Read this!

July 13, 2009 | Cameron | Comments (152)

Book cover This is a book review.

This book is not on the booklist for the summer reading club.

Personally I think that this is one of the best books I have ever read.

The book is entitled: Suicide Notes and it is by the author Michael Thomas Ford.

The book is a fast paced, witty, and insightful novel about a young man who has attempted suicide and is now having to spend 45 days in the psych ward of his local hospital.

The novel is 45 chapters long and each chapters is a day in his life at the hospital.

Written in first person our narrator tells us about life inside the hospital, about the other patients, the nurses and doctors, the other staff, but what he neglects to mention is why he is there and what events brought him to the point of taking his life.

As the 45 days progress we come to get to know our narrator and learn about him as he learns about himself.

This is an excellently written novel that I found to be very satisfying. The characters seemed real to me and the situations they were in also mirrored reality, but without being boring.

I think this book is very much worth reading. I am already planning on reading it again.

Jr. Mint is a youth librarian with the Toronto Public Library, mainly because he refuses to grow up. He reads as much esoteric stuff as he can.

Comments

152 thoughts on “Read this!

  1. Wow! The title totally catches me! I absolutely love to read books that have a great plot, and lesson. It sounds great! I’ll make sure to put it on hold 🙂

    Reply
  2. Wow! The title totally catches me! I absolutely love to read books that have a great plot, and lesson. It sounds great! I’ll make sure to put it on hold 🙂

    Reply
  3. That does sound like a pretty intruiging book. The cover and title are also interesting. I mean, the words “Suicide Notes” don’t seem to match up with the baby blue background and the noraml looking trash can… It makes me want to give it a try!
    …Btw, I know that we’re “not supposed to judge books by their covers”, but as my friend once said, aren’t covers made to represent the stories inside them?

    Reply
  4. That does sound like a pretty intruiging book. The cover and title are also interesting. I mean, the words “Suicide Notes” don’t seem to match up with the baby blue background and the noraml looking trash can… It makes me want to give it a try!
    …Btw, I know that we’re “not supposed to judge books by their covers”, but as my friend once said, aren’t covers made to represent the stories inside them?

    Reply
  5. Hey Edmee
    You are right, that you are not supposed to judge a book by its cover – but that cover does have a great deal to do with selling the book.

    Reply
  6. Hey Edmee
    You are right, that you are not supposed to judge a book by its cover – but that cover does have a great deal to do with selling the book.

    Reply
  7. Seems as if the idea of the book has a lot of potential and should create quite a bit of interest. Hopefully, though, the story will realistically reflect the emotions of someone who has almost committed suicide. It’s a very precarious subject; I hope to read the book and see how it turns out.

    Reply
  8. Seems as if the idea of the book has a lot of potential and should create quite a bit of interest. Hopefully, though, the story will realistically reflect the emotions of someone who has almost committed suicide. It’s a very precarious subject; I hope to read the book and see how it turns out.

    Reply
  9. I remember I once did an english project on the topic of suicide. It was hard for me to relate to a suicidal one’s feelings but gradually, i began to understand more and more through research. Coming upon this book, I hope after reading I can be able to understand more of the things that I didn’t quite understand through my project and therefore look forward to reading it!

    Reply
  10. I remember I once did an english project on the topic of suicide. It was hard for me to relate to a suicidal one’s feelings but gradually, i began to understand more and more through research. Coming upon this book, I hope after reading I can be able to understand more of the things that I didn’t quite understand through my project and therefore look forward to reading it!

    Reply
  11. Has anybody entered the secret code obtained from a book mark and if they have, what are we supposed to do in order to be entered for the prize

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  12. Has anybody entered the secret code obtained from a book mark and if they have, what are we supposed to do in order to be entered for the prize

    Reply
  13. Adesuwa: The secret code can be entered in the TOP SECRET area of the site, but it’s not necessary to do so to be entered for the prize.
    See the “Prizes” area for how you become eligible for this year’s prizes.

    Reply
  14. Adesuwa: The secret code can be entered in the TOP SECRET area of the site, but it’s not necessary to do so to be entered for the prize.
    See the “Prizes” area for how you become eligible for this year’s prizes.

    Reply
  15. This sound so cool. I think there’s gonna be a movie of this book soon. It’s soo cool. I can’t wait to read it.

    Reply
  16. This sound so cool. I think there’s gonna be a movie of this book soon. It’s soo cool. I can’t wait to read it.

    Reply
  17. This is soo cool. So many people want to put a hold on Suicide Notes, but there’s like only 10 holds on it. Surprising! So put a hold on it fast, to get it fast! Hope this helps.

    Reply
  18. This is soo cool. So many people want to put a hold on Suicide Notes, but there’s like only 10 holds on it. Surprising! So put a hold on it fast, to get it fast! Hope this helps.

    Reply
  19. I read like half of Idential already, and it’s awesome! It’s the coolest thing. The book is witten in the form of poems about these twin. It soo cool.

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  20. I read like half of Idential already, and it’s awesome! It’s the coolest thing. The book is witten in the form of poems about these twin. It soo cool.

