Title: This Song Will Save Your Life
Author: Leila Sales
Publication Date: September 17, 2013
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Pages: 279
Age Rating: Readers over 14
My Opinion: 9/10
Hi, Readers!
As promised, this week's It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a POSITIVE book review! Woohoo! I know my last two book reviews were extremely critical, so I got lucky when I thouroughly enjoyed reading This Song Will Save Your Life because I was ready to hand out some literary praise. It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a blogging meme hosted by Teach Mentor Texts, Book Journeys, and Unleashing Readers.
Elise is one of the least popular girls in her school, and she gets teased endlessly about it. When she finally decides to strike out at those around her by committing suicide, her plan fails tremendously and she is ridiculed even more by her fellow classmates. Elise's parents start keeping tabs on her at all times, so she discovers that the only time she gets to herself is during secret midnight walks around town. On one of those nights, Elise comes across two girls standing outside of an underground night club, Pippa and Vicky. As soon as they enter the club, Elise becomes enchanted by the thrill of midnight DJ-ing with the house DJ, Char. However, her nighttime fun certainly does not carry on when the sun comes up, and Elise has to keep her DJ-ing hidden as she struggles with high school and family problems at the same time.
Leila Sales manages to pack a truck-load of social issues into one book, from suicide to cutting to popularity to relationships to self-image, and she does it in a realistic way. Elise is characterized extremely well, and while I was reading the story I really felt as though I could connect to her feelings of being alone and wanting to fit in. All of Elise's awkward glory shines through as she learns how to navigate the world of night-clubbing and DJ-ing. However, Elise completely maintains her composure and never partakes in the excessive substance abuse going on around her, which helps readers to respect her as a person.
Another reason that I loved reading This Song Will Save Your Life is that Leila Sales strikes a perfect balance in her explanations and descriptions - there are just enough details to hook the reader, but not too much information to be boring. For example, when Sales discusses Elise's DJ beatmatching practice with Char, I could clearly understand what was going on and picture it in my mind even though I have absolutely zero experience with DJ equipment.
I would definitely recommend This Song Will Save Your Life to any high school girl because it addresses a number of touchy high school issues in such a readable way. However, be warned, the book's plot starts extremely suddenly - there is a suicide attempt in the first few pages. Be prepared for an amazing read that does not sugar coat anything.
Happy reading and have a fantastic Monday!
Elise is one of the least popular girls in her school, and she gets teased endlessly about it. When she finally decides to strike out at those around her by committing suicide, her plan fails tremendously and she is ridiculed even more by her fellow classmates. Elise's parents start keeping tabs on her at all times, so she discovers that the only time she gets to herself is during secret midnight walks around town. On one of those nights, Elise comes across two girls standing outside of an underground night club, Pippa and Vicky. As soon as they enter the club, Elise becomes enchanted by the thrill of midnight DJ-ing with the house DJ, Char. However, her nighttime fun certainly does not carry on when the sun comes up, and Elise has to keep her DJ-ing hidden as she struggles with high school and family problems at the same time.
Leila Sales manages to pack a truck-load of social issues into one book, from suicide to cutting to popularity to relationships to self-image, and she does it in a realistic way. Elise is characterized extremely well, and while I was reading the story I really felt as though I could connect to her feelings of being alone and wanting to fit in. All of Elise's awkward glory shines through as she learns how to navigate the world of night-clubbing and DJ-ing. However, Elise completely maintains her composure and never partakes in the excessive substance abuse going on around her, which helps readers to respect her as a person.
Another reason that I loved reading This Song Will Save Your Life is that Leila Sales strikes a perfect balance in her explanations and descriptions - there are just enough details to hook the reader, but not too much information to be boring. For example, when Sales discusses Elise's DJ beatmatching practice with Char, I could clearly understand what was going on and picture it in my mind even though I have absolutely zero experience with DJ equipment.
I would definitely recommend This Song Will Save Your Life to any high school girl because it addresses a number of touchy high school issues in such a readable way. However, be warned, the book's plot starts extremely suddenly - there is a suicide attempt in the first few pages. Be prepared for an amazing read that does not sugar coat anything.
Happy reading and have a fantastic Monday!
This book sounds really interesting :) it's rare to have a YA book that touches the sensitive issues and deals with them appropriately. The only other author I can think of off the top of my head would be Melina Marchetta. I'm glad you enjoyed your latest read and great review!
ReplyDeleteObsessive Compulsive Reader
Nice! Not my kind of read, but glad you enjoyed it! Happy Reading this week!
ReplyDeleteHere's my Monday Wrapup
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
Sounds pretty intense, but that's probably perfect for the audience. It's nice to learn a bit about the YA genre, so thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteDeb
Wow that book sounds really interesting! I am going to have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendation, Katie. I'm passing this along to Clare, as she is always looking for good books.
ReplyDeleteHi Katie, this does sound like an important read. I've heard a lot of stories about cutting behavior, especially among girls, and it really is alarming. I am glad that this has been dealt with here as well. I shall try to find this book.
ReplyDeleteThis doesn't sound like a book for me, but I'm glad that you enjoyed it. :)
ReplyDelete