Tag: The Fault in Our Stars

Before we discuss the book:

It’s a new year and I decided to participate in some reading challenges. As you might expect, I’d like to share what I think about what I read. The problem is that most of the books in the challenges are young adult and adult level. Since I have blogged about children’s books for so long, it feels a bit odd to change gears now. On the other hand, I haven’t been blogging as much here as I would like and adding in reviews of a variety of books might perk things up.

So, loyal readers, what do you think?



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Challenge book #1 (Young Adult)

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green has a huge fault, but it isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, its fault is that it is way too good.

Over the years, I have begun to realize that the used books in the bookstore are on the shelf because someone didn’t care enough about them to want to read them again or give them to a friend. Usually you can find at least one person, however, who didn’t like a book that is fairly good and so you, the inveterate bibliophile with a limited expense account, get to snag a cheaper copy.

The used bookstore rule did not work with The Fault in Our Stars. There was not a single used copy of this book in my favorite store. Not the first time. Not the second time. It is just too good. I had to pay full price. (If the used bookstore rule and the movie deal don’t convince you this book has garnered a lot of interest, check out Amazon:  34,120 Reviews as of today!)

The plot:  Hazel is a teen suffering from terminal cancer, depression, and from being forced to attend Cancer Kid Support Group. The support group pays off, however, when handsome Augustus Waters shows up and spends his time staring at her. Will this budding romance grow?

My comments:  The Fault in Our Stars has is all. Love, death (keep a tissue box on hand), deep thoughts, math (!) and empowerment for those with cancer. I have to admit reading the summary made me concerned that it might be sappy. It is the opposite of sappy in every way.

I did think that one scene was a bit awkward and felt out of place. Perhaps because the event was awkward? I can’t describe it here because it would be a spoiler, but if you read it, I think you know which scene I’m talking about.

In conclusion, if you are interested in literature then The Fault in Our Stars is a must read. If nothing else, maybe you can be the one disgruntled customer who will sell your copy back to the used bookstore. I doubt it, however.

So, did you find a used copy?

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Speak; Reprint edition (April 8, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 014242417X
ISBN-13: 978-0142424179