From the Bookshelf of Around the World in 80 Books…

Looking for Alaska

John Green

Start date: December 1, 2013

Finish date: December 31, 2013

Discussion: Group Reads Discussions

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By Diane , Armchair Tour Guide · 3 posts · 1370 views

last updated Jan 18, 2013 07:12PM

I've Been Waiting
By Carole · 1 post · 14 views

last updated Sep 16, 2025 07:57PM

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What Members Thought

Jul 06, 2018 Tanya rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2018, genre-young-adult, format-ebook

I liked the characters but I am also glad to have moved on from that sort of angst and drama. I can’t decide if this is a book I would recommend to my older teen (I don’t for my younger one—though she picked out this book for me from the PBS Great American Read list). I think there is a depressive quality about this that leads me to dissuade my older teen from picking up this book at this time though overall I see that there are important questions and resolutions here to some of the tougher asp ...more

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Jun 19, 2012 Laura (booksnob) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2012, young-adult, printz-award

Miles made a life changing decision when he decided to enroll at Culver Creek Boarding School for his junior year. The only thing he left behind was his parents as Miles had no friends and zero possibilities. He felt stagnated in Florida and wanted to venture into "The Great Perhaps".

Miles is a witty, intelligent narrator who loved to read biographies and memorize famous last words.
"Francois Rabelais. He was this poet. And his last words were 'I go to seek a Great perhaps.' That's why I'm going Miles made a life changing decision when he decided to enroll at Culver Creek Boarding School for his junior year. The only thing he left behind was his parents as Miles had no friends and zero possibilities. He felt stagnated in Florida and wanted to venture into "The Great Perhaps".

Miles is a witty, intelligent narrator who loved to read biographies and memorize famous last words.
"Francois Rabelais. He was this poet. And his last words were 'I go to seek a Great perhaps.' That's why I'm going. So I don't have to wait until I die to start seeking a Great perhaps." Pg. 5.

At Culver Creek, Miles earns himself the nickname, Pudge, because he is so skinny. His roommate, the Colonel, is a intelligent, short in stature, teen who hates rich people. Down the hall lives the most beautiful elusive girl, that Miles has even seen. He falls instantly in love with Alaska, who is a train wreck waiting to happen. Alaska teaches Miles "Pudge" how to love, get to 3rd base, smoke, create fabulous pranks, celebrate life and more. Alaska is essentially, a life changer, a force of nature, and a whirlwind of emotions.

Green has created a fabulous cast of characters who will make you laugh, cry and ultimately capture your heart. Once you start reading Looking for Alaska it is hard not to get caught up in the labyrinth. Looking for Alaska is a philosophical look at the turns you take in life and how twisted the labyrinth is. One of the teachers creates a final exam where students must ask themselves what the most important question facing people is and answer it according to the three religions they studied in class. Alaska's questions is: "How will we ever get out of this labyrinth of suffering?"Pg. 158

Looking for Alaska is a intelligent, brilliant novel for teens and adults alike. It is a coming of age novel that is unique, daring and downright enjoyable to read. From the first page to the last word, this book will have you quickly turning pages and savoring the unique moments.
Once you meet Alaska you won't ever be the same.

My last words in the blog post will be one of the Colonel's cheers because they made me laugh. Enjoy!

Cornbread!
Chicken!
Rice!
Peas!
WE GOT HIGHER SATs.
Hip Hip Hip Hooray!
YOU"LL BE WORKING FOR US SOMEDAY!

...more

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Jun 08, 2013 Jean-Marie rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, fiction

"Looking for Alaska" is not as good as "The Fault in Our Star," in my opinion, but it's another well-written young adult novel by John Green. It gave me an "Almost Famous" type of vibe. John Green seems to be taking the young adult crowd by storm. I wouldn't want to mess with his winning formula, but as Green matures I wonder if he would be able to use those same keen observational skills and translate them into stories for the 20, 30 and 40 something crowd. Maybe I'm just jealous that I didn't ...more

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Jan 11, 2023 Andy Plonka rated it liked it

Shelves: src

One can easily see why this is a favorite on Banned Books list,. However I think the more teens are encouraged to learn to recognize the problems associated with letting their minds and bodies run rampant the quicker they can learn the consequences of such behavior . John Green hhas written a novel that hopefully will point teenagers in the correct direction.

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Aug 06, 2013 Amanda R rated it it was ok · review of another edition

2.5 stars. I wanted to like this more than I did, especially after recently reading and loving The Fault in Our Stars. Granted, it was thoughtfully written as the other was, but I just had a really hard time connecting with the characters.

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