Title: Thirteen Reasons WhyAuthor: Jay Asher
Release Date: 18 Oct. 2007
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 336
Rated: The Best to Love
Synopsis from Goodreads
Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.
On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.
Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.
My Thoughts
Jay Asher walks you with Clay through the events that lead Hannah to take her life and where they took place so astonishingly well you won't be able to forget their story. Even though it's about an awful situation that I thought I might not be able to handle reading about I couldn't put the book down. There was a perfect balance that kept me from bawling through the book. It goes back and forth between Hannah and Clay so that you understand the full impact it has on a person, yet you can handle it without wanting to stop.
Through the book you're learning about Hannah's life. You want everything to be okay for Hannah even though you know it won't be. You know the ending, but you still can't help but be completely attached to her. Clay reacted to the tapes so strongly I just wanted to hug him. Who wouldn't? Some of the people involved did horrible things, but others did small things that wouldn't be so terrible if not for everything adding up.
Jay Asher did an incredible job on this book. It leaves you contemplating how your actions shape other peoples lives. But, really, it's an amazing read that I loved. I can't believe it took me this long to read it. If you haven't already, read it!
