Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher out in Paperback now!

Posted 24 June, 2011 by Danny in Uncategorized / 0 Comments

One of the things I love most about participating in our book blog, is that I’m constantly being stretched as a reader. Even though so many of us love the same thing (YA, romance, paranormal…yadda, yadda, yadda) there are so many of us that we naturally we will wind up recommending something that the other hadn’t ever thought to read.

So it was the case with a book I read last year…Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. I first noticed this book while perusing the audiobook selections at my library. On a whim I downloaded it, but true to my form, it lingered on my TBR (or I guess TBH) pile for a couple of weeks. Until my friend Greta mentioned she saw I had it marked down on Goodreads. And how much she loved it!!! So I bumped it up and started listening to it right away.

And suddenly I was hooked! This book, so mystifying and sad and ultimately wonderful, but so full of heartbreak and hope and loss….this book OWNED me for well beyond the 6+ hours it took to listen to it. I absolutely loved this book and I couldn’t agree more with everyone who has said this should be required reading for all teens and parents of teens (yes, graphic themes but unfortunately not unrealistic…).

So….

It was with great pleasure that I heard Jay’s book would be coming out in paperback! There’s just something about a paperback copy that appeals to some kids (easier to stuff into a pocket perhaps?). And whatever it is, I hope this book will sell out and then some. I’d love to see it in the hands of every kid from 8th grade up. In fact, I can’t think of a better young adult book club selection, particularly if led by one of the many AMAZING librarians I know who could handle this topic with sensitivity and aplomb!

Need more information? Here’s a small blurb about the book:

Thirteen Reasons Why is the story of a girl named Hannah Baker who takes her own life. But before she does, she records several cassette tapes explaining why and sends them to the people she feels pushed her toward that decision. The story is told from the point of view of Clay Jensen who spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah’s voice as his guide. He becomes a first-hand witness to Hannah’s pain, and learns the truth about himself—a truth he never wanted to face.

The anti-bullying anthem was published in hardcover in October 2007 by Razorbill, and quickly became a word-of-mouth favorite among teenaged readers with fans claiming, “This book changed my life.” The novel has been on the New York Times children’s hardcover bestseller list for 65 weeks, foreign rights have been sold into 30 countries and it has been acquired by Universal Pictures and will star Selena Gomez.

Pretty amazing, no? So please, do yourself a favor and read this book! And after you do (preferably with your aforementioned, librarian supervised, issues based book club) check out and participate in the reviewing process at the new website launched for the book:

http://www.13rwproject.com/

I’ve added my mini-review there and it’s so cool to flip through and see everyone else’s thoughts.

So, get out there and buy this book for your kids, your niece, your nephew, YOURSELF! And please, share your impressions with the folks above.

Now did you think I was going to end the post there???

Nope! What would a post like this be without an awesome give-away?!?!?!?!

Yes, the lovely people from Penguin not only brought the paperback release date to our attention but they are letting us give away

TWO PAPERBACK EDITIONS OF
THIRTEEN REASONS WHY!!!!

So….

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment stating:

Your name (or at least how you’d like to have your name announced as the winner).
Your email address so that we can contact you when you win.
What one life lesson you wish you could share with your teenaged self (assuming you are older than 20) or what life mystery you wish would be unraveled for you (if you are still in your teens).

Of course, fine print, you must have a mailing address in the US/Canada to enter.

I look forward to all the advice (heavens knows I could use some myself!).

Now go and get lost….in a book!