before i go

by Riley Weston

BEFORE I GO won Story Teller of the Year IPPY award, New York Book Festival Grand Prize, as well as Best Fiction and a Book Sense Pick Award.REVIEWS..."Riley Weston is no novice at writing, and she proves it again and again with this amazing debut novel. Readers should prepare for a journey into deeply developed characters, a fast-paced plot, and an emotional explosion of tears, laughter and everything in between. This novel will move the hearts of pre-teens through age 100 and beyond. The focus on the mother/daughter relationship and the special bond between Madison and Jackson make this book a potential award winner." Chris Shanley-Dillman, author of FINDING MY LIGHT and THE BLACK POND for teenreads.com “…Highly Recommend.” Midwest Book Review“This is a book in the spirit of The Notebook, one that you will remember for along time after you finish the final line.” Literaturechick.com“Every mother, daughter, sister and friend must read this book. Our book club absolutely loved it!” Tonya Terry, New Anchor, WSFA/NBC"Before I Go is a timeless story that teenagers will connect to as well as adults." Christine Peters, film producer, “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”“A poignant love story that is an amazing tale of life and love. I couldn't put it down. The pages seemed to turn themselves.” Kary McHoul, Senior VP, 20th Century Fox“Before I Go is by far the best book I’ve read this year, if not these past years. If I had to summarize it in one word I’d just Brilliant!” Eveline Soors, Euro-Reviews“Before I Go, Riley Weston’s first novel, is sure to invite comparisons to Nicholas Sparks, in particular, A Walk to Remember.” YA Books Central“Beautifully written, incredibly moving, with characters so strong I wanted them to be real. Filled with humor and triumph in the midst of tragic loss, I couldn't put it down, and couldn't stop thinking about it after I finished.” Kim Childress, Girls’ Life Magazine“This was one of the most powerfully written books I have read in a long time. It will definitely be in my top ten.” Armchair Interviews“I hope every girl in America reads this book.” Riley Weston paints a picture for the reader's mind with her words.” Keri Holmes, The Kaleidoscope“This is a wonderful debut novel from author/screenwriter Riley Weston. I greatly enjoyed this emotional novel with the complex, loving bonds between the characters and the different struggles they all faced in the end. Overall, it was a heart-touching read in the same style as Lurene McDaniel's & Nicholas Sparks's novels.” Teens Read Too“Riley Weston has created a novel that no synopsis can describe. Ms. Weston is a talented writer that has left this reviewer speechless. Nothing that can be written in a review can describe the emotional impact her novel had on this reader’s heart and mind. Anyone looking for a novel that brings tears to the eyes will find BEFORE I GO one of the best novels."Angie, Love Romances and More"It's simply beautifully written and evokes a lot of emotion. Riley Weston has a gift of writing in a way that young adult readers can relate to and adults can appreciate.” Litchicks"For those who cried in “Beaches,” this book will have a similar effect.” Coolgrrls.com“Amazing. This book should definitely be put on your list." Scribes WorldMadison Henry has been skating as long as she’s been walking. Coached by her mother, Annie, she is on her way to the Olympics.

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Book Club, Adult Fiction, Adult

473 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2006

Reviews

[Joanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This author had the same basic idea as "The Fault in our Stars", but her writing style was kind of annoying. I also felt like the story was very harshly divided into pre-cancer and post-cancer.
My dislike of the book, however, raised some interesting questions. I felt like it was a figure-skating-prodigy-with-pushy-mom book that suddenly got hijacked and became a young-girl-with-cancer book. The dramatic shift in story line bothered me. When I think about it, though, perhaps this plot flaw actually reflects the nature of tragedy better than "The Fault in our Stars" or "W;t", which begin with the illness. After all, almost no one is born a cancer patient. Kids like Madison and Augustus grow up like normal people, complete with their own drama, until cancer hijacks their lives and becomes that which defines their stories.
Perhaps, then, it's worth reading this book to compare it with other stories of cancer and illness. It may be annoying in places, but its faults served it well in the end.

[Karissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would it be mean of me to say I was kind of waiting for Madison to die? I think it would be, but it would be the truth. The character of Madison was so selfish and that was before she got really sick. The fights between mother and daughter were horrible and always started by her. And then the way the mother doted on the daughter, making sure her eggs were just perfect or picky Madison would eat them.

