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velvetpoison's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a beautiful coming of age story, but it’s more than that. It’s about discovering who you are or really who you’ve always been, and reaching the point where you’re OK with that. I think that’s something people struggle with no matter what the age.
The story focuses on 16 year old Elise Dembowski, a girl who is unpopular for no specific reason, who during the summer desperately attempted to change herself, in order to fit in, not necessarily with the ‘cool’ kids, but just anywhere. However changing your outward appearance, still means you’re you on the inside, with all the same inhibitions, doubts and uncertainties.
“They will see past that, see you, the girl who is still too scared, still too smart for her own good, still a beat behind, still, always wrong. Change all you want; you can’t change that”
As a kid I was never all that popular, I had a small close-knit group of friends who I am still close with today. But I still yearned for more. I remember re-inventing myself in the holidays, meticulously planning my back to school outfit and painting my nails, all in the hopes that when I went back someone would notice and be like ‘ Wow, she’s really cool. Let’s be friends with her”. But when I look back I realize how ridiculous that was, just because I had nice new clothes and a summer tan, didn’t change the fact that I was still a shy, anxious kid, who never would have gone out of her way to talk to people. Therefore my hope of making new friends was never really going to become a reality, because what my 10 year old self didn’t realize is that the outward change isn’t important. It’s the growth and self-discovery that occurs on the inside that will ultimately make you happy in the end.
The book has some pretty dark overtones, bullying, suicide, and self mutilation. But the author does a nice job of keeping the book light, and not overwhelming (not that any of the things mentioned should be taken lightly). But the book contrasts its darker side, with themes of friendship, accepting yourself and finding a place where you fit in. As for the main character Elise, I absolutely adored her. Her narration of the story was funny and relatable, and she felt like someone I could have easily known in real life.
“Tonight, the internet seemed filled with versions of me, like a funhouse filled with mirrors. Some of them made me look prettier, and some of them made me look uglier and some of them chopped me right in half, but none of them were right”
I feel like no matter who picks up this book, they will find some part of themselves in Elise Dembowski, or at least have felt as she has at some point in their life. At 24, I still have moments where I feel like I struggle to fit in, but as I get older, fitting in seems less and less appealing and overall less important, and I’m learning to accept myself, flaws and all. I would recommend this book for all teens, adults and to anyone who has felt like they never really fit in, or who are still searching for their place in the world.
infinite_kay's review against another edition
4.0
This novel wasn't what I had anticipated. I came in expecting music, quirky friends, a few secrets, a crush; and while I did get all that, I also got so much more! With themes such as bullying and suicide, This Song Will Save Your Life turned our to be about much more than music and fun. A surprising depth I truly appreciated.
From the start, it is really easy to relate to Elise. Whether you have been through what she has lived through or not, you can't help but feel for her and feel this urgency to make something happen, to help her. Elise's reactions to her bullying were so realistic, too, which made it all the more easy to connect with her.
Coming in I also expected a romance for Elise, a gorgeous guy who would come in and make her see how wonderful she is and forever change her life. And while that isn't a bad story in itself, I was really glad the author chose not to take this route. Sure enough, Elise does meet a guy on who she crushes hard, and they do form some sort of relationship. Fortunately though, the romance wasn't the focus here. I thought it made the story more original and realistic, but also gave it a stronger message; Elise doesn't rely on him to get better, but shapes her own new life. I do believe we need more independant female characters in YA novels.
I surprisingly don't have much to say about this novel, other than I really liked it! I thought it dealt with its themes with honesty and care, and offered hope and entertainment at the same time. I liked Elise, how she wasn't perfect and how real she was, and I thought the ending was exactly as it should have been. I also liked her family and her new friends, and I thought the writing was good, too.
This Song Will Save Your Life was one of my favorite YA contemporary novels this year, and one I believe many readers will appreciate and relate to. I first loved its cover, but was even more pleasantly surprised with the story hidden under! This was my second Leila Sales novel and I can't wait to read what she comes up with next. Consider me a fan!
From the start, it is really easy to relate to Elise. Whether you have been through what she has lived through or not, you can't help but feel for her and feel this urgency to make something happen, to help her. Elise's reactions to her bullying were so realistic, too, which made it all the more easy to connect with her.
