Monday, May 14, 2012

Audio Review: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher


Genre: Young Adult
Format: Audio
Publisher: Razorbill
Challenge: 2012 Audio Book Challenge
Purchase: Indie Bound

13 Reasons Why you should listen to (or read) Thirteen Reasons Why:

1.It has stellar narrators.
2.It deals with bullying.
3. It deals with peer pressure.
4. It deals with body image.
5. It deals with depression.
6. It deals with our kids.
7. It deals with suicide.
8. It deals with the definitions of friendship.
9. It speaks to any age of reader.
10. It is bold, brash, in your face, no holds barred.
11. It made me cry and laugh.
12. It made me, above all, relate.
13. It captures the "voice" of teenagers perfectly, shockingly and unapologetically.

Goodreads Description:
Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.
On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.
Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers. 

I was riveted from disc 1. Listening to it brought an edge and weight to it that I don't think reading it would have. The voice of Hannah made me ache and want to reach in to help her. The voice of Clay was so honest and endearing, he felt like a son to me.

All parents should read/listen to this book. When you think  you know your children, you might not. This book shows us, sadly, what can go horribly wrong with our kids when they deal with their lives in school.

Rating: Highly Recommended

Author Website:
Jay Asher


Book Club Pick?
Most definitely.

Happy Reading and as always, thanks for stopping by!

red headed book child


6 comments:

Gina said...

So glad to see this one out in the blogosphere. Have heard many great things but not seen a review as of yet. Though I'm not a book listener, it certainly sounds like one I should check out in the future. Thanks for the reasons why! ^_^

Marce said...

I remember being upset by this book and I read it a long time ago. I do not think it should be YA and would never recommend to any young person but think naive parents and teachers should definitely read it.

I was angry because I walked away from the book thinking suicide is a choice and it never should be. Just my opinion of course.

Stacy at The Novel Life said...

i've read this book three times but never have listened to the audio. i cry every single time...i ache for the kids involved and hug my own a little bit tighter after reading. Another doozy of book is Before I Fall - if you haven't read it yet do so - it is 13 Reasons Why squared.
love the way you did your review!

Tales of Whimsy said...

Awesome review. Succinct and yet thorough. Bravo!

Paula Calvanico said...

This sounds so good Michelle. As a parent who abhors bullying and is merciless in my rants to my kids on what I'd do if they ever bullyed, I am going to seek this book out. I really want my kids to see the movie Bully.

Thanks for sharing : )

Paula

Jenny said...

I like your format for this review! Clever and got the point across. =) I've had this one on my must read list forever. I will keep it in mind as a possible audio read though!