Friday, April 22, 2011

Reader's Ramble- Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

For my second Reader's Ramble I am going to be reviewing the amazing novel by Lauren Oliver called Before I Fall!



"What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?
Samantha Kingston has it all: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.
Instead, it turns out to be her last.
Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing."




Many of you have probably read this book but if you haven't yet, you need to!



Plot- I LOVED the plot in this book. It was amazing and so inspiring. At first, the main character Sam doesn't really understand the situation she's in, but once she finds out and knows what she has to do, she is determined and won't let anything stand in her way. If she fails, she doesn't give up! It kept me hooked throughout the book and had me cheering Sam on.



Setting- The setting of this story is in Connecticut in a local town, so it fits well for this story. Sam is like any other high school girl( well popular high school girl) at first, so this setting can help the reader relate to the story.



Theme- I loved the theme of this book also. I think the theme is learning from your own mistakes, and living every day like it is your last. It sends a strong message to the reader.



Characters-LOVED SAM! I loved to watch her change throughout the novel. How she realized all the mistakes she made and what she needed to do to fix everything. The way she loves her friends and started to savor every moment. I liked Kent, he was sweet. Juliet Skyes made me want to punch her in the face sometimes. I can relate to her though because I know what it feels like to be teased. The other characters, Lindsay, Ally, Elody, and Rob however, not so much. They aren't the kinds of girls I'd hang around. They did too much drinking, smoking, having sex, and making fun of others. I don't do any of that stuff so that's what I didn't like about them.



Overall- For the most part, I loved it. This book taught me a valuable lesson and I'll remember reading it forever.


However, there would be some things I would change. Because I can't really relate to Sam too well in this novel, my high school experience isn't like hers, AT ALL. So I don't really know the pressures of being popular and teasing other people.


The characters also drink, smoke, have sex, and party too much. I hate people like that at my school so it seems like if Lindsay, Ally, Elody and Rob actually existed, I'd hate them.


I loved the way it ended though. It made me want to cry. So despite it's minor faults, I rate this book..

5 out of 5 stars! I loved it and it is a must- read! It is now one of my favorites!


4 comments:

Evie Jay said...

Great review! :) Love the Reader's Ramble! :)

I think what makes Sam relatable for me isn't the "outside view" with the popularness, since I wasn't like that either, nor was my high school like that, but it's the inside transformation and understanding that she develops. I think we've all gone through some kind of revelation about something we've done, and that's why I related to her. :)

A said...

I really MUST get this book! I have heard so many great things about it! Great readers ramble :)

Paige Woiner said...

@ Evie- Thanks! I agree with you!

@ Amy- YES! Definatley read it! And thank youu :)

Anonymous said...

I thought that the theme was that our lives touch the lives of other people in ways we wouldn't expect. Great review, and I loved this book!