I do have to give to Mr. Henry for sticking around with two crazy women in his household. Though in any other book or movie he would have split a long time ago.

This is was a decent book, don't get me wrong. I liked the idea. An ice skater who is on her way to the Olympics gets deathly ill and dies. It tells you everyone on the inside cover. I enjoyed Madison's interaction with her mom on the ice and her interactions with Jackson. They joked around a lot which is a complaint I've read many had with the book, but it sort of broke up the tension that was always there between mother and daughter. Jackson was an okay guy. Kind of stupid, but aren't most of them? His stubbornness met with Madison's stubbornness was a nice read. Especially at the end when he refused to leave her side.
Oh, and the prom scene! That almost got me, I admit that. It was pretty damn sweet. Along with the very end after Madison goes and Jackson receives the delivery from her. That was pretty darn sweet as well.

So, as long as you don't mind knowing the ending before hand - or if you just want to skip reading the summary altogether - and can get through reading about a spoiled brat, this isn't a bad read!

[1AjlaB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I Go by Riley Weston is a bittersweet book about a talented ice skater named Madison. Madison knew she wanted to skate ever since she was a little girl and spends most of her time skating and being coached by her mom. She doesn't have time to do much else including make friends. Her only friend is one of the most popular guys at school, Jackson. Although Jackson is really popular, Madison will always be his best friend and secretly, the both start thinking about being more than friends. Life is going okay for Madison until one day she finds out she has cancer.

This book was one of the saddest books I've ever read and towards the end, even made me cry. Once I started reading it, I literally couldn't put it down. Even though this book is aimed at females, I believe anybody of any age could enjoy this it. Before I Go is one of those books that'll stick with me forever.

[DL · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am BAWLING.

I have never had such a love/hate relationship with a novel. There were so many moments that I wanted to add this to my DNF pile... I continued with all the willpower I had. In the end, I am so happy that I did, but I couldn't put it down during the last 100 pages.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't even pick up this book! I mean it! At least not without a box of tissues.

Ice skating has obsorbed into Madison's viens. It's part of her and always will be. She's the best. She makes the line between winners and loosers. She's the standard. As she trains for the Olympic tryouts though, something is amiss. Madison is getting sick. It doesn't help either when she seems to start feeling more than friendship towards her long time best friend, Jack, one of the popular guys at school who she met fighting over a baloon when she was six.

Weston has a talent for pulling your heart out. It's beautifully and compassionatly written, though the swearing became tiresome. I got so sick of it I skipped about a hundred pages until I figured things were becoming dire for Madison and Jack.

The book is about life, death, and love. It's a classic combination that gets you every single time. I don't know why, but the ice skaters allways seem to get the raw end of the deal in these stories. But we also feel for Jack, who has everything to loose as Madison becomes sicker and sicker, and he becomes more and more... I can't give it away. You need to read it yourself. But I give caution, if your not comfortable with some pretty serious swearing you might want to skip this read. You also might want to keep it away from younger kids for the content including inuendo and a little bit of sexuality towards the end.

Before I Go, a title in which you can imediatly see the jist in, shows all angles of the human heart. The fierce responsiblity of a mother, the comfort of a father, friendship, anguish, love, desperation, hate, anger, and most of all, the joy of living, loving, and being loved.

A brilliant read that will make you sob, and think. It makes you really think. Where do you go and who do you leave behind? What did you do while you lived? How did you effect them, and how will they, ultimately, remember you?

