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rhalfie29's review against another edition
5.0
A heart-wrenching story that had me welling up on numerous occasions - but through the vivid and hilarious vignettes of the four friends, it's elevated from being just a tearjerker. I felt so warmly towards this bunch I wanted to be their friend too! Which only makes the plot sting all the more. Written with a voice that is recognisably teen but is also nuanced, sophisticated and rarely one-dimensional, the grief in this story is painfully realistic - your heart truly aches.
phiphig's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
cathyolibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
This book punches you in the gut over and over, so be prepared for that, but it is well worth the pain. Small spoiler: At the beginning I was a little put off by the premise that the sender of the text could be held liable for the death of the receiving driver, only to do a bit of research and find out that this is an actual thing that happens. Yikes! Once I had that bit of information this story was even more unbelievably gut wrenching, and like a horrible accident, you want to turn away but just can't and not only can you see the physical damage, reading the book you see all of the FEELINGS too. I tell you Mr. Zentner, after the Serpent King I was prepared to have my feet pulled out from under me because of what you did (ahem) in that book to someone I really liked. At least in the this one I knew what was going to hurt my heart from the very start.
papertraildiary's review against another edition
4.0
So sad, make sure you're in a good headspace while reading this. Spent a lot of time thinking about what I'd do if I was in this situation, which obviously is a huge bummer. I also was invested in the complicated relationship that was between Carver and Jesmyn.
This was my intro to Jeff's writing and I was super impressed. I wrote down a lot of beautiful quotes. Emotional metaphors and similes are this guy's bag.
Wondering if this book will inspire more teens to open up to their parents. I was a lot like Carver when I was a teen in the sense that there was just *some* reason why I never wanted to share anything personal with my parents, and this story brings up the question of what if your loved ones don't really know you? (Among many other questions such as the infamous WHAT IFs.)
I also appreciated that Carver goes to a therapist, something else that could stand to be more normalized to teens, though I was disappointed in the only brief mentions of Carver taking Zoloft - (side note is this the only antidepressant authors know exist?) because it was fleeting and unrealistic to not read more about how he was feeling about them and how they were making him feel besides slightly reducing panic attacks. But on the other hand, I liked the way Jeff wrote panic attacks.
This was my intro to Jeff's writing and I was super impressed. I wrote down a lot of beautiful quotes. Emotional metaphors and similes are this guy's bag.
Wondering if this book will inspire more teens to open up to their parents. I was a lot like Carver when I was a teen in the sense that there was just *some* reason why I never wanted to share anything personal with my parents, and this story brings up the question of what if your loved ones don't really know you? (Among many other questions such as the infamous WHAT IFs.)
I also appreciated that Carver goes to a therapist, something else that could stand to be more normalized to teens, though I was disappointed in the only brief mentions of Carver taking Zoloft - (side note is this the only antidepressant authors know exist?) because it was fleeting and unrealistic to not read more about how he was feeling about them and how they were making him feel besides slightly reducing panic attacks. But on the other hand, I liked the way Jeff wrote panic attacks.
cecarson's review against another edition
4.0
Utterly depressing. A good read, but definitely not a light-hearted read.
briaraq's review against another edition
4.0
would’ve been a five star if carver helped jesmyn through her grief
the_horror_maven's review against another edition
4.0
Goodbye Days is a painfully relevant book for today's youth. The way that Jeff Zentner addresses texting and driving is raw, and each page of his book is filled with pain and heartache. I found Goodbye Days to be a book that every youth should read - as well as adults - to further understand the perils that lie with those who choose to text and drive. There is no way that you can read this book without shedding at least one tear by the end.
"Sometimes, the only way I have of dealing with stuff is to be around things more ancient than me and my sadness; things that will forget me."
Goodbye Days is set in Nashville, Tennessee - Zentner's own city - and his love for Nashville shines through the pages. Despite the morbid storyline, Zentner manages to paint Nashville beautifully for those who have never visited (such as myself) and his writing made me fall in love with the city. Setting Goodbye Days in a city that Zentner knows well helped him bring his story to life.
