“Get ready, because I'm about to tell you the story of my life, or more specifically, why it ended. And if you're listening to these tapes, you're one of the reasons why.” These are the first words Clay heard from the girl he thought he'd never hear from again.
TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY by Jay Asher is a book with two different perspectives on the story line. The book begins with High School sophomore Clay receiving a shoe box on his front door containing 7 audio tapes. When he starts playing the tapes he hears the voice of a girl who used to go to his school. At first it takes him a while to actually believe its Hannah Baker talking to him. Why? Hannah Baker committed suicide a few weeks ago. When he puts in tape one he hears her voice again. He finds out that seven people got the tapes before him and when he was finished he had to pass it on the the next person on Hannah's list. If they don't get passed on a second set of tapes will be released to the public. While this won't affect everyone, some people could suffer serious, life ruining, consequences.
The rest of this story is Clay walking around the town listening to Hannah tell him the 13 reasons why she decided to end her life. Evey few sentences the perspective changes from Hannah's tapes to Clays thoughts. He can't imagine what he did. He and Hannah didn't know each other that much, although he wishes they had. But now he'll never have the chance. So for the rest of the night he walks around the town listening to his first loves last words. He goes to the spot of her first kiss, her first (and last) party, her home, and the other people on the list's houses. At some points he wants to stop listening. But the need to know what he did to her over powers everything and he keeps listening.
This was an amazing story. I finished it in one day because I literally couldn't put it down. I actually learned a lot from this book about the signs of suicide. This book was also very sad, mainly because you know that all Hannah wanted was someone to help her and tell her that life was worth living, but theres nothing you can do. Also because right in the beginning you know there won't be a happy ending. She's already killed herself. Clay misses Hannah more and more as the tapes grow on, and I can't tell you how depressing this book was to read. While I personally loved it, I wouldn't suggest it if you're looking for a funny or light hearted book. But if you wanted to try something darker with a mystery and twist, I would DEFINITELY recommend this book to you.
