On My Bookshelf (43)

This meme for originally inspired by 'In My Mailbox' created by The Story Siren
Other versions are:
Letterbox Love created by Narratively Speaking
Stacking the Shelves created by Tynga's reviews
Showcase Sunday created by Books, Biscuits and Tea

Since my little holiday from blogging as I settle in at university, I've bought QUITE a lot of books without realising. My flatmates have already worked out I'm a book lover, so much so that I've been asked for book recommendations by them. I also got a job at Waterstones here in Bournemouth so having my staff discount again is like...it's amazing.
I've also discovered a massive library here that has a huge fiction section with a lot of books I didn't see in my local libraries at home.

Library:

- Debutantes In Love by Cora Harrison - I've always loved historical fiction especially those set in the early 20th Century (which is why Downton Abbey is like the BEST show - although this series hasn't been fantastic). This is the second book in the Debutantes series by Cora Harrison. The first book has an air of finality for me, so I'm interested to see what happens next in this book for the Derrington sisters. Also, if you remember what happened in the first book, PLEASE let me know!

- Gilt by Katherine Longshore - Ah, the Tudors. I'm starting to realise that I love the Tudors a little bit too much and know so much about it (my whole A-level History was about the Tudors). I've heard lots of good things about this series around the blogosphere and was so happy to see this in the library. It's due back really soon, so hopefully I can renew it...

Bought:

- How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff - This was an author I normally tend to avoid. Mainly, that's because I read What I Was by this author and really disliked it. My friend read Just In Case too and didn't like it either. However, with the upcoming film release that looked SO GOOD, I thought I should give this book a try especially as I've seen a lot of positive reviews around. I found this little bargain in a charity shop for 50p with the traditional Penguin Books cover which I prefer to the original cover. 

- This Song Will Save Your Live by Leila Sales - There are many reasons why this is on my bookshelf. 1) It's being made into a movie with Keira Knightley in, 2) The blurb sounds so good, 3) The amount of rave reviews I've seen by some of my favourite book bloggers is ridiculous, and 4) I was kind of taken by the cover. I have a feeling this is going to be a bit like Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist...

- Let It Snow by Maureen Johnson, John Green and Lauren Myracle - Finally this is published in the UK! It includes two of my FAVOURITE authors - Maureen Johnson and John Green. I'm also reading this for EmmaIsWriting's Christmas Month. 

- Allegiant by Veronica Roth - Do I need to say more? I attended a signing with Veronica Roth in London (OH MY, SO GOOD. More on that later in the week) and got it signed. With the feedback I've seen on the blogosphere and Twitter, this is going to be an interesting read...

- Champion by Marie Lu - After the crazy ending to the second book in this amazing series, Prodigy, I have literally no idea what will happen in the final book. This is a series I actually really, really love and wish it had so much more recognition. If you haven't read it, I would completely and utterly recommend it!

Reviews by these authors: 

Debutantes - Cora Harrison

I was Jane Austen's Best Friend - Cora Harrison

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Paper Towns by John Green

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Legend by Marie Lu

Have you read any of these books? What did you think? What books did you get this week? Let me know in the comments below!

John Green London Event

As soon as I heard via Twitter that John Green, the author of The Fault in Our Stars, Looking for Alaska and Paper Towns among others, was coming to the UK on a tour to promote the paperback release of The Fault in Our Stars (TFIOS), I knew I had to go. I had to.
That was back in December, when I texted my friend - an equally massive fan of John Green's work - who replied with a lot of capital letters and exclamations marks and after a nerve-racking 20 minutes involving a slow computer and an overworked booking system, I was the holder of two tickets to the hottest book event in town. I was going to see John Green in a fancy hall in Chelsea, London with two very good friends. And Hank Green would be there *faints*

(Sorry about the quality of the photos! The lights kind of drowned out the stage on my camera)

Fast forward exactly 6 weeks and I was walking down the ever-so-posh Sloane Street on the way to Cadogan Hall for the John Green event fangirling already with my friend. Now, for those that don't know this area of London, Sloane Street is a shopping street in the heart of London, near Kensington, Knightsbridge and the King's Road (which Kate Middleton went shopping down the day before her wedding). However, I won't be shopping there because EVERY SHOP WAS A DESIGNER SHOP. Literally, all these teenagers were going to a John Green event in one of the poshest areas of London, something I found a little funny.

