Blake Reviews Looking for Alaska

Author: John Green
Publisher: Speak
Release Date: 28 December 2006
Format: Paperback
Series: None
Source: Gift
Pages: 231

Before. Miles "Pudge" Halter's whole existence has been one big nonevent, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave the "Great Perhaps" (François Rabelais, poet) even more. Then he heads off to the sometimes crazy, possibly unstable, and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed-up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young, who is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart.

After. Nothing is ever the same

Last year my boyfriend bought me all of John Green's books. He worked at a bookstore and seemed really surprised that I had never read book by him. I've heard a lot about Green and his stories, but I had never experienced one for myself. What is wrong with me, you ask? I have been asking myself the same question. I really enjoyed Looking for Alaska, and I'm looking forward to reading all of his other books on my shelf.

It's hard to put my finger on exactly what it was about this book that kept me engrossed in it's pages. I think it had something to do with how realistic the story and the characters were. Nothing seemed too farfetched or unbelievable. The boarding school experience seemed accurate, although I have never been to a boarding school myself. Maybe I'm wrong? I've always been curious about boarding schools, and what they're really like on the inside... like a secret society full of teenagers.

If you're thinking about reading this book, but you have an issue with swearing, I would not recommend this book for you. They are legit teenagers that drink, smoke, and swear. They sneak off campus, play pranks on others, and generally see how much trouble they can make without getting expelled. It was interesting to see what they would come up with next. 

There is a thick layer of mystery surrounding the main group of friends in this book. Their lives before Culver Creek aren't really discussed, and the author isn't forthcoming with very many details. We see them for who they are at the Creek, and not much else. I think that's why The Big Sad Event didn't make me all that sad. I was sorry that it happened, but it didn't cause me throw the book down and cry. (That has happened to me before.)

Miles, or Pudge, had an interest in last words. I loved discovering what people had said right before they died. I've never thought much about my own death, but now I know I want to say something meaningful before I go. Maybe something funny? I don't know. I guess it won't really matter at that point. 

Looking for Alaska was good. I didn't want to put the book down once I picked it up, but I still can't explain why. There's just something about the writing and the overall feel of the book that made it great. Also, there are some amazing quotes. I used a lot of sticky notes while I read this.

Need a second opinion?
Good Books and Good Wine
Books Devoured
Consumed by Books

Simply Quotes.

I don't really think I have to go into why I think John Green is amazing.  Most people who have read John Green know that is amazing.  I mean, how could you not?  I figured it would be a good week to pick a quote from TFIOS.  I just seems right to me.  Please enjoy!

Review: Fault in Our Stars

Author: John Green
Release Date: January 10, 2012
Publisher: Dutton Books
Pages: 313
Source: Bought
[add on Goodreads]

Summary:  Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now. 

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

My Favorite Lines:  Oh.  My.  Gosh.  There is absolutely no way to choose, but I shall provide some examples of why the book is phenomenal.

“Some people don't understand the promises they're making when they make them," I said."Right, of course. But you keep the promise anyway. That's what love is. Love is keeping the promise anyway.” 

“Oh, I wouldn't mind, Hazel Grace. It would be a privilege to have my heart broken by you.” 

“Without pain, how could we know joy?' This is an old argument in the field of thinking about suffering and its stupidity and lack of sophistication could be plumbed for centuries but suffice it to say that the existence of broccoli does not, in any way, affect the taste of chocolate.” 

Why I Loved It:  There is no one in the world of YA like John Green.  Granted I have only read two books, but the library is going to help me rectify that.  Still The Fault in Our Stars?  Incredible, phenomenal, with a clean intelligence that thrilled me to the core so many times.  I reread passages over and over because of that thrill.  John Green has a way of expressing the world in the language of nerds.  I've never heard love described in terms of math and loved it.  John Green accomplishes so much n this book in a way that I want everyone to read.  I feel about as feverish about this book as Hazel felt about An Imperial Affliction.  I was overtaken by an "evangelical zeal" when I started recommending this book.  People who don't normally go for YA will still love John Green.  For me, he doesn't fit into a category because there is no boxing him in.