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never have I ever thought that this book would end up one of my favourites of all time. It was seriously amazing and I wouldn't have changed anything. The writing was absolutely deep and powerful and will move all readers. I recommend this to any lover of John Green's The Fault in Our Stars.
The summary really doesn't tell you much, especially how gorgeous the book ended up to be. There is a huge amazing romance that caused me to fall head over heels with. Jack and Maddie were an absolute perfectionous (my own word) couple. Their love for each other wasn't like any other love, and their words for each other caused chills on my spine.
This was so fast-paced, the pages began to turn by themselves because I really felt like I couldn't put it down. The loudest distractions around me seemed to flash away before my eyes, I even shooed my family away while reading this!
I was never ever ever bored. The author's writing was spectacular and really was easy to signify the different perspectives of the characters, it felt definitely real.
I loved Madison and her mom's relationship. The author really tried to signify that their relationship was wide and open, and of course, it was written astonishingly, as well as Madison's and Jack's romantic relationship/friendship.
The ending was horrifying, but in a good way, obviously. I was bawling my eyes out, even though I knew what was coming. It was so sad, but then ended up beautiful and happy.
I don't have mixed feelings for this book- I know one thing for sure, and that thing is that this book is absolutely definitely amazing and because of that, I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO THE ENTIRE BOOK COMMUNITY, because you won't be left angry. This was perfection.

[Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, I really did. It was well written, and I loved the writers voice, but I also think it took too long to get into the storyline. Before I go, is about Madison, who has skated since she was a little child, and the first hundred or so pages is pretty much centered around Madison and her skating life and going to the olympics.

It kind of felt like there were two plots in one book. One, the skating prodigy, and two, the girl who has cancer. It was quite boring to begin with, and difficult to get into, but I read such good reviews of it, so I kept reading.

By the end of the book, I was crying my eyes out. The author managed to write with such raw emotion and tact that by the end of it, I was disappointed for the book to end. Despite the slow start, this really is a good book.

[Delores · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grab a box of tissues and snuggle up with this book. I'm a sucker for a good tear jerker and this fits the bill. This was one of the first books I read when I decided to get "back into reading." Since I'm mom, this novel really hit home on how to value every day. The author does a great job making her characters very real.

[Heather Allen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sappy does not begin to describe this book. Honestly, if any of my writing students turned in a story like this, they would get a pretty crappy grade. That said, I read it to its end ... this is proof of the lengths that tenure-stream procrastination will lead you to ...

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will need a box of tissues to read this page turner! Teens and adults will enjoy this book about a mother/daughter relationship and about living life to the fullest. It will stay with you long after you finish the book.

[Rebecca Miota · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love the book and I read it every summer, and I always cry at the end when she gets him a yellow balloon.

[Mackenzie Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before I go is one of those books that drag you in and makes you want to continue reading. It shows so much emotion weather it be from Madison's snarky comments lighting up the mood of the book, to her and Annie, her mom, getting into yet another argument about skating. This book makes you feel that you are actually in the setting that is taking place, and the dialog is so well put together to the point that you feel like you are Madison. Before I go is about a girl that trains to be an Olympic ice skater, but along the way she start to get very ill and the unexpected happens.
Skating was something that was adapted into Madison's life and adsorbed throughout her bones and veins. Madison knew she wanted to be an ice skater the minute she stepped onto the ice at age six. She dreamed that one day she would make it to the Olympics, and her dreams were finally coming true,but with success there comes a lot of struggles along the way. She and her mother trained day in and day out in order for Madison to be the best and nothing but the best, thus causing their mother daughter relationship to get the bad end of the stick. Madison was not like any normal sixteen year old girl, she never really had the chance to have a social life or even make friends, throughout her whole life she only had one best friend, Jackson, the most popular guy in the school. He helped her get through her childhood and most of high school, but what happens when the two start to catch feelings for each other? Throughout the book you get subtle hints that they give to each other causing you to infer that they are flirting. The author of the book did a great job with dragging you in with wanting to read more about how Madison and Jackson's relationship advances.
Madison has started to train many long, hard hours to make it into the Olympics, so when she starts to show signs of loosing an excessive amount of weight, becoming very pale, and becoming very tired and weak to the point where she has fainted twice; everyone jumps to the conclusion that she is worn out by all the training. Nobody actually sees that Madison is very ill, not even Madison sees that in herself. I think that the author made a really good point with displaying this because it makes it more realistic, because in real life that it what would be diagnosed to someone training that hard. Madison is now only one competition away from making it to the Olympics, so she has to master this whole routine; every jump, turn, and landing. While she is preforming she starts to feel very tired and just wants to lay down. She is becoming very weak during the last portion of her routine and she actually passed out during the end of it.
When getting test done at the hospital, Annie is for sure convinced that Madison is healthy and just needed a little rest. She feels that they don't need to do anymore test on her and that Madison is ready to leave, but when test come back that shows that Madison has cancer, Annie doesn't take it well. She has to break the news to her husband and to Madison. When Madison finds out that she has cancer the only thing she is worried about is if shes able to skate again or not, so when they go to the best cancer doctor in town and find out that the cancer is a lot worse as they thought, Madison doesn't really take it seriously and starts to get mad at the doctor and at her parents. The rest of the book after this is all about Madison battling this cancer, with the help of Jackson and her family along the side, while coping with the lost of not being able to skate again. Although there was a lot of hope, treatments, and fighting that went into getting rid of the cancer, Madison soon passed away from it.

