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stuckinafictionaluniverse's review against another edition
2.0
I expected to love this book, just because it's about music. Sadly I was very disappointed.
My biggest problem with this book was without a doubt Elise. I was never able to connect with her. Sure, she gained a tiny portion of my sympathy, but never my empathy.
I never cared for her because I felt as if she were a stranger.
She probably wasn't meant to be unlikable, but she was to me.
There was too little passion in this book. A quite big part of it follows Elise as she discovers her new interest: DJing.
Some of the songs mentioned rang a bell, but most of it wasn't anything I have in my playlist. Despite that, I still hoped to be able to feel the same thing that Elise felt, but I simply couldn't.
She reminded me a lot of Hannah Baker from [b:Thirteen Reasons Why|1217100|Thirteen Reasons Why|Jay Asher|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1333822506s/1217100.jpg|2588213]. I assume that the point with that novel was for people to think about the small things they do that can ruin someone. But I hated that girl.
Like with This song will save your life , [b:Thirteen Reasons Why|1217100|Thirteen Reasons Why|Jay Asher|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1333822506s/1217100.jpg|2588213] wanted both sympathy and empathy from the reader. And in both cases, I couldn't give them that. Just a tiny piece of sympathy.
Because I didn't give a crap about either of those characters.
Elise's attitude towards new music was very annoying. She kept going on and on about how she hated everything that was playing on the radio.
Not all old music is good. Not all new music is bad. Listening to the things you do does not make you superior to everyone else. Sure, some of the things that come out of the radio sound like crap, but that doesn't mean all of them are bad.
I love hearing someone talking about their passion, even if it's not one that I share. Because I see how happy that thing or person makes them, and I appreciate that a lot.
Wouldn't you rather talk to someone about music in general, and possibly discover a new band, than not talk about it at all just because you have prejudices about the genre or artist they like?
A quick list of some other cons:
* Slow pacing.
* A bit repetitive plot.
* The love interest was an uninteresting guy. Although he did share Elise's interest in music, that was pretty much it. I still think she deserved better.
* The ending was too open for my taste.
This book did have its ups and downs, I must ensure you of that, after a review that's almost exclusively filled with cons.
I liked Vicky (Elise's new friend). She was fun to read about and brightened up the entire book. Their friendship had the potential of growing and becoming great. I would've liked to see more of Vicky, as well as Mel (the bouncer).
My biggest problem with this book was without a doubt Elise. I was never able to connect with her. Sure, she gained a tiny portion of my sympathy, but never my empathy.
I never cared for her because I felt as if she were a stranger.
She probably wasn't meant to be unlikable, but she was to me.
There was too little passion in this book. A quite big part of it follows Elise as she discovers her new interest: DJing.
Some of the songs mentioned rang a bell, but most of it wasn't anything I have in my playlist. Despite that, I still hoped to be able to feel the same thing that Elise felt, but I simply couldn't.
She reminded me a lot of Hannah Baker from [b:Thirteen Reasons Why|1217100|Thirteen Reasons Why|Jay Asher|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1333822506s/1217100.jpg|2588213]. I assume that the point with that novel was for people to think about the small things they do that can ruin someone. But I hated that girl.
Like with This song will save your life , [b:Thirteen Reasons Why|1217100|Thirteen Reasons Why|Jay Asher|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1333822506s/1217100.jpg|2588213] wanted both sympathy and empathy from the reader. And in both cases, I couldn't give them that. Just a tiny piece of sympathy.
Because I didn't give a crap about either of those characters.
Elise's attitude towards new music was very annoying. She kept going on and on about how she hated everything that was playing on the radio.
Not all old music is good. Not all new music is bad. Listening to the things you do does not make you superior to everyone else. Sure, some of the things that come out of the radio sound like crap, but that doesn't mean all of them are bad.
I love hearing someone talking about their passion, even if it's not one that I share. Because I see how happy that thing or person makes them, and I appreciate that a lot.
Wouldn't you rather talk to someone about music in general, and possibly discover a new band, than not talk about it at all just because you have prejudices about the genre or artist they like?
A quick list of some other cons:
* Slow pacing.
* A bit repetitive plot.
* The love interest was an uninteresting guy. Although he did share Elise's interest in music, that was pretty much it. I still think she deserved better.
* The ending was too open for my taste.
This book did have its ups and downs, I must ensure you of that, after a review that's almost exclusively filled with cons.
