Paper Towns in Around the World in 80 Books

Jun 30, 2015 Elizabeth rated it liked it · review of another edition

Finally read a John Green novel! I liked the humor, the smart literary references and the fact that it's a character-driven YA novel in which nothing happens sometimes, except that teenagers kind of just contemplate life, and their future. It's not all adventure and mystery all the time, but it does satisfy in the capering department. It follows a few friends over the final month of their high school senior year, before they're about to graduate. One friend disappears suddenly, but seems to have Finally read a John Green novel! I liked the humor, the smart literary references and the fact that it's a character-driven YA novel in which nothing happens sometimes, except that teenagers kind of just contemplate life, and their future. It's not all adventure and mystery all the time, but it does satisfy in the capering department. It follows a few friends over the final month of their high school senior year, before they're about to graduate. One friend disappears suddenly, but seems to have left behind some breadcrumbs that may lead them to her. I think as a young adult, I would have related very much to the ... existential dilemma? ... that this book focuses on: basically, should we follow the path that's been laid out for us -- college, job, marriage, house, children etc... or choose a more daring path.

A few reasons I didn't give the book more stars: Some of the hijinks were a little bit ... I don't know ... the type that you could only get away with if you were comfortably middle class ... and white. But in an innocent, charming way that's also sort of due to privilege. I also found that while I liked that there were many philosophical moments in the book, the execution was sort of blunt and obvious, maybe a little over-sentimental (without the artfulness usually needed if you want to go that direction). But really, if the philosophical parts were any more advanced, I maybe wouldn't have gotten it, so I shouldn't complain. I read a lot of books that I consider deep, but mostly because I feel sort of confused by the end (but always in a pleasing way).

By the way, I loved plucking this book out of a rack of mostly junk supermarket books. I always wonder if any of those books are better than I think they are. Patterson, Fern Michaels, random supposedly bestselling romance authors, stupid male-fantasy adventure/thriller books, none of them have promising opening pages (and instead are the kind that is manipulative, undaring, wish fulfillment-based). Can someone write a guide for how to work a supermarket book rack like a pro? For instance, Stephen King is always a good bet. Would probably pick up a Lisa Genova book. ...more

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May 11, 2013 Susan rated it it was ok

I started out with a four star rating, as I read on it dropped to three, and then I had to skim the book just to find out the ending and it went to two. This is a young adult book and maybe that age group would rate it higher, as there are LOTS of teen conversations and some not too bad musings on life. I gave it two stars only because of these "musings." Wasn't even really worth finding out the end, as it was meaningless. ...more

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Jan 17, 2016 Laura (booksnob) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: book-club, young-adult, books-into-film, 2016

Its not my favorite John Green book but I liked it. It was a super fast read. I also learned there is a connection to the sticker on his computer on his Crash Course videos. This machine kills fascists.

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May 30, 2015 Jules rated it it was ok · review of another edition

I really wanted to like this book, but just didn't love it. It seemed to drag on a little bit and I really couldn't get into Margo. ...more

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Jan 07, 2014 Jean-Marie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

If you've read one John Green novel, you've read them all...and yet they are all entertaining. I can see why he's a favorite author of the YA crowd. ...more

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Jan 07, 2014 Ginger rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Great concept, a little slow to start, but a beautiful story. Loooottts of language. Way too much. I have a hard time believing high schoolers talk like that.

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