarmy way; instead the book gives a simple and intelligent cautionary tale.
Though I’m the last on the bandwagon with this book, I will go ahead and echo what others have already said: Go get this book, now! It’s a brilliant piece of social commentary housed within a story that you won’t be able to look away from, and Oliver succeeds beautifully in creating the type of book that not only works for the YA audience, but for the adult set as well. A great crossover read that’s both intense and thought-provoking. Highly recommended!
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LibraryThing member brainlair
fter she dies in a car crash, teenage Samantha relives the day of her death over and over again until, on the seventh day, she finally discovers a way to save herself.
On the surface, you know what this book is about. Girl dies, girl comes back, girl tries to redeem herself. Repeat. 7 times. But,
In the beginning though, I disliked Samantha. Intensely. "There's always going to be a person laughing and somebody getting laughed at." WHAT? But I kept reading because I know redemption has to be coming, right? And there's more beautiful writing..."little wisps rising like phantoms in the air" to describe cigarette smoke. Describing sunshine as "the sun has just spilled itself over...and is too lazy to clean itself up."
But then there's Rob. Sam's boyfriend. He's an obvious idiot and you wonder why she likes him so much. Then we find out. We take a look at all of Sam's friends. And the people who should be her friends. And we learn so much about each one.
This is one of few books that uses all 480 pages to it's advantage. I thought it about it even when I was done reading. I'm still trying to decide who to hand it to next.
On the surface, you know what this book is about. Girl dies, girl comes back, girl tries to redeem herself. Repeat. 7 times. But,
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really that's not it. At first, Sam does try to prevent her death from happening again. I mean, who wouldn't? But, that's not the right answer for her. So she decides to spend her days trying to find the right answer. I loved many things about this book. In Before I Fall, Lauren Oliver writes some beautiful sentences that paint gorgeous mind pictures. She tells a great story, too!In the beginning though, I disliked Samantha. Intensely. "There's always going to be a person laughing and somebody getting laughed at." WHAT? But I kept reading because I know redemption has to be coming, right? And there's more beautiful writing..."little wisps rising like phantoms in the air" to describe cigarette smoke. Describing sunshine as "the sun has just spilled itself over...and is too lazy to clean itself up."
But then there's Rob. Sam's boyfriend. He's an obvious idiot and you wonder why she likes him so much. Then we find out. We take a look at all of Sam's friends. And the people who should be her friends. And we learn so much about each one.
This is one of few books that uses all 480 pages to it's advantage. I thought it about it even when I was done reading. I'm still trying to decide who to hand it to next.
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LibraryThing member bookaholicmom
What would you do if you could relive the last day of your life over? That is what happens to Sam in Before I Fall. Sam and her friends are the popular girls in their school. They are not exactly the nicest of girls. They do not care who they step on to elevate themselves up the popularity ladder
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in school. The book opens on February 12Th which is Cupid Day at their school. A day when flowers are passed out in classes bought by friends and admirers. The more popular you are, the more flowers you receive. Sam and her friends pull some pretty hurtful hi jinks on Cupid Day. These girls are emotional bullies. Sam is also involved with Rob who is also bad news. This day happens to be Sam's last due to a tragic accident after leaving a party that night. The next day Sam awakens again only to relive the whole day over. She soon learns that by changing her actions the outcome of the day changes. I really had a strong dislike for Sam in the beginning of the book. By the end I mostly felt sorry for her. Reading this book was like being on an emotional roller coaster. It takes Sam reliving quite a few days to figure out what it is she needs to do. This book is interesting as it does make one think about how their actions do affect others. Even the smallest thing can affect someone else in a big way. Show Less
LibraryThing member YAaddict
Wow. Just . . .Wow. I am still in awe.
I was a little skeptical about this book. I shouldn't have, because I have heard from many other book bloggers I trust that this book was amazing. But the whole idea of the main character reliving the same day over and over scared me. I thought I would get
In the beginning I didn't think I would click with Sam. She is...well, a bitch. She is one of those girls you can't stand. Sam and her friends are just plain mean. They will step on anybody if it means staying at the top. But it doesn't take long to see the human in them. They obviously have their own demons they are battling. I loved how once Sam started seeing what was important in life, she started changing her ways. She started seeing people in a whole new light. But she still didn't dump the friends that she had. She saw their flaws, but also their qualities. What was awesome about the characters was that they all play important roles. It wasn't just the main character and her trusty sidekick. Sam's friends were real and vivid. They each had their own story to add to the mix.
I loved, loved, loved Kent. What a fantastic guy. Who could not love Kent? He is funny, loyal, sweet, charming, goofy and just awesome. I would have liked to see a little more of the friendship Kent and Sam had before she became popular, just because I wanted more Kent. I craved Kent scenes like Christopher Walken craves cowbell.