I liked Vicky (Elise's new friend). She was fun to read about and brightened up the entire book. Their friendship had the potential of growing and becoming great. I would've liked to see more of Vicky, as well as Mel (the bouncer).
booagnes's review
5.0
*Original review posted at She Dreams in Fiction.
The minute I saw this book, I knew I wanted to read it. Music. That one word captured my attention immediately. Little did I know that this book was going to be about so much more than good music. This Song Will Save Your Life is a truly great story about finding yourself and the power of music and friendship.
When we first meet Elise, we find out she has no friends. None. She is determined to make this upcoming school year the best ever. All summer, she studies fashion and pop culture and anything that could be helpful in making friends and stop being picked on. She has been bullied for as long as she can remember and when her plan fails, she has had too much. She walks miles and miles to get home and attempts to take her life. This all happens in the beginning of the book! Here's this vibrant, brilliant girl with so much to offer and bam! It was like that saying, "the straw that broke the camels back." It was simply too much to take anymore, the loneliness and rejection and all the horrid things she'd had to deal with her whole life. It was so hard seeing her go through this all alone.
I can relate to Elise. I really felt for her and I just wanted to hug her and tell her she's interesting and brilliant and worth it. I liked her and, as I stated above, I could relate to her quite a lot. She was smart and she worked hard. In all honestly, I couldn't see why the other kids were so cruel to her. Then again, people frequently don't know how to deal with anyone who is even remotely "different." I don't know how to pinpoint what made me like Elise so much, but... I just "get" her, you know? A lot of the thoughts running through her head are ones I've had. A lot - A LOT - of her feelings are ones I've experienced. She was so real - and flawed - she positively jumped off the page. I love that Leila Sales gave us a character so very... human.
I think my favorite character, other than Elise, was her friend Vicky. She was so loud and vibrant, you couldn't help but like her. She's an amazing friend, but she also has flaws and acknowledges them. I like how real she is. I can definitely see why quiet, driven Elise was drawn to her. I wasn't entirely fond of Pippa and Char from the get-go. Pippa, Vicky's closest friend, was extremely focused on getting Char. She was also kind of a hot mess, but she was friendly enough. Char, the DJ for Start, is super into his music and I just couldn't really see his appeal. Sure, I love a guy who loves music as much as the next girl, but he was just so distant. He also treated Pippa terribly... and she let him. So I wasn't very fond of those two. Then again, I did like that they were also real, like Vicky and Elise. I keep saying that, that they're "real," but it's true! One thing that I particularly enjoyed about this book was how Elise's parents, though divorced, were very present. They worried, they had rules, they cared. They may not have gotten along with one another very well, but they made every effort to make sure their daughter was well taken care of. I wish Elise had been more open with them, but I understand why she wasn't. It's hard to tell your parents some things when you're a teenager. I also really liked Elise's little half-siblings. Alex, especially, was quite adorable. You could really see how much she loved her big sister and idolized her. Having a close relationship with my own half-sister, I really loved seeing this.
Start sounds so cool! Clubs may not be my scene, exactly, but I can definitely see the draw for Elise. Being a huge music fan myself, I don't know that I could have resisted its charm either. The one thing that really kind of, I don't know, made this story feel less plausible, was the fact that this sixteen year old girl was not only allowed in the club, but given the opportunity to DJ... and nobody really thought anything of it. She was admitted into a club that not only knew she was underage, but looked the other way. Granted, Elise didn't drink or anything, but still. It just didn't seem like that would be something that would be allowed. I don't know, maybe I'm naive.
Now for the music. Oh my word, the music! I love how it was weaved into every bit of this story. It really gave life to this novel in a way that I don't think could have been accomplished otherwise. Maybe I'm just biased because I love music so much, but still. Each track - even the ones I wasn't initially familiar with - fit in perfectly and set the tone for Elise and her story. I'm one of those people who believe that music can change you. The right song at the right moment can do amazing things. I love that Leila Sales celebrated music and those who live for it.
As for the style and flow, I loved it. I loved the writing and it was paced extremely well. It wasn't too fast, not too slow. I didn't see any instances where I was sick of a certain phrase or where I didn't feel as though something wasn't true to a particular character. It all really fit together well.
