If I Stay by Gayle Forman

From Goodreads: In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...


A sophisticated, layered, and heartachingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make—and the ultimate choice Mia commands.

My Thoughts: I devoured this book within a 24-hour period of time. Once I started reading I could not stop. I would take breaks to change a diaper or feed my kids but as soon as possible I just had to have it back in my hands. After a horrific car accident Mia is left to make the impossible decision, to stay or go. Throughout this book Forman parallels significant moments in Mia’s life with her current reality of watching over her family, and herself, as her body is lying in a critical care ICU.

I had such a visceral response to this book. I found myself verging on tears as Mia spoke of what she saw and what happened to her after her accident. I felt her joy when she talked of her life before her accident, from her first real date, to afternoons with her grandparents, to her solo practice time with her cello. Mia was such a tangible character for me, she was so real and I think that is why I responded the way I did to her story. The people close to Mia waiting in the hospital for news, any news, were also unbelievably authentic. I could feel their pain and desperation. This book took me on a bit of an emotional roller coaster.

I finished this book with a renewed appreciation for the extraordinary, everyday moments in my life and I am really looking forward to reading the sequel.



I borrowed this book from the library.