Thirteen Reasons Why: A Review

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.

My Review:

This was an incredible read. A tad depressing, but quite impactful.

Clay is an average kid, trying to get good grades and eventually become valedictorian. Everything is right and good in life until he receives a shoebox full of cassettes. And on those tapes, is Hannah Baker's voice. It's just that ... Hannah had killed herself.

Through seven tapes, Clay hears thirteen reasons why Hannah killed herself.

The tapes are not only sad, but they are chock full of emotion. Seeing Hannah's life through her eyes. Seeing how one tiny rumor, one tiny, stupid joke can unravel a person's life. It definitely made me think. Our actions matter, no matter how small they are. We may not think they affect anyone, but in some small way, they do.

Seeing Clay's reaction to Hannah's tapes is heartbreaking at times. The pain he goes through while trying to cope with what he's hearing. His actions prove to me that he is a genuinely good guy. Especially since he is surrounded by kids to need to reevaluate themselves. Poor Hannah never got a break from them.

This book definitely brought out the consequences of bullying and careless actions. It is impossible to like everyone you meet, but it is possible to be nice. This book reinforced my belief that under no circumstances does anyone have the right to belittle or ridicule someone else--to make them feel less and inferior. That was all Hannah got from people, and uts horrible.

Suicide is a touchy subject, but this book helps show how people need to recognize the signs, and help in any they can. If only Hannah's counselor had not given her a sort of ultimatum, but rather got her some real help... If only someone saw her pain, if only she shared it...

Like I said, it's a touchy subject and it got me thinking. This is definitely a book everyone should read. Maybe it will help us all to be a little bit kinder, and little bit more caring.

I give this a 5 out of 5!