This Song Will Save Your Life is definitely a beautiful, moving, hopeful story that I think will be a hit with readers and music-lovers alike. I couldn't get enough of Elise's story and was pretty bummed when I finally had to close the book. I know that This Song Will Save Your Life is one I will purchase when it comes out in September. I also have a feeling it is going to be a book I will reread again and again.
The minute I saw this book, I knew I wanted to read it. Music. That one word captured my attention immediately. Little did I know that this book was going to be about so much more than good music. This Song Will Save Your Life is a truly great story about finding yourself and the power of music and friendship.
When we first meet Elise, we find out she has no friends. None. She is determined to make this upcoming school year the best ever. All summer, she studies fashion and pop culture and anything that could be helpful in making friends and stop being picked on. She has been bullied for as long as she can remember and when her plan fails, she has had too much. She walks miles and miles to get home and attempts to take her life. This all happens in the beginning of the book! Here's this vibrant, brilliant girl with so much to offer and bam! It was like that saying, "the straw that broke the camels back." It was simply too much to take anymore, the loneliness and rejection and all the horrid things she'd had to deal with her whole life. It was so hard seeing her go through this all alone.
I can relate to Elise. I really felt for her and I just wanted to hug her and tell her she's interesting and brilliant and worth it. I liked her and, as I stated above, I could relate to her quite a lot. She was smart and she worked hard. In all honestly, I couldn't see why the other kids were so cruel to her. Then again, people frequently don't know how to deal with anyone who is even remotely "different." I don't know how to pinpoint what made me like Elise so much, but... I just "get" her, you know? A lot of the thoughts running through her head are ones I've had. A lot - A LOT - of her feelings are ones I've experienced. She was so real - and flawed - she positively jumped off the page. I love that Leila Sales gave us a character so very... human.
I think my favorite character, other than Elise, was her friend Vicky. She was so loud and vibrant, you couldn't help but like her. She's an amazing friend, but she also has flaws and acknowledges them. I like how real she is. I can definitely see why quiet, driven Elise was drawn to her. I wasn't entirely fond of Pippa and Char from the get-go. Pippa, Vicky's closest friend, was extremely focused on getting Char. She was also kind of a hot mess, but she was friendly enough. Char, the DJ for Start, is super into his music and I just couldn't really see his appeal. Sure, I love a guy who loves music as much as the next girl, but he was just so distant. He also treated Pippa terribly... and she let him. So I wasn't very fond of those two. Then again, I did like that they were also real, like Vicky and Elise. I keep saying that, that they're "real," but it's true! One thing that I particularly enjoyed about this book was how Elise's parents, though divorced, were very present. They worried, they had rules, they cared. They may not have gotten along with one another very well, but they made every effort to make sure their daughter was well taken care of. I wish Elise had been more open with them, but I understand why she wasn't. It's hard to tell your parents some things when you're a teenager. I also really liked Elise's little half-siblings. Alex, especially, was quite adorable. You could really see how much she loved her big sister and idolized her. Having a close relationship with my own half-sister, I really loved seeing this.
Start sounds so cool! Clubs may not be my scene, exactly, but I can definitely see the draw for Elise. Being a huge music fan myself, I don't know that I could have resisted its charm either. The one thing that really kind of, I don't know, made this story feel less plausible, was the fact that this sixteen year old girl was not only allowed in the club, but given the opportunity to DJ... and nobody really thought anything of it. She was admitted into a club that not only knew she was underage, but looked the other way. Granted, Elise didn't drink or anything, but still. It just didn't seem like that would be something that would be allowed. I don't know, maybe I'm naive.
Now for the music. Oh my word, the music! I love how it was weaved into every bit of this story. It really gave life to this novel in a way that I don't think could have been accomplished otherwise. Maybe I'm just biased because I love music so much, but still. Each track - even the ones I wasn't initially familiar with - fit in perfectly and set the tone for Elise and her story. I'm one of those people who believe that music can change you. The right song at the right moment can do amazing things. I love that Leila Sales celebrated music and those who live for it.
As for the style and flow, I loved it. I loved the writing and it was paced extremely well. It wasn't too fast, not too slow. I didn't see any instances where I was sick of a certain phrase or where I didn't feel as though something wasn't true to a particular character. It all really fit together well.
This Song Will Save Your Life is definitely a beautiful, moving, hopeful story that I think will be a hit with readers and music-lovers alike. I couldn't get enough of Elise's story and was pretty bummed when I finally had to close the book. I know that This Song Will Save Your Life is one I will purchase when it comes out in September. I also have a feeling it is going to be a book I will reread again and again.
drridareads's review
4.0
I remember kind of liking this book.
The main character has anxiety and does not fit in which just felt relatable.
3.5 stars rounded to 4
____________
I did not drag this book on forever.. even I can't believe it
The main character has anxiety and does not fit in which just felt relatable.
3.5 stars rounded to 4
____________
I did not drag this book on forever.. even I can't believe it
freadomlibrary's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: It's been three years since I read this, I'm sharing my notes from that time.
Critically
Plot - 3 out of 5 stars
coming of age, depression, sensitive subjects, bullying, discovering yourself, dark
Writing Style - 3 out of 5 stars
simple, raw, honest, descriptive, a bit uncomfortable, realistic/unrealistic (confusing I know)
Characters - 4 out of 5 stars
Elise: vulnerable, depressed, trying too hard, tries to give up but determined, focused, found something she loved
Emotionally
The plot is intense. We follow a girl named Elise who has always been off and she tries to change herself to become popular. It doesn't work and it gets to the point where she hurts herself. I have to say that this book is really powerful and raw but it made me feel very uncomfortable at times. It was uncomfortably real and I couldn't relate and it made me feel strange. It was honest and true to the reality of teenagers today with a realistic ending.
Elise is hard to explain. She was depressed and vulnerable but I commend her for recognizing herself and determined to do something she loves. But at the same time, she was very easily carried away by the things around her.
Critically
Plot - 3 out of 5 stars
coming of age, depression, sensitive subjects, bullying, discovering yourself, dark
Writing Style - 3 out of 5 stars
simple, raw, honest, descriptive, a bit uncomfortable, realistic/unrealistic (confusing I know)
Characters - 4 out of 5 stars
Elise: vulnerable, depressed, trying too hard, tries to give up but determined, focused, found something she loved
Emotionally
Spoiler
I liked this book but I wanted to feel more connected than I ended up being.The plot is intense. We follow a girl named Elise who has always been off and she tries to change herself to become popular. It doesn't work and it gets to the point where she hurts herself. I have to say that this book is really powerful and raw but it made me feel very uncomfortable at times. It was uncomfortably real and I couldn't relate and it made me feel strange. It was honest and true to the reality of teenagers today with a realistic ending.
Elise is hard to explain. She was depressed and vulnerable but I commend her for recognizing herself and determined to do something she loves. But at the same time, she was very easily carried away by the things around her.
lastpaige111's review
5.0
Elise learns that it's okay--indeed imperative--to be her exceptional self. The novel is touching and real and would especially appeal to music lovers. I wished I knew more about the music references, but she provides a convenient list as an appendix. The subplot about trying to helps younger sibling avoid an older sibling's mistakes adds depth.
sevbetweenpages's review
3.0
It was nice to read, much better than I expected; however I really didn't like the ending. It just happened and I wanted a closure with Char and Elise, too. I'll be forever wondering what happened to them. Well, maybe it was okay the way it is. I don't know.
It was a sweet read with a good flow.
It was a sweet read with a good flow.
lilworm's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
stephxsu's review
5.0
Oh, this book. With THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE, Leila Sales proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is not simply a comedienne, but also a master of the triumphant contemporary bildungsroman. I loved and admired Elise's voice: who can't relate to her social struggles, to her sad-but-oh-so-true realization that high school is no place to be special, to be different? Pair this with an almost mythical setting in the form of an indie dance club (they have these? They really have these? I don't have to pretend to shuffle to incomprehensibly unmelodic house music anymore?) and you've got the literary version of a hit movie along the lines of Jun. Great for fans of Matthew Quick ([b: Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock|13477676|Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock|Matthew Quick|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1370282544s/13477676.jpg|19008613]), Hilary T. Smith ([b: Wild Awake|16065521|Wild Awake|Hilary T. Smith|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1350411656s/16065521.jpg|21856162]), Lili Wilkinson ([b: Pink|8461405|Pink|Lili Wilkinson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348549205s/8461405.jpg|6857047]), Natalie Standiford ([b: How to Say Goodbye in Robot|2741766|How to Say Goodbye in Robot|Natalie Standiford|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328839037s/2741766.jpg|2767429]), and Rachel Cohn ([b: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist|25373|Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist|Rachel Cohn|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1425188149s/25373.jpg|929639]).