"Tears streak Jessmyn's face like an atlas of rivers. She holds a wadded-up tissue and dabs her eyes and nose, staring straight ahead. I don't understand why I'm not crying. I should be. Maybe it's like how it's sometimes too cold to snow."
Goodbye Days focuses on Carver Briggs, a young man who was texting his friends when they got in a car crash and died. Since Carver knew that his friends were driving when he texted them, he feels responsible for their deaths. Soon the town begins to blame Carver for the deaths of his friends as well, and the media gets involved. Zentner's work addresses who should be held responsible for deaths that are the outcome of texting and driving and Goodbye Days made me think about these deaths in a new way.
"I wish it would rain. Torrents. So hard it would cleanse me of worry and trouble; so hard it would lift the stain of death from me and carry it to the rivers and out to sea."
Goodbye Days is a novel unlike any other. It tackles an issue that has rarely been addressed before, and it takes teenage death and relationships seriously. If you are a fan of John Green or Jay Asher, then Goodbye Days is a great novel to make you think!
"Sometimes, the only way I have of dealing with stuff is to be around things more ancient than me and my sadness; things that will forget me."
Goodbye Days is set in Nashville, Tennessee - Zentner's own city - and his love for Nashville shines through the pages. Despite the morbid storyline, Zentner manages to paint Nashville beautifully for those who have never visited (such as myself) and his writing made me fall in love with the city. Setting Goodbye Days in a city that Zentner knows well helped him bring his story to life.
"Tears streak Jessmyn's face like an atlas of rivers. She holds a wadded-up tissue and dabs her eyes and nose, staring straight ahead. I don't understand why I'm not crying. I should be. Maybe it's like how it's sometimes too cold to snow."
Goodbye Days focuses on Carver Briggs, a young man who was texting his friends when they got in a car crash and died. Since Carver knew that his friends were driving when he texted them, he feels responsible for their deaths. Soon the town begins to blame Carver for the deaths of his friends as well, and the media gets involved. Zentner's work addresses who should be held responsible for deaths that are the outcome of texting and driving and Goodbye Days made me think about these deaths in a new way.
"I wish it would rain. Torrents. So hard it would cleanse me of worry and trouble; so hard it would lift the stain of death from me and carry it to the rivers and out to sea."
Goodbye Days is a novel unlike any other. It tackles an issue that has rarely been addressed before, and it takes teenage death and relationships seriously. If you are a fan of John Green or Jay Asher, then Goodbye Days is a great novel to make you think!
ominouslilraven's review against another edition
4.0
Wow...utter destruction of my emotions. What. A. Book!
There’s so much covered in this book but not in an overwhelming way. It’s beautifully written and painfully honest.
There’s so much covered in this book but not in an overwhelming way. It’s beautifully written and painfully honest.
megzxo's review against another edition
5.0
This is definitely more of a 4.5 stars than a 5, but I really enjoyed it. It wasn't some over-the-top, elaborate, grandiose, unrealistic story. It was heartfelt, gut-wrenching, earth-shattering, and REAL. I related to and cried with Carver. I hate the idea that a character has to be "likable" for them to be a strong character. Isn't someone who isn't black/white so much more REAL? That's how I felt about Carver. The story was strong, and kept me hooked. Want to be punched in the feels? Read on.
jordanimals's review against another edition
One day, Carver sends a text message to his three best friends while waiting for them to pick him up from work: "Where are you guys? Text me back." As they are responding to the message, they are in a fatal car accident. This book is about Carver's relationships, his grief, his guilt, and his fear. He is blamed and even placed under investigation for accidental homicide. This book hits so many hard topics and I love the way it's written and navigates it. The author never tells you what to think but you are hurting for everyone the whole time. READ THIS BOOK AND CRY YOUR HEART OUT! In the best way