Oliver did a fantastic job capturing the life of a teen. Nothing bugs me more then when an author "cleans up" some scenes to make them more parent friendly. But the party scenes and the school scenes and the were so realistic. The plot was complex and compelling, not boring in the least. It was a real emotional roller coaster. I cried and laughed along with Sam.
Before I Fall was one of the best, if not the best debut novel I have read. I want many more books from Lauren Oliver. Any fan of YA fiction will enjoy this one.
I was a little skeptical about this book. I shouldn't have, because I have heard from many other book bloggers I trust that this book was amazing. But the whole idea of the main character reliving the same day over and over scared me. I thought I would get
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bored. I have never been so wrong. This was one of those stories that made everything else fade away. The real world didn't exist. For a day I was entirely sucked into this world.In the beginning I didn't think I would click with Sam. She is...well, a bitch. She is one of those girls you can't stand. Sam and her friends are just plain mean. They will step on anybody if it means staying at the top. But it doesn't take long to see the human in them. They obviously have their own demons they are battling. I loved how once Sam started seeing what was important in life, she started changing her ways. She started seeing people in a whole new light. But she still didn't dump the friends that she had. She saw their flaws, but also their qualities. What was awesome about the characters was that they all play important roles. It wasn't just the main character and her trusty sidekick. Sam's friends were real and vivid. They each had their own story to add to the mix.
I loved, loved, loved Kent. What a fantastic guy. Who could not love Kent? He is funny, loyal, sweet, charming, goofy and just awesome. I would have liked to see a little more of the friendship Kent and Sam had before she became popular, just because I wanted more Kent. I craved Kent scenes like Christopher Walken craves cowbell.
Oliver did a fantastic job capturing the life of a teen. Nothing bugs me more then when an author "cleans up" some scenes to make them more parent friendly. But the party scenes and the school scenes and the were so realistic. The plot was complex and compelling, not boring in the least. It was a real emotional roller coaster. I cried and laughed along with Sam.
Before I Fall was one of the best, if not the best debut novel I have read. I want many more books from Lauren Oliver. Any fan of YA fiction will enjoy this one.
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LibraryThing member lg4154
I received my copy thru the First Look club and really enjoyed this book. I do not want to give away too much of this book, you just need to read it for yourself. Amazing characters and a very unique plot, you can sure bet I will be looking for this author’s next book!
LibraryThing member Ziaria
This book took me on a whirlwind of emotions. From sadness of loss, to hate, to being disgusted by peoples actions, to wondering why people act the way they do, to understanding, happiness, the list goes on. By the time the book was done I was surprised by the emotional toll the book had taken on
Before I Fall touched on some serious topics that take place in our youths lives. It might have over exaggerated a bit but I know all the topics exists in high school regardless of the scale. Bullying, popularity, sex, drugs, alcohol, drunk driving. All of these things had a role in this book and every single one of them a serious issue that should be talked about.
Sam and her friends made me hate them yet oddly enough I understood them. I really wanted to just hate them to be honest, but part of me just couldn't. I saw flaws in each of them but I also saw redemption in all of them.
Following Sam's last 7 days became an addiction. The more I read the more I had to read. I had to know what happened next. I had to know how the story played out. I had to know how it ended.
This book, simply put, was amazing! I am so glad I got the opportunity to read it. I would highly recommend it. (B&N First Look Book Club)
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me.Before I Fall touched on some serious topics that take place in our youths lives. It might have over exaggerated a bit but I know all the topics exists in high school regardless of the scale. Bullying, popularity, sex, drugs, alcohol, drunk driving. All of these things had a role in this book and every single one of them a serious issue that should be talked about.
Sam and her friends made me hate them yet oddly enough I understood them. I really wanted to just hate them to be honest, but part of me just couldn't. I saw flaws in each of them but I also saw redemption in all of them.
Following Sam's last 7 days became an addiction. The more I read the more I had to read. I had to know what happened next. I had to know how the story played out. I had to know how it ended.
This book, simply put, was amazing! I am so glad I got the opportunity to read it. I would highly recommend it. (B&N First Look Book Club)
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LibraryThing member myalternatereality
"If I had to review this book after "Day 1", I would have given it very few stars. However, with each additional day that Sam relives, I loved Before I Fall a little bit more.
