Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

My Review:
I liked it ok. I feel slightly disappointed by this book because it was given great ratings so I had high expectations. The theme of the book reminded me a lot of “Thirteen Reasons Why” by Jay Asher, a book I love. It was hard for me to get into this book because I found the main character so self absorbed and vain and even after she realizes she can right her wrongs, I still did not feel she truly understood the impact she had on others and how mean she really was. She justified her friend’s unfounded hatred and mistreatment of others and only a few times really called them out on it. She did not in any way try to change their perspective, people who were just as guilty as her.

While I was not invested in the character’s journey to redemption, I found Lauren Oliver’s writing so amazing, engaging, and awe-inspiring. I was completely captured in the way she could describe a scene with all the senses and looked at things in a completely different way. That is honesty what got me through this book. The message was clearly conveyed through Sam’s observations of Juliet Sykes, the school outcast, and how bullying and small comments can become the biggest monster of lies that we may never recover from. If I were to recommend this book it would be because of the message I received and Oliver’s writing style. I am looking forward to reading her other book “Delirium” which I have read is wonderful.