My thoughts on 13 reasons why

As a writer I find myself drawn to stories. It doesn't matter if they are my own or other people's stories. If I can find something to relate to in the story I end up getting hooked until the end. A few years ago I was lucky enough to have a job where I could read during my long and boring shifts. It was so dead that I averaged about a book and a half per day. I picked up 13 reasons why during that time. I remember it being a book that made me think back to my high school days. I couldn't help wondering if one or two things had gone differently.... That's the thing about 13 reasons why. The book makes you think. It's the type of thing that could happen to anyone and is already happening in this digital world that we live in. I remember how excited I was when I heard about the netflix series and I ended up watching a few episodes everyday after work. I was drawn in. The characters seemed real to me, each one flawed. Needless to say, I enjoyed the show. A few days later I saw an article saying something about schools warning kids about the show. The show supposedly glories suicide, but I don't agree with that. The after effects of her suicide are showcased, from her parent's grieving to the jerks at school who only seem to be worried about making sure they don't get in trouble. Each person reacts differently, and if maybe if someone had reached to help her she would still be alive. Now I'm not saying that the other people were responsible for her mental state, but I know first hand that other people's actions can hurt. Hannah should have sought help much sooner than she did, and maybe this tv show can urge someone in the same situation to reach out when they need help.

Weekend Review: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

I've decided to try writing a weekly book review. I used to read a lot and I'm trying to get back into reading a lot. I've been having trouble finding books that I want to read. I should probably get out of my comfort zone and try something new. Anyway, I'm going to try to review one book per week and post the review during the weekend.

The first book that I'll be reviewing is Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. I don't usually read young adult, but this book just seemed so interesting that I had to pick it up. It's about a girl who commits suicide. She leaves behind thirteen tapes, each assigning blame for a part in her suicide. When I started reading this book I thought it was going to be about a teen who was bullied into killing herself, but I was wrong. Hannah Baker is a lonely teen. Most of her classmates ignore her, but she's not really bullied. Most of the reasons she gives for killing herself aren't enough to merit suicide. When Clay, the boy who got the tapes, was listening to the tapes, I kept putting myself in his shoes. I wondered how I would feel to get tapes like that. How would I feel knowing I'd caused someone else pain? I'm pretty sure that's why the book was written, to make me think about the way I treated other people. The book was enjoyable enough. I would probably give it three out of five stars. The reason I only gave it three is because I don't think the reasons Hannah gave for killing herself were enough. Maybe if I could relate better if I'd read this as a teenager. I know sometimes a little problem, like rumours, could seem like the end of the world, but if Hannah had grown up and gone to college she would have forgotten about most of the people who made her like miserable.