“It seemed like forever ago, like we’d had this brief but still infinite forever.
Some infinities are bigger than other infinities.” p. 233

Title: The Fault in Our Stars
Author: John Green
Genre: Young Adult; Contemporary Fiction
ISBN: 0525478817
Pages: 336
Year: 2012
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Source: Library
Rating: 5/5

Summary:

Hazel is living with cancer. A miracle drug has given her more time, but she knows she is going to die. Her parents force her to attend a support group in hopes that she might get out and live the life she has left, and Hazel goes just for their sake. But there she meets Augustus, a cute boy who has beaten his cancer by giving up a leg. With Augustus, Hazel finally does start to live. But can a relationship survive when death is always on its heels?

My Thoughts:

How have you guys not forced a John Green book upon me before? The writing is just gorgeous. Sure, Hazel and Augustus speak more like philosophy majors than teenagers, but their conversations are some of the best writing in the book, rather than a simple means to move the story forward. At one point, Augustus tells Hazel, “You are so busy being you that you have no idea how utterly unprecedented you are.” (p. 133). I just melted at that line.

As unrealistic as the dialogue often is, this book is REAL. It is anything but sappy. We see the struggles Hazel and Augustus face in a seemingly impossible relationship where death and illness are prominent subjects. Their pain is actually painful and their happiness, however brief when it comes, made me happy. And I sobbed. And sobbed. And sobbed. It’s a cancer book, however unlike other cancer books it is. Of course it’s going to be sad. But it’s not cheesy and it is SO good.

And for you Young Adult doubters, this is what a YA book can be.

You all need to read this book. John Green has TALENT. I know I am the 2 millionth person to tell you this but seriously. Right now. Go read this book.

Others’ Thoughts: Good Books and Good Wine; Let’s Eat Grandpa; The Avid Reader’s Musings; KellyVision; things mean a lot

Buy It Now: IndieBound