Book: Hate List: A Novel by Jennifer Brown

Pages: 405 (Hardcover)

My Review: Hate List is about a school shooting and the resulting aftermath.  Valerie and her boyfriend had a “hate list,” which was written in a notebook about everyone they hated. 

I…wow.  There are two books that had me sobbing by the end.  The first one is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and the other one…is Hate List.  I had to put it down several times just to give myself a break. 

It is a heavy, intense read, and very realistic.  I could picture everything in my mind so well- the descriptions were so vivid.  I felt like I was Valerie, and I found myself getting angry at so many of the people around her, and hoping they would give her a chance.  I get why people ignored her and didn’t want her around, as she helped create the list and was indirectly involved with the school shooting.  But at the same time, she didn’t pull the trigger.  She went running after her boyfriend, and jumped in front of another student to stop it from getting worse. 

I don’t even know where to start.  It’s such an emotional book, and one that could happen anywhere, anytime.  I certainly commend Brown for tackling school shootings.  But it’s not just about school shootings.  It’s also about how words can hurt, and how something that people don’t think matters, can.  It’s about moving on, and struggling with a world in which everything is falling apart. 

Even now, some time after finishing the book, I feel emotional.  Brown did such a good job of portraying everyone and their points of view.  And I really liked how the book was set up.  There are news articles about each of the victims and the events that took place at the high school.  Each chapter number is in a drop of blood- which is weird but cool.  And it jumps around a bit before settling into the present time.  It goes back and forth between present time and the actual shooting.  It was unsettling to watch things unfold…it really felt like it was happening.  I hope no one has a drinking game going for how many times I’m going to say “it felt like it was happening.”  That might come up a lot! 

But it all seriousness, it was a great book.  Definitely powerful, and EVERYONE needs to read this book.  Go get it.  Now.  I don’t think you’ll regret it.  I feel so strongly about this book that I’m posting this review shortly after finishing the book.   

Rating: 5 out of 5.  There are no words to describe how much I liked this book.  It’s definitely an emotional rollercoaster, but it is so worth it!