First Pages: If I Stay

Excerpt from Gayle Forman's If I Stay

I have to say that I really wanted to post from Where She Went by Gayle Forman, which is the sequel of If I Stay and is told from Adam's point of view.  However, I don't think a sequel counts as a good book to dissect first lines with.  So I'm going to start with If I Stay and Mia's point of view, which comes even though she is in a coma for most of the book.  It's not a spoiler to say that as that's part of the gimmick or concept of the book.  And it is done well....and begins well because the reader can't help but keep reading to find out what happens.

Interspersed throughout is a mix of classical and rock references that I loved.  Even more than that, I really fell in love with Mia's family, which makes it harder to read.  Yes, the beginning is very engaging and pulls you through with its characterization of the Oregon and the Pacific Northwest along with the heart of Mia and her family. 

If you haven't read If I Stay yet, I encourage you to do so, if only to get to the emotionally-packed and beautifully rendered sequel.  Funnily enough, I also preferred her sequel to Just One Day, which is Just One Year, and also happens to be told from a male point of view.  Forman just captures their voice and tone so well.

Excerpt from Where She Went by Gayle Forman

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