<P> Thirteen Reasons Why is a young adult novel written in 2007 by Jay Asher . It is the story of a young high school student as she descends into despair brought on by betrayal and bullying, culminating with her suicide . She details the thirteen reasons why in an audio diary which was mailed to a friend two weeks after her death . </P> <P> Thirteen Reasons Why has received recognition and awards from several young adult literary associations, and the paperback edition reached #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list in July 2011 . A screenplay was written, based on the original release of the book, that became the basis of the dramatic television series 13 Reasons Why, a thirteen - episode series released through Netflix on March 31, 2017 . The screenplay contains several deviations from the book, including, but not limited to, name changes, plot elements and character personalities . </P> <P> Thirteen Reasons Why was first published in hardcover on October 18, 2007 by RazorBill, a young adult imprint of Penguin Books . The audiobook on CD was released at the same time by Listening Library, a division of Penguin Books, featuring the voices of Debra Wiseman as Hannah and Joel Johnstone as Clay . </P> <P> The novel was published in trade paperback format by Penguin Young Readers Group, a division of Penguin Random House on June 14, 2011 . Thirteen Reasons Why had remained in hardcover long past the usual one - year release - to - paperback schedule due to its continued grassroots popularity and sales fueled by author participation . </P>

When was the book 13 reasons why published