I decided to do this on my blog because it's not something I want to make videos about since it is not beauty related. However, with my very very fresh blog I now created, I thought this would be a great place for it since this blog is intended for you guys to get to know me just a little better! I guess I'm gonna just dive right into it since I'm very new at this and not sure this will even be interesting enough to read lol.
Something you'll learn about me is I LOVE to read, but am actually TERRIBLE at just going to a bookstore and picking out a book because I tend to "judge them on their covers". Really...I hate that. I'm really hard to please when it comes to books. If I'm not hooked by page 1 or 2, I'll put it down. That's probably not a good things because some really good classic books don't get going until a few chapters deep - a few good classics I'll never read, then. Sorry. The majority of this book was read on an elliptical while working out, as I like to pass the dragging time by reading because it takes my mind away and gives me something to focus on rather than my heart beating in my ears. Anyway, I really don't want to give away the premise of this book and you can basically get what it's all about by reading the back cover, but let me just talk about my honest review.
As you all know if you are an avid watcher of my videos on YouTube, I'm extremely honest and have no problem telling it like it is. So here's my 2 cents on this book. I was very skeptical about this book because it is set in a high school. Eh. I'm not in high school, nor do I want to put myself in the high school frame of mind anymore because high school was literally the worst 4 years of my life (long story). However, it was the story of finding out why the main character, Hannah Baker, committed suicide that kept me reading. I'll be honest, even up until the first few "chapters" (that's in quotes because the chapters are divide by the tape number and side A or B of the tape). Let me stop right there and give a brief overview so this makes a little more sense - the book is all about these tapes, recorded by Hannah, explaining to the 13 people on them why they are somehow responsible for her committing suicide. After her death, the tapes are mailed to the 1st person who appeared on the tapes and they are to be passed to the next person and so on. If they aren't passed, she made a copy of the tapes and will have someone publicly post them to embarrass/shame the 13 people on these tapes even further than if they just would have played by the rules. The book is actually 2 narrations going on at once because not only do you hear what Hannah is saying on all these tapes, you also get to feel what Clay Jensen - the main character and someone on the tapes - feels. Chilling, right? ;)
Okay, now that you know the premise, let me continue. As I was saying, even up until about halfway through the book I wasn't that drawn in. Don't get me wrong, the book was intriguing enough to keep me turning pages, but when I put it down, I didn't get that urge to pick it back up if that makes any sense? That all changed today when Clay's story finally came into play in Hannah's death. Of course I won't say how he's involved, but let's just say the book quickly picked up speed. And as I'm reading this today on my elliptical, I shed a few tears - not gonna lie. That's how I knew this book had me. And it honestly had me all along.
The book is not that long and it is a very easy read. However, I can't explain why I even liked it that much! To be honest, and this is digs a little deeper than I care for anyone other than my personal friends to know, but this brought me back to high school. I honestly felt like Hannah to the 10th power...except I just didn't go through with it. The rumors. The way people judged me based on stuff they heard. The loneliness. Don't get me wrong, I had friends. I was a cheerleader. I was top of my class and heavily involved in school...but sometimes none of that mattered at the end of the day when people still hated you for something you didn't do, nor had no control over. I know a lot of people (girls especially) go through this in high school. I loved this book because it was relatable...not just to me, but I'm sure a lot of people. The thing I liked even better is how the book wrapped up. I so badly wanted it to keep going, for there to be a sequel, but all good things must come to an end.
After finishing this today, I went to this website. This website is designed FANTASTICALLY. There video clips you can watch of all the "tapes" being read by Hannah and to hear it made my spine tingle. What I also liked was in the back of the book was an interview with the books author, Jay Asher who talked about the books inspiration, what parts were true, etc. which really let you into the making of this book. What I honestly liked the most about this book was how it made me feel afterwards. It made me think - think about all the mean things I've said to someone and not known how it has affected them. It made me think about all the times when I've said "So what? Nobody likes her anyway. She probably is a whore" even though those exact words were said about me at Hannah's age.
I'm going to stop rambling now and sum up - this book was great. Not FANTASTIC...but great. Anyone with a heart can relate. Anyone that has ever been in high school or is STILL in high school will relate. I think this book can be very beneficial to those who are feeling alone. To those feeling ridiculed for no reason. To those who feel outcast. Check out the website. Read others reviews. Decide for yourself if you want to read this! But as for me, I will tell you to read it! Thumbs up!
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