His main characters in this book are pretentious, intelligent, and wise about life.  Hazel and Augustus both have experienced cancer.  Gus lost a leg to it.  Hazel fights it everyday with lungs that "suck at being lungs."  Both of them see the world in a way that many will never see it.  Cancer is a side effect of living, and Gus and Hazel call themselves side effects.  I've never had cancer, and I pray to avoid it.  But my grandmother has battled it.  In the book it talks about cancer is so hard because cancer is made up of the person battling it.  It makes it harder to fight when you are battling part of yourself.

I really have no words to express the colossal and honest genuinely that is the work of one John Green.  All I can say is please take the time, if you haven't already, to read this book.  You will not be sorry.

        

Top Ten Favorite Romances

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Favorite Romances

This meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  Go check them out. 

1.  Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

2.  Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

3.  Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

4.  Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

5.  Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

6.  Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

7.  The Princess Bride by William Goldman

8.  The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern 

9.  The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

10.  My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick 

That's my list.  Pure and simple.  I have not enough energy to defend myself with explanations.

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Authors I'd Like to See on Reality TV/Authors That Should Have Their Own Show

This meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  Go check them out.  

I confess that I don't watch a lot of reality TV, and what I do watch is musically inclined.  Either way, I really like this topic.

1.  John Green

I love watching his videos along with his brother Hank.  I think they would make a great team on pretty much anything.  I think it would be pretty awesome if they could team up on The Apprentice.  Trump wouldn't know what to do.  

2 and 3. Myra McEntire and Rachel Hawkins

I saw another blog had listed these two together as well.  I got so excited.  These two crack me up on Twitter all the time.  No existing show is probably good enough.  They need their own where they can just make observations all the time.  Both of them are SO funny.  I'm reading Myra's Hourglass right now and there is so much giggling!

4 and 5.  Michael Grant and Suzanne Collins

I'm more than certain that this man could totally take on anyone in a round of Survivor.  When I listened to him on a panel last month, he talked about being homeless and dealing with all kinds of crazy.  But look at him now.  Yep, he could take on anybody.. except maybe Ms. Collins.  I mean after writing the Hunger Games, surely she has some survivor skills herself?  I'd bet on her. (wink*wink*)

6.  Stephanie Perkins

Really, I had to include Stephanie.  I'm pretty sure she's standing on a diamond-encrusted pedestal in my head, and I will meet her one day.  I think she deserves her own show, and anything else that will increase that celebrity status of hers.  She's SO funny on Twitter.  And I love her hair.  Really America needs such an idol to look up to.  They are free to borrow the diamond-encrusted pedestal.  

7.  Maggie Stiefvater

So, though I realize she is perfectly and happily married, I would love to see Maggie on The Bachelor.  For one, she's hysterical, and you never know what she'll say.  Secondly, she loves to watch people cry.  She'd be in heaven with all these girls bawling over this and that.  Besides, if the show won't get them to cry, she could just hand them one of her books.  

8.  Maureen Johnson

I'm pretty sure she's going to pop up on a lot of people's list.  She's too funny not to.  I'm think Real World UK.  Her observations in England from Twitter were just too funny, and always made my day.  

9.  Jesse Andrews

Put him on any show where he can wear really zany socks and wave his arms about when he talks.  He's very funny, a little hard on himself, and incredibly attractive in that slightly nerdy way that a lot of girls around the world love.  Hence, perfect for reality TV, right?

10.  Michelle Zink

I think a mom-type reality show.  She's such a mom in the absolutely best way.  Sure she likes creepy things and listening to creepy things and writing creepy things, but I bet she would totally beat out anyone on the mom front along with her mad writing skills. 

Did you make a list this week?  Leave me and link and let me check it out!