MY FAVORITE BOOK

     I have read numerous books throughout my lifetime. Books are a great way to escape the world, and live through someone else's perspective. My favorite book of all time would have to be Before I Die by Jenny Downham. It is about a 17 year old teenager, Tessa, who is dying with leukemia. She lives with her brother and father, and gets to see her estranged mother once in a while. Tessa had made a list of  things she wanted to do before she died. Most of the things on her list were foolish and immensely dangerous. Tessa's father wanted to protect her from the things she was doing, mainly drugs and sex, but she wanted to live her last moments on Earth doing what she wanted. She wanted to experience the rush of any adventure that came to her head, and she wanted to conquer every task before cancer beat her to it. Tessa did not want to be depressed and lay in bed all day because her life was going to end, but she made a journey to the innevitable. Her life started to get better, and her parents started getting closer and closer. The boy next door took an interest in her, but deep in her heart she wanted to stay and watch the happiness rise into the air like a balloon. She accepted death and tried to live in the moment. This book was the most heart-breaking and real book I have ever read, and it taught me a major lesson about life. We all have to live in the moment, and do the best we can, because life can end before "life" can actually begin. Tessa was a brave teenager, who embraced the real meaning of life and love. At the end, her life slowly slips away, but she died knowing that she was ready to be sent to the heavens of the world. This book teaches teenagers a lesson, to never look down on life, because it is the only one you have. Cherish life to the last minute, and when it is your time, leave as if you just arrived. Fulfilled. Strong. Reaching your dreams.