Format: Hardcover
Genre: Contemporary YA
Source: Personal Copy
Source: Personal Copy
Published: January 10th 2012 by Dutton Juvenile
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
From Goodreads.com
Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs… for now.
Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.
Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.
I cried for the first time on page 124, and from there? The remainder of the book (which I could have easily read in one sitting – had my kid not needed fed, and bathed) you could hear the following from me: “Oh. My. Gosh. I Love Him!” (Or her.) **SWOON** “No! No! No! No! No!” and just as regularly? Laughter – typically through my tears.
We could all tell a cancer story, it sucks. But it’s true. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have one. My best friends little sister. My Grandmother. A good friends father. It’s everywhere. And, Hazel is pretty much right. For many of these people, life becomes a side effect of this evil disease. But John Green has made it relatable. Rather than just looking in on cancer from the outside, as I have often found myself, through Hazels eyes I was able to somewhat experience the effects in a more personal way.
One thing that I had me absolutely floored was my ability to get lost in John Green’s story lines. This was so much more than just a story about the evil monster that is Cancer. This was a love story, and a very sweet one at that. This was a story about a girl sharing her love for a book.
Now, I know that anyone who read the synopsis – anyone who saw the blurb by Jodi Piccoult – can make an educated guess that this one will have some tears. But this book is about so much more than this. It’s about Hazel Grace and her amazing ability to fight, about her learning to live. It is about Augustus Waters and his sweet and amazing personality. It is about their friend Issac and their cancer support group. It is about the parents of “Cancer Kids”. It is about a book. And a swingset. (Ok, maybe not a swingset – but the metaphor that John Green throws in at the mid 100′s? The most amazing thing I have ever, EVER read.)
In the end? This was my maiden voyage into the world of John Green, and I was most definitely not disappointed. In fact, this may be one of my top ten books of all time. I cannot say how much I loved it. It was sad, it was beautiful, it was romantic. (And best of all? It was real.)
I love John Green, and I am excited to read this book. I wish I had pre-ordered it now, since my store is sold out already.
How did I miss the release of this book? It sounds like my kind of read. I am glad that you enjoyed it and I am so glad that I read your review.
This sounds a lot like Nicholas Sparks. A tragic love story. I am a big fan of his and sup I think I would like this.
I hope you get a copy soon! I plan on snagging a few more to give as gifts, it's THAT good!
It just came out this week! Make sure you snag a copy, it is so worth it!! (I have been converted to a John Green Fan-Girl!!)
Oh my! I loved your review!!! I am still waiting on my copy to come in the mail. You just made my wait so much harder;)
Such a beautiful book, right? John Green does it again. I’m so excited that I get to go to his book tour! And a great review of a great book!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting! I really appreciate it! I’m looking forward to reading more of your blog!
Andrea (New Follower)
Andrea recently posted..Busting the Newbie Blues Survey
I love your review! I finished this last week and still can’t really find the words to describe why I liked it so much. It’s my third John Green book, but I think it is *by far* his best.
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[...] For Love and Books: “In fact, this may be one of my top ten books of all time. I cannot say how much I loved it.” [...]
You picked a really good book to be your first John Green novel. I haven’t read all of his stuff, but I think it’ll be tough to beat this one. I loved how you mentioned this is more than just a “cancer book” — it’s so true!
Excellent review!
Renae @ Respiring Thoughts
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