They Both Die at the End (They Both Die at the End, #1)

by Adam Silvera

[littleread1]

What ... what did I read? What is happening? How did it take me 4 days to even mark this as finished?! WHO EVEN AM I?

I have feelings about this book. Feelings I am not sure I can explain, but I will try.

I am NOT a person who normally enjoys sad books. But a couple years back, I was at an event where the author was talking about this book, before it had come out, and I thought the premise sounded neat, and since I knew going in that they were going to die (It is literally the title of the book) I would be able to keep myself separate from the story and not get invested. HAHAHAHAHA.

That did not happen.

I started off strong, only getting a little twinge of sad as we got to see how the boys each reacted after getting the call. But once they met up and got to know each other, oh my god my heart. My heart just absolutely shattered. And it isn't just sad at the end, oh no, there are micro-deaths throughout the book. Seeing the last sunrise, eating at a favorite diner for the last time, saying goodbye to friends and family, last-first experiences, ... I could go on, but no joke, I am tearing up typing this and I finished the book 4 days ago.

BUT, as sad as this book is, it is also beautiful. If you knew you were going to die today, how would you spend it? Would you stay home with loved ones? Go out and live a lifetime in one day? You would have the chance to possibly get your affairs in order and say your goodbyes. It would be ... nice? And horrible. But also freeing? And seeing how these boys spend their last day, you get to experience all those feelings right along with them.

I know it is super early in 2019, but if this book isn't in at least my top 5 of the year, I would be surprised. It is already one of the best books I've ever read, and that is saying something, from someone who doesn't read a lot of "contemporary" fiction. (I say "contemporary" because while there is a science fiction element, the story--to me at least-- reads more like a contemporary YA)