    Reply
  21. I’ve actully read this book…. recommeded my one of my friends and its a really great books.
    I totally agree it is really satifising!TO be honest, it isn’t one of my favourite books and its not one of my worsts it just average but that doesn’t matter what i think its just my opion this book is great and fantastic so everybody should give it a try!!And the author is good at writing you can almost visulize this book?

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  22. I’ve actully read this book…. recommeded my one of my friends and its a really great books.
    I totally agree it is really satifising!TO be honest, it isn’t one of my favourite books and its not one of my worsts it just average but that doesn’t matter what i think its just my opion this book is great and fantastic so everybody should give it a try!!And the author is good at writing you can almost visulize this book?

    Reply
  23. oh and if you guys like the book The Five People You Meet In Heaven then you’re probably going to like the book The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
    and they’re making a movie for The lovely bones too…can’t wait to watch it, i think its gonna be great 😀

    Reply
  24. oh and if you guys like the book The Five People You Meet In Heaven then you’re probably going to like the book The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
    and they’re making a movie for The lovely bones too…can’t wait to watch it, i think its gonna be great 😀

    Reply
  25. I know this is a really random thing to be saying on this blog but….
    I just wanna say thanks to the contributors and organizers of the Word Out! 2009 program…honestly thanks guys for your time and i think this i a really creative idea which promotes us teens to read more and discuss it with others who like to read as well 😀
    thanks again

    Reply
  26. I know this is a really random thing to be saying on this blog but….
    I just wanna say thanks to the contributors and organizers of the Word Out! 2009 program…honestly thanks guys for your time and i think this i a really creative idea which promotes us teens to read more and discuss it with others who like to read as well 😀
    thanks again

    Reply
  27. hmmm.. the book does seem like a pretty good book that i will read and but i have a question, why are all the books featured sad and depressing about kids that want to commit suicide?
    just wondering 🙂

    Reply
  28. hmmm.. the book does seem like a pretty good book that i will read and but i have a question, why are all the books featured sad and depressing about kids that want to commit suicide?
    just wondering 🙂

    Reply
  29. o btw, just wondering if anyone read the book “cut” i saw it but never got to reading it.
    in heard it was really good.

    Reply
  30. o btw, just wondering if anyone read the book “cut” i saw it but never got to reading it.
    in heard it was really good.

    Reply
  31. OMG..i just put this on hold n can’t wait till i read it…mii friendzz said tat this book is really good n after i read the summary i was like i need 2 read this book

    Reply
  32. OMG..i just put this on hold n can’t wait till i read it…mii friendzz said tat this book is really good n after i read the summary i was like i need 2 read this book

    Reply
  33. This books sounds worthy of reading. It kind of reminds me of “Girl, Interrupted”. I love reading about self-discovery, so I’ll give this book a try. Thanks!

    Reply
  34. This books sounds worthy of reading. It kind of reminds me of “Girl, Interrupted”. I love reading about self-discovery, so I’ll give this book a try. Thanks!

    Reply
  35. I really like the books written by Ellen Hopkins. They are written in this kind of poetry/story style, and they are all about teen issues that people face. They are really good and whene you read them, you understand the feelings inside the protagonist. Some of the books i have read that are written by her are called Identical, Burned, and Crank.

    Reply
  36. I really like the books written by Ellen Hopkins. They are written in this kind of poetry/story style, and they are all about teen issues that people face. They are really good and whene you read them, you understand the feelings inside the protagonist. Some of the books i have read that are written by her are called Identical, Burned, and Crank.

    Reply
  37. Identical is written about a twin that is sexually abused by her father, and the other twin that yearns for her father’s love. It ends really suprisingly, and it is an ending that no one would even think of. Crank is about a girl who visits her father and gets addicted to drugs through a boy she met. Eventually, she becomes pregnant, and she has to deal with it. However, the book i like the best is Burned. It is about a girl who lives with a super strict Christian family, and how when she lives with her aunt, she finds a guy that she likes and he likes her. She gets pregnant, and the guy comes to take her back. They get into a car crash and she loses both the baby and the guy that she loves. She is then faced by her family that tell her she deserves it. This story ends with a giant cliffhanger ending, but makes the conclusion obvious about what she will do next. Seriously, anyone who likes books or poetry about deep issues should really, really read this book.

    Reply
  38. Identical is written about a twin that is sexually abused by her father, and the other twin that yearns for her father’s love. It ends really suprisingly, and it is an ending that no one would even think of. Crank is about a girl who visits her father and gets addicted to drugs through a boy she met. Eventually, she becomes pregnant, and she has to deal with it. However, the book i like the best is Burned. It is about a girl who lives with a super strict Christian family, and how when she lives with her aunt, she finds a guy that she likes and he likes her. She gets pregnant, and the guy comes to take her back. They get into a car crash and she loses both the baby and the guy that she loves. She is then faced by her family that tell her she deserves it. This story ends with a giant cliffhanger ending, but makes the conclusion obvious about what she will do next. Seriously, anyone who likes books or poetry about deep issues should really, really read this book.

