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readergirlz is a literacy and social media project for teens, awarded the National Book Foundation's Innovations in Reading Prize. The rgz blog serves as a depot for news and YA reviews from industry professionals and teens. As volunteers return full force to their own YA writing, the organization continues to hold one initiative a year to impact teen literacy. All are welcome to "like" us on Facebook!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Story Secrets: BEFORE I FALL by Lauren Oliver

We're chatting story secrets today with my fellow HarperCollins debut author, Lauren Oliver - and to have not one but TWO advanced copies of BEFORE I FALL to give away! (See below for details on how to win!)

I picked up this book when I went to the American Library Assocation meeting in Boston, and ironically, I found myself reading it the day it is supposed to take place: Friday, February 12th. So I'm very interested to hear about the story behind her story and hope you will be, too.

Welcome, Lauren!

*****

Samantha Kingston, a popular (and very self-absorbed) senior, believes she has everything she wants: the perfect boyfriend, amazing friends, the ability to get away with pretty much anything at her high school. In the first chapter, she is on her away home from a party when she gets into a car accident and dies.
However, she still wakes up the next morning. In fact, she must relive the day of her death seven times before she discovers she has the power to change her fate. The book is really about her evolution as a character, from someone who is self-absorbed and petty, to someone with a great capacity for love and empathy and understanding.



BEFORE I FALL is such a fascinating look at Samantha's transformation - where did the story come from?
When I was younger, I used to try and visualize, in as much detail as possible, a perfect moment or day. It was a kind of game or relaxation technique, I guess; I often did it just as I was falling asleep. I would try to imagine the kind of day I would be content to relive forever. So that question—what makes a day worth living, or reliving—has always been bouncing around in my brain.

I’ve also always been interested in the mean-girl phenomena...

Read the rest for a chance to win a copy of BEFORE I FALL!


3 comments:

Lorie Ann Grover said...

We loved this soooo much we've booked Lauren, rgz! She's coming your way. Shhh, it's a secret. :~)

Little Willow said...

I love the fact that you happened to read the book on the day it took place.

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