This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales [Review]

4.5 out of 5 Robots!

This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales
Genre: YA Contemporary
Release: September 17, 2003
Hardcover: 288 Pages
Publisher: Farrar, Strauss & Giroux
My Copy: Purchased
Reviewer: Shannon

Book Summary:

Making friends has never been Elise Dembowski’s strong suit. All throughout her life, she’s been the butt of every joke and the outsider in every conversation. When a final attempt at popularity fails, Elise nearly gives up. Then she stumbles upon a warehouse party where she meets Vicky, a girl in a band who accepts her; Char, a cute, yet mysterious disc jockey; Pippa, a carefree spirit from England; and most importantly, a love for DJing.

Told in a refreshingly genuine and laugh-out-loud funny voice, This Song Will Save Your Life is an exuberant novel about identity, friendship, and the power of music to bring people together.

(Courtesy of the Publisher)

Shannon's Thoughts:

I did not like Leila Sales' Past Perfect at all, but when all the bloggers I follow started raving about this one I realized I should give her a second chance.  And I'm really really glad I did.  I connect to this book in a way that I don't usually connect with YA contemporary.

First of all, I got Elise.  I understood her one hundred percent.  I was not bullied or friendless like Elise was, but I understood her loneliness and her yearning SO well.  I understood her confusion over "the rules" and what makes one person popular and another not.  I even understood her self absorption and naivety.  I felt like Elise was a REAL teenager.  One that many many girls (and boys) could relate to.  I certainly could. As a teenager you are so consumed with your place in the world and how you are perceived.

I also liked Elise's family life.  I loved that she was close to both her parents, but understood why she kept them at a distance.  I understood why she felt it was so hard to tell her parents how she was feeling.  I remember feeling that way when I was teenager too.  But I especially loved how her parents react at the end.  I want to be that kind of parent that sees the big picture, you know?

I found Elise's relationship with Vicki, Pippa and Char to be well fleshed out.  I loved that she found a kindred spirit in Vicki.  I also thought the situation between Pippa and Char to be realistic as well.  While Elise's naivety over the situation made me cringe at times, I know many many girls much older and more experienced that Elise doing the exact same thing.  And I appreciated that Elisa eventually found herself without a boy to hold her hand.  

I will say that as a parent, I WAS horrified over some things.  Like, Elise sneaking out at night and wandering around the city at night.  The very thought made me weak at the knees.  I knew Elise was not doing this maliciously to her parents, but my god.  If MY children was doing that...  It's kind of amazing how your viewpoint changes in YA literature when you become a parent.  

Lastly, I will end with that I actually listened to this on audiobook and thought it was very well done.  The narrator, Rebecca Lowman, really does a great job capturing Elise's voice.  If you are a fan of audiobooks, I recommend checking this one out.

Overall, I am very glad I read this book.  It was one of my favorites this year actually!