    Reply
  39. Another book i read is so cool! The book is called A Stir of Bones by Nina Kiriki Hoffman. This book is a prequel to the real series. It is about a girl named Susan who has to act like a mannequin in her own home because of her father. Her father has twisted her mind from a very young age, making her behave perfectly, or else he would beat up her mother in front of her. She goes under severe psycological trauma, and with the help of a magical haunted house reveals herself and helps her heal her mother. This book involves magic(the true kind), and deep issues about suicide and spouse abuse.

    Reply
  40. Another book i read is so cool! The book is called A Stir of Bones by Nina Kiriki Hoffman. This book is a prequel to the real series. It is about a girl named Susan who has to act like a mannequin in her own home because of her father. Her father has twisted her mind from a very young age, making her behave perfectly, or else he would beat up her mother in front of her. She goes under severe psycological trauma, and with the help of a magical haunted house reveals herself and helps her heal her mother. This book involves magic(the true kind), and deep issues about suicide and spouse abuse.

    Reply
  41. At first I thought this was a kind of anthology of suicide notes, like the PostSecret books or something (I know it sounds morbid, but such a thing would probably be very interesting to read). But despite being disappointed by the actual description, the book still sounds pretty interesting… maybe I’ll put it on hold (though with everybody else doing the same, it’ll probably take forever :P)

    Reply
  42. At first I thought this was a kind of anthology of suicide notes, like the PostSecret books or something (I know it sounds morbid, but such a thing would probably be very interesting to read). But despite being disappointed by the actual description, the book still sounds pretty interesting… maybe I’ll put it on hold (though with everybody else doing the same, it’ll probably take forever :P)

    Reply
  43. Wow! This sounds really interesting indeed. The title itself is enough to capture our attention. I have a feeling that I am about to read a great piece of literature!

    Reply
  44. Wow! This sounds really interesting indeed. The title itself is enough to capture our attention. I have a feeling that I am about to read a great piece of literature!

    Reply
  45. I just finished reading ‘Initation’ by Alex Duval. A Vampire Beach sequel of Bloodlust.
    In this book, there is a boy neme Jason Freeman who is getting the hang of DeVere Heights (high school). Then his life from his past pays an unexpected visit in the form of his old friend Tyler.
    Jason is surprised but psyched to see a familiar face. he realizes that Tyler is running from some kind of crisis. Having his friend around turns out to be a downer. *Tyler doesn’t know that DeVere Heights has a vampire council at that school and is about to literally put himself in mortal danger*

    Reply
  46. I just finished reading ‘Initation’ by Alex Duval. A Vampire Beach sequel of Bloodlust.
    In this book, there is a boy neme Jason Freeman who is getting the hang of DeVere Heights (high school). Then his life from his past pays an unexpected visit in the form of his old friend Tyler.
    Jason is surprised but psyched to see a familiar face. he realizes that Tyler is running from some kind of crisis. Having his friend around turns out to be a downer. *Tyler doesn’t know that DeVere Heights has a vampire council at that school and is about to literally put himself in mortal danger*

    Reply
  47. The title gives it all away…
    this book will now go on to my “TO READ” list
    hope i enjoy it!!!!!!

    Reply
  48. The title gives it all away…
    this book will now go on to my “TO READ” list
    hope i enjoy it!!!!!!

    Reply
  49. As soon as i read the title i was captured. most likely i’m going to borrow this book and read it and probaly like it too

    Reply
  50. As soon as i read the title i was captured. most likely i’m going to borrow this book and read it and probaly like it too

    Reply
  51. This seems like quite a fantastice book as soon as i saw the title page and the title. i was instantly interested. so i’ll probaly put a hold on it

    Reply
  52. This seems like quite a fantastice book as soon as i saw the title page and the title. i was instantly interested. so i’ll probaly put a hold on it

    Reply
  53. Same here i rarley read any books with this type of style in writing but i think i’ll give this one a chance ’cause it just seems to interesting to pass up

    Reply
  54. Same here i rarley read any books with this type of style in writing but i think i’ll give this one a chance ’cause it just seems to interesting to pass up

    Reply
  55. This book sounds like a good read. The setting reminds me of Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen, and memoir that details her almost two – year stint in an “aylum”, for lack of a better term, during which she goes through a journey of self discovery – while batling neurosis. It’s heavy subject matter, but conversely, a light, insensitive and at times hilarious read. The similarities in plot between the two novels has really interested me, I will definitely read Suicide Notes! Thanks for the review 🙂

    Reply
  56. This book sounds like a good read. The setting reminds me of Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen, and memoir that details her almost two – year stint in an “aylum”, for lack of a better term, during which she goes through a journey of self discovery – while batling neurosis. It’s heavy subject matter, but conversely, a light, insensitive and at times hilarious read. The similarities in plot between the two novels has really interested me, I will definitely read Suicide Notes! Thanks for the review 🙂

    Reply
  57. Amazing it’s nice to read a post that actually has some incentive in it. lol but ya suicide note is surley a book with some weight and acutally meaning in it. and i’m sure it’s a good read

    Reply
  58. Amazing it’s nice to read a post that actually has some incentive in it. lol but ya suicide note is surley a book with some weight and acutally meaning in it. and i’m sure it’s a good read

    Reply

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