Waiting for the talk to start clutching my free copy of TFIOS

On arriving to the venue, we were led to this grand hall with a Waterstones bag filled with our already signed book by John and Hank Green and tickets at the ready. It was such a lovely venue really, very intimate despite sitting near the back. After a 10 minute conversation with my friend filled with excitement and just looking at each other saying over and over again 'How did this happen? John Green is HERE', suddenly a Penguin representative was introducing John Green and suddenly John Green was striding across the stage and saying hi through the microphone and there was cheering and clapping and everyone was like 'THIS IS HAPPENING' and ah, it was magical really.

John Green reading from book

John Green talked a little bit about his book and how he came up with the idea and the long, long process it took to write it and then read the first few pages of The Fault in Our Stars (after borrowing a copy from an audience member whose name he couldn't say) and with one of the best views, I realised how lucky I really was to be sitting there, laughing at John Green's jokes and listening to a guy who wrote one of the best books I have had the fortune to read. I mean I feel bad for going compared to those that didn't go, like Lucy from Queen of Contemporary because it was just one of the best experiences ever.

Maureen Johnson asking Hank and John Green
the questions

Soon, Hank Green came on (John Green's brother who does a lot of YouTube videos) and sung some songs , none of which I really knew too well but I loved them anyway. The Book 8 song about the Harry Potter series finishing? IT IS STILL STUCK IN MY HEAD. Then, Maureen Johnson was walking on the stage! I was going to go to a Maureen Johnson event a couple of months ago but couldn't go in the end which I was a little upset about so having her there, in front of me was a bit surreal. So there was John Green, Hank Green and Maureen Johnson all on the stage with Maureen asked questions to the Greens. The talk closed with John and Hank Green singing I Would Walk 500 Miles by The Proclaimers which was funny with their American accents and the whole crowd's English accent over the top.

I did manage a sneaky shot as they started the 
signing in better lighting. 

 I didn't get to meet in person John Green (I was sitting near the back and they started with the balcony and we knew it would take ages and we had a signed book already anyway!) but I am so, so glad I was one of the lucky ones able to attend the event. It was one of the best afternoons I've had and I don't think I've laughed so much in 90 minutes. John Green is someone entirely special to me and many others. His books just make me feel like I'm not the only person in the world feeling like his characters do, that reading should be encouraged rather than discouraged with its association with geekiness. Not only have I loved all the Green books I've read, but they've also helped me forge friendships with others. I first realised my friend, Emma and I's common interest in books when I noticed Emma was reading The Fault in Our Stars under the desk in an English class. And when our English teacher showed a video about The Great Gatsby with John Green in and Emma and I were the only ones to shout 'That's John Green!'. The friend I went to the event with, Ellie, one of the first topics we talked about when we first met in Classics last year was John Green's book when I saw her reading one. My first John Green book, Looking for Alaska, was given to me by my best friend. John Green's books unites everyone - bloggers, nerdfighters, friends - which showed me that you're never alone.
If you haven't read The Fault In Our Stars yet, you need to right now. I have never read anything so perfect.

Me with my proud Waterstones bag

My signed book with John Green's signature
and a Hankler fish! 

Will Grayson, Will Grayson - John Green & David Levithan

This book has been collecting dust on my bookshelf for a while now and I decided that now was the time to read this after hearing some lovely reviews from both bloggers and friends. One of my friends even mentioned it was 'the best John Green novel they had read' which is recommendation enough, hey?
I am a big fan of both John Green and David Levithan in their own rights, both of which have written books which are some of my favourites so I was anticipating something amazing in this book. Something extraordinary with two such talented authors.

Synopsis: One night in Chicago, on a unusual corner, Will Grayson meets Will Grayson. The two teens are completely different apart from sharing the same name. As their worlds collide, the two Will's start doing new things, moving in different directions discovering romance and themselves all leading up to the biggest, most epic musical of all time.

