Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

5 stars
Hannah Baker committed suicide, but no one knows exactly why. Rumors swirl around why and how, but no one knows until cassette tapes show up to people who have hurt Hannah. Thirteen cassette tapes; each telling her story before her death leading up to her suicide. Clay Jensen comes home to discover these cassette tapes on his porch. As he listens to the girl he cared about recount the thirteen reasons why she killed herself he wonders why he has received the tapes. This book was recommended to me by a substitute teacher one day when I was in the fifth. After seeing and having my interest piqued, I wondered about the book and if I would ever read it. Easter came and my parents gave it to me as a gift and I was extremely excited. Even though I was extremely excited to read it, I didn’t pick it up until the May of my sixth grade year. I wait a really long time to read some books. A really long time. Sometimes I regret waiting and sometimes I think it was better if I hadn’t even bought the book. This was one of those books where I wondered why I waited, but at the same time I think it was best that I did. I think if I would’ve read this book in the fifth grade I probably wouldn’t have liked it nearly as much because I grew up a lot the following year and my opinions and thoughts changed. This story is gripping, emotional and touching. I still remember the chills I got when reading some parts or how I cried when reading certain parts.


The main male character is Clay. I don’t read a lot of male POVs, but when I do I usually enjoy them. Clay’s voice was clear and relatable. I don’t want to give a lot away about him though it doesn’t seem right if I did.


Swoon Worthy Scale: 8

The main female character is Hannah. Hannah is the girl behind the tapes and her story is tragic. Hannah is the rare occurrence of someone trying and failing to get help. Her last tape made me cry the most. Hannah deserved a chance at happiness and life, but sometimes it doesn’t work out that way.


Kick-Butt Heroine Scale: 8

On a side note: This book has been picked up to be a movie and they’ve already cast someone to be Hannah Baker- Selena Gomez. I hope she’ll pull it off and give her character justice.
I love this book, but I don’t think there’s much I can say that hasn’t already been said. With that I recommend this book a 100% to anyone and everyone.

Cover Thoughts: I love the cover. It tells Hannah’s story even if it’s just a little bit of it. I like the look on her face, you can see her thinking and I’ve always wondered what exactly she was thinking.


P.S. I'm a freshmen in high school now, but I still remember this book. That's how much of an impact it had on me.