“As the school mourns the death of Hannah Baker, her friend Clay receives a box of tapes with messages she recorded before she died by suicide.” If the synopsis of the Netflix original series 13 Reasons Why isn’t enough to hook you, than here are 13 reasons, in no particular order, that will.

Complete series ~ It spans four seasons: the first three consist of 13 episodes each, while the fourth and final season has 10–totaling 49 episodes. With each installment generally running over 50 minutes, it’s the perfect show to binge-watch!

Unique Timeline ~ Episodes are split between two perspectives: the present and the past. In the present storyline, Clay, the protagonist, receives a set of tapes relating to the tragic death of his peer, Hannah Baker. While the school district and student body are in a frenzy and Clay is devastated and confused, Hannah’s parents are heartbroken and determined to figure out why Hannah took her own life. Through these tapes, a second timeline emerges from the past, detailing the thirteen reasons behind Hannah’s death through her perspective. 

Jay Asher ~ 13 Reasons Why was originally a Young Adult novel published on October 18, 2007, by author Jay Asher and later adapted into a series. The first season premiered on March 31, 2017, and the show concluded in June of 2020. It’s a New York Times bestseller, with millions of copies sold worldwide and translations in over 30 languages. The story is told through the first-person perspective of the protagonist, Clay Jensen, after he receives tapes left behind by Hannah Baker. Copies can be found at your local bookstore or public library. For bookworms who enjoy the discourse of ‘book vs. show’ or for those folks who love comparing differences, this story is perfect for you.

On the flip side ~ If you have already read and adored the novel, try watching the show. While the novel takes place over a single night, the show expands the narrative all the way to graduation. Furthermore, it presents perspectives beyond just the protagonist; rather than being first-person limited, it feels more like third-person omniscient. As for the characters—they are given even more depth! The show took an inch and lengthened it to several miles. If you thought Jay Asher could have done more with his plot and have been craving more sence finishing the novel, than what are you waiting for? 

Selena Gomez ~ Before Australian actress Katherine Langford was cast as Hannah Baker, Selena Gomez auditioned for the role. She was originally meant to be the superstar in the show because of her own personal struggles with anxiety and depression—feeling as though she could relate to the role of Hannah Baker—but she had a change of heart for two reasons. By the time the show was being adapted from paper to played in front of cameras, she felt she had outgrown the age range accepted for the character. Additionally, she didn’t want her fame to distract from the show’s devastating plot. Instead, she became an executive producer, treating the show as a passion project with her mother—bringing awareness to bullying and teen suicide. 

Grief ~ Through Olivia, Hannah Baker’s mother, the audience experiences the pain of losing a loved one. Her character highlights the haunting questions a relative might have: “What happened? How could I have helped? If I had been there, if I had asked what was wrong, if I had noticed more, if, if, what if?” She embodies both grief and guilt. In such a heavy story, it is important to explore how a death affects those left behind—and Kate Walsh played the role to a T.”

Important themes ~ 13 Reasons Why explores the many struggles teenagers face—including bullying, sexual assault, anxiety, depression, and, unfortunately, so much more. It shows the effects these real-life problems have on someone’s life and how others react. Whether they victim-blame the person for being an “’attention-seeker’” or claim that it’s “normal”. It might leave the audience feeling uncomfortable, triggered, or emotional for 49 episodes straight—good. They want you to see; they want these issues to be seen.

Conversation Starters ~ The story raises many important questions, such as: ‘What is considered bullying?’ ‘Who is responsible after a suicide?’ ‘How involved should a school be after a student’s death?’ and ‘What are examples of warning signs?’ Yes, it can be uncomfortable to speak about these heavy topics, and yes, the conversations can become emotionally charged. But should they be talked about anyway? Absolutely! It’s a great way of getting to learn someone as they might share their own experiences, or you could convince people to see a situation from your perspective. Conversations with meaningful topics could inspire effective dialogue, as long as you enter the conversation with both an open mind and heart!

Mystery aspect ~ Why did Clay receive the tapes if Hannah Baker only intended them for the 13 people she held responsible for her death? Before she died, she recorded 13 reasons on seven double-sided tapes, with two rules for those who received them: listen, then pass them on. If the tapes aren’t passed along, a second set will be released publicly by…someone. And the questions stack up— Why were these tapes passed to clay, what did he do, why is he in the tapes, and who has the second set?

🏳‍🌈 LGBTQ+ representation 🏳‍🌈 ~ There’s a handful of queer characters in the story, and each one explores different facets of their sexuality. These include Alex Standall, who is bisexual; Tony Padilla, who is openly gay; Courtney Crimsen, who goes on a journey of self-discovery as a lesbian; and many more. Some of these characters struggle with shame or face homophobia from others and how they overcome those challenges. 

Butterfly Effect ~ Hannah Baker explains how “Everything affects everything”. The comment you leave on a post could be the reason someone deletes it, the joke you tell to make others laugh could be the reason they cry at night, and the rumor you start could be the reason they want to end their life. Though this might come across as a burden, we all know the kind thing to do—the right thing. You could be the cause of a good effect, so don’t give that away to be petty.

Quotes ~ 

“The way I see it, there are two different kinds of death. If you’re lucky, you live a long life and one day your body stops working and it’s over. But if you’re not lucky, you die a little bit over and over until you realize it’s too late.” — Hannah Baker

“The truth doesn’t make it hurt less, but at least it’s the truth.” — Olivia Baker

“It has to get better. The way we treat each other and look out for each other. It has to get better somehow.” — Clay Jensen

“I am more than what happened to me. I am not a victim. I am a survivor.” — Jessica Davis

“I’ve spent my whole life trying to keep my head above water, and I’m just… I’m tired of swimming.” — Justin Foley

“You can’t save a person. You can only love them.” — Tony Padilla

“Do you ever feel like you’re just waiting for the other shoe to drop? Like you don’t deserve to be happy?” — Alex Standall

“I have to be better than everyone else just to be treated as equal. Do you have any idea how much pressure that is?” — Courtney Crimsen

“I just wanted to matter to someone. I just wanted someone to care that I was there.” — Tyler Down

“Is this really who we are? Just a bunch of guys covering for a monster?” — Scott Reed

“I’m trying to be a better person. Isn’t that what’s supposed to happen? We learn and we get better?” — Sheri Holland

“Sometimes it’s easier to just be what people expect you to be, even if it’s not who you really are.” — Zach Dempsey

“The world is a tragedy, but we don’t have to be tragic.” — Ryan Shaver

⚠ Trigger warnings ⚠ ~ While the book is appropriate for mature teens, the show is incredibly graphic and contains violence and sensitive topics. If you have been searching for a list of these topics in an authentic way—great. However, I recommend watching the show with a person close to you, reading the triggers before each season, or simply knowing when to pause it. If not, don’t feel any pressure to engage and/or associate with 13 Reasons Why. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a trusted adult, such as a parent or school counselor. At the end of the day, only you can help yourself; only you can protect your mental health. Take it one step at a time, then one day at a time—one smile or laugh at a time!