Book Review: If I Stay by Gayle Forman

                       Just today, I was able to finish the book, If I Stay by Gayle Forman and for those of you, who don't know the story, here's a short summary of it:

                        Mia had the perfect life -a great boyfriend, cool and supportive parents, a loyal best friend, a very loving brother and a possible career in music. However, that all changes when Mia gets into a car accident that leaves her parents and brother dead. Mia, though, was given the choice to either go back to her life before (without her family) or proceed to the afterlife. During the period Mia contemplates on her decision, she sees everything happening to her and around her (Mia is out of her physical body as a spirit or soul, roaming around the hospital) - all the operations, her friend and relatives coming in and out, and the professions of love from all of them (especially Adam's). In the end, Mia makes her decision, which is to stay and continue living.

                     Over-all, I found this book quite moving, mainly because all the things Mia talked about were realistic - like how were you able to go on without a family or the pain of saying goodbye to those you plan to leave behind. It makes you really think that if you had that choice, would you also choose to stay or would you choose to go?

                   Also, I liked how you see the relationships Mia had with those around her, through her flashbacks. In a way, this made you understand better why she had a difficult time deciding whether to stay or to leave. Moreover, I liked how it was Adam's love for her that let her decide to stay. It really shows to me, as a reader, the immense power of love and how it can surpass the toughest battles.

                     Although I gave it such praise in the second paragraph, there were some things in the novel that I had some issues with. The first was that Mia didn't seem to experience much grief when she saw her parents' bodies splayed across the road. Considering her relationship with them, I expected her to break down immediately. Maybe it was because she was still in shock, but I really questioned that in the novel. My second issue was that there were some parts in the novel that, for me, might have dragged the story quite a bit. Despite those issues though, I still consider it a good book and would give it a rating of 8/10.

                      Just like my other blogs, I'd like to create a cast list, if ever this book is turned to a movie. So here are my picks:

1. Mia - Melissa Benoist/ Lucy Hale

                                In the book, Mia was said to not look like any of her parents because she had dark hair and eyes. Both actresses above have dark hair. With regards to the eyes, Lucy  is perfect because she has dark colored eyes (which is perfect for the character). Melissa, on the other hand, does not have dark colored eyes (her eyes are blue), but I think her musical ability makes up for it (which is good because in the novel Mia is musically talented). In addition to that, Lucy also has musical ability, as seen in her performance in "A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song." Finally, both actresses, in my opinion, can act quite well and this will be good because the character somewhat experiences a "roller coaster" ride of emotions.

2. Adam - Diego Boneta

                                  Diego Boneta, in my opinion, is perfect for Adam because: 1) he can sing - just watch him in "Rock of Ages" (it's needed because Adam was the lead singer for his band, Shooting Star), 2) he can pull off that "good guy - rocker" character, which can also be seen in "Rock of Ages" (Adam's into that kind of music but he never fails to show that he cares for Mia nor does he diss her for other girls), 3) he can really act. For all of those reasons, I chose Diego Boneta as Adam.

3. Mom - Malin Akerman

                                  While reading the book, I couldn't imagine a better person playing Mia's mother except for Malin Akerman. In the story, Mia's mom was kind of a "rocker" when she was younger. Just look at Malin Akerman in "Rock of Ages, " she pulls off the "rocker-chic" look so well! This look could be used during Mia's flashbacks of her mom when she was younger. Not only that, Malin can also look like a mom, just look at the pic above (right side), she looks very professional and mature. That look (the one on the right) can be the current look of Mia's mom - when she stopped going to all the concerts and focused on her job and family. Lastly, Malin Akerman can act very well, just look at her film credentials and you'll have to believe me!

4.   Dad - Brad Pitt

                              Not only is Brad Pitt an A-list actor but he is a very good one at that! I really believe he can give a great portrayal of Mia's dad in the movie adaptation of the book (if they ever created one). More that, he possess the physical traits described in the book - blonde and blue-eyed. Also, he can pull off that "rocker" look, just look at the pic on the left (this is good because Mia's dad was also into the music scene when he was younger). It would be good during Mia's flashbacks of her father. Lastly, he pulls off the 'bow-tie' look (right picture) which Mia says was her father's trademark.

5. Teddy  - Jackson Brundage

                                      I've loved Jackson Brundage from the moment he started on "One Tree Hill." I think he would play a good Teddy in the movie adaptation (if there ever will be), because: 1) he has the physical traits of Teddy (blonde and blue-eyed), and 2) he can play a cute and innocent character, just look at his portrayal of his character, James Lucas Scott, from "One Tree Hill."

6. Kim - Ashley Rickards

                                     In the novel, Kim has this sort of snarky/sarcastic/moody/tough tone to her and I think Ashley Rickards can play this character effortlessly because it is slightly similar to her characters in "Awkward" and "One Tree Hill."

                         To end this entry, I want to show you just the movie poster I designed, in case it does get to be a film: ( Melissa Benoist was used as Mia in the poster)