Enjoy Booktalks, Playlists, and Book Reviews

Before I Fall 

“They say that just before you die your whole life flashes before your eyes, but that’s not how it happens for me. I only see my greatest hits. The things I want to remember and be remembered for. “

Booktalk:

Have you ever experienced déjà vu? The main character in this book has the worse case of déjà vu, in fact she relives the same day Cupid’s Day over and over again seven times. The high school student Samantha is forced to face reality as she attempts to find a way of the time warp in which she dies each night, only to wake up again in the morning. As she relives each day, she has to accept reality about her friends, her boyfriend, and those around her that she hasn’t been so nice to. You’ll have to read to find out if Samantha is able to break the time loop and save herself. 

Playlist of Sam’s Greatest Hits:

So take a look through the playlist for all of Sam’s favorite hits to her best moments in life: 

The time in Cape Cod when Izzy and I snuck down to the bay at midnight and tried to catch crabs with leftover hamburger meat, and the moon was so fat and round it looks like something you could sit on. (These songs are the best for time by ocean and with your sister. Sam loved spending time with her sister, though she can be a little annoying.)

Only the Ocean by Jack Johnson 

On the Ride by Aly & AJ

When Ally tries to make a souffle and came marching into the kitchen with a roll of toilet paper on her head life a chef’s hat, and Elody laughed so hard she peed a little it and swore us all to secrecy. Lindsay throwing her arms around us and saying, “Love you to death,” and all of us echoing, “And even then.” (Friendship is everything to Sam. Her friends, though flawed, are always there for Sam and mean the world to her.)

I’m Only Me When I’m With You by Taylor Swift 

Count on Me- Bruno Mars 

 Lying on the deck on hot August afternoons with the smell of grass shavings and flowers so heavy in the air, it’s like your tasting them. (Summer is the best for Sam. She thinks of the small things and finds a new appreciation for them, even how summer tastes and feels.)

Cruel Summer by Bananarama 

Summertime by DJ Jazzy & Fresh Prince 

 The time it snowed on Christmas, and my split up one of the old TV tables in the basement to use as firewood, and my mom made apple cider, and we tried to remember the words to “Silent Night” but ended up singing all our favorite show tunes. (Though Christmas songs are classic, there is no better memory for Sam than show tunes with the family. Here are a few I think her family would sing.)

Annie: I Don’t Need Anything But You by Charles Strouse 

My Favorite Things- From the Sound of Music 

And kissing Kent, because that’s when I realized that time doesn’t matter.  (Sam does not get much time with Kent in the end, but he becomes her first love, first kiss. These are classic love songs.)

This Kiss by Faith Hill 

Kiss Me by Ed Sheeran 

Paper Hearts by Tori Kelly

 That’s when I realized that certain moments go on forever. Even after they’re over they still go on, even after you’re dead and buried, those moments are lasting still, backward and forward, on into infinity. They are everything and everywhere all at once. They are meaning.  (The memories are what means the most to Sam, what she clings to as she remembers her life, and how she wants others to remember her.)

If I Die Young by The Band Perry  

Lovely (with Khalid) by Billie Eilish, Khalid

Promise Not To Fall by Human Touch

Memories by Shawn Mendes

Booklist for Sam:

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

After falling from the social ladder, Regina succumbs to vicious rumors spread by her once friends. The rumors intensify leading to bullying which forces Regina to find comfort in misfit Michael Hayden, which could led to more than a friendship. (This is a great book for Sam because it really mirrors her choices to bully, and though she is not the one being bullied, it does give her a perspective to understand others in that situation, as well as appreciating those misfits that could be more than friends. )

If You Only Knew by Jamie Ivey

This story is about facing the past, the messy parts that you aren’t necessarily proud of or would like to conceal. Overlooking flaws and embracing who you are can be freeing. (Another great read for Sam, as she needs to come to terms with her bad choices, the things she has done to others and how acceptance and responsibility for those choices can be freeing.)

The Power to Prevent Suicide: A Guide for Teens Helping Teens by Richard E. Nelson, Ph.D., & Judith C. Galas

This book dives into ways to identify signs and risk factors for teen suicide. It gives teen through the warning signs and how to reach out to friend, as well as help them find help for themselves or for a friends. (This book would be a great read for Sam as she has to cope with knowing Juliette is trying to commit suicide and perhaps would have given her resources and people she could have reached out to to help Juliette.)

Kayla’s world takes an unexpected turn when her father dies, leaving her with a mother who is very critical of her appearance. She tries to change her appearance, slowly starving and purging herself to stay thin until a friend, Cameron, helps her face her body issues and to heal from the pain of her past. (Sam is a great friend to Ally, Elody, and Lindsay, but two of her friends potentially have eating disorders. Sam walked in on Lindsay purging, and Ally never eats. This book would be a great read for Sam to see how devastating an eating disorder can be and how she might be able to help. Sam, like Cameron in the story, also recognizes that past events, such as Lindsay’s parents divorce and rape, can have impacts even when her friends bury their feelings about the events.)

When people see Grace, it is usually on their worse day. When she learns about the horrible death of one of her clients, her perspective changes. She decides to never take one day for granted and to live life to its fullest. (This book would be good for Sam to read to put into perspective how insignificant things are not important, but rather relationships and living each day to the fullest. )

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