erinarkin20's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars.
Playlist for the Dead by Michelle Falkoff was a book I came across by accident. Falkoff takes a sensitive topic (suicide) and links a story of a best friend trying to figure out what really happened via a playlist left by his friend for him to listen to.
I thought Sam was an interesting character. He was very protective of Hayden throughout their friendship and although he and Hayden didn’t see eye to eye on everything, they had a solid friendship. They connected around videogames and music and the night they end up at a party, something happens that prompts an argument. When Sam comes to apologize the next day, he is the one to find Hayden’s body and the playlist.
As the story moves forward, there is a full cast of characters that pull this story together. From Hayden’s brother and his bully friends, to a mystery girl who connected with Hayden over a videogame, to another girl who mysteriously knows so much about Hayden and becomes close to Sam. As Sam begins to dig into what really happened with Hayden, he finds out there is more to the story than he originally thought. I have to say, there is a lot going on in this book and while it all ties together, there were times that I was wondering if we were really going to get into the detail of what really happened.
I thought Falkoff did a solid job of developing the characters and while there were times that I definitely felt some empathy to both Sam and Hayden, I didn’t really connect with either of the characters. I also thought that while the playlist has a role in the story, I thought it would have a bigger role in helping Sam figure out what really happened.
I can’t say much else here as I don’t want to give anything away about the story but overall this book was just ok for me.
Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperTeen for the review copy.
Playlist for the Dead by Michelle Falkoff was a book I came across by accident. Falkoff takes a sensitive topic (suicide) and links a story of a best friend trying to figure out what really happened via a playlist left by his friend for him to listen to.
I thought Sam was an interesting character. He was very protective of Hayden throughout their friendship and although he and Hayden didn’t see eye to eye on everything, they had a solid friendship. They connected around videogames and music and the night they end up at a party, something happens that prompts an argument. When Sam comes to apologize the next day, he is the one to find Hayden’s body and the playlist.
As the story moves forward, there is a full cast of characters that pull this story together. From Hayden’s brother and his bully friends, to a mystery girl who connected with Hayden over a videogame, to another girl who mysteriously knows so much about Hayden and becomes close to Sam. As Sam begins to dig into what really happened with Hayden, he finds out there is more to the story than he originally thought. I have to say, there is a lot going on in this book and while it all ties together, there were times that I was wondering if we were really going to get into the detail of what really happened.
I thought Falkoff did a solid job of developing the characters and while there were times that I definitely felt some empathy to both Sam and Hayden, I didn’t really connect with either of the characters. I also thought that while the playlist has a role in the story, I thought it would have a bigger role in helping Sam figure out what really happened.
I can’t say much else here as I don’t want to give anything away about the story but overall this book was just ok for me.
Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperTeen for the review copy.
khairun_atika's review against another edition
3.0
A deeply moving and intriguing story. I am somewhat drawn to stories of youths dealing with depression, and stories of suicide. It is a dark topic, and something that needs to be addressed. This book is an interesting approach to learning more about what drives a person to the edge, and it is painful to learn that the one closest to you can hurt you the most. Of course, it is also about how suicide affects the deceased's family. Hayden's suicide is followed by a series of clues here and there about another side of him that his only best friend, Sam had never known about. Sam learns more about Hayden and his secrets, and tries to discover what drove him to commit suicide. Dark, compelling and moving, this is a story for fans of Gayle Forman's I Was Here.
somarostam's review against another edition
4.0
I was in mood for some dark contemporary when I stumbled upon this one. I think I put a lot of expectations into this book and it almost reached them.
There's nothing left after Hayden dies. Only a playlist of songs that he leaves for his best friend, Sam. Sam doesn't get what happened and everything changes when he meets Astrid and her group of misfits. And Sam begins to question everything that has happened.
First thing I loved about this book is the main character, Sam. I loved him. He felt so real, with his inner turmoil and his insecurities. A real fleshed-out character. Then, there's Astrid. I was very conflicted about my feelings for her. She reminded me a bit of Alaska from John Green's Looking For Alaska. The whole mysterious sexy girl attitude. The other characters were all one-dimensional. I didn't feel much for them.
