This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales

This Song Will Save Your Life
Author: Leila Sales
Pages: 288
Publisher: Farrar, Stratus, and Giroux
Publication Date: September 17, 2013

 

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.

Before the book was released, I've read a load of five-star reviews, claiming that this book was their favourite contemporary of this year. I tried my best not to have high expectations for this, but it's sort of hard to when a lot of people claim to really love this. I'm ecstatic to say that I fall into the category of those who loves this book.

Elise Dembowski was a character who spoke out to me.  Her efforts to change were slowly breaking me apart. In the beginning, she mentioned a flashback where she moved to the middle of the bus, hoping that by doing that she would be "cooler." - not in a sense of wanting to popular, but in a sense where she no longer wanted to be labeled as a "loner." - however, it stirred up trouble. One of the boys stole her iPod, her bus driver complained that it was her fault and Elise vowed not to sit there ever again. I would describe her as probably one of the strongest female characters I've ever read.

Music is an impact in Elise's life, not only changing her, but also, I felt like that it helped Elise express herself. Music spoke to her when she couldn't. I truly believe that music can change you. The lyrics, the words, they make you feel in a whole other world. Most of the songs that were included in the book weren't songs that I had recognized, but due to the playlist located at the back of the book, I will surely check it out.

If I could call out the best thing about this book, it would have to be the ending. Leila Sales took on a rather open ending. We may never know what may happen in Elise's love life or to Elise's previous love interest, Char, but the fact that the author ended it off with Elise asking Henry to the dance was just perfect. That ending was the beginning to something great.

This Song Will Save Your Life tackles the subject of self-harm, but with the author's heartfelt writing and music references, you will find yourself going along with the beat. 

4/5 STARS