Th1rteen R3asons Why — the book

Mar 2, 2012

There was a time I thought I wanted to live forever. That was before I watched my 98 year-old grandmother’s health deteriorate in the few years prior to her death. Now, I just want to live the longest I can while still being blessed with “good days.”

This post is a book review – sort of.

Because so many recommended the book to me, I read “Th1rteen R3asons Why”. I couldn’t put it down until I finished it about 15 minutes ago, and I wanted to post my feelings here while they are fresh in my head. I still don’t know if I like this book. I understand how it could impact teen readers, but adults seem to think it’s a ‘must read’ as well. It’s a NYT bestseller.

I’m not giving away any secrets by telling you this story unfolds via dual narrative — by Hannah through cassette tapes recorded to explain the 13 reasons she decided to end her life, and Clay, one of the 13 reasons. I “get it” that Hannah didn’t feel she was having any “good days.”

I didn’t finish the book and shout, “Now that was an AMAZING read!” I did finish it thinking I will look at people I interact with and think “what if” this is the last time I connect with them. But the primary thing rolling in my head after reading ‘Th1rteen R3asons Why’ is my belief that no one is responsible for the actions of someone else. We can only control what WE do.

I’ve passed the book to Perry. No glowing recommendations. No horrible critique. I still don’t know if I like it. **shrug**

i’ve been shot – no, wait a minute…

Mar 1, 2012

We were working late and deep in thought. Both Perry and I were tap, tap, tap — typing away, eyes glued to computer monitors filled with work stuff we didn’t get completed during daylight work hours. And then…

CRACK! THWIP!

I thought I’d been shot!

Glass spattered the carpet and flames jumped high as the office filled with smoke. The candle I had lit on my desk had literally blown up!

Trying to extinguish the blaze by blowing on it didn’t work. Knowing that throwing water in the candle cauldron would make things worse, I yell at Perry, “BRING ME A COOKIE SHEET!” Now looking back, I know it seems a little silly that the one thing I wanted when faced with a fiery crisis was a cookie sheet. But what I wanted was the fire off my desk and out the window. Trust me, it really was a rational demand at the time. Probably.

I faintly heard the words ‘salt’ and ‘flour’ as solutions… but the only thing I had close (because Perry was trying to find me a cookie sheet) was that glass of water. I made a couple tiny splashes that seemed to help, so I made a few more. It wasn’t long until the major crisis was behind us, and the cookie sheet that finally arrived was no longer needed.

This is why we NEVER leave candles unattended, kids.