Looking for Alaska by John Green → Start Date: June 20, 2014

[Makenzie]

We will start reading June 20, 2014

[Megan]

I've read this book before but never got to discuss it with anyone. I would love to join in if I get a chance.

[Makenzie]

How many chapters should we read per day?

[Mandiann]

My copy doesn't have chapters. It is in two parts, Before (133 pgs) and After (85 pgs).

I will probably aim for approx 50 pages per day.

[Makenzie]

Ok

[Megan]

I want to give Green another try. I like the 50 pages a day. I'll (try) and join the Buddy Read!

[Mandiann]

I also want to try him again. I have only read one of his books and I didn't love it. Also, I want to be able to vote in the June Battle of the Books.

[Makenzie]

I've got to back out I have too much going on right now and can't focus. I'm really sorry guys!!!!!!!

[Mandiann]

Megan, are you still able to read this?

[Shannon]

I'll read this with you guys...if you're still on board.

[Mandiann]

i am still on boardm

[Shannon]

Good! I've just started...reading it electronically... so not sure how many pages

[Shannon]

I've only read Paper Towns by this author before...you said you wanted to give him another try..what did you read before?

[Megan]

I'm also on board. When is the new start date?

I am also reading on my Kindle so IDK where 50 pages stop.

[Mandiann]

I will start today too. Why don't we just check back when we have something interesting to say?

I have read The Fault in Our Stars but felt it was too hyped up.

[Megan]

^^^So did I which is why I want to give him one more try. I think my expectations were too high for the book.

[Shannon]

The first thing that made me laugh was that Miles didn't know what Jesus Christ Super Star was...and didn't want to ask. But then I'm a total theatre nerd.

[Mandiann]

Well so far I like it better than The Fault in Our Stars.

I am at one hundred and one days before. It reminds me a lot of The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I am curious which one was published first.

[Megan]

Oh Shannon, I've read The Fault in Our Stars before, I didn't see your question.

It is better than TFiOS, the characters aren't such "holier than thou" assholes to me!

Does anyone know what the After is? Like what's the incident? I'm assuming (view spoiler)[ Someone dies, which I really hope not because Green will become "the guy who kills off kids" to me or someone will get kicked out. (hide spoiler)] I'm roughly around 20% I hope to get further today.

[Mandiann]

I am at two days before. I am thinking that the after is (view spoiler)[ the great perhaps AKA big prank??? (hide spoiler)] Not entirely sure yet though.

I know I said this before, but it really reminds me a lot of The Perks of Being a Wallflower except not as good (Perks was published before Alaska in case anyone else was wondering). I like the characters in this book better than TFiOS though so I guess that is an improvement.

[Shannon]

Yeah I'm curious as to what yhe countdown is to... i haven't read stars yet...mainly because of the hype and I'm sure it ultimately sad. I haven't read perks yet either. I will after this one...so i can vote. Interesting that (view spoiler)[ Alaska was the rat...makes me think we are counting down to the prank war...maybe a mega prank. Definitely a loyalty test. (hide spoiler)]

[Mandiann]

well I have reached the after. (view spoiler)[ yes Megan, you are correct, mr green likes to kill children. (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

^^^ I want to read your comment so bad! I have 2hrs before I finish Before. I think (view spoiler)[They'll pull the best revenge and all the guys will stand behind Alaska . Then the school will find out she's the rat. Everyone including Colonel minus Pudge will retaliate and pull a harmful prank on her. Maybe she'll get physically hurt or something? Coma? Something just tells me death is going to be in the book. I was thinking The Colonel but after all the book is named after Alaska. (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon]

OK... I'm struggling a little reading this and have only made it to Christmas.

[Megan]

So I finally made it to After (view spoiler)[at the funeral. This may make me sound like a bad person but I'm not upset that he killed off Alaska more than I wonder if this happens in EVERY BOOK! Like is this the only "surprise" he has up his sleeve? Does the guy in An Abundance of Katherines love girls named Katherine because his first GF dun dun duuuuun DiEd?!?!?! I'm more pissed at the fact Pudge cheated on his girlfriend with Alaska. I am curious to see if they will tell the truth though. (hide spoiler)] Did you finish already Mandiann? You seemed ahead of all of us. Shannon, keep on pushing! You'll make it through.

[Mandiann]

Yes, I finished last night.

After (view spoiler)[ I wasn't upset that she died either, she wasn't super likable. And Pudge cheating on Lara made me lose any respect I had for him. (hide spoiler)]

It was better than TFiOS but I still don't understand the hype that surrounds John Green.

[Shannon]

Yeah...i just made it to after (view spoiler)[ and i didn't care either. I must say that even though this probably a spoiler in itself...no one dies in Paper towns. Though he thought she may have committed suicid for awhile.But doesn't it make you wonder about the gal who got away from John green (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

So I finally finished. I agree it was better than TFiOS.
(view spoiler)[It got a smidge annoying how obsessed they got with figuring out this girl's death. At some point I wondered if we as readers were even going to find out. When they talked about it being February, I connected the pieces of her mother's death and her death date so I stopped wondering her reasoning. Overall it was good. I'll give it about three stars. My favorite part was when the stripper took off his clothes shouting "This is for Alaska Young!" It was refreshing to see smart kids who were also relatable in his novel. Did anyone else see the Colonel as Moises Arias Rico from Hannah Montana? Short, hot headed at times, the whole revenge thing. (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon]

I finshed tonight... it was ok. (view spoiler)[ the second part i fealt was heady. I dunno... the stripper bit was funny. (hide spoiler)] I think John Green does know how to do interesting characters with quirk and vibrancy.