If I Stay (If I Stay, #1)

by Gayle Forman

[Sam@WLABB]

At one point in the story, one of the nurses declare that "She's (Mia) running the show". That pretty much sums up the basic premise of "If I Stay". Mia is a 17 year old with a loving mother, father and brother, with whom she loves to spend her time. She is also a gifted cellist who loves classical music. One day, the whole family ventures on a road trip to visit family friends and tragedy strikes. Mia and her family are involved in a horrible car accident that leaves her in a coma and with the big decision to fight or retreat. To help her decide, she reflects on her life before the accident in flashbacks and wonders how it would be if she stayed.

I throughly enjoyed this book. Forman crafted a beautiful picture of familial bliss, but it was real. The family had problems and disagreements and struggles, but in the end, they were there for one another and loved each other. This also applied to their friends, or rather, "extended family". She also painted this beautiful love story between Mia and Adam. Again, we always had the reality and I appreciate that part of her writing. It seemed a smart choice due to the heavy nature of this story. The romance, friendship and family should not be all sticky sweet and perfect, but should be honest.

Forman does a wonderful job of conveying many emotions, from a joyous birth to a sad realization. I felt the happiness, the joy, the pain, the suffering, the sadness -- I felt it all. And, it was beautiful.