[Lexi Vranick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book for a book club and, honestly, I'm sort of glad I wasn't able to attend this particular meeting. While this book had a solid concept, its cast of characters garnered no emotional response from me. I just couldn't bring myself to care about what happened to them - aside from, perhaps, David and Jack, who I just felt bad for in the spaces where they weren't being used as flat and mindless plot devices. Madison treats everyone around her horribly, a trait that she clearly inherited from Annie who, despite painting herself a martyr, was just as vile and inconsiderate of others - especially her own husband - as her daughter was. Without any emotional connection to the characters, and especially without any connection to the main character herself, I found myself skipping and skimming pages just to get through it.

I can't say that it's all bad. The story structure itself is well-plotted and paced. There are few spots where the action slows down enough to be boring, which is something I appreciate in a 400 page book. Madison's health issues also arise, and are batted away, in a believable way: subtle changes brushed off as soreness or exhaustion from training, which is common for real-life athletes. There is also a certain realness in the constant back-and-forth between Annie and Madison, in which they alternate between between animosity and warmth in a way that can be quite true in teenage child/parent relationships. I appreciated all of these elements, as they added some realness and authenticity to the story.

My qualm is that, without characters who are, at the very least, likably unlikable, all of this background work falls flat. I've seen other reviews equate this plot with John Green's "The Fault in Our Stars", and I can definitely see that. I can even see it being a bit like Jesse Andrews' "Me And Earl And The Dying Girl". It falls into that teen-romance-battered-by-cancer category. But "Before I Go" misses one vital element: characters like Hazel, Gus, and Rachel are all, even in their darkest and bleakest and most selfish moments, likable kids that audiences want to root for. Madison just doesn't fit in their roster, and her abrasive personality made it hard for me as a reader - and even for the other characters filling up her story - to connect with her.

[Nichol Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have very mixed feelings about this book. A small part of me liked it, but the majority of me hated it. Hate is strong word but I strongly disliked over half of this book. I am honestly surprised I even finished it.

To be honest, you could rip about half of the book out and not miss anything. The book starts off okay. It tells the story of a young girl who loves to skate. The problem is that you read about nothing but her skating for over half the book. There are several chapters that basically repeat themselves.

Another problem is that Madison is not a person I would ever want to meet. Her character is so unlikable throughout most of this book that it is nearly unbearable. If her rude remarks and terrible attitude started after her diagnosis, I would probably understand. But no, Madison has always been a snotty little brat who cares only for herself.

Madison isn't the only unlikable character either. Her parents are both rather loathsome in their own way. Annie is just as rude and immature as her 16 year old daughter. David means well but is a sad push over who can't properly stand up for himself. He allows himself to be pushed aside and very nearly forgotten by wife and daughter and therefore plays no real role in the story.

There is one character that is very likable, however. This is perhaps the main reason I continued reading. The one decent, redeeming thing this book has to offer is Jackson. Jackson is one of those extremely talented and popular kids. But not one of those that lets his talent and popularity go to his head. He is, in fact, Madison's only friend. I spent the entirety of this book feeling sorry for Jackson. Everything he did was for Madison. Even though she treated him like complete dirt most of the time. Even in the end when you're supposed to believe that Madison has done something amazing for Jack, you soon realize that it was actually for Madison. And yet no matter how many times Madison blew him off or stood him up, he was always right there when Madison needed him. I think the saddest part of the book was actually watching Jackson throw his entire future away for a spoiled, awful girl who had never done anything for him

