this is a middle school read so i understand the lack of connection to the characters but i was hoping for more of a connections and or me crying but overall it was a good read. 

 Ok, I am about to admit to the ULTIMATE book worm sin.... I read this book AFTER seeing the moving several years ago... I know, I know, I should have my book work club membership revoked. My card shredded. My name black listed! But in all seriousness... always read the book first my booky friends.

I've owned this book for around 8 years (it was after the movie release that my sweet husband bought it for me once I realized the movie we'd just seen on our date night as adapted from a novel). I put the book on a shelf in hopes to read it after I had forgotten the movie since I wanted to go in with a fresh mind... I guess 8 years was long enough :,)

I honestly enjoyed "If I Stay" and it only took a little over 24 hours from start to finish. I loved how it was broken down by times of events instead of by chapters. Mia also switched from telling her story between the past and the current events and while I enjoyed this I wish there was more of her current story rather than what went on from age ten (only reason I gave 4 instead of 5 stars). I loved how the author used music as a common factor throughout and how things were compared to certain aspects of Mia playing cello. While I am 32 years old, music is one thing that I believe is NOT generational and that all generations can connect through in some shape and form. By the end of the book I felt like part of Mia's family and was rooting for her to fight. I cannot wait to read book number two within this duo!