Before I Fall

By: Lauren Oliver

Narrated by: Sarah Drew

Length: 12 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

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)

SURPRISINGLY GOOD

If you could sum up Before I Fall in three words, what would they be?

Had my Attention!

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

It was a different kind of book.

Which character – as performed by Sarah Drew – was your favorite?

Sam, of course

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

no

Any additional comments?

She kept reliving the same day over and over, and each time, she had a different and new perspective on the events that were unfolding. It was like a life time of 'lessons' that we learn and finally grow up she had them all in a week's time frame. How many times do we wish we could 'go back' knowing what you know?!

Repetitive

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No. I was listening to the same thing over and over again.

What could Lauren Oliver have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

not sure

What does Sarah Drew bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

without Sarah Drew I wouldn't have even finished listening to the book.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Any additional comments?

I realy enjoyed 2 previous books (Delirium and Pandamoniam) and thought they were quite good. I purchased Before I Fall based on Lauren Oliver's first 2 books and also based on the performance by Sarah Drew.

Performer rocks! Story good but predictable.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend this book only to females and only to those that were popular in high school. I'm a sci-fi fan so I was hoping for more out of this book but it's just a coming-of-age genre.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It was exactly what I thought it would be so I was kinda disappointed that the premise was so basic.

Which scene was your favorite?

Her reaction to her teacher making out with her. We've all been there...where the guy is all into it and you're just staring at the ceiling thinking...this is lame. And then later how after that she can only see him mauling her. ha!

Could you see Before I Fall being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I actually would like it better as a movie than as a book. American audiences usually aren't as tolerant of sad stories but perhaps.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book with its imagery and beautiful, but not overused, metaphors. I can definitely tell that this author was a born (and trained) writer. I did not give it a higher rating because there's not anything more to the book than the synopsis suggests. The book touched me, but not as much as I had hoped. That said, I hope the author will write something more ambitious so we can enjoy her writing with more interesting premise.

Great book

I was really suprised how good this book is. I only bought it because it was on sale and I wanted something to listen too during a recent trip I took. The story and the characters are amazing. I couldn't stop listening.

narration was totally on key..

I absolutely loved this story...i havent even finished reading it yet and i just have to say the narrator was so perfect for this story. She made every moment feel real and captured the character Sam wonderfully. She does a great job makin each character special. It was unbelievable how much i felt like i was in high school again..mean girls ruling the school. Def read this one cause its memorable in every way. it will capture ur attention right away. Very detailed and realistic.

Awesome Listen A Must Read for all Young Teens

I found this story amazing even as a 40 year old reader. Lauren Oliver did an amazing job of taking me back to my teen years and struggle through the challenges of fitting in and finding myself. I laughed, I cried..Great book. Made me take a second look at life and remember the things in life that are important. I will read anything Lauren writes in the futures. I have done this to date and am a big fan so far.

Emotional

Great Book! Great Audio but couldn't help wanting a different ending. Very enlightening, made me cry.

young adult. emphasize Young. memorable characters

this is a repetitive story period not enough new discoveries from one chapter to another for my taste. the author did give the characters believable flaws a fresh perspective on the humanity behind Mean Girls and awkward teens. the characters are definitely

Pretty Good

What made the experience of listening to Before I Fall the most enjoyable?

It was basically Mean Girls meets Groundhog Day.The character were almost exactly like Mean Girls. The main character was Cady, then there was the pretty/stupid girl, the rich one, and the b*&ch.The story itself was pretty good. It kept me interested.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The narration was great except when she did voices for other characters. The narration and main character voice were great. Everyone else's voice were TERRIBLE. The boyfriend sounded like he was high the entire time. It was so distracting.

Narrator made this a great listen

This is teen-age drama but the narrator had me hooked. the story reminded me of Mean Girls with and a little of Lovely Bones for the ending. I recommended this to my 17 year old. A huge lesson for readers, you just never know what a person is going thru.