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Before I Fall
- KateHubb
- Nov 13, 2016
- 2 min read
"Groundhog's Day" meets "Mean Girls" in this raw and emotional story of second, third and fourth chances.
Title: Before I Fall
Author: Lauren Oliver
Pages: 470
Genre: YA | Fiction
Rating: 5/5
Recommended: If you like a good redemption story and can stomach hard moments.
Song: "Be Mean" by DNCE
Redemption @ its Finest
Samantha Kingston is popular, a High School senior and about to lose her virginity on Cupid Day. She's also not the nicest person on the planet. After a normal Friday (school, cutting class, and a 2 kegger, she hops in the last car ride of her life. Just after she dies, she wakes up to live the same day again.
Warning to the wise: you won't like this main character at first. She is selfish, naive, and blindly follows BFF and lead mean girl Lindsay. Lucky for her, the universe is generous enough to give her a re-do. As the story progresses, she peels back the layers of herself, her friends, her boyfriend, her family, and the rest of the high school hierarchy. When she uncovers the ugly truths about how her actions have negatively affected other people, the question isn't IF she will make things right, but HOW.
On Bullying
I know a lot of very sensitive, very sweet teenagers. For every one of the nice ones, there are three who are...still figuring things out. Lauren Oliver delves into the motivations behind blind bullying. The insecurities that come with being a teenager don't always manifest in the best ways. In Samantha's case, her words and her actions are mean because she wants to fit in. In Lindsay's case, her embarrassments and insecurities are projected onto others. Samantha's main storyline focuses on how she can change the effects of years of bullying in just one day.
Audiobook
Sara Drew also narrates the "Delirium" series by the same author. You'll also hear her voice on ABC's hit show, Grey's Anatomy. She plays the overdramatic, stressed and whiny April Kepner. I like her voice, but I don't like her attempts to narrate people who are not the main character. She clicks with Samantha, but everyone else is just...off.
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