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was such a beautiful story and the end made me cry. Im seeing all these bad reviews and I'm just thinking that people have no taste in books. I read over 200 novels every year and this one was by far my favorite. It is such a tear-jerker and I was crying and telling my best friend about it. Just by sumerizing the book to her and telling her the end made her cry. Madison was such a strong young women and these things actually happen. I think the author did great and I dont understand all these bad reviews. People do die of cancer and i think the author in some way was trying to warn us to live our best life because tomorrow is not always gonna be there. I loved this book and reccomend it to anyone who likes romance and is comfortable with minor cussing. I agree that Madison was a brat but in the end, it was just the way she was. She did actually love her mother and Jack and her father. I LOVED THIS BOOK! 5/5 STARS. Definatly would read again.

[karelyn 🩷 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning: Once you start reading this book you won't be able to stop. And make sure you have a box of kleenex at your side.

THIS BOOK WAS LIKE CRACK TO ME, I cried so much, & no book has ever even made me cry this much 😭 it’s also a good reminder of how our lives are all entwined and how very precious life is! This book reads as though you are watching a great classic movie. One moment I was laughing hysterically, the next moment I was so overcome with emotion, I wanted to reach out and comfort the characters. For those of you who are looking for a cheap, light summer beach read, this book is not for you. This book deals with serious subject matter, real life scenarios and will surly make you feel as though you have found, then lost a best friend or sibling.

I can read this book AGAIN just to feel close to the characters again.

[Misa Niranon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was wondering about this title for the longest time and I have no idea where this copy went. My mom got it at a BAM author signing event. It was a hardcover copy and I decided to read it, I think, the year that we first moved to Waldron over the Summer. It was such a great read and it made me really teary-eyed with the mother/daughter relationship. I can't remember much else about it besides thinking that the Disney movie, Ice Princess(?), reminded me of it so much. (Probably because of the skating aspect).

I really want to know where I put this book because I read it about the same time as My Sister's Keeper and that Summer I had so many feels. HAHAHA.

[Trish Hipp · Rating 4 out of 5]

having been a competitive figure skater for 20 years, this book was amazing to me. I sobbed the entire time and adored it. It resonated with me so much because I have a best friend who was coached by her mom. I passed this book along to many of my teammates and we all sobbed reading it. Although the writing is typical for a chick-lit book, the content and storyline really hit home.

Every figure skater should read this with a giant box of tissues ready.

[Barbara Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Family relationship are always interesting. I feel the book was some what predictable. I hated the relationship between all the characters, between mother and child, husband and wife. Consuming mother, spoiled child, father on the sidelines and a super popular boyfriend I’m sure never would have hung around. Not very believable

[Jennifer Steffes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I go was one of the best books I have ever read. It keeps you wondering what is going to happen next every second. It was a lot like the Running Dream, but with a very sad ending. I would love it if Riley Weston came out with another book like this because this book was amazing.

[Adele · Rating 3 out of 5]

1 star for the writers effort, 2 stars because of the ending, it redeemed the entire story in the last two chapters and 3 stars because I read it in a mini book club and that was what made this book readable, it was the best part!

[Brenda Noonan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very emotional book. I don't think I could watch the movie.

[Nancy Shaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fiction, yes, but if it's even a little bit close to accurate - the intensity that ice skaters practice, or any sports figures for that matter, seems much to much. An emotional read.

[Sommer Belshe · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a really good book. i actually cried, no joke. i think one of the best books I've ever read. i highly suggest reading this book.

[Debbie Whetstone Collinge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is now one of my favorite books ever! I read well into the night and could not wait to pick it up the next day. So well written.

[Seaside Book Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most beautiful books I have ever read. It is a must read.

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has it all. There is a true lesson beyond this book. Nobody knows how long of a life they truly have, so love everyday like it’s your last.

[Alexandra Parente · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sobbed like a baby reading this book. I went into it completely blind as well— just picked it up off a shelf and read it. 1000000/10 recommend.

[Cassandra Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this if you want your heart ripped out and thrown on the floor 😭😭😭😭

[Tina J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the writing style! Went to high school with writer and was excited to find this book!