Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Harper (HarperCollins)
Pages
470
Description
After she dies in a car crash, teenaged Samantha relives the day of her death over and over again until, on the seventh day, she finally discovers a way to save herself.
Description
This special enhanced edition of the New York Times bestselling Before I Fall by award-winning author Lauren Oliver includes two brand-new stories set in the world of Before I Fall, an essay by the author about the "greatest hits" of her life, and extra-behind the-scenes content on the making of this bestseller.
For popular senior high school Samantha Kingston, February 12—"Cupid Day"—should be one big party, a day of valentines and roses and the privileges that come with being at being the top of the social pyramid. And it is... until she dies in a terrible accident that night.
However, she still wakes up the next morning. In fact, Sam lives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she ever imagined.
For popular senior high school Samantha Kingston, February 12—"Cupid Day"—should be one big party, a day of valentines and roses and the privileges that come with being at being the top of the social pyramid. And it is... until she dies in a terrible accident that night.
However, she still wakes up the next morning. In fact, Sam lives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she ever imagined.
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
470 p.; 8 inches
ISBN
0061726818 / 9780061726811
Similar in this library
Lexile
860L
User reviews
LibraryThing member The_Hibernator
Sam Kingston is a mean-girl with everything she needs: popularity, the hunky boyfriend, and popular mean-girl friends. When she dies in a car accident, she is given the chance to live her final day 6 more times. She learns that nobody is exactly what they seem and that everyone is redeemable. I was
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eager to read this book because I thought it would be an interesting twist on the Groundhog Day theme. However, I didn’t realize that it would be a regurgitation of 80’s and 90’s movies to the point where there were very few truly original scenes. It’s basically Groundhog Day in a mish-mash of high school flicks with other movies worked in. I was actually to the point of looking for the “token black kid” it was so regurgitated (no appearance). So, I was a little disappointed in the author’s skill. On the other hand, many teens (for whom this book is intended) will not have grown up on 80’s and 90’s movies and might find the book quite interesting and original, though very sad. The theme of redemption and everyone’s-the-same-on-the-inside was applaudable. The writing was smooth and engaging, though the beginning was a little irritating because you had to choke through her mean-girl attitude. It’s good for a light read, but it’s not literature. Show Less
LibraryThing member HeidiDenney
Couldn't put it down. I loved it.
LibraryThing member ahappybooker
This was a great audio to listen to. The narrator, Sarah Drew was wonderfully expressive and really evoked the emotional turmoil that the MC, Sam was feeling throughout. It didn’t seem like 12 hours, I was so engaged in the story that I didn’t want it to end. Sarah Drew did an amazing job with
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the narration of this, really making me feel as if I were hearing Sam tell the story.Before I Fall is a story about love, loss, hope, friendship, and forgiveness. Sam, killed in a car crash after a party one night, finds that she is living that same day over and over again. What I interpreted that she was doing was going through the 5 stages of grief with each day. At first, she couldn’t believe it and pretended it wasn’t true, that she must have been dreaming. But as she comes to realize that it wasn’t a dream, she is then forced to really take a look at her life and who she is.I didn’t like Sam at the beginning but I don’t think I was meant to. I was fascinated by her and her friends though, the same way I’m fascinated with the characters on Gossip Girl. She and her group of friends are shallow, immature little twits at first glance but as the story progresses, I was able to see them a little differently. It was a really interesting and realistic look inside a clique of “mean girls” and some of the reasons why they act the way they do, without in any was excusing it or justifying it.I loved watching the way Sam grew throughout the story, really coming to realize the truths about herself, her friends, and her life. She also took a long hard look at the boy she thought she loved, and ended up finding the boy who had been there all along but she hadn’t bothered to notice. It was a beautifully written touching story about what things are really important and what we want to be remembered for.The only things I have to say about Before I Fall is that I would have liked to have seen a little more focus on Sam’s relationship with her family, it was odd how little they seemed to matter in the story, other than a few minutes with her sister. Also, some of the almost poetic phrasing didn’t really fit my idea of how a teenager like Sam would think. Other than that, this was a wonderful story that I would highly recommend to anyone who, like me, prefers a flawed main character and has a box of tissue close by. Show Less
LibraryThing member silenceiseverything
I LOVED Before I Fall. Seriously, I was kicking myself for putting off reading this wonderful book for so long. I should have picked it up immediately after the hype hit, since the hype was well-deserved. I found Before I Fall to be an intricate novel about a girl who comes of age after (and
First things first, I HATED the main character, Sam Kingston, when I started Before I Fall. Seriously, there was no twinge from me when she died the first time. She was a total b*tch and she was right in that while reading a part of me thought she deserved to die for being the horrible person she was. However, while I kept reading, I found myself liking her while she tries hard to redeem herself and change the way she was initially. I ended up liking Sam so much that I wanted her to get out of that terrible loop hole she was in.
