Thirteen Reasons Why, by Jay Asher

This book has to be one of my favorite books. This novel is all about one girl, Hannah Baker. Hannah committed suicide, and has made thirteen different tapes that single out thirteen different people. Each person who receives these tapes could be held responsible for her death. The story is told through the perspective of someone who liked Hannah, Clay Jensen. While Clay goes through torture and grief while hearing the voice of that one girl he actually liked and felt like they could make it, he discovers different sides of his peers that he never knew they had. Hannah cleverly ties all the names on the tapes and stories, into each other. All of the stories relate to one night and one party. Clay coincidentally makes a couple friends through this experience, though having your name on the tapes have nothing to be proud of. He also figures out that he really despises more people, because of the tapes. In all though, they all had their reasons to be on those tapes, and they all felt guilty afterward. The one feeling the most guilt, however, was Clay. Even though he never intentionally hurt Hannah or did anything to her that was negative, he was still on the tapes, and he felt even guiltier than the next person. At the end of the book, although still guilty, he somewhat grieves less, because of a person he finds that reminds him of Hannah. This book definitely makes you think about your affect on people. It makes you think how just one word or action can make someone want to take their life. Although some people think negatively of people who commit suicide, this book is very cleverly written and something that I think everyone can relate to. The story starts off slow, but is very suspenseful throughout the climax. If you get a chance, please read this book! I feel like everyone could learn something from this book.