The Fault in Our Stars in YA Saves Reading Challenge Group

Feb 22, 2012 Huntley Fitzpatrick rated it it was amazing

This book is a tour-de-force, but not in any showy way. It is amazingly truthful about what it is like to have cancer, while never once dipping into sentimentality or cliche. The two main characters, Hazel and Augustus, are transcendent. Funny, acerbic, level-headed, smart teenagers whom you would be honored to know. I cried all the way through the second half of this book, passed it on to both my daughters, who did the same. Then I reread it again, and again, and cried equally hard. John Green ...more

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Dec 05, 2014 Summer Lane rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS (BUT YOU PROBABLY ALREADY KNOW HOW THE BOOK ENDS)
I realize as I write this that it has been a long time since I have had the time this year to stop and give an in-depth, completely honest review of a book that I have enjoyed. Apparently December is my time to do so again, because here I am, sitting on my bed, nearly midnight, snuggled within an electric blanket, blinking back tears.
Yes, dear reader. TEARS.
Let me explain: This book, to be completely honest, was not THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS (BUT YOU PROBABLY ALREADY KNOW HOW THE BOOK ENDS)
I realize as I write this that it has been a long time since I have had the time this year to stop and give an in-depth, completely honest review of a book that I have enjoyed. Apparently December is my time to do so again, because here I am, sitting on my bed, nearly midnight, snuggled within an electric blanket, blinking back tears.
Yes, dear reader. TEARS.
Let me explain: This book, to be completely honest, was not what I expected. I wasn't sure about it - after all, I'm the girl who starts crying when they show a commercial for a PIXAR movie in the theater, so stories that end in any sort of tragedy are difficult for me to read.
But I digress. I finally had a free Saturday night (read: I got to stay home for the first time in a very long while!), so I decided to read The Fault in Our Stars, by one John Green. I was a bit apprehensive about the first few chapters. It scared me, I guess. I mean, it's a book about cancer, right?
Not really. It's a book about love. What does it mean to love? And what does it mean to lose someone?

Honestly, I really had no idea Augustus Waters was going to be the one we lose until he put his arm around lovely Hazel in Amsterdam. I thought, "OH NO. THERE'S THE PLOT TWIST." And there it was. I cried. (remember, I cry easily) I tore through the book in an evening, and I spent a great deal of the last 30% of the novel squinting at the Kindle screen because HEY - I WAS STILL CRYING.

The dry humor and the courage of the characters really touched me. Hazel's relationship with Augustus Waters was really a lovely thing, and his loss made me want to find my own wonderful version of Augustus and tell him I loved him, over and over, because you realize how precious life is, and how many people are suffering every day. And because you suddenly are reminded how MUCH you love someone, because life is not a permanent thing. In fact, it's very temporary and fleeting.

Okay. So maybe I'm a marshmallow. Maybe I just get too emotionally involved in fictional stories.
Maybe this is just a good book that connects with readers and makes us FEEL.
Or maybe...just maybe, the fault in our stars is not that we, as readers, feel for the characters in this book - but that we feel for ourselves, and for the people we care about. It is a reflection of reality, of the unfair terminal illnesses that children and adults face every day. It is a reminder that we are BLESSED to be alive. Life is a gift, and so is heaven. But how can we complain about anything when people are dying from illnesses like cancer? We shouldn't, but we do. It's books like this that really shape our culture. Although - unlike Augustus and Hazel - I very firmly believe in heaven, in that something with a capital S, and that there is very definitely, irrevocably hope beyond this earth, I found John Green's book to be incredibly thought-provoking and touching. It lived up to the hype - Augustus Waters need never fear oblivion. ...more

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Jan 14, 2012 Abi. rated it it was amazing

This book is perfect okay.
It's emotionally destroyed me though.
Basically, I'm completely in love with Augustus Waters and Hazel's character was perfect too and the story is so heartbreakingly tragic, but yet so humorous throughout. I just don't understand how John Green can write so articulately and beautiful throughout all his works. He's definitely one of my favourite, if not my favourite, author right now.

