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Quick answer: If you loved If I Stay, read Gayle Forman's Where She Went, then try The Fault in Our Stars, Before I Fall, The Lovely Bones and Love Letters to the Dead. These books tackle loss and love with emotional honesty.
Gayle Forman's novel follows Mia, a gifted young cellist, whose family is in a car accident, leaving her to decide whether to stay or go. It is an emotional story about music, family and love. The following books offer similar tears and hope for young adult and adult readers.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where She Went | Gayle Forman | 13+ | the sequel |
| Just One Day | Gayle Forman | 13+ | travel romance |
| The Fault in Our Stars | John Green | 13+ | tearjerker romance |
| Before I Fall | Lauren Oliver | 14+ | second chances |
| The Lovely Bones | Alice Sebold | Adult | grief stories |
| Me Before You | Jojo Moyes | Adult | adult tearjerkers |
| My Sister's Keeper | Jodi Picoult | Adult | family dilemmas |
| A Walk to Remember | Nicholas Sparks | 13+ | clean romance |
| Love Letters to the Dead | Ava Dellaira | 14+ | writing as healing |
| Eleanor & Park | Rainbow Rowell | 14+ | first love |
| Hold Still | Nina LaCour | 14+ | healing after loss |
| The Sun Is Also a Star | Nicola Yoon | 13+ | short-time romance |
| Tell Me Three Things | Julie Buxbaum | 13+ | new beginnings |
| The Perks of Being a Wallflower | Stephen Chbosky | 14+ | coming-of-age |
| Anna and the French Kiss | Stephanie Perkins | 13+ | lighter romance |
1. Where She Went by Gayle Forman
The sequel follows Adam, three years later, when he and Mia meet again in New York. A bittersweet continuation told from his view.
Best for: the sequel.
2. Just One Day by Gayle Forman
A girl spends a day in Paris with a stranger who vanishes. A story of self-discovery and travel.
Best for: travel romance.
3. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Hazel and Gus meet at a cancer support group and fall in love. Funny, sad and widely loved.
Best for: tearjerker romance.
4. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
Samantha relives the last day of her life seven times. A thoughtful story about choices and kindness.
Best for: second chances.
5. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
A murdered girl watches over her family from heaven. Moving and unusual, though it has a difficult opening.
Best for: grief stories.
6. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
A caregiver and a paralyzed man form a bond that changes both of them. Emotional and thought-provoking.
Best for: adult tearjerkers.
7. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
A girl sues her parents for the right to control her own body after being conceived to save her sister. Difficult ethical questions.
Best for: family dilemmas.
8. A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
A rebellious teen falls for a pastor's daughter. Sweet, simple and sad.
Best for: clean romance.
9. Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira
Laurel writes letters to dead celebrities as she deals with her sister's death. Gentle and honest.
Best for: writing as healing.
10. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Two misfits fall in love in 1986. A tender and sometimes harsh story.
Best for: first love.
11. Hold Still by Nina LaCour
Caitlin deals with her best friend's suicide and finds her way through photography and friendship. Quiet and lyrical.
Best for: healing after loss.
12. The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
Two teens meet in New York on one day that could change their lives. Told with facts about science and fate.
Best for: short-time romance.
13. Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum
A teen moves to a new school after her mother's death and receives anonymous emails. Warm and funny.
Best for: new beginnings.
14. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Charlie writes letters about high school. Honest and gentle.
Best for: coming-of-age.
15. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
An American teen is sent to boarding school in Paris. A sweet and funny romance with a bit of heartache.
Best for: lighter romance.
How to Choose
If you want the sequel, begin with Where She Went. For tearjerker romance, pick The Fault in Our Stars, Me Before You or A Walk to Remember. For books about grief and healing, read Hold Still, Love Letters to the Dead or The Lovely Bones. If you need something lighter after a heavy read, Anna and the French Kiss is a good palate cleanser. Keep a box of tissues nearby. If you want something with more hope and less grief, Anna and the French Kiss and Tell Me Three Things are lighter.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to read If I Stay before Where She Went?
Yes, the sequel spoils the ending of the first book.
Is If I Stay a sad book?
Yes, it deals with death, grief and family loss, but also has hope.
Is there a movie of If I Stay?
Yes, a 2014 film starred Chloe Grace Moretz.
What age is If I Stay for?
It is usually recommended for ages 13 and up.
Which book is the closest?
The Fault in Our Stars and Before I Fall are the most common recommendations.
Who plays Mia in the film?
Chloe Grace Moretz, with Jamie Blackley as Adam.
How many books are in the If I Stay series?
Two main books, If I Stay and Where She Went.
Is the audiobook good?
Yes, and the music scenes work well when you hear them.
Is If I Stay a good book for music lovers?
Yes. Mia is a cellist, and music runs through the story, from classical practice rooms to rock shows.