Before I Fall was also impossible to put down. I was addicted to the domino effect that Sam's actions (or inactions) seemed to have. Every time she repeated the day she died, something she did had a ripple effect on all of the other people in her life. Trying to figure out who was going to be affected in what way was something that really had me turning the pages (or rather clicking) at a ferocious speed.
So, I loved Before I Fall. I found it to be a wonderful tale of redemption that was superbly (and I do mean SUPERBLY) written, especially when you realize that it was the author's debut novel. Just pick up this novel. This review will never express how much I loved and enjoyed reading this book.
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before) she dies (and dies and dies again). There were so many layers to this book, that I found it impossible NOT to fall in love with it. First things first, I HATED the main character, Sam Kingston, when I started Before I Fall. Seriously, there was no twinge from me when she died the first time. She was a total b*tch and she was right in that while reading a part of me thought she deserved to die for being the horrible person she was. However, while I kept reading, I found myself liking her while she tries hard to redeem herself and change the way she was initially. I ended up liking Sam so much that I wanted her to get out of that terrible loop hole she was in.
Before I Fall was also impossible to put down. I was addicted to the domino effect that Sam's actions (or inactions) seemed to have. Every time she repeated the day she died, something she did had a ripple effect on all of the other people in her life. Trying to figure out who was going to be affected in what way was something that really had me turning the pages (or rather clicking) at a ferocious speed.
So, I loved Before I Fall. I found it to be a wonderful tale of redemption that was superbly (and I do mean SUPERBLY) written, especially when you realize that it was the author's debut novel. Just pick up this novel. This review will never express how much I loved and enjoyed reading this book.
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LibraryThing member luciefuentes
Reactions:
A short novel that begins like a cross between "Groundhog Day" starring Bill Murray and Andie McDowell and "Sliding Doors" with Gwyneth Paltrow. A day where bad choices have been made by Samantha and her friends which proves to be the last one passed through Sam,
If this young teenager
She also looked at her entourage in a new light, discovered the ricochets of our daily actions and their implications on our environment. We can not live alone and our actions have repercussions.
To be honest, by opening this book, I wanted to read a short story. A quick read. I came across a novel positive, powerful and hopeful.
A book that makes you want to look on the bright side of life. Too often we forget the preciousness of our lives especially when one focuses on the painful or stressful events of our daily life.
We forget to look at the little things around us that gives the balm to the heart. By starting this reading, I was in a difficult week with a lot of work, deadlines to meet, stressful week and in a foul mood.
This book makes me smile... What if it was my last day? Would I want to be irritated by my colleagues at the office? Would I want to bark for trivia? Would I want to waste life with insignificant details or would I want to enjoy the sunshine outside and enjoy my day? Do I prefer to remember a smile, a laugh or a bad retort?
In today's society, we refuse to talk or think about death. Yet it is unavoidable. We are neither necessary nor indispensable, or even immortal... that's why we must take full advantage of our everyday life ... You never know if there will be an after.
I really loved this well written moving book.
A short novel that begins like a cross between "Groundhog Day" starring Bill Murray and Andie McDowell and "Sliding Doors" with Gwyneth Paltrow. A day where bad choices have been made by Samantha and her friends which proves to be the last one passed through Sam,
If this young teenager
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turns over the day she saw tirelessly as she passes through different phases of her life revisiting experience. Anger, fear, rebellion, the desire to have no limit, to liberate herself and show her true feelings. In short, she drop the mask. By changing the way she looks at the people around her or the way she lives some events, Sam matures.She also looked at her entourage in a new light, discovered the ricochets of our daily actions and their implications on our environment. We can not live alone and our actions have repercussions.
To be honest, by opening this book, I wanted to read a short story. A quick read. I came across a novel positive, powerful and hopeful.
A book that makes you want to look on the bright side of life. Too often we forget the preciousness of our lives especially when one focuses on the painful or stressful events of our daily life.
We forget to look at the little things around us that gives the balm to the heart. By starting this reading, I was in a difficult week with a lot of work, deadlines to meet, stressful week and in a foul mood.
This book makes me smile... What if it was my last day? Would I want to be irritated by my colleagues at the office? Would I want to bark for trivia? Would I want to waste life with insignificant details or would I want to enjoy the sunshine outside and enjoy my day? Do I prefer to remember a smile, a laugh or a bad retort?
In today's society, we refuse to talk or think about death. Yet it is unavoidable. We are neither necessary nor indispensable, or even immortal... that's why we must take full advantage of our everyday life ... You never know if there will be an after.
I really loved this well written moving book.