Seriously, if you haven't read this book, then go and read it now. Okay, 1,2,3... Go! ...more

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Apr 04, 2015 Katie West rated it it was amazing

This book really was amazing. I would reread this book over and over. It was a really good book. There is some sad parts in this book however I would recommend this to anyone.

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Jan 08, 2012 Rachelia (Bookish Comforts) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, books-i-own

It has taken me much longer than normal to get around to writing this review. Why? Well first off this book made me feel ALL THE THINGS and left me so exhausted after reading it. Even writing this review has me feeling exhausted (I mean, it could be because it is a Saturday morning and all... but I don't think so)! Second, I wanted to make sure that I wasn't being swept up in all the hype and decided to gave myself time to reflect. My conclusion: this book is still FREAKING AWESOME (I'd still ap It has taken me much longer than normal to get around to writing this review. Why? Well first off this book made me feel ALL THE THINGS and left me so exhausted after reading it. Even writing this review has me feeling exhausted (I mean, it could be because it is a Saturday morning and all... but I don't think so)! Second, I wanted to make sure that I wasn't being swept up in all the hype and decided to gave myself time to reflect. My conclusion: this book is still FREAKING AWESOME (I'd still appreciate it if you read the rest of the review, even though I just spoiled my opinion of it. K, thanks)!

To be honest, I was in love with TFiOS within the first hundred pages. There were pop culture references that I got. It was smart, laugh-out-loud funny, sarcastic, and nerdy. I said on Goodreads that I don't think I have ever smiled so much while reading a book and it's true. This book reads almost like a movie - you can imagine it all happening right before your eyes. In some ways it reminded me of a John Hughes movie, which I looooove (Ferris Bueller, Pretty in Pink, Breakfast Club, anyone?). I don't think it's a coincidence both their names are John and they are both great storytellers!!

The pace in the middle of the book is a bit slower than the first. But really, the first hundred or so pages are jam packed, and they go by so quickly what with the witty dialogue and all. In reality, the pace in the middle is only slow in comparison to the start... so I guess really it's about the average pace of a book! It didn't feel boring or anything and I think it worked, allowing the friendship and romance between Hazel and Augustus to really draw out slow and sweet. However it also really made me forget that it was very likely someone was, you know, going to DIE (this isn't a spoiler, read the summary)! I kept trying to distance myself from the characters but I just couldn't! They were too too too good and kept pulling me back in. It was kind of bittersweet.

The last part of the book killed me. According to my updates on Goodreads, I was 69% done when the waterworks started. Once they started, I could hardly stop. The characters and situation were just so real and unfair and ... just everything. I also really enjoyed how it was philosophical without being too deep, academic or distracting. It all just flowed so well together. These were my thoughts while I was still coherent. Then, according to my notes I just UGLY CRIED. Honestly, this is the crying I usually reserve for funerals/other tragedies! By the time the book was done my eyes were puffy and burning and I had a horrible migraine. I felt crappy for the rest of the day, and even the start of the next. THAT is what great books do to me!

This review (and more!) can also be found at my blog {Bookish Comforts}. ...more

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Mar 31, 2012 Lanah rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorites, i-own, challenge

I fell in love with Augustus Waters and bawled like I just lost my one true love when he passed. (spoiler alert. Sorry)
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Finished. Disappointed with the ending. I'd like to know if hazel eventually succumbs to her cancer. ...more

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Aug 11, 2016 Angie Cain rated it did not like it

This book was good but the movie was ok

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Jan 20, 2012 Lina rated it it was amazing

As i started to cry in the middle of the book, I cried through out the rest of it! So emotional! Anazing!!!! I recomend it to everyone! Im sure most of you will cry as well :'( ...more

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Jan 11, 2013 Katria rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favourite-shelf, contemporary-romance, back-to-high-school, books-i-want-to-read-again, self-help, heroes-i-fantasize-about, drama-romance, my-boyfriend-lit, i-cried-like-a-river, intense

WORDS ARE NOT ENOUGH TO PRAISE THIS WORK OF ART but I will anyway.<\b>

Review will be posted after I can gather my emotions and keep myself together.<\b>

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