If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Once again my super awesome independent bookseller/friend/writer Joanne has passed along to me an ARC that is AMAZING!!!!

I read all of Gayle Forman's upcoming book If I Stay within 24 hours, I probably would have read it in 4 if I didn't have to get up for work the next morning. This is definitely the book of the year in my opinion. Definitely its in my top three of the past year with the list going as follows:

1. If I Stay, Gayle Forman
2. Curse as Dark as Gold, Elizabeth C. Bunce
3. The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins

Ok and now that I'm here making a list...

4. 13 Reasons Why, Jay Asher (I get to see him Saturday, SQUEEEEE)
5. Savvy, Ingrid Law


But lists aside...man I like lists!

If I Stay is about Mia, whose entire life is turned upside down when her entire family is in a car accident on a snow day. Mia leaves her body after the accident and follows her body to the hospital. Much of her life is told in flashback, as the scene unfolds and we find out how serious the car accident is. Mia basically has a choice to move onto the other side or return to her body and live.

This story was told in such a subtle, beautiful, poignant and suspensful (without feel cheap or gimmicky) way. I'm just in awe right now of this book and this author, whose other books I am purchasing immediately. I seriously cannot wait to buy a hardcover copy of this book. I'm so in love with the world she created and I'm pretty close to writing to the author and begging for a sequeal because I just want to know more and spend more time with Mia and also Adam (her boyfriend) who I'm totally in love with right now. He's a punk rocker and he can eat Edward Cullen's heart out.

I don't want to say too much and give the story away, but just trust me this is just the most amazing and well told story. I'm going to read it again this weekend. This is just the kind of story that reminds me of why I want to be a writer. Amazing!

So now I need to pack for the SCBWI winter conference tomorrow-and finish working on my SCBWI Poconos critique piece.

Also Buffy the Vampire Slayer-the movie is on tv-which is always an important thing to know.

Recently Read: If I Stay, Gayle Forman
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (GREAT)

Currently Reading: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2