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LibraryThing member graceschumann
Before I fall is an emotional gut-wrenching story that will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to see if Samantha succeeds in making the last day she relives over count. I was in tears by the end of this book. **spoiler alert** Samantha's self sacrifice at the end of this book just tore at
This book made me sit back and think about how I would handle things if I had to live my last day over like she did. Her choices up until her last moment made a difference. If we all thought like that and acted as if every one of our choices had a great consequence or result what would we accomplish? hmmmmmmm....
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my heartstrings. The way she choose to save another at her own expense was truly amazing.This book made me sit back and think about how I would handle things if I had to live my last day over like she did. Her choices up until her last moment made a difference. If we all thought like that and acted as if every one of our choices had a great consequence or result what would we accomplish? hmmmmmmm....
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LibraryThing member ctmsabmo
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver has a tremendous beginning but as you read further it gets dull and slow. In the beginning we get to know the main character Sammy as she explains her life and struggles as an average American teenager. We meet her friends and learn about her complicated relationship
Who would have thought reliving the same day in your life over and over could be so complicated,but that is the problem with this book, it makes it boring to read. It feels like you lost you place in the book and you have to start by rereading the whole page again. kinda like a broken record.
Overall this book gets two stars because the only part that i was interested in was the beginning. i dropped this book because i was bored reading the same thing. i think this book would have been better if you didn't fell frozen in time and it had more life to it.
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with her boyfriend, and how one night at a party changes her life.Who would have thought reliving the same day in your life over and over could be so complicated,but that is the problem with this book, it makes it boring to read. It feels like you lost you place in the book and you have to start by rereading the whole page again. kinda like a broken record.
Overall this book gets two stars because the only part that i was interested in was the beginning. i dropped this book because i was bored reading the same thing. i think this book would have been better if you didn't fell frozen in time and it had more life to it.
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LibraryThing member chickey1981
I don't fall hard for novels that often. I read a lot, I usually can find part of a book that I like, I can even find books that are fast reads that I can't put down but often forget about the next day when I find a new book.
Not the case for this novel. This book is one of my 5 all time favorite
Even fewer books have I reread, and this one is worth multiple reads. One of the best YA books ever written.
Not the case for this novel. This book is one of my 5 all time favorite
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books. This journey with Sam is heart-wrenching and I dropped a few tears throughout the book and then outright sobbed at the end. I loved her transformation from shallow to more fully understanding herself, the loved ones around her, and who she really was. Beautifully written, it haunts me to this day.Even fewer books have I reread, and this one is worth multiple reads. One of the best YA books ever written.
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LibraryThing member M_Behr
Oliver is an incredible writer. She has an excellent grasp on how people interact with one another - especially in high school. It was hard to connect with the main character simply because she was so real (and popular). Oliver made me feel like I was back in high school, feeling uncomfortable and
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itching to leave. Show Less
LibraryThing member thehidingspot
Lauren Oliver’s debut novel left me speechless. Well, I suppose I did a fair amount of babbling, but it wasn’t exactly coherent – I was in awe. I never expected that I’d be up all night because I simply could not put BEFORE I FALL down!
The plot of BEFORE I FALL is not one that is new to
Oliver characterized her main character, Samantha, perfectly. She had so many layers and even as she did horrid, mean-girl things, she pulled me in and made me understand her. I can honestly say I identified with Samantha. She is now one of my favorite narrators!
Samantha’s growth throughout the novel progressed perfectly. She does not immediately change her self-centered ways, she must make an effort to change. She must slow down and notice all the small details in her everyday life and how even her smallest actions make ripples and affect others. I am so glad that BEFORE I FALL was so lengthy, partially because I didn’t want it to end, but also because it allowed for the plot to unfold at just the right pace.
There is a romantic plot line… and it was so, so good… but it was also so very painful. This aspect of the novel cemented my love for this novel. I adored the entire plot and novel, but his seemly doomed story was just so utterly romantic. I am a romance junkie and BEFORE I FALL totally fed my obsession. It made me cry, but was still satisfying.
BEFORE I FALL is a must-read. And, I think, a must-buy! Oliver’s novels will all have a spot on my bookshelf… I’m already anxiously awaiting her next novel!
The plot of BEFORE I FALL is not one that is new to
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readers, but it is classic. Samantha dies unexpectedly, but does not “pass on.” Instead she relives her last day repeatedly, until she figures out the key to escaping the limbo-like state. Oliver’s take on the premise added twists that made BEFORE I FALL truly unique. Oliver characterized her main character, Samantha, perfectly. She had so many layers and even as she did horrid, mean-girl things, she pulled me in and made me understand her. I can honestly say I identified with Samantha. She is now one of my favorite narrators!
Samantha’s growth throughout the novel progressed perfectly. She does not immediately change her self-centered ways, she must make an effort to change. She must slow down and notice all the small details in her everyday life and how even her smallest actions make ripples and affect others. I am so glad that BEFORE I FALL was so lengthy, partially because I didn’t want it to end, but also because it allowed for the plot to unfold at just the right pace.
