Thirteen Reasons Why - Jay Asher

Those who know me know I love books written for Young Adults. This is one of those books.

"Thirteen Reasons Why" is a story, written in the form of a suicide note on tape. The young girl who kills herself leaves behind 7 tapes. Each side of a tape is one of the reasons she decided to end her life, and each of those sides is dedicated to one person (the "B" side of the 7th tape is blank). These tapes arrive mysteriously in the mail, and each person mentioned on these tapes must pass them on to the next person mentioned.

The story follows a tortured Clay Jenson as he listens to all these tapes and follows the map that Hannah Baker has left behind.

I found this to be a moving book, written with great insight and sensitivity. Asher is able to capture the insecurities of the teenage mind and show how all the little cruelties inflicted on each other without thought can have such a profound effect under certain circumstances.

This is a story every teen should read, but a worthwhile read for anyone of any age.

Trying to get Back on Track for 2010!

It has been a long time since I have tended to this blog. Far too many times I would finish a book and tell myself "I will blog about it later/tomorrow, only to find myself too engag4ed in the next read to make any worthwhile comment on the last. So for my sole resolution for 2010, is to blog more often.

The new blogs may be brief, but I hope they will still prove to be useful to anyone looking for suggestions on books to read, opinions of books they may be considering, other opinions on books they have read and of course see what other people are reading and their thoughts. After all, I am always looking for my next good read too!

Happy Reading for 2010 to all!