I participated in an advanced reader book club for Before I Fall and Lauren Oliver said this about her book, "I have two
It's rare to find characters that are so obviously flawed and yet at the same time lovable. Watching the world through Sam's ever-changing eyes was an unexpected treat. While twists and turns kept me intrigued, the way Oliver paints the scenery and Lindsay, Elody, Ally, Juliet, Rob and especially Kent, Sam and Izzy kept me turning pages well past when I intended to turn out the lights. Sam's reliving of February 12 allows her to get perspective on high school and how she has been living her life. With each day she gains fresh perspective on herself and those around her. Her challenge is figuring out what to do with that new perspective.
I love reading and over the years many stories have stayed with me. Few, however, have made me stop reading at 3 am and pull out my journal to reevaluate my life. Which is exactly what I did after finishing "Day 5." The last page of the book came all too soon and I couldn't help but wish I had a boy with eyes the color of grass to call my own. But more importantly, it made me thankful for my friends and family and for second chances and that tomorrow's sky will be different from today's."
I participated in an advanced reader book club for Before I Fall and Lauren Oliver said this about her book, "I have two
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hopes for you as you begin to read Before I Fall. The first is simply this: I hope that in the beginning, you do not like the main character, Samantha, or her three best friends. I hope you find them mean, petty, self-absorbed, and superficial. [...] My second hope is more conventional. I hope that by the end of the book you will love Sam, and that you will have come to a deeper understanding of her friends, with all of their faults and frailties."It's rare to find characters that are so obviously flawed and yet at the same time lovable. Watching the world through Sam's ever-changing eyes was an unexpected treat. While twists and turns kept me intrigued, the way Oliver paints the scenery and Lindsay, Elody, Ally, Juliet, Rob and especially Kent, Sam and Izzy kept me turning pages well past when I intended to turn out the lights. Sam's reliving of February 12 allows her to get perspective on high school and how she has been living her life. With each day she gains fresh perspective on herself and those around her. Her challenge is figuring out what to do with that new perspective.
I love reading and over the years many stories have stayed with me. Few, however, have made me stop reading at 3 am and pull out my journal to reevaluate my life. Which is exactly what I did after finishing "Day 5." The last page of the book came all too soon and I couldn't help but wish I had a boy with eyes the color of grass to call my own. But more importantly, it made me thankful for my friends and family and for second chances and that tomorrow's sky will be different from today's."
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LibraryThing member taramatchi
What would happen if you had a chance to live the last day of your life over again. What if you keep reliving the day over again?
Sam dies after a rather unpleasant cupid day. Instead of the best moments of her life flashing in front of her. She wakes up and has to relive that day. She realizes
Through repeating the day over and over she learns truths about herself and the people around her. All of these revelations will help her figure out how to make the day finally end.
I think if there was ever a time I wanted to go back to high school, I think this book cured that for me. A study in what is popularity and a look what friendship is, this book will make you laugh, cringe, and feel most of the emotions that you can think of.
Sam dies after a rather unpleasant cupid day. Instead of the best moments of her life flashing in front of her. She wakes up and has to relive that day. She realizes
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that things are very different this time around. She realizes how the things that they had done had affected others in the school, such as cutting off another student in the parking lot or talking during a test. Through repeating the day over and over she learns truths about herself and the people around her. All of these revelations will help her figure out how to make the day finally end.
I think if there was ever a time I wanted to go back to high school, I think this book cured that for me. A study in what is popularity and a look what friendship is, this book will make you laugh, cringe, and feel most of the emotions that you can think of.
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LibraryThing member scoutlee
I first heard the buzz about this novel late last year. When Barnes & Noble offered it as their teen First Look selection, I immediately signed up to receive it. Before I Fall is a story of redemption; trying to correct mistakes, make better choices and realize no matter what you do, some things
Sam Kingston and best friends Lindsey, Queen Bee, Elody and Ally, rule the school. Everyone tries to be like them and fears them at the same time. Early in the story, Sam and her friends are very easy to dislike. They’re rude, self-centered and cannot tolerate differences, which masks their own fears and insecurities.
Sam’s fateful day is February 12th. It’s Cupid Day at her school and it’s also the day she decides to lose her virginity to her boyfriend Rob. As the day goes on, the reader gets a glimpse into Sam’s life and how horrible she really is. When the accident happens, it’s easy to think “what goes around, comes around”, but don’t make that mistake and judge Sam.
Rereading about a day seven times sounds boring and repetitive, but the author does a fantastic job with making each “repeat” seem fresh and new. As Sam begins to realize her life is interconnected to those outside her immediate circle, she makes better choices and finds herself on the path for self-growth.
Ms. Oliver wrote a compelling story for her debut novel. I’m excited to see what is next for this author.
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are just meant to be.Sam Kingston and best friends Lindsey, Queen Bee, Elody and Ally, rule the school. Everyone tries to be like them and fears them at the same time. Early in the story, Sam and her friends are very easy to dislike. They’re rude, self-centered and cannot tolerate differences, which masks their own fears and insecurities.