There is a romantic plot line… and it was so, so good… but it was also so very painful. This aspect of the novel cemented my love for this novel. I adored the entire plot and novel, but his seemly doomed story was just so utterly romantic. I am a romance junkie and BEFORE I FALL totally fed my obsession. It made me cry, but was still satisfying.
BEFORE I FALL is a must-read. And, I think, a must-buy! Oliver’s novels will all have a spot on my bookshelf… I’m already anxiously awaiting her next novel!
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LibraryThing member samantha.nop
Samantha Kingston is just your average popular high school girl. She acted like she was the best person on earth and didn't care about other people, only herself. One day, Samantha's old friend, Kent has a party and being really popular, Samantha will not miss it. Samantha goes to the party with
This book was sad and heartbreaking to me. Samantha was described in the beginning as somebody I wouldn't want to talk to. Over the book though, I saw her grow up, beginning to care. Samantha was truly realizing the meaning of life and what happened to her, more not really happen in life. Maybe it does, that concept leaves you thinking because there is no proof that that concept is true or not. I was happy to see that Samantha fell in love with Kent, even though she knew she was going to die and stay dead that last day. I was glad to see her save somebody's life. This book tells you, live life happy, because you never know when you might die.
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her friends and there, a girl named Juliet, yells at them and embarasses Samantha and her friends. Samantha feels bad but at the same time is humiliated and upset. Samantha leaves early and her friends come with her. While they are driving, somebody runs across the road and Samantha and Juliet both die. But something strange happens, Samantha wakes up the next day on the day she died. The party hasn't happened yet and Samantha doesn't know why she's still alive. This happens for a week, Samantha dies the exact same time. It wasn't until days later, she realized she was being given the chance to save somebody's life. Samantha worked hard to save Juliet's life and she did. Samantha could now rest in peace.This book was sad and heartbreaking to me. Samantha was described in the beginning as somebody I wouldn't want to talk to. Over the book though, I saw her grow up, beginning to care. Samantha was truly realizing the meaning of life and what happened to her, more not really happen in life. Maybe it does, that concept leaves you thinking because there is no proof that that concept is true or not. I was happy to see that Samantha fell in love with Kent, even though she knew she was going to die and stay dead that last day. I was glad to see her save somebody's life. This book tells you, live life happy, because you never know when you might die.
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LibraryThing member TigerLMS
Based on the mean-girl does a Groundhog Day plot, I probably wouldn't have read this if it hadn't been nominated as one of the 2013 Missouri Gateway Readers Award books. I'm so glad I did; it is one of my top-three favorites of the 15 nominees. Author Lauren Oliver does a great job taking the
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uber-popular Samantha Kingston through variations of the same day, where she comes to realize what truly matters-- and it's not losing her virginity to a boy she barely likes, getting drunk at a party, or saying viscious things to underclassmen who dare talk to her. One major turnoff for me in this book is the somewhat favorable light, and the considerable amount of ink, cigarette smoking gets. It's the third or fourth YA book in a row that I've read that has played up cigarettes, and I'm seriously starting to wonder if the tobacco industry is getting its claws into YA authors. I'm a high school teacher-- and while I won't say that no students smoke, it's not like it's the 1950s where everyone was expected to. Because so few students smoke, it's very easy to tell which ones do-- or at least the ones who are around someone else who does. And while authors might say it's just a portrayal of teenage rebellion, doing something they're not supposed to-- I can't help but think even the casual mention only serves to promote and glorify cigarettes and tobacco. But enough from that particular soap box. Outside of the tobacco issue, this is a wonderful book that helps show what is important and that each moment of your life is precious. Show Less
LibraryThing member varsha1010
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver is an amazingly sad novel. I was brought to tears at least twice and ended the book smiling through my tears.
The story is about a girl named Samantha who, after her and her friends get into a car accident begins to relive the same day, February 12th, over and over.
My only issue with the book is how absolutely annoying Samantha can be. She handles some situations so badly I sincerely hope there is no real person her character is based off of. Other than that, her character is so believable and real it's impossible not to become deeply attached to her.
Overall, this is a great book which I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for some chick-lit, young adult drama with a seriously mature and profound undertone.
The story is about a girl named Samantha who, after her and her friends get into a car accident begins to relive the same day, February 12th, over and over.
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She goes through each day differently, at first rebelling and doing everything and saying everything she ever wanted to and then trying to figure out how to stop the loop.My only issue with the book is how absolutely annoying Samantha can be. She handles some situations so badly I sincerely hope there is no real person her character is based off of. Other than that, her character is so believable and real it's impossible not to become deeply attached to her.
Overall, this is a great book which I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for some chick-lit, young adult drama with a seriously mature and profound undertone.
