I Was Here

by Gayle Forman18-year-old Cody’s world is shaken to the core when her best friend, Meg, commits suicide while away at college. Cody and Meg were so close that they grew up like sisters, so it is no wonder that Cody’s grief is amplified by the fact she had no idea her best friend was suicidal. They had grown a bit distanced during their first year apart, but still, how is it that Cody saw zero of the telltale signs of depression? When Meg’s parents send Cody to pack up their daughter’s dorm room, Cody finds that her best friend has kept secrets from her she never would have expected. She also uncovers something strange: deleted emails and encrypted files on Meg’s computer. With the help of some new friends, she sets out to discover the truth about the seemingly suspicious circumstances surrounding Meg’s suicide. This was an uncomfortable read for me, with a side romance that I just couldn’t get behind. However, I can see how many readers will love and connect with this story. Gayle Forman tackles some heavy issues with stark realism and there’s no doubt that she packs a punch here.