Getting back into reading is just like riding a bike, except I find it difficult to spend so much time reading throughout the week when I have so many other things I need to be doing, like correcting papers, laundry, exercising, and prepping meals. So I decided to leave the training wheels on my bike and jump back into reading by exploring audio books. I have not listened to an audio book unless it is in my own classroom with my students. This idea seemed extremely strange to me, since I am most definitely an auditory learner and have memorized just about every word to every song I have ever heard. With this seemingly brilliant realization, I explored the audio books my library had available to download.
Not only did I go out on a limb by listening to a story rather than reading one, but I chose to listen to a book I typically would never read. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver is a young adult fictional novel that is soon to be a major motion picture. None of these characteristics fall into my typical reading selections, but I am happy I pushed myself out of my reading comfort zone.
The story follows Sam Kingston, a popular senior in high school, who is tragically killed in a car accident on the infamous “Cupid Day.” Sam then wakes up to relive the same day several times, each time reevaluating her life choices and how they have affected her and the people around her. Each day provides a new opportunity to explore a different relationship and the consequences her actions have. The story was captivating, insightful, and in no way redundant. Lauren Oliver has an excellent way with words, creating beautiful scenery and developing emotional relationships that are raw and relatable. The ending left me wanting more, but I had a deeper understanding of myself and how my own actions may be affecting those people closest to me.
Listening to a book, rather than reading it, was a completely new experience for me, which I am still unsure of. I loved being able to listen to the story while multitasking, but I missed that feeling of being completely immersed in a book and not noticing how much time has slipped away while reading. I also did not mind the narrator’s voice, for the most part, but found myself distracted by the voices and certain portrayals of characters. Overall, I am glad I decided to take a chance on this novel and am looking forward to seeing the film in March.