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LibraryThing member xtastethesky
This novel is unique in the fact that the narrator, Samantha Kingston, is telling the story from the both the dead and the living -- the reader is more or less going through the story seeing how she develops through various revelations. Sam and her friends are at the top of the totem poll, and
Overall I thought this book was okay. I thought this novel depicted teenage girls extremely well... to the point that I sincerely struggled getting into it. Sam and her friends were the shallow, insecure, and slightly elitist popular girls on the top of the social pyramid, which is the exact reason I struggled with this book at first (these are not the type of girls I relate to). I rarely read anything from this type of character's perspective. Overall I decided it wasn't necessarily a bad thing, just a huge change-up from what I'm used to (you can read this as differently from "my personal taste"). If anything I would have liked to see Sam be a bit stronger and believe in herself. The parts I liked the most about her was when she thought about how much she had loved riding horses, or spending time with her sister, ultimately the things that made her, her. That's the girl I would have rather be reading about, which by the end of the story is what I got.
Of all the characters I loved Kent the most. I loved him due to the fact he has the quirky, smart, and own drummer type personality. I like when people don't conform, it's a breath of fresh air. He was sort of the anchor of change in this book… and I enjoyed that fact. If anything… I would have loved to see more of him.
My last comment was the repetitive nature of the story. Now, don't get me wrong, I love the concept. I like the idea of someone reliving their last day and learning something from it. The downside is that the length… slowly made this repetitive factor age, to the point I wish it had been slightly condensed in the middle. I think it was stretched just a little too much, but not enough to make me put down the book. Each day was a new lesson or idea that helped Sam get to where she needed to be by the end of the story.
In the end I thought this novel as a whole was pretty okay (as stated previously, I know, I know). I didn't enjoy it as much as I had anticipated (based off of everything I heard and reviews I read) but I enjoyed it enough that I don't feel like I wasted my time. The opening was great, and the ending had the closure I needed to feel that a resolution, a point, was made -- which is a novel like this is important to me.
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basically it seems that everyone either wants to be them or be friends with them... and then those who don't are deemed social outcasts by the clique for one reason or another. The story gets interesting when they decide to go to party, and on the way back the unthinkable happens: they swerve and the car crashes and Sam wakes up the next morning reliving the day before -- every single part of it. At first she thinks everything was just a dream, but once it all repeats itself again and again she realizes there's more to it than she had previously thought. She realizes there's something she must do, something to learn.Overall I thought this book was okay. I thought this novel depicted teenage girls extremely well... to the point that I sincerely struggled getting into it. Sam and her friends were the shallow, insecure, and slightly elitist popular girls on the top of the social pyramid, which is the exact reason I struggled with this book at first (these are not the type of girls I relate to). I rarely read anything from this type of character's perspective. Overall I decided it wasn't necessarily a bad thing, just a huge change-up from what I'm used to (you can read this as differently from "my personal taste"). If anything I would have liked to see Sam be a bit stronger and believe in herself. The parts I liked the most about her was when she thought about how much she had loved riding horses, or spending time with her sister, ultimately the things that made her, her. That's the girl I would have rather be reading about, which by the end of the story is what I got.
Of all the characters I loved Kent the most. I loved him due to the fact he has the quirky, smart, and own drummer type personality. I like when people don't conform, it's a breath of fresh air. He was sort of the anchor of change in this book… and I enjoyed that fact. If anything… I would have loved to see more of him.
My last comment was the repetitive nature of the story. Now, don't get me wrong, I love the concept. I like the idea of someone reliving their last day and learning something from it. The downside is that the length… slowly made this repetitive factor age, to the point I wish it had been slightly condensed in the middle. I think it was stretched just a little too much, but not enough to make me put down the book. Each day was a new lesson or idea that helped Sam get to where she needed to be by the end of the story.
In the end I thought this novel as a whole was pretty okay (as stated previously, I know, I know). I didn't enjoy it as much as I had anticipated (based off of everything I heard and reviews I read) but I enjoyed it enough that I don't feel like I wasted my time. The opening was great, and the ending had the closure I needed to feel that a resolution, a point, was made -- which is a novel like this is important to me.
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LibraryThing member SarahMCY
An exciting book about living one day 7 times and what you would do differently. Falling in love and knowing once you fell asleep you would live the day again. untill you do what you need to.
LibraryThing member bhwrn1
Wow, this book was so powerful. I can't even formulate a reaction to it right now. It left me overwhelmed with emotion. I have to sleep on it and come back tomorrow. But I will say this, it was really amazing and I think everyone needs to read it. Oliver is an amazing writer!
Sam Kingston is your
I liked how this book did not make the teens out to be these kids who just kind of pushed the limits and then realized they needed to be good. Sam's friends are raw, the others surrounding her are the same. She learns their faults just as she learns her owns. She learns what's important.