Review: This book was neither OHMYGODSOGOOD or I hate this book. It was one of those middle books. Nothing too shabby, nothing terrible. I think part of my conclusion for this book is all down to timing.
The last books I have read by these authors were serious stuff. John Green, it was The Fault in Our Stars (the BEST book ever) and for David Levithan, The Lover's Dictionary. For those that have read both or at least one of these books, you'll see what I mean by seriousness.
So then I am presented with this book. A book full of light hearted humour, a lot of gay references and just overall, quite entertaining. This isn't a book with deep psychological meaning, no way. But it is a book that made me think, laugh, smile and be sad, all in one 200-odd page book.

The two Will Grayson's are narrated in alternating chapters. It's clear from the start which one is which author. I have to say I much preferred John Green's Will Grayson. I found him sarcastic, funny and altogether charming, the kind of person and character I like and as usual reminded me of the whole cast of John Green characters. I just felt he was easier to get into.
David Levithan's Will Grayson. Well. I have nothing against this character. But I found him a little too moody, rude and just a little annoying. I felt for him at many times, I really did. But I always anticipated John Green's chapters over David Levithan's. And David? The whole lower-case thing? So infuriating for someone who does English Literature! I liked why you did it (there was an interview between you and John at the back of the book explaining your reasoning) but seriously, there should be a warning on the front 'inappropriate grammar used'. Whoa.

The thing that confused me a little about this book was that is what the synopsis and title implies - the book doesn't do or live up to it. It implies this will be all about the two Will Grayson's. The two Will's and how they interact, maybe like they do something to ruin each other's lives or whatever. Maybe this is just my own synopsis but yeah, that doesn't happen.
The main character for me of this book is Tiny Cooper. Yep. THAT is his name. Tiny is an, erm, unique character. He is rather tall, large and incredibly strong (yeah haha, called Tiny...) but he is also incredibly...gay. Tiny for me did gel the book together, make this book much more entertaining than if it was just the two Grayson's. The book charters the lead up to the staging of Tiny's musical, Tiny Dancer about, you've guessed it, him! Tiny is QUITE a character and someone who had me smiling throughout reading.
This books is all about Tiny, truly. But I think this is because he is the common link between the Will Grayson - he links them together therefore, he features in both sides of narration.

Moving away from the characters, this book works with the blend of David Levithan and John Green's styles, which I have to admit I think are quite similar. This book is not only for entertainment value. It is also about relationships, people - how to deal with both. The issue of people being gay and the different reactions to that. The book deals with lots of different things within the subject of friendships and relationships; I have to admit I did take some things away from the book.

This book was purely entertainment for me. There are some lovely messages that you could get from the end but ultimately, I enjoyed this because of the humour and the antics of the characters within the book. It was very different from what I expected and due to having read serious books by these authors, I don't think I enjoyed it as much as I could of. This book was okay, nothing terrible, nothing amazing.
Tiny Cooper makes this book (even though he was a little annoying at times). And John Green's Will Grayson. And Jane. (ohwillgraysonandjanearethebestcouple!). Basically, the characters make this book unique and interesting. Very good and clever idea, David and John.

I give it a 3.5 out of 5

Authors Website: http://johngreenbooks.com/ and http://www.davidlevithan.com/
Pages: 304
Publisher: Dutton
Challenges: None

Related Posts:
Review: Dash and Lily's Book of Dares - David Levithan and Rachel Cohn
Review: The Lover's Dictionary - David Levithan

Review: The Fault in Our Stars - John Green
Review: Looking for Alaska - John Green
Review: Paper Towns - John Green

The Fault in Our Stars - John Green

So I bought my copy of this in January after it came out, but unlike my peers, I didn't read it straight away. I'm a John Green fan but obviously not a huge one at the time. I wanted to read this book...and the copy I bought at my work was signed so erm, SCORE.

My friend, Emma, read it straight away. Within a day I believe, and that day she was reading it was the day I realised how awesome her book choices are and so begun a BEAUTIFUL relationship.
Another friend, George, then did a book swap a couple of weeks ago with myself and Emma. She read Emma's copy of The Fault in Our Stars WITHIN TWO DAYS. And one of those she was working. With these two and others battering at me to read this book because it was - I quote - 'fricking amazing', I thought it was time. My reaction?
OH MY REBECCA, WHY DIDN'T YOU READ THIS SOONER?!

