Trigger Warning: Suicide and some personal experience.
I was probably living under the rock, but I haven’t heard about this book up until it popped on my Netflix. Almost at the same time, I got a chance to get this book to review and I though why not.
I didn’t realised how many memories this book will bring back to me and I believe this book can change your life and how your actions can affect other people. This is kind of book that shows you how fragile humans can be.
One day Clay received a package in the mall with 13 audiotapes in the shoe box. Audiotapes are narrated by Hannah Baker. The girl who committed suicide. Clay received this package because he is one of the thirteen reasons why she did what she did. While listening to tapes, Clay is wondering through town visiting monumental spots from Hannah’s life.
This book was clever and I really enjoyed it.
-End of review-
I was breezing this books quickly observing everything that happened to Hannah. As I mentioned before, it brought back so many memories back from when I was a teenager. Back then, I was just out of emotionally abusive relationship, needed to deal with bullying at school and deal with everything that happens in every teenagers life. I was depressed and did not care for life anymore.
Not many of you know this, but I did try to end my life. I was in very very dark place and just like Hannah, decided I had enough. Enough of bullying, enough of fake smiles, pretending to care. So what did I decided to do? End it. Thankfully not successfully.
And you know what? Life changed. After finishing school I started to see light in the end of tunnel and when I finally decided to leave my motherland with all these troubling memories and start new life. I never looked back.
Since then I thought a lot about this period of my life and what helped me to see the light. So why should you live?
- It’s hard to believe, but it will change. You will have better days and not so great days. Just life rollercoaster, but it’s so worth it.
- Find the way to express yourself and your feelings. I wrote poems (I know, right?). It’s easier when you can express your feelings and thoughts through some sort of art form.
- Look after yourself. Take a long bath, have a walk, read and listen to music.
- There are people who care about you. Even if you think they don’t (crazy I know)
- The people who bullied/abused/hurt you are complete failures and (in my experience) do not accomplish a lot in their lives.
- Making list helps. Make lists of positive things you would like to achieve in your life and work towards it.
Live your life. Full of colours and light. Don’t give up.
Love you,
Ida
P.S.
I know it can be very difficult to pick up the phone, but there are people that could help you:
- Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.
- Childline (0800 1111) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.
- PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is a voluntary organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.
- Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying.