10 Things to Do Before I Die

by Daniel Ehrenhaft

1) Lose my virginity

2) Apologize to Rachel

3) Get back at Biff

4) Jam and party with Shakes the Clown

5) Laugh in death’s face

6) Go to Africa

7) Rob a bank

8) Tell Mark to screw himself

9) Find out why Grandpa and Dad don't talk

10) Tell the truth

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Humor, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Death, Friendship

224 pages, Paperback

First published November 9, 2004

About the author

Daniel Ehrenhaft is the author of several dozen books for children and young adults—so many books, in fact, that he has lost count. He has often written under the pseudonym Daniel Parker (his middle name, which is easier to spell and pronounce than his last), and occasionally Erin Haft. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife Jessica, as well as a scruffy dog named Gibby and a psychotic cat named Bootsy. When he isn't writing, he tirelessly travels the globe on a doomed mission to achieve rock stardom. As of this date, his musical credits include the composition of bluegrass soundtrack numbers for the epic straight-to-video B movie The Grave, a brief stint playing live rap music to baffled Filipino audiences in Hong Kong, and scoring the still-picture montage Election Trip. He once worked in a cheese shop. He was fired.

Reviews

[Annet Schuurman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiny spoilers I guess





I bought this book kind of impulsively in a thrift store last week and started reading it even more impulsively the same day (I had my reasons).

I feel like this book can be described best as a well crafted mix of 'The Fault in Our Stars' , 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time' & 'They Both Die at the End' . Even though I was familiar with the 'race-against-the-clock' concept , I still liked the way Ehrenhaft had yet another perspective on it.

To me, it is funny how people only start discovering the world when the world is burning and they catch fire. (#fahrenheit451vibes) quote: 'I've been waiting for this all my life. And now my life is about to end.' -page 183 .
This book made me think of one of my favorite quotes by one of my favorite people : 'We all have two lives, the second one begins when you realize you only have one.' [+ point for you if you can name the person who quoted that]. I don't think I can go any deeper into the story without spoiling anything so I will stop here with my analysis.

This however needs to be said:

If the 16 year old main character of this book is capable of kicking a sexual assaulter (of whom he thought to be his amazing idol) who is four times his size on stage in his face because he "happened" to touch his best friends girlfriend, you are capable of making your homework. [I hope this sentence made sense]

Another Ted Burger quote on the same topic :

'Note to self before dying: If I ever make up with Rachel, I will never bug her about consummating our relationship again. Ever. Not even in the little time I have left. I should ask permission every time I kiss her. Because for once I can almost imagine what it feels like to stand in her sandals. (Almost.) A person should never, ever feel obligated to agree to anything until he or she is ready. Period' -page 160 -> YES GO TEDDY. Never expected to read about a Ted B. who's a raging feminist (or , you know, not a female murdering psychopath) yet here we are -> proud mom

---------------------------------------------------------------
quotes that stood out to me for obvious reasons:

1. 'We bled for it. So in a way, we made the perfect pair. Two addicts, hooked on the drug of flattery.' -page 28

(ugh so eloquent)

2. 'Have you ever really lived, Burger?'' NO! Of course not! It was a sign! A sign from above! Because now I have a chance, an opportunity-- a single, glorious, twenty-four-hour period to be brave, to make up for my mistakes, my laziness... Yes, it is MY LIFE. It's truly mine. For the first time ever. And death will be my catalyst.' -page 71

(that made me think of the time Neil Perry said: For the first time in my whole life, I know what I wanna do! And for the first time, I'm gonna do it! Whether my father wants me to or not! Carpe diem!' so naturally it evoked emotion because, well, Neil.)

3. 'Lagos is no different than New York. Both have suffering. There is only one difference between America and the rest of the world: people outside America know what it is like to live with death. They see death around them all the time. But people in America believe that they are going to live forever. Perhaps that is why you are running. You are afraid of death. But no matter how fast and far you run, even to Nigeria, you are not going to outrun death.' - page 177

(ah the unevitable doom, my favourite trope <3 I'm serious.)

4. 'My whole life, I've fought to impose order on the chaos, to build a wall of routines and barriers. But you can't impose order on the chaos. You can't divide it up. Reality isn't like that. Reality isn't neat. It comes as it comes, in a great roar- not in lists and footnotes and chapters, but in real time. There's no way to divide it up, no way to keep it at a safe distance no matter how hard you try. Sure, you can hole up in your room and fantasize about being in your favorite band. (...blank bc there was a spoiler right here) But you can't hide. Sooner or later, reality will catch up with you. It always does.' - page 212

(and it really be like that sometimes)

4/5 stars, the end

[Laine Dermer Kendall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could you imagine having 24 hours to live? I couldn’t have either and 10 Things To Do Before I Die didn’t help me imagine it much. The plot was extremely unbelievable and the characters were shallow and predictable. Nonetheless this was a fun, fast paced adventure that sometimes was a bit difficult to put down.
The main character was Ted Burger. He was incredulous because he goes through such an unusual transformation. He starts out as an immature high school student who doesn’t like his girlfriend, hates his parents and always stays in the comfortable box in his mind including eating at the Circle Eat Diner and playing guitar in his room fantasizing about Shakes the Clown. Shakes the Clown is a semi-popular band that Ted worships. After he goes through everything, eating the “poisoned” fries and trying to complete his list, he becomes a guy who doesn’t stand around anymore, he starts doing things, standing up for himself and making life happen instead of letting it happen to him. It may sound like a classic movie/book transformation but it really the way Ehrenhaft told the story that made it very hard for the reader to believe.
Ted’s best friend Mark was a very fun but predictable character. Ted always described him as a “compulsive maniac”, which was a good way to describe him but he had no second layer. You never saw him be compassionate, mean or anything else. His lack of depth as a character lead to his predictability. Nevertheless he still seemed like a cool guy who I would like to meet.
One afternoon in the Circle Eat Diner the Ted, Mark, and Nikki, Mark’s girlfriend, a crazed recently fired employee comes stomping into the restaurant with a gun shouting threats. Mark jumps out at him and knocks him to the ground. This scene was very thrilling, suspenseful, and exciting but what 17 year old boy who lives in the rich part of New York would ever do that. That’s what sort of tore this whole scene apart.
Even though at most points I enjoyed sitting down and reading this book I couldn’t help but realize the simple writing along with the many other faults. Maybe if I were a little younger I would have enjoyed this book overlooking all the details pulling this joyous book down.

[KASSANDRA · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the first few pages 30-50 it is immediately engaging because the author brings up he is already dead since the beginning. He starts of with the characters, he introduces everyone and then later on we find out he dies. it's crazy to think about it because he wasn't suppose to die but he actually does in the end which made the book even more suspenseful. They start off of doing a list of 10 things to do before he dies, which he can start on in spring break which is when the book began. Then ted is sent to the hospital and is told he has 24 hours to live. Yes, this book was immediately engaging.

The teen appeal of this story is definitely out there. The book starts off with a teenager, ted is 16 and he is hanging out with friends before spring break, so the book is about teenagers wanting to spend a good spring break however somethings start occurring. The whole book has lists of what to do during spring break before ted dies which is a joke to do around your friends. The list itself is edgy, the list is about losing their virginity and things you wouldn't nearly think of doing. As in go to Africa pr rob a bank. The book is very appealing to teenagers because it talks about teenage lives trying to live their best lives as friends.

The realism of the characters is the main character himself, ted. Ted is jokingly making a list with his best-est friends about what to do before he dies, I'm pretty sure we all have thought about death before and we all must have bucket-lists. Bucket-lists are achievements you want to achieve before death or anything in general. But ted didn't know he was going to die but he did the list anyways. In the perspective of the audience there has probably been a family friend who has been on the death chair and has wanted to complete the many things on their list.

i did get into the plot because i enjoyed the depth of the book, it was really interesting and i was intrigued. you don't necessarily read books that talk about death and joke about it. Other than the book being sentimental on some parts because of someone dying but it is really funny for a book that has someone dying as the main character. I think the true meaning of this book is do what you can now before it's too late. The things you want to accomplish or have in your bucket list, you should complete them now before it's too late to do so.

The voice of the book is comedic and serious at the same time. The message is, you don't know when you're ever going to die so might as well do what you can now before you die. The language is teenage voices, as in a teenage could've wrote this book. The pov is interesting because it's from the main character and it's not a 3rd point of view.

It is rich, it is a really good book, i enjoyed reading this book on my free time. When i first started this book i was hooked, i was intrigued since the beginning of the story. Since the book started with a teenage tone type of story i got into it even more. I liked how the author talked about the list and how the characters were introduced.

I enjoyed this book, i gave it a four because not only was it funny but it seemed a bit predictable at some parts, it was a fast paced story because everything was put to place. Especially at the ending of the book, it was too predictable to find out what may happen. However, it was a good plot, well thought characters, and somewhat unique.

[Chocolate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book. It’s kinda like clickbait, you know?
Writing could have been better, it was still kinda funny though.

[Anna Weaver]

Anna weaver
My experience in reading "10 Things to do Before I Die", was a memorable one. I understood how the main character, Ted, felt during the plot. The book had a very interesting and action filled plot. I enjoyed the book very much because the characters were goofy, and fun to get to know. I found myself having troubles with putting the book down, and I finished the book within about a week. Personally, I wish the book could've been a little longer.
"'Ted, you've been poisoned, you're going to have the most epic list of things to do before you die.', said Mark." (Ehrenhaft 74). When Ted was poisoned, or so he thought he was, his friends didn't react the way you'd think they would. His friends weren't sad, yet they weren't happy. Ted's best friend Mark told Mark he needed to start living more instead of playing his guitar in his room all day. The quote leads into my question that I adjusted for my book. Instead of asking "what turning points lead into adulthood?", but but what turning points change a characters whole perspective on life? Ted's life in a matter of minutes was drastically changed. He thought he was poisoned by a psycho path fry cook. Ted dropped everything, started to drink, and created a list of 10 things he was going to do before he died the next day. He did some crazy stuff, things he never would have done if he didn't know he was dying. Without the psychopathy fry cook, he never would've conquered life, and his fears. The book teaches a very important lesson.
I would recommend this book to students who are sophomores, and older. The book had some mature content, but over all was very good. It was well written, yet the book went by too fast. Kids about my age would enjoy this book because it is filled with good humor, suspense, and drama.

[Josh]

10 Things to Do Before I Die
Daniel Ehrenhaft
224 pages
published June 13th 2006 (first published 2004) by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
isbn: 0385734069


Ted is the main character and a really unlucky guy. In the beginning of the book it just gives us a description of his life. The whole story starts when Mark and Nikki, who are going out, and Ted are in a diner in Manhattan. That night one of the employees got fired, and lied about putting poison into the fries. Ted happened to eat the fries and finds out he has 24 hours to live. Mark and Ted made a list with 10 things they want to do before they die. So Ted takes the list and goes through the night trying to accomplish all 10 things before the clock is up.

It is a funny but sad story, that grabs you from the beginning. The language Daniel Ehrenhaft uses is pretty simple and therefore an enjoyable easy book to read. Since it gives you a huge right turn down "oops" valley, the ending gets to be very interesting and makes you want to read on until you find out what happens. If you want to find out what happens i guess you will have to read the book.

I recomend this book to people who want a pretty short and easy book to read. Also for people who want something to make you laugh. Througout the book the theme is adventure. Thuis is because Ted has only 24 hours to complete these 10 things. The 10 things he does shows the adventourous theme.

[Carly · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I was reading this book, right? And I was thinking, "Damn! This is the best book I've read all year! Maybe, maybe it's tied with David LaRochelle's Absolutely, Positively Not, but other than that it is the BEST, for sure."

And it still is, almost. The problem is the ending, which is horrifically predictable and even more horrifically executed. I don't necessarily mind predictable endings as long as they're written well and fit nicely with the rest of the book. This ending I minded. I foresaw it, but then it went beyond what I foresaw with a level of suckitude of which I would have never imagined such an amazing author was capable.

At least, I call the author amazing because the first four-fifths of the book absolutely blew me away. I can't remember the last time I've been so sucked in by a book. This book was like one big giant vacuum. I wanted to read it all the time. I actually considered (CONSIDERED, okay? That's all!) attempting to read the book at the same time I was driving back to Honesdale from Rochester, NY. I couldn't get enough of it.

Then there was the ending. Too bad.

But even the ending wasn't enough to ruin such a mostly magnificent book. Do yourself a favor and read one of the best, most true-to-life, and funniest YA books I've ever read.

[Huiling_mei · Rating 2 out of 5]

10 Things to do before I die by Daniel Ehrenhaft is about seventeen year old Ted Burger's life and how he go through with all his stress he is holding up inside of him. Later on it talks about him and his two best friend Mark and Mark's girlfriend Nikki at the diner in Manhattan. When one of the employees was fired, he lied about putting the poison into the fries which Ted accidentally ate. Ted found out about the news from Mark from the news. So Ted goes through the rest of the 24 hour of his life. Instead of going to a doctor he tries to do everything on his napkin which was a list of things they came up with for Ted to have a great spring break. And end up being somethings he was going to do before he died. He had so much other things he could have done, but they only came up with 10 and 10 only.
I thought the experiences that Ted went through can be related to teenagers nowadays. The life of Ted and what he has to go through during that 24 hr that was left of his life. His parents weren't even there for him when he thought he was about to die. He was about to leave the world and they weren't there for him. If it was me i wouldn't know what to do, but I might do something i always longed for.

[Mutia · Rating 3 out of 5]

1) Lose my virginity

2) Apologize to Rachel

3) Get back at Biff

4) Jam and party with Shakes the Clown

5) Laugh in death’s face

6) Go to Africa

7) Rob a bank

8) Tell Mark to screw himself

9) Find out why Grandpa and Dad don't talk

10) Tell the truth

Ted Burger memang beruntung. Ia punya pacar aktivis yang modis, orangtuanya memberikan apa pun yang Ted inginkan, dan ia jago bermain gitar. Hidup benar-benar menyenangkan bagi Ted. Atau begitu kelihatannya.

Saat libur musim semi tiba, Ted bertiga dengan temannya, Mark dan Nikki, memutuskan menjalani hidup secara penuh dengan membuat daftar hal untuk dilakukan Ted. Aksi main-main berubah menjadi misi mengejar-waktu dan meraih-setiap-kesempatan saat Ted tahu bahwa ia makan kentang goreng beracun yang dibuat tukang masak sinting.

Dibantu teman-temannya, Ted bertekad melakukan semua hal dalam daftar itu. Dan untuk pertama kalinya, ia benar-benar merasa hidup, ironisnya di saat ia sebentar lagi akan mati...

http://www.bukabuku.com/browse/bookde...

[Madison Lantvit · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main character, Ted Burger, starts off as your normal 17 year old. But things take a turn for the worst when he is poisoned by a crazy cook at his favorite diner. His two best friends, Mark and Nikki, make him make a bucket list of things to do in his last 24 hours. The list includes: lose virginity, party with favorite band, rob a bank, get back at a bully, apologize to girlfriend, do something heroic, go to a third world country, and pull a crazy stunt. These items take him on a crazy journey through New York City. Until, Ted is too sick to go on and ends up in a hospital.
This is a great book for high schoolers because it's relatable. Although it is a quick read; it's a great time filler. It is full of fast moving action, partying, and a plot-twist ending. With a bit of a love story for the hopeless romantic.
I give this book a 5 out of five stars. The only problem I had, was it was so short. I didn't want it to end. It was both well-written, with a clear authors voice, and original

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

All great ideas are written on napkins.... right?!?!?!

1) Lose my virginity

2) Apologize to Rachel

3) Get back at Biff

4) Jam and party with Shakes the Clown

5) Laugh in death’s face

6) Go to Africa

7) Rob a bank

8) Tell Mark to screw himself

9) Find out why Grandpa and Dad don't talk

10) Tell the truth
Well, I think my list was a little different....


Spoilers from now on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, this book is about a kid who is going to die... yet he doesn't. It's a wild goose chase. His bucket list was created by his best friend for him.... which is okay, but wouldn't you think your bucket list of the end of your life would be something you should either do yourself or have a huge part in?!?!? Anywho.... Ted doesn't accomplish much of his list....... he does try and he even suceeds in his own way.

I'm glad this was short. It was funny and light at times, but it could have been so much better.

meh.2.5 stars.

[Nova Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm the type of person that chooses a book purely by it's title and cover. So when I went to the library, this was a joy to find. I wanted something fun and this book really did deliver. It was an interesting writing style that made me addicted, so addicted that I couldn't put it down long enough to eat dinner and ended up finishing it in one day. This book never had a dull moment and always had some crazy antic in the process. DO NOT READ IF YOU PREFER MORE FORMAL WRITING! This book is a teens mind which is most likely why I connected with it much more than older readers, since I'm the same age as all of the characters. I HIGHLY recommend.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really cute. I liked it, simple plot, good characters, etc. It was predictable, but the way the author got there was creative. I loved the intricacies between the 3 main characters. They were really unique. This book greatly captures teen angst. (haha) I would reccomend for an easy, light read. It does make you re-evaluate your life and what you've done so far, however, if you are looking for a book that will make you want to go out and be a super hero, this book isn't exactly for you.

[Vilma Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is book was one of the best books that i have ever read in my 15 years that i have been alive. its so awesome and so interesting. every chapter i would read was like amazing and everything he would say i could imagine it and felt like i was there with him and his friends. and all the things he had to go through just to complete his list of to things before he dies. and his friends had to go through all the trouble to help him out just for a list of ten things on a napkin. these is a really good book. i love it.!

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book made my head hurt. Ted Burger kept going on these crazy rampages forever and ever and ever and there was never any peace.
It was like watching a moving where the screen is constantly bouncing or tilted.

[Mindi Lutwin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of a dumb book...

[Bunga Mawar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mungkin ini ikhtiar pengarang untuk menyajikan sebuah kisah bahwa remaja baru bisa berpikir filosofis saat tahu hidupnya di dunia ini sudah hampir selesai. Bukunya nggak rumit, alurnya lurus, halamannya nggak banyak.

Ini tentang cowok ABG 16 tahun di New York yang selama ini hidup baik-baik saja, lalu diberitahu hidupnya tinggal sehari. Ia ditantang sahabatnya melakukan sepuluh "hal gila" sebelum dijemput ajal.

Namanya juga "hal gila", maka walau jelas-jelas sulit dalam waktu 24 jam untuk sekaligus bisa nge-jam dan pesta bareng band idola, loncat (semacam) bungee jumping, pergi ke Afrika, membalas musuh lama zaman SMP, melakukan tindakan heroik, sampai melepas keperjakaan, daftar itu sudah dibuat.

Bukan masalah proses mencentang daftar itu yang diwarnai drama lebay, tapi segala pemikiran dalam benak si tokoh, berikut "filosofi" yang menyertai terasa nggak masuk akal bisa dilakukan dalam waktu singkat. Anak muda galau dan fisiknya sedang lemah, lalu mendadak tahu besok bakal mati, kok bisa-bisanya berpikir dalam dan bergerak ke sana ke mari hanya dalam hitungan jam?

Tadinya saya mau lempar aja buku ini ke rak DNF, tapi saya nemu kutipan berikut, "Hanya ada satu perbedaan antara Amerika dan bagian dunia yang lain: orang-orang di luar Amerika tahu bagaimana rasanya hidup dengan kematian. Mereka melihat kematian di sekeliling mereka setiap saat. Sebaliknya, orang-orang di Amerika merasa yakin mereka akan hidup selamanya."