Synopsis: Hazel is 16, a typical teenager with Stage IV thyroid cancer. She was due to die when she was diagnosed at 12 but after a medical miracle at 14, she is on borrowed time - connected forever to an oxygen tank to help her 'crap lungs'. At 16, Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. Enter Augustus Waters, a 17 year-old remission who suddenly appears at her Cancer Support Group. 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.


Review: A slight warning but this review is going to be me ranting and rambling about how great this book is because, well, it certainly is.

When you start this book and are introduced to the extraordinary characters of Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters, there is this little nagging feeling deep down, where you know as a reader how and when this will end. It has evolved out of cliches in other less appreciated books I guess but you know something bitterly terrible will happen - you're just not quite sure what. I started this book and read most of it with a solid idea of what would happen in my head, like many others did. However, then, around 70% of the way through, I was hit by this bomb that changed by views, emotions and ultimately, the narrative of this book. 

I can tell you now, it is rare for me to cry over a book. In fact, I don't think I have ever cried over events in a book, how sad I may find it. I'm just not the type of person to show these emotions over something like a book. However, TFIOS made me well up with the emotion and just the beautiful writing that John Green gave me as a reader in this book. If any reader of this book does not find the events extremely sad or cry physically, I would doubt they had read the book at all. 

Here is a point that I think sums up the amazingness and superiority of this book. 

Most of the time I read books, however much I enjoy it, however high I rate the book I'm reading, there is always this point where the narrative dips slightly - where the reader (or me at least) am slightly bored or don't understand. It's in mostly every single book and movies. For example, my favourite musical movie has to be Hairspray (from 2005). But the part where Tracy's parents are making up and then, Maybelle and the others go on that march and Queen Latifah's singing so nicely and like 'Yeah, we'll beat them'. Watchers of this movie, you understand which bit I'm talking about? I find that bit boring. So boring - the song 'You're Timeless to Me' I find a little weird with John Travolta dressed as a woman and although I like Queen Latifah's singing and the song itself, I prefer the more bouncy songs like 'You Can't Stop the Beat'. But I still love this movie regardless.

   So where am I going with this then? Well, as we've established every book has his section, however small, where it isn't as great or a tad boring/frustrating - even the best ones. But The Fault in Our Stars is without any of these moments for me. I was hooked from the first sentence and thrown back out at the end in slight shock and awe at this book. It is truly brilliant.

Some people criticise John Green for using the same characters in all his stories but putting them in different situations - much like they do with Sarah Dessen for her books. But this time, well, for those that didn't like his use of the same characters, do not fear because this is the complete opposite. Hazel is no Alaska or Margot. Augustus is far from Miles nor Quentin. Hazel and Augustus are unique in every way and they became characters I loved to see and hear about. Their conversations are hilarious and they do seem although doomed, like the perfect couple. In short, boy, any girl that reads this book would want their personal Hazel and Augustus as their BFF's. 

Many people have said they do not talk like teenagers. Erm, I am a teenager and that hardly bothered me because many of the conversations were like ones I have myself with friends. They may not be typical teens - but they are from the era, we have to remember that.

The thing I found the most amazing was the twist and turns of my emotions while reading. John Green gives you this book with a rollercoaster of emotions felt for the situation and the character's themselves. Through the majority of the book, I was happy and found the book rather funny and warming until literally in a page this changes completely.

I shan't say any more. If you really are interested with this book and want to know more, I suggest you read it than read more of my rambles - this is the best book I have ever read - it has changed my views on death (something I do fear) and of cancer itself. I know Hazel and Augustus's story will never ever quite leave me. I shall leave you with some quotes:

'That's the thing about pain...it demands to be felt'

'It seemed like forever ago, like we've had this brief but still infinite forever. Some infinities are bigger than other infinities 

'The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves'

I give it 5 out of 5

Author's Website: http://johngreenbooks.com/

Pages: 313

Publisher: Dutton

Challenges: None

I found some great websites with reviews and an interview with John Green that are interesting, courtesy of Emma - Review  |  Interview

Other reviews of John Green's Books: Looking for Alaska  |  Paper Towns

Paper Towns - John Green

After reading Looking for Alaska, I entered the world of John Green's writing. The only pieces of writing that have had me laughing continuously out loud, page after page. You get those times when you think 'Oh that's funny' but don't laugh, or times when you chuckle at a line and then put back on 'Serious Reading Face' but I never really laugh so much, I have to stop reading. Until now.