Sam’s fateful day is February 12th. It’s Cupid Day at her school and it’s also the day she decides to lose her virginity to her boyfriend Rob. As the day goes on, the reader gets a glimpse into Sam’s life and how horrible she really is. When the accident happens, it’s easy to think “what goes around, comes around”, but don’t make that mistake and judge Sam.
Rereading about a day seven times sounds boring and repetitive, but the author does a fantastic job with making each “repeat” seem fresh and new. As Sam begins to realize her life is interconnected to those outside her immediate circle, she makes better choices and finds herself on the path for self-growth.
Ms. Oliver wrote a compelling story for her debut novel. I’m excited to see what is next for this author.
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LibraryThing member ericajsc
When I started this book, I was actually a little disappointed. I’d read so many positive reviews, but I wasn’t seeing what was so great about it. The writing wasn’t bad, but I didn’t find it exceptional, either. The characters weren’t bad, but I didn’t find them all that intriguing,
But then something happened. At the beginning of Day Five, something clicked into place for me and the book became this beautifully written story that I couldn’t put down. I can’t put my finger on exactly what it was that changed, but suddenly I was captivated by this book. My eyes were opened and I could see how amazing the characters were. Looking back at the beginning of the book now, I don't see why I didn't see it earlier, because when I read through it now I'm amazed by it.
Sam and her friends are the mean girls of the school, so they aren’t exactly likeable. But the dynamic of their friendship is deftly captured, including the secrets they share, the teasing comments they make to each other, and the bickering they do. It is an outstanding depiction of the candor present in such friendships. In re-living the same day seven times, Sam has the opportunity to see different sides of her friends, both good and bad, and she comes to understand exactly what she shared with the three girls she considered to be her best friends. Because she had seven chances to live the same day, she also learned more about the other people around her, as well as herself. The character growth is expected, of course, but who she is at the end of the book is vastly different than she was at the beginning. At the core she’s still the same, but she discovered a better version of herself.
There were points in the book where I was afraid that the ending might be too forced in order to achieve a certain effect for the reader. But it wasn’t, not at all. The conclusion was absolutely perfect and a graceful ending to the story.
This is Lauren Oliver’s debut, and a spectacular one at that, and I can’t wait to read what comes next.
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either. I did think the pacing was decent, though. My problem was that for the first third of the book, everything seemed predictable. It seemed obvious from the beginning that she’d come to see a different side of everyone she bad-mouthed on Day One. Then Sam finds out that more happened than she realized on the night she died, and the story gets more interesting. Even then, though, I still wasn’t all that impressed because I could see what it was building to. Like I said, though, it wasn’t bad, so I kept reading.But then something happened. At the beginning of Day Five, something clicked into place for me and the book became this beautifully written story that I couldn’t put down. I can’t put my finger on exactly what it was that changed, but suddenly I was captivated by this book. My eyes were opened and I could see how amazing the characters were. Looking back at the beginning of the book now, I don't see why I didn't see it earlier, because when I read through it now I'm amazed by it.
Sam and her friends are the mean girls of the school, so they aren’t exactly likeable. But the dynamic of their friendship is deftly captured, including the secrets they share, the teasing comments they make to each other, and the bickering they do. It is an outstanding depiction of the candor present in such friendships. In re-living the same day seven times, Sam has the opportunity to see different sides of her friends, both good and bad, and she comes to understand exactly what she shared with the three girls she considered to be her best friends. Because she had seven chances to live the same day, she also learned more about the other people around her, as well as herself. The character growth is expected, of course, but who she is at the end of the book is vastly different than she was at the beginning. At the core she’s still the same, but she discovered a better version of herself.
There were points in the book where I was afraid that the ending might be too forced in order to achieve a certain effect for the reader. But it wasn’t, not at all. The conclusion was absolutely perfect and a graceful ending to the story.
This is Lauren Oliver’s debut, and a spectacular one at that, and I can’t wait to read what comes next.
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LibraryThing member JRlibrary
Was excited to read this because I thought it sounded great, but after replay three or four, I kind of lost interest. I just kept thinking, "Oh come on... not again." SPOILER ALERT
The thing I didn't really understand was how on the last day of her life, she knew it was the last time. How did she
And the title... before I fall... I assume means before I fall down dead... we're supposed to assume that there are things she needs to do before she can die... I didn't get the feeling that she did nearly enough stuff. And are we supposed to think that each day wiped out and never happened? So that means the lovely time she had with her little sister never happened.
