After I have warned you that I'm absolutely NO good at writing book reviews, I should be honest and tell you that I never intended to read this book. Sure, I had heard all the hulabaloo (ooooh, I have ALWAYS wanted to use that word in a post!), but it wasn't my kind of read. I thought it would be too depressing. I thought it would be a total downer. And I hate to cry. I deal with enough sad stuff on a daily basis with Paws and Learn so I like my reading to be an escape, to be light. So, pass.But when a friend buys you a copy - and a signed copy at that! Well, you have to break open that book and dive in. So I did.
And I could not put it down. From the moment that I met Augustus Waters and Hazel Grace, I was in love with them. Their story swept me up and carried me along. What great characters. What fun banter. But it's more than a love story. It's a story about letting go.
Will I be remembered? Did my life matter?
This resonated with me, having lost two close friends far too young to cancer in the last couple of years. That was their fear and the hardest part of letting go of this life. It was my fear, and part of why I left television production to form Paws and Learn. But I'm getting away from the book (because I'm really bad at reviews, I did mention that didn't I?).
You MUST read this book. MUST.
I loved it so much that I'm going to read it again. Yes, this book that I never had any intention of reading is going to be read again this week. Immediately. As soon as I crawl into bed, I'm cracking open the pages again.
I have to thank Jes for sending it to me. For reaching down into the rut I was stuck in with books and thrusting her hand in to save me. I almost want to cry thinking that I would have missed out entirely if she had not bought me this wonderful, wonderful book.
So go - order it on Amazon, check it out from the library, borrow it from a friend, download it to your Kindle, do whatever it is you do to read. You can thank me when you're done (though I bet you'll be thanking me by page 19).
What about you - do you get into reading ruts and have trouble breaking out of a particular genre? What's the last book you read - and loved - that you hadn't intended on reading?
I need to read my copy, because it's a recent release, because I own it, and because it's John Green. But I'm kind of worried it won't live up to the hype for me. What if I'm *that girl* it just doesn't work for? That would be awful! But I will, promise. Just as soon as I reread The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (hey, at least I'm reading *something* I own).
ReplyDeleteHmm...I'm embarrassed to say I've never heard of it! Where have I been!? Going to look it up and see what it's all about right this minute! Glad you're out of your reading rut!! I love a book so good you have to read it again. Rare things they are, too.
ReplyDeleteAlright, I'm definitely buying it. Wonderful review. I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteoh, my goodness. Now you're talking about this book, too! Everybody's going on about how great it is, but I have to tell you, I'm like you are. I don't want to read such a sad book! But you're saying do it... :D
ReplyDeleteI also have heard all the hulabuloo (yes, a fabulous word!) and am currently reading it now, so am glad to hear your thoughts. I'll probably finish it tomorrow. :) Thanks for the review, I think you did a splendid job. And as for reading ruts, I get into them. Because I'm currently writing science fiction I was reading all the science fiction I could get my hands on, but I'm glad to be getting out of a science fiction rut and read new stuff. John Green is great! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are good at book reviews, Jennie!
ReplyDeleteI've downloaded many of my blogger buddies' books and been surprised by a few that are outside of my normal genres.
Well, if you felt this compelled to write a review, I am downloading it IMMEDIATELY. I love recommendations!
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