In the seven times she relives her day of death, she tries to fix things that go wrong. But each time she does, something else does not go according to her plan. In the end, she realizes that even tho all the people around her are connected, those connections are continuously changing. That just because you think you know what is going to happen and try to fix it, doesn't mean that won't affect something else in a negative way in the end.
While this book is a bit sad, you really grow to love Sam as she comes to terms with her death.
It actually brought me back to HS and brought up some of that teen angst that I experienced (and that was 20+ years ago!).
I highly recommend this book. Oliver is an excellent writer. She doesn't make you feel like you're reading an adult writing as a teen, she actually makes you feel like you're reading from the perspective of a teen (not an easy feet).
Sam Kingston is your
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typical teenager: she drinks, sometimes smokes, parties, love to hang out with her friends, doesn't care so much about school. And she is popular. She pushes all this to the limits until one day, she dies. But she doesn't just die once, she relives that same day seven times. And in the process she learns things about herself and the others around her that change her perspective on her life.I liked how this book did not make the teens out to be these kids who just kind of pushed the limits and then realized they needed to be good. Sam's friends are raw, the others surrounding her are the same. She learns their faults just as she learns her owns. She learns what's important.
In the seven times she relives her day of death, she tries to fix things that go wrong. But each time she does, something else does not go according to her plan. In the end, she realizes that even tho all the people around her are connected, those connections are continuously changing. That just because you think you know what is going to happen and try to fix it, doesn't mean that won't affect something else in a negative way in the end.
While this book is a bit sad, you really grow to love Sam as she comes to terms with her death.
It actually brought me back to HS and brought up some of that teen angst that I experienced (and that was 20+ years ago!).
I highly recommend this book. Oliver is an excellent writer. She doesn't make you feel like you're reading an adult writing as a teen, she actually makes you feel like you're reading from the perspective of a teen (not an easy feet).
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LibraryThing member ctmsmamo
The book I read was, “Before i Fall” by Lauren Oliver. This book was very good and had an interesting story line.
Samantha Kingston is just an ordinary High School girl. She and her three best friends, pretty much ruled the school. Everyone looked at them as, the popular. Sam and her three
This book was very good and I rate it a 4. I rate this a 4 because I loved the plot of the whole story. It was interesting to see each day be the exact same day, but yet so many different things happened throughout the day.
Samantha Kingston is just an ordinary High School girl. She and her three best friends, pretty much ruled the school. Everyone looked at them as, the popular. Sam and her three
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friends, Ally, Lyndsay and Elody, haven't always been that nice to everyone around them. One night after a big party Lyndsay drives the three other girls home. They end up getting into a car accident and Sam is the one who dies. But instead of seeing her “Angel” and going up to Heaven, she wakes up from her dream and repeats the Sam exact day. The next night she falls asleep but again wakes up repeating the same day. She then has an idea, maybe the days keep repeating so she can figure out some way to help other people and not be as selfish. So she repeats the same day around fourteen times. Each day gets a little different every time. In the end she realizes who she needs to help and how. After helping that person she finally sees her “angel”. This book was very good and I rate it a 4. I rate this a 4 because I loved the plot of the whole story. It was interesting to see each day be the exact same day, but yet so many different things happened throughout the day.
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LibraryThing member thenightbookmobile
Every now and then a book will come along that reminds me of the fine line between a favorite book and one that is just a great read. Sometimes I struggle with what shelves to place a book on when I’m done with it. Was it a favorite? I mean, it was so good, it must be, right? That’s not true
I didn’t like the beginning of the book. I doubt that anyone did. The thing is, we weren’t supposed to. Samantha and her friends do not come across as people you would want to be friends with. They are cruel and unlikeable and the worst part is they don’t even seem to care. They’re bullies, plain and simple, and some of their actions can be hard to read. This is the point. You never really know when your time is up, are you going to like the person you are, when it’s your time to go? People so rarely get a second chance. Luckily for Sam, she gets seven chances to make things right.
This is a story that could easily have become a cliche piece, but in Oliver’s hands, it’s nothing short of beautiful. Her writing just melts and swirls in your brain like warm syrup and makes you feel. Her characters are believable and infuriatingly human and flawed. They could be you. They could be me. Sam thinks Starbucks coffee tastes like “dog pee strained through a trash bag” and so do I! See, we could be the same person. Sam doesn’t get to fix everything. You can’t make the world perfect, because not everything is black and white. It’s a credit to this story that Sam couldn’t fix it all, because not even seven chances can make the world perfect.
“And I guess that’s when it starts to hit me: the whole point is, you do what you can.”
I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone write romance better than Lauren Oliver. She did a great job in Delirium and she does an even better job here. Bittersweet, subtle, slow and heartfelt. Kent is a Nice Guy but not one who expects that he deserves something from Sam just because he’s nice. He wants to be her hero, as she was once for him, when they were children. Sweet Kent, with his eyes the color of grass. Sigh.