I just didn't enjoy the book nearly as much as I thought that I would. Perhaps all the positive reviews ruined it for me, but I bought the book based on the reviews, and ended up sadly disappointed since I expected the book to be fantastic. There were bits that I really enjoyed, but for the most part, it was just an okay read for me. And the cover I found to be quite creepy. What's the significance of her lying in the grass? She dies on a road at night... and on the cover is she dead, or just day dreaming?
I'm going to be passing this one on to my local high school. Due to content and language, I think it's more suited to high school students and I won't miss it.
The thing I didn't really understand was how on the last day of her life, she knew it was the last time. How did she
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know it wasn't going to replay again. How did she know that she had got it right that time? On some of the other days, she thought she had it right then too, but didn't, so why was she so sure the last day, that it WAS the last day? And the title... before I fall... I assume means before I fall down dead... we're supposed to assume that there are things she needs to do before she can die... I didn't get the feeling that she did nearly enough stuff. And are we supposed to think that each day wiped out and never happened? So that means the lovely time she had with her little sister never happened.
I just didn't enjoy the book nearly as much as I thought that I would. Perhaps all the positive reviews ruined it for me, but I bought the book based on the reviews, and ended up sadly disappointed since I expected the book to be fantastic. There were bits that I really enjoyed, but for the most part, it was just an okay read for me. And the cover I found to be quite creepy. What's the significance of her lying in the grass? She dies on a road at night... and on the cover is she dead, or just day dreaming?
I'm going to be passing this one on to my local high school. Due to content and language, I think it's more suited to high school students and I won't miss it.
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LibraryThing member Master275
What a fantastic book! I was lucky enough to win an ARC copy with B&N and was blown away!
Sam, a high school senior "mean girl", is involved in an accident that takes her life -- only she doesn't die right away. She waked up again and again only to re-live that final day. Throughout the book Sam
This was not only a page turner, but one that you put down and think of how you would do things. I found myself discussing this book with many different people and always getting different opinions and reactions.
Highly recommended for young or old---and GREAT for book clubs!
Sam, a high school senior "mean girl", is involved in an accident that takes her life -- only she doesn't die right away. She waked up again and again only to re-live that final day. Throughout the book Sam
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tries experimenting with different ways to change events, people, and herself.This was not only a page turner, but one that you put down and think of how you would do things. I found myself discussing this book with many different people and always getting different opinions and reactions.
Highly recommended for young or old---and GREAT for book clubs!
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LibraryThing member BookWhisperer
After months of anxious waiting I was very distraught to have struggled with this book as much as I did. I loved the storyline; a young girl with a sudden death relives her last day seven times to learn the true value of life. I am not a girly girl type, and I feel that this book was aimed more for
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a character of that nature. I believe that this book has rose about for the younger generation, but I am unable to truly give a awesome review. Reading the preface I was excited, but once I begun the story and meeting characters I was turned off early on. Look for this book to be a future Second Chance giveaway at the Book Whisperer, because I would love for someone else to be able to give this book better credit than I was able to. Show Less
LibraryThing member Irisheyz77
Last May I had the wonderful opportunity to go to the BookExpo America in New York City. While there I picked up this card from the Harper Collins booth that was an egalley for Lauren Oliver's debut novel Before I Fall. The thing that drew me most to this galley was the cover. It was so haunting
At first I did not like Sam.
Boy did I not like her. She is popular and rude and just everything that I wasn't in high school. In fact she reminded me of a few unpleasant people that I had the misfortune to know in school and I wasn't all that upset when she died. I know. I know....I'm a terrible horrible person!!
But then....Sam wakes up. She tries again. And before I knew it I was caring more then I ever thought possible for this girl. There is real character growth here and while the story takes place over seven days - which is such a short time - Lauren Oliver tackles all these changes in a real and believable way. By the end of the story I had been wrung through a whole gauntlet of emotions that I was spent. I laughed, I cried, my heart broke and my heart was healed. With each new day the story just became richer and more layered and while you knew what was going to happen there was still something new and different that it kept you on your toes.
For me though this book wasn't all about love. I did have some serious issues with the ending and how I feel that the story played out. And while, in my discussions with the fabulous Lauren Oliver, have shown that I'm wrong (yes Lauren I'm admitting it since you ARE the author and creator of the story and DO know best).....I still stand by my interpretation of the story. An interpretation that at first Lauren was surprised at since it wasn't one that had initially crossed her mind. One thing we both agreed on thought that part of what makes reading so interesting is that everyone comes away from a story with something different. Reading is such a uniquely personal experience that I don't think that the same person can re-read a story the same way, that every read of a book is different.
But I digress.
A lot.