Not even Looking for Alaska did that to me...this one did however.

Synopsis: Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life--dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge--he follows.

After their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues--and they're for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees of the girl he thought he knew.

(From Goodreads.com)

Review: This book is the first time any book has made me laugh out loud continuously - it is that funny. John Green's debut novel, Looking for Alaska made me laugh a couple of times but more of a chuckle. This one had me full blown laughing to myself in my room. This also makes me sound quite sad, but I liked this book. 

It was the character's unique, one-lined expressions that did this to me and it didn't just happen at one specific point, oh no, multiple points. This was my favourite line of the book, I must admit:

' "Just call me if you have any questions but with the Vaseline, you want the one that's bigger than your fist. There's like a Baby Vaseline, and then there's a Mommy Vaseline, and then there's a big fat Daddy of a Vaseline and that's the one you want. But if they don't have that, then get, like, three of the Mommy Vaselines"'

Okay, so not the most hilarious literature you've ever seen probably, but this line had me in stitches. I really liked this book. 


After having my second experience of John Green, I can justify to say that he does what Sarah Dessen does, and what makes people like her. Sarah Dessen uses the same kind of outline plot and the same kind of characters eg. the girl has a problem of some sort. John Green does this but more.
Quentin, the main character, is Miles in Looking for Alaska. Margo is Alaska. There is a main concept to the book that runs throughout. The Great Perhaps and Paper Towns. They are the same kind of book but John Green has made them seem so different. Only if you read others of his do you realise the similarities. This might annoy, frustrate some people. I, however, like this. I like the familiarities and the fact you can guess what is going to happen, yet it still surprises you. 


The characters are what make the book, I think. Quentin is a nerd, a social outcast in the hierarchy of American high school, yet he is popular among his own kind (the nerds) and has a secret crush on Margo, his childhood friend who is at the top of the hierarchy - everyone wants to be her friend. Despite him being the 'weird one' that every school has many of, I would like to be his friend if he were real. 
Then, there is Ben. Oh...Ben. Ben is Q's best friend who wants to climb the social ladder and is a typical, girls-obsessed guy. He is also the funniest of the bunch, behaving like both a teenager with a sense of humour and a little five-year-old handful for Q and Radar to look after like parents.
Radar is Q's other best friend who is obsessed with Omnictionary, a parody of Wikipedia which he updates regularly on the pages to make sure they are up to date. Although, he is occasionally funny due to his sarcasm, he seems the guy with all the answers to me. However, about 80% of the way through the book, I suddenly realised, and I don't mean this in a bad way, he was black. I seriously did not realise this throughout and the book and although it wouldn't worry me if he was black, it surprised me of it not being mentioned before hand, unless done on purpose (or possibly it had said and it hadn't computed in my mind he was). And even when they do mention it, it's as a joke:


'"Oh no, you didn't," Radar says when I show him why we're laughing, "Ben Starling, you better not have bought your token black friend a racist shirt"'


This reminded me of Boys Don't Cry by Malorie Blackman which apparently similar. 


The writing isn't what you call amazing, fluent or poetic but it's simple and understandable, how I like it. It also really does feel like Quentin is talking to you about the whole experience which is nice.
The story is mostly upbeat and nicely paced. There was a lull moment in the middle where it seemed to drag slightly but once they got on the road trip, it quickened up and became as funny as it always had again. The book is spilt into three parts. The Strings, The Grass, The Vessel which after reading the book, I understand these names mostly apart from The Grass. It's nicely done and spilt out evenly. 
The clues to finding Margo conjoined with the narrative and the feeling Q is a friend make the book quite adventurous and made me care about her and want to know what the clues meant that they found. I was finding out with them, what the evidence meant and where Margo was. It was very cleverly put together.


Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Although, some reviews have said that the ending is bad compared to the rest of the book (which I can see why), it's nice and ends quite ambiguously, a lot like Margo is herself. You can, however, guess what happens afterwards, which I think is always nice as it can be different for everyone. This book is incredibly entertaining and is a great summer read for anyone that has a sense of humour and enjoys these kind of books. I would definitely recommend this one over Looking for Alaska, although both are good in the own right. I am definitely going to look for more John Green books. 


