If I Stay

If I Stay
Gayle Forman
262 pages
Publisher: Speak
Source: Borders Sale
★★★★★

You can read the Goodreads summary here.

It's rare that I love a book this much.  While I was reading I struggled between reading it all at once and gobbling up its goodness, or stretching it out to savor it more.  I opted for the later.  Aside from that, I was so drawn into the storyline that I ordered the sequel, Where She Went, while I was still reading If I Stay.  I actually purchased a book full price - that's rare for me!  And when I got home from my trip a couple days ago, it was waiting for me.

If I Stay starts out on an idyllic morning - Mia and her brother have a snow day, but the day soon turns nice and she and her family start off on a day trip.  Things soon turn tragic when there is a devastating car accident.  Mia's parents are killed instantly.  The rest of the novel follows Mia as she watches over herself in the ICU, trying to decide whether to stay and live without her family, or die.

The concept of the novel is heart wrenching and even I, who rarely sheds a tear at a book (not even TFIOS) teared up during the accident, immediate aftermath, and the very last few pages of the novel.  If I Stay really gripped at my emotions and would not let go - I finished the book days ago and I'm still thinking about it.

But the book wasn't an utter downer.  Mia's past was a happy one and it was nice to relive her some memories with her.  Mia has a great number of supporters throughout her life, not just her parents.  It was awesome to read about such a loving group of family members and friends.  Not everyone gets to experience that kinds of love and support in life and Mia was extremely lucky.

Five stars!  This is a must, must read for all YA fans, particularly those who like contemporary YA.  If I Stay is definitely one of the best books I've read so far this year ever.