Coming in I also expected a romance for Elise, a gorgeous guy who would come in and make her see how wonderful she is and forever change her life. And while that isn't a bad story in itself, I was really glad the author chose not to take this route. Sure enough, Elise does meet a guy on who she crushes hard, and they do form some sort of relationship. Fortunately though, the romance wasn't the focus here. I thought it made the story more original and realistic, but also gave it a stronger message; Elise doesn't rely on him to get better, but shapes her own new life. I do believe we need more independant female characters in YA novels.
I surprisingly don't have much to say about this novel, other than I really liked it! I thought it dealt with its themes with honesty and care, and offered hope and entertainment at the same time. I liked Elise, how she wasn't perfect and how real she was, and I thought the ending was exactly as it should have been. I also liked her family and her new friends, and I thought the writing was good, too.
This Song Will Save Your Life was one of my favorite YA contemporary novels this year, and one I believe many readers will appreciate and relate to. I first loved its cover, but was even more pleasantly surprised with the story hidden under! This was my second Leila Sales novel and I can't wait to read what she comes up with next. Consider me a fan!
tok_al's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
sarahetc's review against another edition
3.0
More like 3.5
This started off super cheesy, with incredibly shallow characters in cliche situations. But as Sales put her protagonist, Elise, into one unknown situation after another, a light, sweet story emerged about how we find ourselves in spite of what seems like the whole world working against us.
Recommended for light YA with a recognizable heroine and for music lovers-- especially new wave, early 90s alt-rock, BritPop, and I'm sure a bunch of other stuff I didn't recognize.
This started off super cheesy, with incredibly shallow characters in cliche situations. But as Sales put her protagonist, Elise, into one unknown situation after another, a light, sweet story emerged about how we find ourselves in spite of what seems like the whole world working against us.
Recommended for light YA with a recognizable heroine and for music lovers-- especially new wave, early 90s alt-rock, BritPop, and I'm sure a bunch of other stuff I didn't recognize.
secretmagic's review against another edition
5.0
Another one to add to the favourites list for 2013! Amazing, emotional and just fantastic read. I loved it!
5/5 stars
5/5 stars
danoreading's review against another edition
4.0
Really good contemporary YA with a strong voice, good pacing, great characters - a very realistic family scenario and some really interesting secondary characters.
laurenbookishtwins's review against another edition
4.0
"What do you think it takes to reinvent yourself as an all-new person, a person who makes sense, who belongs?"
Deeply relatable and very much about acceptance. I loved that in the end, she didn't change herself. She tried, she failed, but she came out much stronger, and she came out as herself and decided she didn't need to change at all.
A great and heartfelt contemporary.
megsbookishtwins's review against another edition
4.0
"Sometimes people think they know you. They know a few facts about you, and they piece you together in a way that makes sense to them. And if you don't know yourself very well, you might even believe that they are right. But the truth is, that isn't you. That isn't you at all."
Elise has spent her whole life being bullied. She tries to fit in, and tries to make friends but it just never works. One night she stumbles upon a warehouse party where she meets a group of people who change her life, and she eventually learns to accept herself.
This was a lovely little read. It is all about acceptance. It is a hugely relatable book if you have ever experienced bullying. Even if you don't have a passion for music, it is still relatable.
Elise has some great character development. She has a great passion for music, and she uses that passion to DJ and to give her love of music to other people, and help them have a great night.
There were some great characters, who all helped make Elise the person she is, who helped accept her for herself. Vicky was a favourite. She seemed so uplifting and she was a true friend to Elise. I wasn't a huge fan of Pippa for a little part of the book, but she eventually came around and lost her hate for Elise. I liked Char, but I loved the fact that Elise walked away from him.
Overall, a lovely and uplifting read that shows that being accepted by yourself is the most important thing.
Elise has spent her whole life being bullied. She tries to fit in, and tries to make friends but it just never works. One night she stumbles upon a warehouse party where she meets a group of people who change her life, and she eventually learns to accept herself.
This was a lovely little read. It is all about acceptance. It is a hugely relatable book if you have ever experienced bullying. Even if you don't have a passion for music, it is still relatable.
Elise has some great character development. She has a great passion for music, and she uses that passion to DJ and to give her love of music to other people, and help them have a great night.
There were some great characters, who all helped make Elise the person she is, who helped accept her for herself. Vicky was a favourite. She seemed so uplifting and she was a true friend to Elise. I wasn't a huge fan of Pippa for a little part of the book, but she eventually came around and lost her hate for Elise. I liked Char, but I loved the fact that Elise walked away from him.
Overall, a lovely and uplifting read that shows that being accepted by yourself is the most important thing.