Reasons to read 13 Reasons Why

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

• Title: 13 reasons Why
• Author: Jay Asher
• Genre: Young Adult
• Story: 3.5/5
• Writing Style: 4/5
• Overall: 4/5

I have mixed feelings about this book. I don’t hate it but I also don’t love it.

I like the idea behind the book. Knowing the reasons behind why someone kills themselves and knowing how you played a part in it even though you didn’t mean it.
The snowball effect that our actions have over someone’s life. The concept is really interesting. And I don’t know why it took me so long to finally try to read it. Probably the negative reviews that I have seen about this book every time I thought to pick it up. But to the right people it did got the appreciation it deserved.

Let’s talk about ‘13 Reasons Why‘ and why you should read it.

Let’s start with a quick synopsis about the story.

Hannah have killed herself. And now all those who she thinks is part of the reason why she died, receives a shoe box full of tapes telling them how they played the part to drive her to her decision. Our protagonist Clay is on this list.

So we follow Clay as he listens.

It is really interesting how we see the story from two perspectives. We are hearing Hannah – the victim- and then from Clay’s- the general public. And from here we understand how everything that to Hannah seemed so big, was something that most thought nothing or funny. As Clay often was surprised by the reasons too.

A quote in the book says,

“You don’t know what goes on in anyone’s life but your own. And when you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re not messing with just that part.” 

This is my favorite quote cause of how true it is. Everything we do has a direct or indirect effect on someone else life. Even writing sh!t in online – that seems so harmless sometimes, we are affecting someone and their mental health. We don’t know everything about everyone.  We don’t know how much those will make impact on their life and the decisions to come.

This part says it so well.

Something that seems so little to us could mean the world or could break someone’s world. Just like it did with Hannah’s. 

That being said, I didn’t like her reasons. For me they didn’t seemed ‘big’ enough to end your own life. 

Maybe it is because of the type of person I am. I don’t hold grudges and often time I forgive even though I never forget. I just don’t find any point in passing time over something that can be overcome. Which is why I don’t like her reasons. But it also is a reason why I find this book really fascinating.
Everyone is different so what is not a big issue to me could be something major to someone else.

Like in this book. Like what I wrote 3 paragraphs ago.

That being said. The hopeful undertone of the book was something that I also enjoyed.
Yes, the rumors spread and she was feeling alone. But Hannah always had someone who wanted to talk to her. Someone who could had helped her.

But she never really tried to open up about the problems to anyone until she had made up her mind. In sever places we see her getting chances to open up and ask for help. But she never uses them.

This shows that even when you think you are alone, you are not.

Life is overwhelming for everyone. At some point, we all feel like the best thing to do right now is probably giving up and letting it go. But whenever we think of this- about ending it – we should also think about the people we are leaving behind. Clay numerous times tried to reach out to her. Even Tony did. Her parents – thought they were not mentioned enough- loved her a lot. But Hanna never let them or anyone helps her.
And I don’t know how this will sound but I loved this part of the book cause it is so true. This is exactly how we refuse to get help when we have our minds made up and the book portrayed it beautifully. Though it ended in tragedy.

A lot of the people who read this said this is not the type of book that someone who is suicidal should read. But I disagree. They should read this. They need to know that every time Hannah thought that there was no one to talk to or no one who cared for her Clay was there. Her parents were there. Waiting for her to reach him/them. And just like that, someone is always waiting for them, to listen to them, to help.
You just have to take that first step. Because we won’t be able to know what you are going through until you open up about it.

Maybe after reading 13 Reasons Why they will open up. Or maybe we will kind to others with our words and actions. Maybe… cause

Until next time.

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