Mungkin karena saya membaca buku ini sudah berjarak lebih dari 15 tahun sejak pertama kali terbit, mungkin karena saya punya kenalan- kenalan orang Amerika yang sudah sering keluar negeri, dan mungkin juga karena saat ini dunia sedang dicekam ancaman penyebaran Covid-19, kutipan di atas sungguh terasa bias. Maksud saya, pengarang menggeneralisasi semua "orang Amerika" dan semua tempat "di luar Amerika" sama belaka. Dasar orang Amerika, selalu merasa paling jago, kayak Donald Trump. Padahal di Amerika (Serikat) yang hebat yang dia maksud juga masih ada orang yang hidupnya terancam tiap hari.

Oh ya, bukan berarti kutipan nyebelin itu bikin buku ini layak dibaca. Enggak terlalu kok, gak ada revolusi atau pertentangan kelas yang kemudian jadi timbul. Saya selesaikan membaca buku ini agar masuk di rak "read"-nya Goodreads sehingga saya bisa diingatkan suatu hari nanti bahwa saya sudah baca buku ini.

Dan ternyata saya sudah pernah komentar saat Uci bikin riviu sejenis, sekitar sebelas tahun lalu, hahaa..

[Citlalli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ted Burgers starts off as a normal teenage boy, he hangs out with a couple of friends at a greasy diner who tease him into creating a list of things he wants to do before he dies. He finds out he only has 24 hours to live so he and his friends go on an adventure together to check off everything on his list before he dies. The list has the normal teenage boy things but it also includes some items uniquely Ted. From the first few pages on, you know that things are going to get a little crazy. While Ted is out searching for Billy Rifkin, his friends Mark and Nikki are working on getting the rest of the list to happen. I won't tell you how the situation with Billy works out since I think it is one of the important parts of the book, but I will tell you that it isn't what you'd expect which is really exactly how I would describe the book as a whole. I would really recommend this book to everyone you will not regret reading this book.

[Nanadhoi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perjalanan cerita agak cliche, dimana watak utama dikatakan hampir menemui ajal dan decide untuk melakukan 10 perkara sebelum dia mati. Namun konflik-konflik yang dihadapi watak utama yang membuat buku ni kurang bosan, namun saya masih merasakan part watak utama menjelaskan anggota-anggota band yang diminati adalah tidak perlu.

[Ghslibrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ted Burger and his friends Nikki and Mark think that Ted has been poisoned and is going to die, so they set out to fulfill a crazy bucket list in 24 hours and along the way learn about friendship, life priorities and themselves. A super quick read.

[Petra Willemse · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gah! This one needs a negative review. Talk about silly and contrived. Plus add in the adults who are like cardboard cutouts ignoring their children and you can see why this book irritates me. In my opinion, one of the examples of YA writing gone wrong.

[Ashif · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started out really well and I thought it would be an interesting read. By the time I got half way through you really did not care. It's a quick read so worthwhile if you are at the airport waiting for your plane.

[JaKrysshyanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was awesome. It caught me off guard but I absolutely loved everything about it and the characters. It was very well thought out and you could see that in the writing. It was very captivating and I would 100% read it again

[Jaki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a quick read, supper simple but still very interesting.

[Ninjin Tugsayar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a pretty good book in general. There were a few parts of the book that were boring and lost my attention. At moments they would just go talk about one topic for a really long time which got really boring. This book was really cool too because this book was from the POV of a teenager and it was cool to see how his thought process was compared to mine in certain situations that he encountered. I think this book would target younger people since it is told in a teenagers point of view. You would also need to have a sense of humour because this book has a lot of it. Overall a pretty good book.

[Natasha]

good

[Ally · Rating 2 out of 5]

it was aight, protagonist is infuriating tho

[Mega Handiyani · Rating 3 out of 5]

nama karakter utama yang lucu 'Ted Burger', nama apa ini haha
ini novel terkonyol yang gue baca, tapi lucu, bacaannya ringan.

[4 Landon R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good!

[4 Daniel B · Rating 4 out of 5]

NAH