Sam’s friendship with Lindsay reminded me so closely of a friendship I had with a girl once. She was a lot like Lindsay. Loud, mean, selfish. She had her good points too, just like Lindsay, though it was hard for people to see them. Oliver manages to make her, perhaps not likeable, but understandable to a degree. She could have easily dumped her aside as the mean girl in the story who Sam had to learn to let go of but she didn’t. In my case, I had to let go of the friend, because her negatives started to outweigh the positives for me, but I think Oliver is right in showing that people aren’t usually just good or bad. They just aren’t meant to be your people.
I could go on about this book all day but I’d rather let you read it yourself.
Recommendation: Everyone.
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though, is it? Before I Fall reminded me that the books that become your favorites are so much more than great, engaging and well written reads. They are the books that hold on to you long after you set them down, the books that resonate with you so much that you can’t stop thinking about them. Every book has the opportunity to become that for someone. That doesn’t mean the next person who picks it up will feel the same way. Everyone is a culmination of different experiences, no one is going to view any one book the same way, no one is going to feel it the same way. Sometimes though, a book comes along, and for you, it’s just right. It changes you in the most subtle of ways. I think that when the right book falls into our lap at the right time it’s one of the luckiest occurrences in the world. Before I Fall was one of those books for me.I didn’t like the beginning of the book. I doubt that anyone did. The thing is, we weren’t supposed to. Samantha and her friends do not come across as people you would want to be friends with. They are cruel and unlikeable and the worst part is they don’t even seem to care. They’re bullies, plain and simple, and some of their actions can be hard to read. This is the point. You never really know when your time is up, are you going to like the person you are, when it’s your time to go? People so rarely get a second chance. Luckily for Sam, she gets seven chances to make things right.
This is a story that could easily have become a cliche piece, but in Oliver’s hands, it’s nothing short of beautiful. Her writing just melts and swirls in your brain like warm syrup and makes you feel. Her characters are believable and infuriatingly human and flawed. They could be you. They could be me. Sam thinks Starbucks coffee tastes like “dog pee strained through a trash bag” and so do I! See, we could be the same person. Sam doesn’t get to fix everything. You can’t make the world perfect, because not everything is black and white. It’s a credit to this story that Sam couldn’t fix it all, because not even seven chances can make the world perfect.
“And I guess that’s when it starts to hit me: the whole point is, you do what you can.”
I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone write romance better than Lauren Oliver. She did a great job in Delirium and she does an even better job here. Bittersweet, subtle, slow and heartfelt. Kent is a Nice Guy but not one who expects that he deserves something from Sam just because he’s nice. He wants to be her hero, as she was once for him, when they were children. Sweet Kent, with his eyes the color of grass. Sigh.
Sam’s friendship with Lindsay reminded me so closely of a friendship I had with a girl once. She was a lot like Lindsay. Loud, mean, selfish. She had her good points too, just like Lindsay, though it was hard for people to see them. Oliver manages to make her, perhaps not likeable, but understandable to a degree. She could have easily dumped her aside as the mean girl in the story who Sam had to learn to let go of but she didn’t. In my case, I had to let go of the friend, because her negatives started to outweigh the positives for me, but I think Oliver is right in showing that people aren’t usually just good or bad. They just aren’t meant to be your people.
I could go on about this book all day but I’d rather let you read it yourself.
Recommendation: Everyone.
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LibraryThing member irinka87
First off, if you do not like 70-100 page chapters, this book is not for you! It was a really good read, but I hated that it took so long to get to the next chapter; it made it feel like you would never find out what would happen. Other than that, definitely worth your time!
LibraryThing member laurakatewriting
Have you ever been asked the question, “If you could only ever keep one book, which would it be?” I have but never answered it. There was no way I could ever pick just one book to own for the rest of my life, I love them all equally, I couldn’t leave any behind! But now I have an answer to
There are a million things I can say to you in a thousand different ways and not even one of them could justify my feelings for this book. I want to cry and wish that simple cry could travel into the depths of cyberspace where it would meet your ears and explain to you what meer words cannot, because I have no words for this book. It is beyond words and I can’t believe its Oliver’s debut!
It is a ceaseless, flawless image of mortality that is both terrifying and refreashing for this genre. It is a story that will claim your heart with each word and that will stay with you long after the last page has turned. It is one that everyone, no matter their preference or doubt, should read and cherish.
If you do start reading it, don’t give up. It is unfair and harsh at times, I even had my doubts, but I didn’t give up on it. It is those last pages that will change everything. It is those last pages that you will never forget.
There are very few books that bring me to tears. I didn’t think this book would be one of them but when I finished reading, I wept like I never had before, so thank you Lauren Oliver, for proving me human and being my hero.
