Review: "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher

Review by Ariel* for The Librarian's Bookshelf

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker - his classmate and crush - who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah's voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out why. Clay spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes a firsthand witness to Hannah's pain, and learns the truth about himself-a truth he never wanted to face.

Thirteen Reasons Why is the gripping, addictive international bestseller that has changed lives the world over. It's an unrelenting modern classic.

This book hooked me from the first page. I had heard from other bloggers that it was eye-opening, but I had no idea just how much. Clay is forced to lie to his mother and his best friend in order to make it through these tapes, and is fueled on by the knowledge that he is somehow in these tapes and has a part in Hannah's suicide. Clay has no idea what to expect, and is catapulted into memories, many of which he does not want to remember. This novel is heart-breaking, but it really gives insight into how anyone can treat people and things to do to help possible suicide victims. Definitely a must-read!

* I received this book from a giveaway. I was not required to post a review.

Release Date: June 14, 2011

Publisher: Razorbill

Genre: YA Fiction

Pages: 336

Format: Paperback

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