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)

Not expecting this book to be so good.

I was actually looking for another book title when I stumbled upon this one. I read a little about it and thought it would be an easy, entertaining listen. It was that but more. There were lines in this that grabbed my attention because they were something I related too a little too much. Great story for any age...not just young adult.

good book

I loved it. It somewhat depicted the life of a teenager. the recklessness of teens. I think it could of used some educational tips to help prevent suicide. I think with this day and age there should always be a helpful and hopeful side to avoid giving teenagers ideas.

Excellent

I myself am a teenager, and i was very surprised at how realistic this book is. It is one of the few books that shows how hard being in high school really is. The plot line is beautiful and i could see Sam the whole time in my mind. I must admit that i did cry at the end, but i am so glad that i bought this book. It is a must read for any teenage girl in high school.

If I Had it to do All Over Again...

This story starts out with a very harsh look at teenaged friends. Lots of drinking, lots of sex and lots of bullying. The main character relives the same day over and over again in order to correct some of her mistakes. What I found most interesting is how her perceptions of what was going on with others was often so off the mark and how actions have consequences that aren't always predictable. Sarah Drew is a terrific narrator and brought the story to life.

Believe it

As a former High School Guidance Counselor, I can assure you that these characters are alive and well in most High Schools. The "bullying" can be sly and secretive among girls, but even the nicest of private schools will have to deal with this issue. Sam evolves from a one dimensional teen into multi-dimensional as she contemplates her life and her choices. Lauren Oliver has a magical way with words and metaphor. Her descriptions of feelings and thought processes leave the reader thinking "yes, I've felt exactly that way!". This book is probably best for girls / women of all ages (High School and older). Sex, drugs, smoking, peer pressure, popularity, drinking........it's all real in the world of education today. Have you known a 'mean girl' ? Have you ever been a "mean girl" ? Maybe just tried it on for awhile? Or maybe stood by quietly while observing the cruelty? Then you'll be able to relate to much of this story. I initially thought that Sarah Drew's voice would be annoying for an entire book, but it eventually fit the characters well.

Great! I couldn't stop reading it!

Any additional comments?

I loved it! Kept me hooked that whole something completely different!


But I don't think this is a young adult book. I am not a young adult and I really enjoyed this but I am not sure that I would have been appropriate if I was a teen.

Narrator Makes It; Oliver Good Too :)

I love listening to the narrator on this one. She was the only thing that got me through mean girls on day one (I'm not into bullying). Then Lauren Oliver surprised me on day five, after I had thrown the book down in disgust, she presented an entirely different ending than where I thought the book was going. Well done by author and narrator.

OMG! Great story, but WAY too much!!!

Where does Before I Fall rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The most regrettable 15hrs 25mins of my life, that I can NEVER get back!!! So brutal, that I've decided to write a review....maybe I can save someone else the desire of gouging their eyes out with a dull pencil.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Before I Fall?

The END, when I was ready to pull a Juliette myself.

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

Sarah puts the feeling of exactly what self-centered, entitled, millennial teenagers are like into ALL of the characters. Sarah is probably the only reason I actually finished listening to the book, because really....I was ready for Sam to die on the 1st day!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

At my 1st realization that this book was a "live-my-last-day-over-again" type deal, I looked at how long I had left to listen (11hrs 36mins). I though..."Good GOD", I'm not sure I'm going to make it through this book. I really don't know if I can listen to anymore, repeat days, of these overindulged, spoiled, popular, basically pretty girls, whine and complain about being teenagers! It might not have been so BRUTAL, if I didn't have to hear in - microscopic detail - how a piece of dust floated by or how deep pink, the color hot pink is!!!

Any additional comments?

This book was the most PAINFUL iteration of Ground Hog Day EVER put into print. The narrator didn't get paid enough to read this book, because NO amt of money would have been enough to give her back the time she wasted doing the job.

Just make it past the beginning, it's worth it!

I thought the beginning was a little "teen drama" and almost stopped listening. I'm so glad I stuck with it!

Great book. A must read!

I loved this book. it didn't go the way I thought and was pleasantly surprised at how the story developed. Sarah Drew is terrific.