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that ungodly question; If I could only ever keep one book, it would be Before I Fall.There are a million things I can say to you in a thousand different ways and not even one of them could justify my feelings for this book. I want to cry and wish that simple cry could travel into the depths of cyberspace where it would meet your ears and explain to you what meer words cannot, because I have no words for this book. It is beyond words and I can’t believe its Oliver’s debut!
It is a ceaseless, flawless image of mortality that is both terrifying and refreashing for this genre. It is a story that will claim your heart with each word and that will stay with you long after the last page has turned. It is one that everyone, no matter their preference or doubt, should read and cherish.
If you do start reading it, don’t give up. It is unfair and harsh at times, I even had my doubts, but I didn’t give up on it. It is those last pages that will change everything. It is those last pages that you will never forget.
There are very few books that bring me to tears. I didn’t think this book would be one of them but when I finished reading, I wept like I never had before, so thank you Lauren Oliver, for proving me human and being my hero.
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LibraryThing member fromthecomfychair
Samantha Kingston is a popular high school senior with a posse of popular best friends who have it all, in the high school realm of things. They can, and do, bully those who are "beneath them." Lauren Oliver writes in a very believable voice about the world of high school teens. The plot revolves
The plusses of this book are the authenticity of the teenage voice, the realistic way that middle-class teens are portrayed, the drugs, drinking, sex, and skipping out of school, and the positive transformation of the main character. The minus is the confusing and slow start, and the way the book goes on and on. For many, it was a page turner. For me, and some of the girls in my high school book group, it was a slog, and was boring at first. The message was five star, the delivery, only-three-and-a-half.
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around the last day in the life of Samantha, who dies in a car accident after a party. Except she doesn't die, or does she? She "wakes up" the next morning, and six mornings thereafter, and gets a chance to relive that last day, each day changing how she relates to people around her, until she gets it right, until she behaves in an authentic way that clears her conscience of the wrongs she has done to others. Does she get to fix it and then go on living? You have to read to find out.The plusses of this book are the authenticity of the teenage voice, the realistic way that middle-class teens are portrayed, the drugs, drinking, sex, and skipping out of school, and the positive transformation of the main character. The minus is the confusing and slow start, and the way the book goes on and on. For many, it was a page turner. For me, and some of the girls in my high school book group, it was a slog, and was boring at first. The message was five star, the delivery, only-three-and-a-half.
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LibraryThing member ForeignCircus
This book is young adult fiction at its best- a serious message presented as an incredibly engaging story. Sam is one of the queen bees of her high school- pretty, popular and seemingly perfect. And then she dies and she can't figure out why. As she relives the last day of her life over and over,
Samantha has an incredibly authentic voice, one capable of speaking to adults and teens alike. Her revelations about bullying, eating disorders, sex, and peer pressure are sure to strike a chord with any reader. This engaging novel also shares some powerful insights into the sometimes heartbreaking realities of teen life. Highly recommended- the best young adult book I read all year!
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trying different tactics to change the ultimate outcome, she reveals an astonishing depth of character and understanding for both her family, friends and those outsiders whose lives have touched on hers. It is difficult to go into much detail without spoiling this wonderful story, but trust me that once you start this book, you won't be able to put it down.Samantha has an incredibly authentic voice, one capable of speaking to adults and teens alike. Her revelations about bullying, eating disorders, sex, and peer pressure are sure to strike a chord with any reader. This engaging novel also shares some powerful insights into the sometimes heartbreaking realities of teen life. Highly recommended- the best young adult book I read all year!
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LibraryThing member ctmsalmo
before i fall, is the best book I have ever read! It hurt to put it down. Thee characters are relatable, funny, and is overall, very well thought out. before i fall, changes any readers perspectives, or thoughts on death, love, and friendships. Phenomenal!
LibraryThing member SarahZee
I don't know...I read good reviews about this book, some said it was sad, emotional, bla bla. But for me it was, grrr, O.K.I didn't like Sam one bit, even at the end, I know she did the right thing, but the way she ended her story with Kent, well that was awful, why ignore the guy for 7 years then
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make him hope when you know you're gonna die?Kent was the only character I really liked, Sam and her friends were mean and selfish, Juliet was weak and a quitter. I don't know how to rate this book, I wanna give it 2 stars, but the writing style definitely deserves four, so I'm gonna go with 3. Show Less
LibraryThing member ABookVacation
Very cute book--real life situations with a likeable main character. I was suprised that Oliver was able to create such a well written story that didn't get boring, even though the story revolves around the same exact day happening 7 times. I really did like it! I thought it would be like
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"Groundhogs Day," which I hated, so I put it off for quite a while, even though my students were bugging me to read it. Glad I finally did pick it up! :) Show Less
Call number
YA A Oli