Then, there's the romance aspect. The romance was such a sweet and fluffy thing. I loved how it started from scratch and grew into a more stable thing. But the plot definitely surprised me. I didn't expect the ending chapters and they were somehow of a shock, but a good kind of one.
The reference to the playlist and all those songs was very enjoyable! The ending was bittersweet and hopeful and I loved it. I am not such a big fan of happily ever afters so this was perfect for me. Although this book was not my favorite, I am definitely waiting for more books from the author.
There's nothing left after Hayden dies. Only a playlist of songs that he leaves for his best friend, Sam. Sam doesn't get what happened and everything changes when he meets Astrid and her group of misfits. And Sam begins to question everything that has happened.
First thing I loved about this book is the main character, Sam. I loved him. He felt so real, with his inner turmoil and his insecurities. A real fleshed-out character. Then, there's Astrid. I was very conflicted about my feelings for her. She reminded me a bit of Alaska from John Green's Looking For Alaska. The whole mysterious sexy girl attitude. The other characters were all one-dimensional. I didn't feel much for them.
Then, there's the romance aspect. The romance was such a sweet and fluffy thing. I loved how it started from scratch and grew into a more stable thing. But the plot definitely surprised me. I didn't expect the ending chapters and they were somehow of a shock, but a good kind of one.
The reference to the playlist and all those songs was very enjoyable! The ending was bittersweet and hopeful and I loved it. I am not such a big fan of happily ever afters so this was perfect for me. Although this book was not my favorite, I am definitely waiting for more books from the author.
shwetakudrimoti17's review against another edition
5.0
I had to find a lot to get this book. And I got it in August 2019. Although it was nice and suspenseful, I perceive it to be a little less impacting than 13 reasons why. But I don't blame Michelle, I might need to read it again with the playlist by my side.
And for those who are searching the playlist, kindly note that there is a playlist on Spotify called 'A playlist de Hayden', which is apparently the Spanish name of the book.
And for those who are searching the playlist, kindly note that there is a playlist on Spotify called 'A playlist de Hayden', which is apparently the Spanish name of the book.
starryeved's review against another edition
1.0
Not too impressive. It seemed like the playlist would make for an intriguing, epiphany-inducing conduit, but alas, that did not amount to anything. Aside from that, there was little to no raw emotion; it seemed a little lacking.
paeandbooks's review against another edition
4.0
When I said I need a book that tells the story like onion; layer by layer, I meant this book.
The way Sam planned to tease Hayden for his hangover but hit with the reality truck hits me so bad
The way Sam planned to tease Hayden for his hangover but hit with the reality truck hits me so bad
lassi's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
riellebks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
ostatnieslowoo's review against another edition
1.0
1,5 ⭐
Możliwe, że to nie jest typ książek, które mnie porywają. Jednak porównując do książek z tego gatunku nie jest to najlepsza pozycja. Odniosłam wrażenie, że autorka chciała wpakować wszystkie problemy w jedną niezadługo książkę i chyba to ja przerosło. Chyba miało to służyć temu żeby każdy mógł znaleźć coś dla siebie. Dla mnie było to za dużo bo wolałabym się skupić na jednym problemie.
Edit: po kilku miesiącach od przeczytania nie pamiętam totalnie o czym była ta historia. Co tylko świadczy na jej niekorzyść
Możliwe, że to nie jest typ książek, które mnie porywają. Jednak porównując do książek z tego gatunku nie jest to najlepsza pozycja. Odniosłam wrażenie, że autorka chciała wpakować wszystkie problemy w jedną niezadługo książkę i chyba to ja przerosło. Chyba miało to służyć temu żeby każdy mógł znaleźć coś dla siebie. Dla mnie było to za dużo bo wolałabym się skupić na jednym problemie.
Edit: po kilku miesiącach od przeczytania nie pamiętam totalnie o czym była ta historia. Co tylko świadczy na jej niekorzyść