Before I Fall

By: Lauren Oliver

Narrated by: Sarah Drew

What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it turns out to be her last. Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death - and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

Cover Art © 2016 Open Road Films. All Rights Reserved.

©2010 Lauren Oliver (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Oliver, in a pitch-perfect teen voice, explores the power we have to affect the people around us in this intensely believable first novel...This is a compelling book with a powerful message and should not be missed." ( Booklist)

Definately a Must "Read"

What other book might you compare Before I Fall to and why?

It was like a Butterfly Effect/Groudnhogs day type of book. in fact she mentions both in the story!

Any additional comments?

This was unexpectedly a great book. I'd never heard anything from Lauren Oliver or Sarah Drew and was immediately drawn into the story. Not being from the popular group in high school, it was interesting to get such an insight. As she keeps reliving the day, she sees how her actions have ripple effects. It demonstrates how everyone's actions make a difference whether you are popular, goth, geek, or outcast.

The narration was really good. At times the voices for the friends ran together as they all "spoke" with a lazy, whiney cadence. Sarah Drew did a great job distinguishing everyone though and the way she narrated the internal struggle with Sam was top notch.

loved everything about this

beautiful imagery, truly great performance and deeply thought provoking and emotional
sorry to finish it.

Great coming of age story that reminds readers what it is to be young

I really REALLY enjoyed this book and have already recommended it to all my friends. The narrator performs the different character voices perfectly, changing her pitch and expression to match the different personalities. The story itself is similar to If I Stay, with a young girl at the beginning of her life trying to figure out what's really important and how to deal with facing death. It's sweet, honest, intriguing, just a little bit sad, romantic, and seriously addicting. It makes you remember being young, especially if your a woman reminiscing on being a teenage girl, and perfectly catches the struggles of high school, of growing up, and of really becoming yourself, who you were meant to be. The leaves you just wanting a bit more, which all good books should do. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a meaningful read.

SPOILER ALERT - DONT READ FURTHER UNLESS TOU WANT THE ENDING RUINED.




Not going to lie...I DEFINITELY wanted Sam to live in the end, to get a real chance to be with Kent, to right all her wrongs, and become the person she dreamed of, as well as see the future she lost. BUT I also understand that having her finally be at rest in the end is more realistic, more relatable, and more honest. But that doesn't mean I'm happy about it!! :) Still love the book, but the romantic in me wishes she got her happy ending.

Me of the most thought provoking books I've listened to

I would say it's disturbing but that's in a good way. Supposedly for young adults but excellent for all ages. A must listen to!

Groundhog Day meets If I Stay

I hate to compare this to 2 very dynamically different works of fiction but the only things that come to mind are the drama of If I Stay and the repeating events of Groundhog Day.
This novel explores the big question of what would you do if you knew today was your last day, would you continue to do what you always do and go with the flow and play the popularity game or would you actually follow your heart and make a difference for good.
We start the story with Samantha starting her day of Friday February 12th like normal as one of the super popular girls who criticize and make fun of others she dates a very popular guy her life seems perfect until it tragically comes to an end with a sudden car wreck after leaving a party with her friends.
She then wakes up in her bed her alarm ringing she checks her phone and it is Friday again her day is starting over. Is it Deja Vu is her life literally repeating days.?Will she change the events of the day?

There is a lot of good character development with all of the main characters and Samantha spends lots of time figuring out who she really is as she relives her last day 7 times.
This is a good listen/read however it is not my favorite it is a little too teeny genre for me. I would however recommend this for teenager readers.

Good but I must have missed a category.

Well written and performed but I must have missed something when I selected this. There should have been a category for teen chic lit maybe as that would be the appropriate audience. However, I'm a fan of the time loop genre so I enjoyed it.

Great Book and great Narration EXCEPT....

Loved everything about this book except 3 voices: Kent. Just kinda pathetic.

Then. The teachers. The Coach and the one trying to catch kids smoking. Almost ruined the entire thing. It was SO SO SO SO SO SO awful and annoying. So. Bad.

Loved it! Good narrator!

good story took me awhile to finish it but that's just me . would recommend this for anybody to listen to

Good book but sad

I really loved this book but am unhappy with the ending, kind of. Worth the read.

Good story...ending so so...

The book was great up until the ending. I did not like the way it ended.