msjamgochian'sinfinitebooklist

The playlist concept was the best part of the book. Although I enjoyed Sam as a character, his reaction (and the response of the entire community) to his best friend's suicide was completely unbelievable. Add an ending that is overly complicated, throw in a new character a few chapters from said ending, and you have a book that tries hard but misses its mark. Read Jennifer Niven's spectacular All The Bright Places or Nina LaCoeur's unforgettable Hold Still instead. View all my reviews

If you only read one ya novel this year, All The Bright Places should be it. Theodore, suffering from bipolar disorder, and Violet, griefstruck after her beloved sister's untimely death, meet on top of a tower: he's about to jump off and she's considering it. He pulls her back from the edge, beginning a friendship that turns into a sweet, sad, intense romance as the two of them pair up on a class project that involves tooling around their home state of Indiana. Is there anything better than two broken misfits finding happiness, albeit temporarily, in each other? Ms. Niven masterfully, authentically, and mindfully depicts teen suicide (she is a survivor herself) without over-dramatizing or alienating her readers. The perfect match for fans of Eleanor & Park and The Fault in Our Stars. View all my reviews

What would you do if you knew you only had one day to live? High school senior Sam gets seven tries at the last day of her life, and slowly untangles the events leading up to her death and discovers what she'll miss the most. Ms. Oliver has a gift for writing believable teens and placing them in realistic situations. Give BIF to fans of Sara Zarr and Jay Asher's 13 Reasons Why. Grade 8+

Suicide leaves survivors with many questions, most of which begin with why. Hannah Baker provides 13 answers, or reasons why, she killed herself via a set of seven cassette tapes delivered chain-letter style to each of the 'reasons.' When the tapes make their way to the doorstep of Clay Baker (who had a crush on Hannah), he spends an agonizing evening listening to Hannah's voice as she explains that "everything affects everything" and follows her on a journey through the past using a map that outlines Hannah's path to self destruction. A brutal and poignant account of teen bullying that will resonate with teens and adults who have experienced it first hand or doled it out themselves. A must read for teens, suicide survivors, educators, and especially school counselors. I listened to this title on audio when it was released, but it was particularly moving in print, and I recommend both. Don't miss all the extras on Asher's website, including discussion ...