So back to Before I Fall...as I said I didn't like how the book ended. For me I think that it was wonderful the changes that Sam made but in the end the changes were all about her and it goes back to her initial selfish nature. Was the world she lived in better when the sun rose on 13 Feb? Or where things a little more broken because of the changes that she made in reliving her last day? I ask this because one thing Sam does in the story is to start a new relationship with a boy that she hadn't thought much of before then. A really sweet adorkable boy that I just adored and if she didn't live through her accident then how would her death affect him now....as opposed to how he'd be affected if Sam was still the mean girl she was?
One of the things that bothered me most, based on my interpretation of the read, was that it seemed like Sam was talking herself into suicide. That there was no other possible outcome then for the accident to happen as it did. But did she try all the possible outcomes? Was there a way for the ending to be different? Who is to say. Although I know that if there was a happily ever after I know that would have upset me too. Because life isn't perfect. There are some beautiful and wonderful things in the world but there is also pain, heartache and sacrifice. I think that Before I Fall is a stunningly well written book and while there were things that I disliked...a lot...I loved the writing and the world building. Its on the writing that I base my 5 star rating the fact that I loved Oliver's words despite not agreeing with them. That and the endless potential for discussion in this book. If you are in a book club then I highly recommend that you choose this book for one of your reads.
And no matter what you think of Before I Fall...love it, hate it...what ever you feel drop a line to Lauren Oliver and tell her so. Authors love to hear from readers and she is so awesomely amazing that I know she'd love to discuss her words with you. I'm also living proof that she won't dislike you if you don't agree with her 100%. =)
As originally posted on my blog Ticket to Anywhere
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and eye catching that even without reading the premise I knew I had to take it home with me. Then the first moment I was able I loaded it onto Anne the eReader and began to read.At first I did not like Sam.
Boy did I not like her. She is popular and rude and just everything that I wasn't in high school. In fact she reminded me of a few unpleasant people that I had the misfortune to know in school and I wasn't all that upset when she died. I know. I know....I'm a terrible horrible person!!
But then....Sam wakes up. She tries again. And before I knew it I was caring more then I ever thought possible for this girl. There is real character growth here and while the story takes place over seven days - which is such a short time - Lauren Oliver tackles all these changes in a real and believable way. By the end of the story I had been wrung through a whole gauntlet of emotions that I was spent. I laughed, I cried, my heart broke and my heart was healed. With each new day the story just became richer and more layered and while you knew what was going to happen there was still something new and different that it kept you on your toes.
For me though this book wasn't all about love. I did have some serious issues with the ending and how I feel that the story played out. And while, in my discussions with the fabulous Lauren Oliver, have shown that I'm wrong (yes Lauren I'm admitting it since you ARE the author and creator of the story and DO know best).....I still stand by my interpretation of the story. An interpretation that at first Lauren was surprised at since it wasn't one that had initially crossed her mind. One thing we both agreed on thought that part of what makes reading so interesting is that everyone comes away from a story with something different. Reading is such a uniquely personal experience that I don't think that the same person can re-read a story the same way, that every read of a book is different.
But I digress.
A lot.
So back to Before I Fall...as I said I didn't like how the book ended. For me I think that it was wonderful the changes that Sam made but in the end the changes were all about her and it goes back to her initial selfish nature. Was the world she lived in better when the sun rose on 13 Feb? Or where things a little more broken because of the changes that she made in reliving her last day? I ask this because one thing Sam does in the story is to start a new relationship with a boy that she hadn't thought much of before then. A really sweet adorkable boy that I just adored and if she didn't live through her accident then how would her death affect him now....as opposed to how he'd be affected if Sam was still the mean girl she was?
One of the things that bothered me most, based on my interpretation of the read, was that it seemed like Sam was talking herself into suicide. That there was no other possible outcome then for the accident to happen as it did. But did she try all the possible outcomes? Was there a way for the ending to be different? Who is to say. Although I know that if there was a happily ever after I know that would have upset me too. Because life isn't perfect. There are some beautiful and wonderful things in the world but there is also pain, heartache and sacrifice. I think that Before I Fall is a stunningly well written book and while there were things that I disliked...a lot...I loved the writing and the world building. Its on the writing that I base my 5 star rating the fact that I loved Oliver's words despite not agreeing with them. That and the endless potential for discussion in this book. If you are in a book club then I highly recommend that you choose this book for one of your reads.
