If I Stay - Review

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Audio CD
• Publisher: Penguin Audio; Unabridged edition (April 16, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0143144456
• ISBN-13: 978-0143144458
• Approx Run Time: 5 Hours
• Narrator: Kirsten Potter

Synopsis:
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 heart achingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make—and the ultimate choice Mia commands.

My Review:

This book grabbed me from the get go. Being an Oregonian myself, I caught on and understood all the little Oregon details the author put into this book. I really liked that aspect. It made me feel at home while listening to it.

I instantly liked Mia and her family and could almost feel her confusion and pain during and after the accident that left her outside herself looking in.

Gayle did a wonderful job with all of Mia's back stories she seems to lose herself in while all the doctors, nurses, surgery, hospital stuff is going on all around her. It really brought Mia to life for me hearing about her parents, grandparents, family, her childhood, Kim, Adam, & Julliard.

I have to say at a few points this book nearly brought me to tears and I don't cry easily at all. I could feel Mia's desperation while trying to decide whether or not to stay. So heart breaking.

As with all the audio books I listen too, the narrator really makes or breaks the book for me. Kirsten Potter was amazing and really brought this book to life for me.