Goodbye Days

By: Jeff Zentner

Narrated by: Michael Crouch

“Gorgeous, heartbreaking, and ultimately life-affirming,” says Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything and The Sun Is Also A Star, of this novel about finding strength and hope after tragedy. Perfect for fans of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl and Looking for Alaska.

Carver Briggs never thought a simple text would cause a fatal crash, killing his three best friends, Mars, Eli, and Blake. But now Carver can’t stop blaming himself for the accident and even worse, a powerful judge is pressuring the district attorney to open up a criminal investigation.

Luckily, Carver has some unexpected allies: Eli’s girlfriend, the only person to stand by him at school; Dr. Mendez, his new therapist; and Blake’s grandmother, who asks Carver to spend a “goodbye day” together to share their memories and say a proper farewell.

Soon the other families are asking for their own goodbye day with Carver—but he’s unsure of their motives. Will they all be able to make peace with their losses, or will these goodbye days bring Carver one step closer to a complete breakdown or—even worse—prison?

Includes the song “The Motion of the Earth” by Jeff Zentner, performed by Jeff Zentner and Elin Palmer


“One of the most stunningly heartfelt, lump-in-your-throat novels I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. Hold on to your heart: this book will wreck you, fix you, and most definitely change you.” —Becky Albertalli, author of Morris Award winner Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“Tender, honest, moving, and lyrical. His characters live and breathe. Ahh, lucky me. Lucky us. Zentner is the real thing.” —Benjamin Alire Sáenz, winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction and Printz Honor winning author of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Heartbreakingly written and voiced

This is the 2nd book I've read by this author, but the first I've listened to. His language is imaginitive, his characters lovable and imperfect. You feel you know them by the end of the story. The premise--the guilt of maybe being responsible for your best friends' deaths by texting the driver--is instantly gripping, but I was worried it would fall flat when developed. It did not. I was invested from beginning to end and the plot was heartbreaking and cathartic in turns. Carver deals with so much pain and confusion, and the adults & young people in his life help or hurt him in extremely realistic ways. I'll be recommending this to teens and adults alike because anyone who reads this will be emotionally challenged and matured by it.

Life can change in an instant

This book was on my granddaughter's summer reading list. I still don't understand today's youth, but with a few more books like this I may catch up. If only they would slow down and talk on the phone like normal people.

how the crash happened

i really liked the book it had a good lesson to it and a good hook overall i think the only thing i disliked was how stretched it was

Beautifully written, very sad

I really enjoyed the writing style, the characters, the references to artists and authors... very well-written book. But boy was it heavy. I kept waiting for a comedic interlude and it just never came. I'm still glad I listened to it, but now I need a book that is pure fluff as a "palate cleanser".

Intense; real; & emotionally captivating

this is a powerful story of deep friendship, loss, grief, accountability, & responsibility. my only qualm is the language; but, as it's aimed at teens, I can understand it...
Michael Crouch's narrative gives the story depth, breadth & feeling. not for the faint of heart;-)