Green, John - Looking for Alaska - Informal Buddy Read; Start November 11, 2014

[Michelle]

I have high expectations for it, too. Just ok through the first two chapters. I should be able to finish this one tomorrow.

[Michelle]

Really bugged for some reason (view spoiler)[by some of the characters. Giving a skinny guy the nickname "Pudge"? No. Alaska seems to be trying too hard to be different. Chip is the least grating for me so far.
(hide spoiler)]
Back to reading!

[Shilpa]

About 20% in.. still nothing that good..
Though I did like certain parts.. like (view spoiler)[ The lake scene..the way everything was described about Miles was hilarious! (hide spoiler)], I'm still waiting for the John Green magic everyone seems to be talking about.. :|

[Shilpa]

Michelle wrote: "Really bugged for some reason by some of the characters. "

Me too!

[Michelle]

I'm 73% in.
(view spoiler)[Pudge and the Colonel are trying to figure out why it happened. It's a bit of a mystery, and I don't think they can ever truly know. (hide spoiler)]

[Shilpa]

32% in..
(view spoiler)[ I am not really liking all the characters.. Miles is the only one who seems alright..But some scenes were hilarious and well written! :)
But...That fight between Sara and Alaska was so stupid and pointless.. Sara is a such a bitch..
How were Colonel and Sara even together all this while..?? (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

Shilpa, I finished last night. The characters actually get better. Can't wait to hear what you think by the end.

[Michelle]

I gave this one 3 stars. I got sucked in by the end.
(view spoiler)[I thought Alaska was needlessly damaged and an attention seeker, but the way the story unfolded made it interesting regardless.

I'll forgive him because I just saw that this is his first book. I think his writing must get stronger because I liked The Fault in Our Stars.
I didn't dislike this one, but I thought the other was better.
(hide spoiler)]

[Shilpa]

I finished it too! It was 3.5 stars for me.. I really hope GR introduces a half-rating system.. This drives me crazy!!!!

(view spoiler)[ This was my first John Green book and would have thought all this hype regarding him is just that..hype.. if not for the ending.. :)
I really liked the way it ended..had they figured everything out it wouldn't be nice..plus I love a bit of thought and philosophy in things.. So I loved their religion class! :D
His writing is really good but the characters annoyed me a lottt initially and sometimes even after that.. My favourite would undoubtedly be Chip! :) (hide spoiler)]

[Apoorv]

I felt the second half was much better too, Michelle.
.. and honestly, that is where John Green kind of comes of age as well in his writing, somewhere remembering the John Green on The Fault in Our Stars.

But, a new neutral book for me as well (I might even say average as compared to his writing style)

Here is my complete review : Review

[Michelle]

Great review, Apoorv!

I want to take that religion class. That teacher was one of my favorite parts of the book.

[Shilpa]

@Apoorv: Wow! Nice review! :)