Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay ASher

I've read Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher before and liked it.  I read it again this time after watching the Netflix television series just to see if there was anything different between the two.  There were several things different, but none of them were different enough to affect the story really.  So, if you've seen the series, then you've basically read the book.  I really liked this book.  My husband did not.  He is too logical for it.  He didn't understand why the main character, Hannah, did the things she did and reacted to things the way she did.  She was illogical in his mind.  The story is basically Hannah's explanation (or 13 reasons, a.k.a. 13 people) as to why she committed suicide.  So, it's not a lighthearted book at all.  However,  I think it's a good book for open-minded parents to read, especially if you have a teenager or an almost teenager, and realize how impressionable teenagers are.  I'm not sure where Jay Asher got his information for writing this book, but it felt very realistic to me.  There wasn't anything in the book that made me think, "There's no way that would ever happen in real life."  It's a tale of 13 people, more really, not realizing what their words and actions were doing to an already vulnerable young woman trying to find her place in the world.  I would definitely recommend this book.  I would love for every teenager to read it... not under 14 or 15 though.  Some subject matters are on the adult side of life.  Just go into it with the mindset that each person is an individual and just because you see things one way doesn't mean everyone sees it that way.  I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.