Review: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Title: Before I Fall

Author: Lauren Oliver

Publisher: HarperCollins

Pub. Date: March 2, 2010

Length: 470 pages

Summary (from author's website):
What if you only had one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?
Samantha Kingston has it all: the world’s most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.
Instead, it turns out to be her last. Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

My Thoughts:  You know when you find a book that's so amazing you just want to pick it up and read it over and over again? Before I Fall is one of those books. I've already read this one twice, so I don't exactly have the big urge to rave about it to anyone and everyone anymore (I did the first time I read it. Unfortunately, I didn't have a blog at the time), but its almost as if I've come to think of this one as a classic. Its like when you find out someone has no clue what Romeo and Juliet is, your like what!? Its the same with Before I Fall.

One of the great things about debuts is that you don't know what to expect. Unlike picking up a book by one of your favorite authors, you have no idea if the book is going to be absolutely amazing or if its going to leave you unsure about reading the author's next book. In this case, Lauren Oliver's debut knocked my socks off! In Before I Fall, we follow Sam as she relives February 12 (the day she died) seven times, Groundhog Day style.

At the start of the novel, I didn't like Sam or her friends very much. They were popular, and like most popular people, they did some things that were just mean. I continued to read on and after a short while I became very fond of Sam and her friends. The thing is, its true. There is always going to be someone who gets picked on, someone getting laughed at. I don't like saying it and it doesn't make it right, but it is true. I could still find myself relating to Sam and her friends.

As Sam relives February 12, we watch her grow and change as a person. She has many layers, and I appreciate that the author made her this way. I loved how she slowed down and took time to notice all the little things that affect her everyday life; and I loved how everyday she tired a different way to cope, and how  even the smallest actions had a ripple effect. As a teenager myself, I found myself relating to Sam time and time again, even when she did "bad" things, like ditching class and cheating. I empathized with her through it all.

Lauren's writing style was another thing that made me love Before I Fall. The plot was addicting, and I felt as though I were there living through Sam's eyes the whole time. This book is an emotional roller coaster and an addictive story. And, I know I can't write about all the amazing things that made Before I Fall, but I can tell you it is a wonderful book, one that may even change your life. I was going through a rough time the first time I picked up Before I Fall. I read it, and things started to change. Its kind of hard to explain, so you may not understand what I'm trying to say, but it helped me through my rough time.

 Before I Fall is a must read for teens and adults both. If you have not read this one yet, go buy it right now. You won't regret it.

Rating:

5 Moons

Lauren Oliver is also the author of Delirium,  released February 1. Click here to read the first chapter.