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WordsofaReader

WordsofaReader

I talk about books to my camera on regular intervals. Sometimes people watch the results. http://www.youtube.com/user/WordsofaReader

Currently reading

Oliver Twist
Charles Dickens, Philip Horne
The Group (Harvest Book)
Mary McCarthy
I Capture the Castle
Dodie Smith
Of Mice and Magic: A History of American Animated Cartoons; Revised and Updated
Leonard Maltin, Jerry Beck
The Shadow Thief
Alexandra Adornetto
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
The Eyre Affair (Thursday Next Series #1)
The Rising Tide (VMC)
Molly Keane

The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars - John Green The Fault in Our Stars has to be the most hyped book to hit the shelves in recent years. The internet has invariably exploded with praise over the past few weeks.I received my copy in the mail a few days ago and last night I sat down to begin reading. Three hours later I was done and in a complete state.I should begin by saying I am a crier. That's for certain. If there's a bare hint of the melancholy I will have tears streaking down my face. There was never going to be scenario where The Fault in Our Stars wasn't going to make me cry (considering we're dealing with teenage cancer patients here); however, I did not cry as much as I had anticipated.John Green has, in The Fault in Our Stars, created one of the most uplifting stories about disease and tragedy that I could possibly imagine.Our two lovely protagonists, Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters are both suffering from cancer, they are both funny and kind despite their situations, they are both intelligent and thoughtful and they are both falling in love.There are many things to love about this book. One thing which I found particularly refreshing was Hazels consideration for her parents. Don't get me wrong, she's not some unbelievably selfless person who always put her parents peace of mind before herself, in fact sometimes it's the opposite but she does acknowledge that while it sucks beyond telling to be dying of cancer when you're in your teens it would be worse to be a parent whose child is dying of cancer in their teens. I'm not sure many of us would be able to put aside our own personal fears long enough to come to that realisation, especially at the tender age of 16.Another delightful aspect of the book is, quite obviously, the relationship between Hazel and Augustus. I adore that John portrayed their relationship as true love instead of infatuation or puppy love. I don't believe that all teenagers are capable of experiencing and expressing true love but if there's on thing which will prematurely age you, it's going to be your own mortality.The thing that really made me 'believe' in their love was Hazels apprehension about the whole thing. She was scared to love, to be serious about something she knew could not be forever. It was honest and endearing and when she gave in, well lets just say it had an impact. In fact it resulated in my favourite quote from the book - "I fell in love they way you fall asleep; slowly, and then all at once." This to me was perfection.I won't add much more because I'm hesitant to give away spoilers even though I guessed most of what would happen about 50 pages in but I do want to say this - The Fault in Our Stars is YA at it's most powerful. It includes, it does not exclude. It makes us feel and think and love and appreciate the love others may have for us. Well worth reading. Well worth savoring.