Review of : How To Save A Life by Sara Zarr

How to Save A Life by Sara Zarr

Page Count(Hardcover Edition): 341 pgs.
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Released: October 18, 2011
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary 
My Rating: 4/5
Date Finished: June 24th,  2012
Source: Library


Synopsis:

Jill MacSweeney just wishes everything could go back to normal. But ever since her dad died, she’s been isolating herself from her boyfriend, her best friends—everyone who wants to support her. And when her mom decides to adopt a baby, it feels like she’s somehow trying to replace a lost family member with a new one.

Mandy Kalinowski understands what it’s like to grow up unwanted—to be raised by a mother who never intended to have a child. So when Mandy becomes pregnant, one thing she’s sure of is that she wants a better life for her baby. It’s harder to be sure of herself. Will she ever find someone to care for her, too?

As their worlds change around them, Jill and Mandy must learn to both let go and hold on, and that nothing is as easy—or as difficult—as it seems.
(from Goodreads)


As usual with these types of books, I felt something. I think what I felt was a mixture of feelings for the characters and the story all wrapped up in one ball. I, being very sensitive, felt sorry for Mandy, Robin and Jill for what they have been through. Hopefully you will be able to understand what I'm saying. :)


One thing that really hit me with this book was the clear meaning to  it. Some books that I have read before have had a hidden meaning that I think about for a while to understand it. Don't get me wrong, that is good sometimes too. But with this book it just sort of clicked by the end. I liked how Sara's characters had a whole new persona to them once you looked further than the skin. Mandy seemed fragile and small, incapable. Jill came off as cold-hear ted, mean and uncaring. Towards the end of though, they really started showing their true selves. 


Oh, how I loved Ravi and Dylan. They were just so sweet and cute to Jill. I really understood at the end of what had to happen between the three of them. It felt/looked so natural and right. (lol i get so attached sometimes :)).


The story line was full of twists and turns in my opinion. Every time I started a new perspective, whether it be Jill or Mandy, I was delighted to see a new view of the same situation. Mandy and Jill each had their own way of explaining certain things. Mandy had a way of detailing her thoughts and Jill's tended to be more sarcastic and cynical when there was dialogue. I really loved how they had their own font, as if that was part of their personality's. I don't want to spoil anything, so I will just say that the ending is surprising and I didn't see it coming. I couldn't predict where the story line was going and that good. When ever you can predict where the story is going, its a bad sign. The only thing that bothered me was how Alex wrote Mandy that note. I think that was mean. I was hoping that Mandy and Alex could have a relationship, and if nothing else just be friends.


All in all, How to Save a Life was a great, emotional read that is worth the ride. It's sort of a love-hate relationship with these type of books. I feel sad sometimes after I read them but I go out and get more!
I apologize that this review is so short. I am new to this whole blogging thing and I hope I can get a hang of it one day. I promise to try and make them longer! (: