THIRTEEN REASONS WHY focuses on the set of audiotapes made by a girl named Hannah Baker right before she killed herself. There are thirteen sides to the tapes recorded. And they’re going to be heard by thirteen people. Thirteen of the reasons why Hannah ended her life.
This story is not just Hannah’s; it is also Clay’s. Clay had a crush on Hannah for ages, watching her from afar (but not in a creepy way). And he’s one of the thirteen people to receive the tapes. This book takes place mostly on the night that Clay wanders around town, visiting the places mentioned in Hannah’s tapes, listening to Hannah’s voice and trying to deal with what has happened. Trying to figure out why he’s received these tapes, why one of the thirteen reasons belongs to him when all he ever did was try to connect with Hannah.
THIRTEEN REASONS WHY is a powerful debut from a talented new voice in YA literature. This dual narrative brings to light the reasons for Hannah’s death, lets readers know her life, but also lets us get to know Clay, who is an important part of Hannah’s story. This is different from most books in that the end of the story is the first thing we know. We know it will never turn out any differently. The reader knows from the start that Hannah is dead, but still we go on the agonizing journey to finding out why, along with Clay. To finding out what might have been different. This shows so well the pain of suicide for those left behind–what could we have done? Should we have seen?–and goes even further, as some of those people will actually get concrete answers to how they could have saved Hannah, and will have to live with it forever. This painfully honest story will stay in the minds of readers long after the final page. Jay Asher’s brilliant first novel is a moving, highly original story, and readers will eagerly await whatever he writes next.
Five Stars
September 16, 2007 at 12:26 pm
I read this one. While I agree that the writing is strong, I had a little trouble connecting with Hannah. My review will go up when the book comes out (I don’t like to put up negative reviews in advance.)
December 6, 2010 at 10:39 am
ighttttttt niggg
December 6, 2010 at 10:40 am
giggity goooooooooooooo
October 21, 2007 at 12:02 am
I saw this book in Barns and Noble… and I started to read it… MY friend and I couldnt’t put the book down… and we had to go since we were meeting friends and I was like ,”No, let me read like to the next chapter” …… our friends almost left…
so even though i didnt read all of it.. yet… but i read most of it.. and I say it was my all time favorite book…ever..
(I’m so buying it the next time I have the chance)
April 28, 2011 at 4:56 pm
theyve told me alot about this book even though im a guy i really wanna read it
November 8, 2007 at 4:42 pm
I never read this story but from the reviews I am seeing it seems as if it will be interesting. I cant wait until I get my hands on it. If I find it good ( I just know I will) I’m gonna recommend it to so many people
November 21, 2007 at 10:40 pm
I was on a panel with Jay (and Barry Lyga and Ellen Hopkins) with NYMBC at Books, Inc in Frisco last week. Great guy, and like Barry and Ellen, heck of a writer and fun yet serious presenter. Got me a copy, and though I haven’t read it yet, I’m looking forward to it!
November 27, 2007 at 2:29 pm
This book is honestly amazing. I think the story line is something different from your teenage ‘drama’-crisis. I believe that this is a must read for all teens who want to see how actions can effect people, even, to the point of death
January 11, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Oh my god this book is so intensely good. it makes me thing more about everything. i cried alot and i can relate to hannah in some ways…
February 4, 2008 at 4:56 pm
I think this book was one the best I’ve read all year. I could easily connect with all the characters mentioned even if I’ve never had an experience like theirs. Clay’s grief is so simple and doesn’t have to be said, it made my heart hurt for him. This book really affected me and i want to encourage everyone to read it. It’s a must-read for every adolescent.
February 16, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I read this book, and bought it. Now, I’m having thirteen people read it. A teacher is reading it, and might be put in the English curriculum next year. I love this book, because it addresses a topic that is taboo in our society today. I am glad that I can make a difference in my school, using this book, and I hope others might be able to do the same thing!
March 4, 2008 at 1:21 am
Heart touching book!! I loved it so much I read it in one sitting!
March 14, 2008 at 8:03 pm
I loved this book. I just started reading it this morning and finished it a few hours ago. I really connected w/ hannah and this book had a haunting effect on me. i wanted to cry like 3 times in school, but i never cry in public, so i cried for like an hour at home.
March 18, 2008 at 6:06 pm
this book is incredible, heart-wrenching, and it makes you feel for the characters in it. i’m not one to really enjoy a book but this story sucks you in. it’s amazing the effect a person can have on you. this book also makes me think twice about how i am effecting others as well as how they are effecting me. i reccomend this story to anyone who wants to read something honest.
March 27, 2008 at 5:01 pm
i read this book in one day. it was the best book i’ve read so far. i recomend it to everyone!
April 1, 2008 at 9:32 pm
this book mad me sad, and i really connected with the text it was wonderful for the first book he had ever written.
April 17, 2008 at 9:34 pm
This was a very sad but true story. I recomened this book becuase it really makes you think about what you do and how it will make the people around you feel. Even if you think nobody cares about you if you truly look you will find many many people, look hard.
May 23, 2008 at 10:25 am
I think this book is very good because its good. I think it is great because it is a great book to read. Everyone I know says its good so its good. I enjoyed this book because its enjoyable. The book is good. I recommend this book to good readers that like good books.
May 23, 2008 at 10:26 am
This is how you say our name.
May 29, 2008 at 5:24 pm
I am almost done this book and i have to say i LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I haven’t been able to find alot of good YA books but i think this on is great. I can’t put it down. I <3 Jay Asher!!!!!
June 19, 2008 at 1:38 am
This book is really great. I started reading it at work..bad mistake..i couldnt put it down. I was held up in my office all day until i finished it..i recommend this book to everyone..teens and adults alike..i’m in my mid 20’s and it took me back to high school..and it just brought tears to my eyes..anyway..great book…
September 28, 2008 at 11:28 am
i just finished this book,about 2 days ago and its amazing ..i couldnt stop reading im a freshman and at school ..thats all i wanted to do was read that book .
i love it ..thank you jay asher (:
October 7, 2008 at 11:16 am
i’ve read this book when i first seen it it caught my eyes when i read the back i knew this would be a good book to read. as i was reading it i couldnt put it down i encourage anyone to read this book
October 12, 2008 at 10:36 am
Check out my interview with Jay Asher on http://www.jodikendall.com!
October 21, 2008 at 10:15 pm
I started this book in school (stupid of me) and couldn’t put it down. When a teacher finally yelled at me, I put it away, but couldn’t stop reading it. I’m lending it to all my friends, and hope that they read it and get as much out of it as I did.
November 12, 2008 at 8:56 am
Hey yeah I haven’t read the book yet but from this summary it sounds seriously good so i think ima read it
well bye
November 12, 2008 at 8:56 am
Hey yeah I haven’t read the book yet but from this summary it sounds seriously good so i think ima read it
well bye :D
November 21, 2008 at 6:07 pm
This book seems really good… I’m looking for a really good book so I can finally put something I like on my 4th period Reading Log… I think I’m going to go to Barnes and Noble right now to see if they have this book! I hope they do. Well, thanks for the summary!!! ~:-p
November 29, 2008 at 12:21 pm
[…] The book’s site, Jay Asher’s blog, Hannah’s Reasons, Becky’s Book Review, Teen Book Review, Boys Blooging Books Review and Interview Posted by littlemissloopy6 Filed in Jay Asher, […]
December 10, 2008 at 6:00 pm
I’m a fourteen year old guy that doesn’t neccesarily enjoy reading, but this novel was AMAZING! Jay Asher i’d like to thank you so much for this novel. I am recommending it to everyone I know! I am currently doing a book report on the novel and i hope that after I present it tomorrow, everyone will read it.
December 25, 2008 at 5:00 pm
OMG i just got done reading the twilight suga and soo i was looking for a nother good book to read and this one caught my attion cuz i love books with drama amd action in some seance and this book sounded good but should i buy it or is it really short that i could just rent it or something?
well i guess ill see! lolz
January 5, 2009 at 8:04 pm
I LOVED THIS BOOK i gave it to all my freinds after i was done reading it i loved how the authour did the writing and actuly made real life problems it was so cool it was one of the best books that ive read other than twilight it was actuly BETTER than twilight i thought
<3 keep writing good books
January 14, 2009 at 6:01 pm
TWELVE. twelve people listened to the tapes. Justin Foley was repeated. So… I just thought I’d let you know of your mistake in your article. Sorry to be so naggy and critical. But overall it was nice :)
February 9, 2009 at 9:49 am
I read this book over and over again .
i’m reading it now for a book report .
this book has a lot of meaning . like never under estimate how you could effect someone’s life .
this book was great read , and i loved it very muchh !
(:<3
A big thanks to Jay Asher for writing such an amazing book ! :D
February 13, 2009 at 2:28 pm
I just finished reading this book, and I can honestly say I have not been so interested in a book in so long. I loved every chapter of this book. It made me tear up when she was talking about her connection to Clay Jensen but other than that I just loved reading it, and I’m pretty sure i’ll end up picking the book up in hte near future <3 Thank you jay asher for writing such an amazing book, I hope more come soon :D
<3
March 8, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Since the first time I saw the book, just by the front cover I knew I would like it. I just finished reading it and this book was amazing, it is worth reading it, once you start reading it, you won’t stop. I highly recommend this book.
December 7, 2010 at 5:07 pm
its one amazing book
April 23, 2009 at 8:36 am
This is an amazing book that everyone should read I myself couldn’t put it down
April 23, 2009 at 1:54 pm
I thought this book was a very good book! It is my favorite book that I have ever read! :) I thought it was a very good eye-opener for young teens! Espically teen girls. They would think before they would do something! I had some of those feelings, and after I read the book, I thought what would happen if I wasn’t alive!
Anyway Jay, congrats on your book! I LOVE IT!!!!!! :)
April 24, 2009 at 11:46 pm
SOPILER ALERT!!!************
I finished this book while in the offwings at drama today. I Love This Book. I’m Surprised PUSH didn’t publish it. It reminded me of Speak/Crank when Jessica was raped by Bryce. One of the turning points in the book. But if u r looking for depressing books, I don’t think this is that sad.If you are done with this and looking for something sad, cut’s good. end here. is good, go ask alice is sad because of how pathetic her drug abuse is. Anything published by PUSH is like life… thisispush.com
April 26, 2009 at 4:50 pm
The discription of this book really made me want to read it… but I actually didn’t like it that much. The idea was powerful; I don’t think the writing was. I’ve never gone through anything like Clay or Hannah have, yet they seemed to be acting unbelievably to me. It didn’t seem quite genuine. I totally loved the idea of sending out tapes though. If I ever kill myself, I’ll be sure to do that. And reason number 7ish will be this book, for giving me the idea. But honestly, I’m not blaming Jay Asher in case I ever do commit suicide.
April 30, 2009 at 4:35 pm
I was given this book to read… and I do not consider myself an avid reader in the least. But, when I finally dragged myself to reading it, I found myself in a whole new world of Clay Jenson and Hannah Baker; I could not put it down. This by far has to be the best book on teen-aged drama I have ever read. It was so graphically true that sometimes it was too hard to read, yet it kept sucking me to read more.
June 1, 2009 at 5:02 pm
i must read a book during the summer and i have to write a essay at school and i choose this book cuz it seems my favorite one all of the list but i think its hard to write a essay about this..
June 1, 2011 at 1:08 pm
agreed. im trying to write an essay on it too and am having trouble!
but the book was amazing!
June 2, 2009 at 1:03 pm
I personally loved the story line of the book. I am 13, and found that the swearing in the book was not needed. On the second tape, it said the a** word at least 30 times, this was not needed
Not only that, it refered to “you are a d*ck” at least 3 times
June 24, 2009 at 4:16 pm
[…] 4.Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher Review […]
August 1, 2009 at 9:07 am
[…] Teen Book Review: 5 stars […]
August 3, 2009 at 3:47 pm
give me some answers too my freaking summer reading questions!!
August 10, 2009 at 5:38 pm
was at barnes nobles and read a couple of the first pages of the book and i loved it i didnt want to stop reading it i will proably go buy it soon
August 23, 2009 at 6:07 pm
i read this book in 7th grade and i love it,i hate reading but this book is amazing :)
September 1, 2009 at 4:11 pm
i didnt read this book yet. but im about to. its seems like an interesting book.
My friend read it and just simply lovess it.
September 8, 2009 at 9:08 am
This story was really amazing.. i really got stuck into the book .. i was reading it for hours and hours. i think that the writer was careful how to connect the reader to the story . although most of us wouldn’t think to commit suicide over such silly things. this story made us understand her heart breaking story that led to this unfortunate event.
October 25, 2009 at 9:12 am
This book was actually really good. Some of the parts, I felt, were slow but other than that.. you couldn’t put the book down. I probably wont have ANY trouble reviewing this book for my book talk.
October 28, 2009 at 9:01 pm
This book was really good!!
October 29, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Love this bool ; its the shit ;D
October 29, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Love this book ; its the shit* ;D
October 29, 2009 at 7:28 pm
i like adore this book ;
its like my life <3.
aww, i feel bad fer hannah
now im doing a book report on it ;D
woof, i love this book .xD*
November 8, 2009 at 6:14 am
they should totally make the movie it would be awesome
November 8, 2009 at 6:15 am
make a movie!!!!
June 30, 2011 at 3:46 pm
Selena Gomez is going to be Hannah. Universal bought the rights. :/
December 9, 2009 at 11:01 am
i read this book and i loved it. it really kind of scared the crap out of me, though because i think about suicide a lot. i called the suicide hotline after, but I hung up when the lady answered.
this book helped a lot!
(///_^)
December 13, 2009 at 9:07 pm
i really enjoyed this book. i’ve read it twice already and both times i couldn’t put it down. now, i am doing a 5 page paper on it for a homework assignment. i loved how the storyline was something different then i’ve ever read before. i liked how you got to hear hannah’s side and clay’s side to! I LOVED THIS BOOK! :)
January 30, 2010 at 2:41 pm
i absoulutly loved this book. i sat for a fourth of the day…and just read…and thought.
hannah’s story is sooooo easy to relate to. i am a 16 year old who was shopping with a friend, when she said, ohh this book is great, which is also what my lang teacher told me.
everyone THINKS about suicide. hardly anyone completes the idea.
i’m not guna lie, the book made me think about it more than a person should, and other teens should be careful when reading it….it has some powerful stuff that might send you over the edge.
the events, situations, emotions were that so similar to which i go through on a regular basis. every one of thoes things really does happen. the book is so honest, and while the message may be to treat other people well because you never know how your actions can REALLY affect them, i say something different as well. i think it is, don’t turn a blind eye when you KNOW or at least THINK the signs are there.
after reading the book, i realized i have coached 3 people out of suicide. and one of them is my best friend. the other is an enemy. go figure.
i didn’t like the end of the book. it ended too abruptly and i wanted to know more. MAKE A MOVIE!
this is a truely gifted writer. the idea was splendid, and i hope to read more of your works. seriously though…MAKE IT A MOVIE!
March 16, 2010 at 5:32 pm
i really liked this book. it showed the other side of me.
March 30, 2010 at 1:39 pm
This bok was honestly the best book i’ve ever read except for My Sister’s Keeper, it truely was compelling. You have no idea how this book reached out to me. It actually changed me, since i am a freshman at highschool i learned to be a lot nicer to students because you don’t know the situation. But this book also taught me to stay strong, and don’t be so offended or weak. Not saying Hannah was, god no. She sure did go through a lot, as well I. But i know things will get better with a little hope only if she would’ve lived ! There could’ve been a sequel ! Shucks. Anyways 5 out of 5, most deffinetly. Recommend this book to everyone.
April 20, 2010 at 12:12 pm
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. When I first heard of it, it sounded alright. But when my boyfriend finally made me read it, I was stunned. Jay Asher is an amazing author and this was a wonderful novel. Not to say, “for his fist book,” because it would be just as good if it was his last book. It is unique and truly compelling. Thank you.
April 22, 2010 at 7:45 am
I went to Walmart and came across this book. I walked around reading it, and from what i’ve read, it was pretty good. I wasn’t too sure about buying it so I came to this website to see if it was any good. From the responses I’ve just read, you can guarantee that Imma own this book vveeeerrryy soon.
April 23, 2010 at 8:40 pm
I am ready this book and it is really good and interesting of what im reading so far.
May 6, 2010 at 4:56 pm
it was a really good book, very different than others that i have read. The only bad thing for me was how it changed point of view a lot, I was sometimes confused about who was talking at what time.
August 18, 2010 at 4:40 am
I LOVE LOVE LOVE your review.
August 25, 2010 at 1:47 pm
i hate when u do that thats why im not your friend anymore.
January 31, 2011 at 6:48 pm
woah..hahaa now y u go dissing ppl! i love love love LOVE this book 2.
August 25, 2010 at 1:50 pm
pop
November 5, 2010 at 1:06 pm
i dnt agree
November 5, 2010 at 1:05 pm
i read this book and this book is so cool i like the part were hannah says her poem and every body is making front of her. when clay had herd this he said that the poem was tlkin about him.
November 21, 2010 at 8:13 pm
I did not like this book because Hannah did not have any legit reasons for suicide. Nothing particularly bad happened to her. She didnt get raped, her parents didnt get murdered, she wasnt a mental retard… I mean the worse thing that happened was that a boy exaggerated about their make out session, oh boo hoo, go kill yourself. oh wait she did. idiot. (=
June 30, 2011 at 4:26 pm
Dude. Think how bad having some guy basically rape you could be for a depressed teenage girl. Who are you to say that her reasons weren’t legitimate? Jay Asher said he asked two women (his wife & sister I think it was) about the bad things that happened to them in high school and adapted them. These things are completely legitimate. And suicide isn’t something to joke about, which apparently you don’t know.
October 19, 2011 at 3:57 am
Mediocre problems. Unless she had a secret drug habit. Idk no reason to kill yourself. I had legit reasons why to attempt. There are people tortured every day. Oh no what a hard life the poor girl had.
December 16, 2010 at 11:32 am
I am a young, first-year high school English teacher. I first heard of this book when one of my juniors was reading it. She let me borrow it when she was done, and I couldn’t put it down from the moment I started reading it! Let me tell you…this is one of the most honest, compelling stories I have ever read. It broke my heart at the end that Asher chose the last possible person who could save Hannah’s life to be a teacher/guidance counselor who simply wouldn’t take the time or make a little more of an effort to really speak to Hannah and give her the help she needed. I think so often teachers, who work with kids all day and then go home and have more “work” to do (grading, lesson planning, and not to mention the hundreds of other things on your “to do” list), just get tired and don’t always respond in the most caring way, or in the way that could even be someone’s last chance at reaching out for help.
What a convicting book! I absolutely love the shared dialogue–it really lets you into the minds of both Clay Jenson an Hannah Baker, and it shows both what Hannah suffered and what her survivors had to go through. It is tragic and difficult to read at times, but absolutely beautiful.
January 8, 2011 at 5:42 am
I could not relate to Clay or Hannah, I mean what the fuck everything that happened to her could have been prevented by her. I mean come on what do you want for people to save you and then when some of them want to help you, you reject them and still blame them for your “suicide”. I don’t know maybe its what the author intended or something.
January 19, 2011 at 10:50 pm
This book was absolutely the best book ive ever read. it touched me in many ways and i see life differently now. i recommend this book to everyone, because this is a book that will touch everyone in some way.
January 31, 2011 at 6:46 pm
nigkas this book the shit!
February 12, 2011 at 5:03 am
it official..13 reasons why will have a movie and selena gomez will be hannah barker
February 16, 2011 at 11:58 am
[…] Thirteen Reasons why website. Jay Asher’s Blogspot. Teen Book Review’s thoughts on the book. Latino Review’s news on Universal Pictures optioning Thirteen Reasons […]
March 3, 2011 at 3:18 pm
i am under huge impression. gratzzz
May 11, 2011 at 4:24 pm
BEST FUCKING BOOK IVE EVER READ
May 24, 2011 at 12:46 am
[…] Teen Book Review […]
June 9, 2011 at 3:19 pm
Ive read this book and it is like very intense but its a really good book.. And it doesnt matter if you are a boy or a girl you could still read it.. I recommend it to you.. <3
September 19, 2011 at 3:26 pm
[…] Teen Book Review 87 readers commented on this review […]
October 31, 2011 at 9:09 am
best book ever.
December 24, 2011 at 11:34 am
I am currently reading this book. I like it, so far. It seems to me like Hannah is being mean by sending out the tapes. Does anyone agree?
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February 3, 2012 at 8:37 pm
This book is so amazing. if you’re a teenager, thinking about committing suicide, STOP, READ THE BOOK, and then re-think it. this book WILL change your mind. The point of view that this book has, told by a boy hearing these tapes, walking around his neighborhood at the different points Hannah had on the map, (getting a free milkshake) and just walking around crying because he was one of the reasons his crush killed herself. Stop for a second and think of someone you like. Got it? OK now, think of how you would feel if you heard a tape of that person saying “i killed myself because of something you did” how would you feel? i am thinking of my crush right now and i would not be able to live with myself if i got a tape of him saying that. This is an amazing book and if you have not read it R E A D I T ! ! !
February 16, 2012 at 10:10 am
yeah i your so right
February 16, 2012 at 10:08 am
i read this book awhile ago and still love it .I really wish she hadn’t done it cause there was people who cared and she didnt know.sadd
February 28, 2012 at 12:50 am
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January 17, 2013 at 5:08 pm
But how does clay change throuhout the story?
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