kcoccia's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good book. I'll admit I hated Tessa's best friend Zoey. She was just so selfish. I also didn't care all that much about Tessa until close to the end of the book. Adam makes me care. I did expect to cry but actually didnt. Maybe I just wasn't connected enough. idk. But definitely a well written book.
hngisreading's review against another edition
dark
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
buggieop's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
sinesi's review against another edition
2.0
I put off reading it, because for some reason I thought I would be cheating death? That if I didn't read it, I wouldn't die. I got it years ago for my birthday(why would you gift it though) and now decided to read it.
I understand that you're angry at the world and you know you're going to die, but I really hated some(most) of the negativity in that book. Especially when the main character wished bad things to happen to people who have been there for her. And blaming them, because they are not sick. It really bothered me.
Also, Tessa thinking that living is breaking the law and using drugs is bullshit. I felt that her goal was just to create unnecessary chaos and live out her anger on everyone else. Her actions were reckless and dumb; I GET IT, you're dying and it's unfortunate, but this is hurting people. You don't get a free pass.
I found most of the background unrealistic (or just unfamiliar to me), about Zoey's situation, how drugs were so accessible and Adam with that teenage romance that makes you want to move in with the person after knowing them for ten weeks. I accept it, when people are older, of course, but for sixteen year old, even if you're deathly sick, it's surreal.
The reason why I didn't give it one star is because unlike some books, the author actually addressed it that the main character was a piece of shit at times. And the ending was heartfelt. I appreciated it. The writing was quite well done as well. And I preferred this cancer book to tfios, which I didn't like at all.
I understand that you're angry at the world and you know you're going to die, but I really hated some(most) of the negativity in that book. Especially when the main character wished bad things to happen to people who have been there for her. And blaming them, because they are not sick. It really bothered me.
Also, Tessa thinking that living is breaking the law and using drugs is bullshit. I felt that her goal was just to create unnecessary chaos and live out her anger on everyone else. Her actions were reckless and dumb; I GET IT, you're dying and it's unfortunate, but this is hurting people. You don't get a free pass.
I found most of the background unrealistic (or just unfamiliar to me), about Zoey's situation, how drugs were so accessible and Adam with that teenage romance that makes you want to move in with the person after knowing them for ten weeks. I accept it, when people are older, of course, but for sixteen year old, even if you're deathly sick, it's surreal.
The reason why I didn't give it one star is because unlike some books, the author actually addressed it that the main character was a piece of shit at times. And the ending was heartfelt. I appreciated it. The writing was quite well done as well. And I preferred this cancer book to tfios, which I didn't like at all.
pippacee's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book when I became bored and was just looking for a good read. I found just that. This main character, Tessa, has cancer and it takes on a short of 16 wishes kind of plan. I found it to be appealing, yet at the same time unappealing. I didn't find Tessa's personality to be all that interesting except for the occasional moment. She goes through certain circumstances that I found enjoyable and I recommend this book for anyone who just wants a good rainy day read.
kittypaws9's review against another edition
1.0
“Hey guys, I’m going to die … did I mention I’m going to die … I don’t have long … I’m going to die.”
I knew before reading this book that it was going to have a lot stuff like above, it is a book about a teen how doesn’t have long to live. But “Before I Die” by Jenny Downham (327 pages) was very annoying about it.
The main character, Tessa, whined ALL THE TIME. Perhaps this happens when you have been sick for so long, I don’t know. What I do know though is that is makes for one super annoying protagonist.
Tessa is super self-centered. I liked some of the other characters well enough to finish the book, but I was just glad for it to be over.
I knew before reading this book that it was going to have a lot stuff like above, it is a book about a teen how doesn’t have long to live. But “Before I Die” by Jenny Downham (327 pages) was very annoying about it.
The main character, Tessa, whined ALL THE TIME. Perhaps this happens when you have been sick for so long, I don’t know. What I do know though is that is makes for one super annoying protagonist.
Tessa is super self-centered. I liked some of the other characters well enough to finish the book, but I was just glad for it to be over.
andrew_russell's review against another edition
3.0
This book tells the story of Tessa Scott, a sixteen year old girl who has terminal leukemia. Initially, together with her best friend Zoey, she compiles a list of those things she wants to do and begins to work her way through it. The list includes such things as spending a day saying 'Yes' to everything everyone says, having sex, breaking the law and achieving fame.
As her illness progresses however, the list loses its significance and there is a growing appreciation for the simple and beautiful things in life such as riding on a motorbike and feeling the wind in your hair and face, crocuses at springtime and the feeling that really every individual should never be too scared to live life to the full. This is undoubtedly the main underlying point behind the text.
Is this point well made? I felt that in spite of the fact that the book will perhaps not be placed alongside some of the great literary achievements in living memory, it was highly evocative and engaging. The characters and the relationships between them and Tessa were well executed and although the language was simple, this barely if at all, detracted from the text.
Additionally, I must make the point that what is a sensitive and possibly taboo subject was handled excellently by the author. It was not overly sentimental, while at the same time managing to evoke emotions of sadness balanced by feelings that people really should not sweat the small stuff.
Overall, this was a very well written, emotionally evocative book which is worth a read if you want affirmation of why life is worth living to the full.
As her illness progresses however, the list loses its significance and there is a growing appreciation for the simple and beautiful things in life such as riding on a motorbike and feeling the wind in your hair and face, crocuses at springtime and the feeling that really every individual should never be too scared to live life to the full. This is undoubtedly the main underlying point behind the text.
Is this point well made? I felt that in spite of the fact that the book will perhaps not be placed alongside some of the great literary achievements in living memory, it was highly evocative and engaging. The characters and the relationships between them and Tessa were well executed and although the language was simple, this barely if at all, detracted from the text.
Additionally, I must make the point that what is a sensitive and possibly taboo subject was handled excellently by the author. It was not overly sentimental, while at the same time managing to evoke emotions of sadness balanced by feelings that people really should not sweat the small stuff.
Overall, this was a very well written, emotionally evocative book which is worth a read if you want affirmation of why life is worth living to the full.
clrvnzd's review against another edition
5.0
Although the book is as real as it gets, watching the movie altogether depicts the suffering she has to deal with everyday, and I can sincerely say that her character is definitely badass in the beginning but then she begins to mellow out in all body, mind, and soul towards the end of her time. I believe the movie is better for the criteria of the touchy-feely moments that everyone cries over, but of course, the story in the book is more detailed. If anything, I know it seems cliché but knowing the lives that we live are just as real as this story, makes it all the better. It's an awe-inspiring story that uncovers the merits of life before you die or lose a loved one.
annebennett1957's review against another edition
3.0
(Date entered 7/21) This YA book with an obviously sad title is also a sad book. My notes say that the first half of the book was pretty slow and the characters fairly unlikable but then the second half was more introspective and the likability factor went up. I noted that I cried for about three hours as the end neared.
agustinap's review against another edition
3.0
It was okay. Same idea as the Fault in our stars but not as good.