And no matter what you think of Before I Fall...love it, hate it...what ever you feel drop a line to Lauren Oliver and tell her so. Authors love to hear from readers and she is so awesomely amazing that I know she'd love to discuss her words with you. I'm also living proof that she won't dislike you if you don't agree with her 100%. =)
As originally posted on my blog Ticket to Anywhere
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LibraryThing member GRgenius
From start to finish, you expect what the ending will be, but never in quite the way it occurs. Samantha dies, it's no secret, in the first chapter. This book is about the 7 times she relives the same day, the same events, but in a new way. It's amazing the growth that can occur when one knows it
Recommended for older teens and adults of the YA genre. I would caution some younger readers only due to the fact that there is quite a bit a time focused on sexual conquest...at least until the character gains a new prospective on the ways of the world. Happy reading!
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is their last moment, last breath....last chance. In the end, the message is clear. The most important thing of all is revealed and everything else is scattered to the wind.Recommended for older teens and adults of the YA genre. I would caution some younger readers only due to the fact that there is quite a bit a time focused on sexual conquest...at least until the character gains a new prospective on the ways of the world. Happy reading!
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LibraryThing member jennsbookshelves
Samantha Kingston has it all: the perfect boyfriend, the right friends, seemingly everything. It's February 12, Cupid Day, and her only thoughts are of how many roses she's going to receive by the end of the day. But by the end of the day, Sam is dead.
Normally, a person only gets to relive their
Before I Fall is Lauren Oliver's debut novel. It is a very blunt, no-holds-barred look at high school peer pressure and the impact of social circles. The characters Oliver creates are not likeable, not in the least bit. Sam and her friends are a bunch of insensitive snobs who don't think twice about verbally harassing and berating students who are below them on the social food chain. I wouldn't be exaggerating to say that Sam and her friends are a spoiled, vain bitches!
Each day Sam relives, she sees the impact of her actions literally affecting the lives of others. It is invigorating to see the transformation Sam takes from the first day to the seventh. Each day is a new step, a different action Sam takes in hopes of changing the futures of those around her. She truly becomes a new person by the end of this journey. I don't recall ever reading a transformation of a main character that is as extreme as Samantha's.
To be honest, when I started reading Before I Fall I thought I was going to be the only person who didn't enjoy it. Reliving the same day, over and over again? How dull is that? IT'S NOT! Oliver does an outstanding job providing suspense through the entire book. Not once did I wonder when the book was going to end or when something exciting was going to happen. Her writing is so emotional, so heartbreaking, so powerful. It left me with tears streaming down my cheecks and my body covered in goosebumps. At the beginning I was cursing Samantha, but by the end I was begging for her redemption. Before I Fall has earned a spot on my Top Reads of 2010! I can't wait to read more from this author.
Normally, a person only gets to relive their
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last day once. Sam relives the last day of her life seven times. She's been given a week to see just how much power she has to influence the lives and futures of others. Each day, Sam struggles to understand the impact of decisions she used to take so lightly. She's given a gift that people normally don't have: the chance to right the wrongs one has created in life.Before I Fall is Lauren Oliver's debut novel. It is a very blunt, no-holds-barred look at high school peer pressure and the impact of social circles. The characters Oliver creates are not likeable, not in the least bit. Sam and her friends are a bunch of insensitive snobs who don't think twice about verbally harassing and berating students who are below them on the social food chain. I wouldn't be exaggerating to say that Sam and her friends are a spoiled, vain bitches!
Each day Sam relives, she sees the impact of her actions literally affecting the lives of others. It is invigorating to see the transformation Sam takes from the first day to the seventh. Each day is a new step, a different action Sam takes in hopes of changing the futures of those around her. She truly becomes a new person by the end of this journey. I don't recall ever reading a transformation of a main character that is as extreme as Samantha's.
To be honest, when I started reading Before I Fall I thought I was going to be the only person who didn't enjoy it. Reliving the same day, over and over again? How dull is that? IT'S NOT! Oliver does an outstanding job providing suspense through the entire book. Not once did I wonder when the book was going to end or when something exciting was going to happen. Her writing is so emotional, so heartbreaking, so powerful. It left me with tears streaming down my cheecks and my body covered in goosebumps. At the beginning I was cursing Samantha, but by the end I was begging for her redemption. Before I Fall has earned a spot on my Top Reads of 2010! I can't wait to read more from this author.
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LibraryThing member amandalina
This book was amazing. I kept reading rave reviews of it in all the blogs I follow, so I knew I had to read it. I'm glad it surpassed my expectations.
I'm 28 years old and I could be mistaken, but I do not remember there being half as much amazing YA books around when I was younger. This is the
Really, an excellent book, and I look forward to reading more from this author. I've read the synopsis of her next book, and it sounds awesome as well!
I'm 28 years old and I could be mistaken, but I do not remember there being half as much amazing YA books around when I was younger. This is the
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kind of book makes me want to be a teen again, and read something like this that would undoubtedly have a profound effect on my life. Really, an excellent book, and I look forward to reading more from this author. I've read the synopsis of her next book, and it sounds awesome as well!
