13 Reasons Why follows our main character Clay Jensen's point of view in his journey, listening to tapes. But the tapes aren't just any tapes. After school one day, Clay receives a package containing seven tapes. Voiced by Hannah Baker, a girl Clay once had a crush on; each side of the seven tapes tells a story of why - or who make Hannah Baker kill herself.

Book

There was so much about the book that made me on the boarderline between liking and not liking it. Starting with the plot/concept of this book. Mental Illness related books are very hard to read or write without thinking that the plot romanticizes Mental Illnesses. Now, would I say 13 Reasons Why romanticizes Mental Illness? Definitely not. Did I think the fact that Hannah purposely recorded 13 sides of seven tapes to convey which individuals made her end her life was a little bizzare? Absolutely. 

Now, looking into Hannah's point of view, I definitely understand that she recorded the tapes as a revenge sequence - but I didn't really think the tapes were necessary, although it does make a staple plot prompt. 

Generally though, when you read what Hannah's peers did to her that made her end her life, its high school things that I feel like almost everyone can relate to - especially women. Bullying, harassment, men feeling the need to touch your body without asking. And although its disgusting and uncomfortable to read about, it gives some people who have gone through the same things, an outlet to relate in a sense. 

I've met so many people who have told me "Jess, I love 13 Reasons Why because I can relate to it." Would I say the same thing about myself? Probably not, but it still gives an outlet to those to can.

One of the things that I really like most about the book than with the television show is that it gives straightforward reasoning about what made Hannah uncomfortable. With the show, I found a lot of the time I thought, "Okay, well thats not really a big deal.." Where as, with the book, it gives a better explanation. Almost like a "You did this and although it sounds like its not a big deal, it caused this." 

One of the things that I disliked the most about the book was Clay's thoughts and reactions while listening to Hannah's tapes.  I loved the fact that they separated Hannah speaking on the tape with Clay's thought process and actions by the font. But man, there were so many times I wanted to smack Clay. Hannah would talk about something serious and Clay would think about what he was going to have for dinner or something. I thought Clay's thought process was a little too specific and should have just related to what Hannah was talking about.

Also, the use of characters isn't as prominent as in the show. Most of the characters in the show aren't mentioned in the book at all. Which was a bummer. (If you thought the show did Jeff dirty, read the book.)

Now, there are multiple endings to the book depending on which copy you decide to read from. Just as a little heads up; I found that out after I had finished the book. Regardless, there isn't much of a difference between novels otherwise.