I give a 4.5 out of 5


Author's Website: http://johngreenbooks.com/
Pages: 305
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Challenges: None


My Review of Looking for Alaska

Looking for Alaska - John Green

This is my first book for John Green and I've heard mixed reviews many times about this one, his debut. This, as far as I know, is the only John Green book avaliable in England right now and I have seen it countless of times both in the blogosphere and in the shops.
This was bought for me by one of my best friends, Tijana for my birthday in February. She wanted apparently to get me another book but the lovely proper bookshop that she went to, The Lion and The Unicorn, didn't have it so she got me this one as I had said that I wanted to read it, so here it is.

Synopsis: Miles Halter transfers from his childhood school in Florida to an exclusive boarding school in steamy Alabama, Culver Creek, to look for the 'Great Perhaps' quoted in the poet, Francois Rabelais' last words. Here, he finds many unique friends, including the funny, self-destructive Alaska, and many new and excting adventures, and of course pranks. Here as he tries to understand himself and his peers, he is pulled into Alaska's labyrinth that leads to some shocking consequences.


Review: I really liked this book, I really did. However, there are two small things that let it down, and from reading other reviews on this book, I know I'm not the only one that things these things.

Number 1: The book is in two parts, the chapters marked with the days leading up to the ultimate, shocking event (I am trying not to tell you too much because I read ahead of myself and found out beforehand and was shocked - I will be vague), both with 136 days before and after the event. Anyway, the first half was so good. Amazing even. I loved Mile's voice and how original all his friends are compared to other novels like this one. They are all such unique people with their own personality and not cliched or anything, however, you could also relate them to your own friends e.g. Alaska reminded me of my friend, George.
However, in the days afterwards, it started to go downhill. It started to get tedious, boring, went on and on about the same thing. It was also much shorter, or at least seemed it, than the first part which in the way I see it from the title, the 'After' bit is the whole point of the naming of the book. The book ended ambiguously too and it seemed a little rushed in a way that like you suddenly found out what they were looking for in about ten pages. I don't know....for me, it just wasn't how a book like this should end and it disappointed me slightly. There is an essay in response to an exam he is supposed to have done and well, would you really swear in your coursework? No way.

Number 2: Alaska started to get on my nerves. I know this was the whole point of her, that she was so two-faced in a way, but well, one minute she was all kind and happy. And then the next, she's screaming at them to go away and saying horrible, disturbing things. It was just so contrasting and I haven't met a person like that at all, so I guess I don't really understand what it's like but still, the fact that the novel is named after her, she was awfully annoying. That's it really.

This book held both good and bad points. The characters, both teachers and students (The Eagle and Takumi made me laugh) and descriptions were all so original and different to many things I've read before. You get to see into what it's like to be a teenager and John Green has done this successfully as well, the things they did DO happen now e.g. nicknames for people, smoking. I should know as I am their age in the book: 16. The 'After' bit held really good and emotional points which illistrated the grief caused by such an event and how different people deal with it. It was nice to see the union of Colonel and Miles after the event and how they ARE like Alaska so rightly says, like a married couple, which makes me think of people I know who act like a marriage couple a lot. It's just so funny and interesting to see how they have become so close to be that friendly and act in that way, although of the same sex.
There is more humour within it than that including the last words carefully chosen (Miles has an obsession with last words of historical figures)

I would really recommend this book to anyone that doesn't mind the dark events, it really is a good Young Adult book with some amazing bits in it that are so well done.
My copy of the book is the one above and you will only understand the significance of the flower when you read it through the whole way (it isn't a massive one but it is pretty big). There is a lot of foreshadowing in this book that you don't even realise when reading it normally - only at the end.

Overall, I think John Green has done a great job, especially as this was his debut, however, there are points where it isn't as good and slightly rushed. It does give a good insight into a teenager's live and how they deal with big personal issues such as the main event in the novel and acts as a lesson for other teenagers on how to deal with their grief and guilt. I really enjoyed this books still though, despite some of the low points. I am going to look for more of his books in the future.
THANK YOU TIJANA! :)

(Sorry for the vagueness!)

I give it 4 out 5

Author's Website: http://johngreenbooks.com/
Pages: 263
Publisher: Harper Collins
Challenges: None