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LibraryThing member Cajunbooklady
I actually have a lot to say about this book...hopefully no one wants to ring my neck after LOL! First off...at the beginning of the book I thought it was a tad slow to get going. It of course reminded me of the the old groundhog movie (which of course is mentioned in the story). BUT then it really
Overall...I thought it was fantastic (besides my 2 little things) and had a great lesson in it without feeling like you were being taught something. It made me reflect on my school years, and even double check myself now that I'm older. Definitely a book for teens to read. (I also think teens might get the end better than I did...maybe catch something I missed?)
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picked up and you could see where the author was going with the story. I really enjoyed the "meat" of the book, and thought that the truth was written in well. We never realize how we are all connected until it's to late and you can't take back what you've done. The lesson taught in the book is timeless in my opinion. Lauren's writing style flowed well and really kept me interested once I got into the story. I could picture her characters; I think we've all been them or tortured by them in school. (I was the ignored middle group) It was an excellent YA story but the only other issue I had was how the book ended. What happened? Is there a part 2 coming. I feel like I was left hanging....I want to know more!Overall...I thought it was fantastic (besides my 2 little things) and had a great lesson in it without feeling like you were being taught something. It made me reflect on my school years, and even double check myself now that I'm older. Definitely a book for teens to read. (I also think teens might get the end better than I did...maybe catch something I missed?)
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LibraryThing member LarissaBookGirl
If you had only one day left to live how would you spend it?
It's Friday February 12th and Sam is reliving the same day over and over again. But despite all she does and all she tries the day always ends the same; with death. As an eighteen year old Sam typically spends her Fridays at to school, or
With each day that Sam relives she realises she has a choice and each choice leads her to discover something new about herself and those around her; to discover what is truly important. Things may not turn out as Sam might expect them to but she learns to accept that everything, good or bad, happens for a reason. For Sam who is still so young and has yet to live she is given only a handful of days to learn how to live, how to love and how to die.
If you had only one day left to live how would you spend it?
Before I Fall love will be found, too late the truth will be discovered, but just in time hope will be realised. Sometimes it's easy to forget that everyone has their secrets and their fears, that everyone just wants to belong. Our every action however insignificant to us affects those around us with consequence we cannot begin to realise. A reflective story that shows its never too late.
It's Friday February 12th and Sam is reliving the same day over and over again. But despite all she does and all she tries the day always ends the same; with death. As an eighteen year old Sam typically spends her Fridays at to school, or
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skipping it, and her Friday nights at parties and this day is no exception.With each day that Sam relives she realises she has a choice and each choice leads her to discover something new about herself and those around her; to discover what is truly important. Things may not turn out as Sam might expect them to but she learns to accept that everything, good or bad, happens for a reason. For Sam who is still so young and has yet to live she is given only a handful of days to learn how to live, how to love and how to die.
If you had only one day left to live how would you spend it?
Before I Fall love will be found, too late the truth will be discovered, but just in time hope will be realised. Sometimes it's easy to forget that everyone has their secrets and their fears, that everyone just wants to belong. Our every action however insignificant to us affects those around us with consequence we cannot begin to realise. A reflective story that shows its never too late.
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Awards
Sequoyah Book Award (Nominee — High School — 2013)
Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award (Honor Book — 2013)
Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — 2013)
Gateway Readers Award (Nominee — 3rd Place — 2013)
Garden State Teen Book Award (Winner — Grades 9-12 — 2013)
South Dakota Teen Choice Book Awards (Nominee — 2012)
Arkansas Teen Book Award (Honor Book — 2012)
Virginia Readers' Choice (Nominee — High School — 2013)
Milwaukee County Teen Book Award (Honor Book — 2011)
Rhode Island Teen Book Award (Nominee — 2012)
Grand Prix de l'Imaginaire (Winner — 2012)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 2011)
OYAN Book Rave (2011)
Language
Original publication date
2010-03-01
Physical description
368 p.; 7.56 inches
ISBN
0340980907 / 9780340980903
Local notes
Samantha Kingston has worked her way up the popularity ladder; now a senior, she and her three best friends rule their school. On Cupid Day, Sam expects to receive Valentine roses, to party with her friends, and to finally (maybe) have sex with her equally popular boyfriend. The last thing she expects is that she will die, but in the final moments of her life everything turns to nothing. Only, it is not the end for Sam. She wakes up to start the same day over again, and again; in fact, she relives it seven times.
Groundhog Day meets Mean Girls.
Groundhog Day meets Mean Girls.