Book Review | The Fault in Our Stars

Before I even begin the review, I'd like to admit that I had no intention of reading this. I thought it was over hyped, extremely predictable, and popular for the sake of a name – John Green. Don't get me wrong, this book is all of those things I mentioned above, but I now view each separate belief in a different light. Let me elaborate.

Virtually everybody knows what this book is about, who the characters are, and who plays them in the movie. Holla at my homies Tris and Caleb. Insert exaggerated wink. Now, if you have no clue what this book is about, I shall drop a small synopsis and mini review for your future reading prospects.

The Fault in Our Stars is about a girl named Hazel Grace Lancaster, who happens to attend a Cancer Support Group regularly and one day stumbles upon this beautiful young man named Augustus Waters. Eventually, Augustus does most of the leading when it comes to his relationship with Hazel but in doing so, he helps her discover new ways of viewing the world and inevitably teaches the importance of one's own story. Hazel learns to look past what she cannot control to figuring out what living in the moment means because time stops for no one and there is no time to complain, wonder, or wish for what could have been in comparison to what is.

There you have the as-vague-as-it's-going-to-get synopsis. Add on some spoilers and that's what I had to work with before finally giving into the peer pressure to read this book. I will say, I enjoyed this much more than I had originally envisioned in my mind. Preconceptions proved me wrong. Here comes the real review.

**SPOILERS**

I mentioned above that this book was more enjoyable than what I thought it would be, but just because I liked it, doesn't mean I loved it.

To clarify my take on this book, I did love and appreciate certain aspects within the story itself. With this being a stand alone, contemporary book; I have to say the world building was nice. I liked that Hazel ached to be a normal teenage girl so she acted like a normal teenage girl, hence the constant ANTM viewing. I liked that she made fun of Patrick and his constant reassurance that yep, he had “ball cancer” and of course, he was going to tell the group his somber tale of two balls turned none. I'm not joking, this is what he declares every time, I'm simply rewording it. And I also liked that her and Augustus had a close to regular teenage relationship where they were told to stay upstairs by his parents, joked about sex, and talked about problems small or big, in depth.

Moments that I loved and instantly got me hooked:

- When Augustus and Hazel spoke about the misuse of literality, specifically in terms of The Literal Heart of Jesus.

- Any involving An Imperial Affliction which I find fascinating. Similar to many die hard fans, I wanted to know if that book was real or not. The fact that it isn't a real work of fiction blows my mind. I give a round of applause to John Green for fathoming not only one book, but bits of a second. Bookception.

- Amsterdam. I honestly just appreciated the use of another culture that isn't too radically different from my own world in the United States but it was different enough to be intriguing and had a rather dream like quality. I think anyone would become entranced with the idea of Amsterdam as it's described in the book. Then there's the Swedish rapping 'cause, sure, why not?

- Times involving parental humor. It reminded me of my own family's humor, relatable.

- When Augustus went to the gas station once he became more ill. It was a beautifully written section that felt very honest and real.

- I liked that there was not an effortlessly happy ending.

My main problem with this book is not even the book necessarily. From the very moment I picked up The Fault in Our Stars, I KNEW one of the main characters would die. There is no getting around it. I was surprised that so many people were taken aback after reading this. It wasn't shocking at all, if anything it was very predictable but then again, that's probably why I didn't cry. Um hi, that's what authors are known for doing. John Green is no exception. He rips hearts out here and there with his writing. He ripped hearts out with this book as well.

**END SPOILERS**

Overall, I still believe that this book was over hyped although some of that hype is well deserved. The end was flat out predictable but I can't say I would have ended it any differently. Lastly, I know for a fact that this book is popular not solely because it's a wonderful work of literature but because of a well known name. But hey! That's why I picked it up, so clearly, the whole John Green movement is working it's magic and I have no room to be hypocritical.

I do recommend this book. However, I don't recommend it because I think it's “absolutely amazing” or the best book ever written since that isn't how I view it. I would recommend The Fault in Our Stars because it's well written, refreshing, and as good as contemporary fiction taking on the topic of cancer can get. For anyone a bit skeptical about reading this book, I understand the hesitation wholeheartedly, but trust me. Give it a whirl.

Feel free to share any other thoughts or book suggestions below! 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Book Review | Divergent

Words can't describe my undeniable love for this book. And no, it is not because I'm jumping on the bandwagon. One day before school let out for summer, I decided to sit my butt down at the computer while there was a break in my television show. Of all the random moments, I turned around at the exact time of a brand new movie trailer, with the most beautiful man I've ever seen on screen for a split second. That split second encouraged me to look up the actor because I'm a sucker for the bad guys. After twenty minutes of staring at Jai Courtney's Wikipedia page, I stumbled upon the Wikipedia page for that new movie: Divergent.

As I was scrolling down the page, I came across a link to another. That was the moment I discovered that this Divergent movie was not just a movie. Before it had become this shimmery beacon of attractive male actors and gorgeous Hollywood leading ladies, it was a book. The first book in a trilogy to be specific. Unlike my fellow book lovers, I went against the more basic “rule”of them all: I saw the movie before I read the books. Queue daunting, dramatic music while closing in on my face dripping with guilt. Yeah. I felt like I had cheated on the loyal fans of the books. My bad y'all.

Watching this movie gave me a strange adrenaline rush I used to get when I watched really spectacular films, or even when I finished a breath taking book. Hence, the worst and best obstacle I've faced in terms of books. Right after I watched the movie, I marched myself over to Target, and bought the box set. I was on a high like no other. Two weeks later, spring break was in full swing. I stared and stared at the box set. Suddenly, I lost my patience. I ripped open the box set and took out Divergent. Shaking and anxiety ridden, I flipped to the first page. Three hours later--I had finished reading the most awe inducing book of my life. That sounds extremely melodramatic. But it felt extremely melodramatic. It was amazing.

In summation, the book is about a teenage girl named Beatrice 'Tris' Prior, living in a world with divided social groups. The intelligent, the honest, the kind, the brave, and the selfless. With the choosing ceremony right around the corner, Tris must decide who she wants to be, whether that means staying in her original faction or transferring to one of the other four. It encompasses self discovery, honesty, bravery, secrecy and a whole lot of heart.

The hook caught my attention, while the following paragraphs and chapters kept it. Then, the part I had been waiting for: introductions of the five factions, society’s new way of grouping its inhabitants. Erudite. Candor. Amity. Abnegation. Dauntless. I never imagined reading a dystopian book and calling it my favorite of ever...but my world is run by irony, and I love it!

Character development is far from lacking in this book written by Veronica Roth. I never realized how difficult it is to create characters and give them their own distinct voices. In Divergent, the voice of each character is loud and clear. From Tris to Caleb to Eric to Christina; EVERYONE pushes the plot forward and their personalities, though very different from one another, help strengthen that charisma. Veronica Roth has a way with words as well as world building. She injects liveliness and realism into not so real people. The scent of lemongrass emanating from Al. The coldness of Eric's eyes though he is truly sharp as a knife (watch out I'm getting punny). The intellect instilled within Will's words. The symbolism of Tris getting a tattoo. Each little quirk and detail of every person or place made me fall in love with this book more and more every day. I finished this book in three hours. It was extremely compelling and went above and beyond my expectations.

A love story never hurt either and this one was my cup of tea. Tris and Four were standoffish in their first few encounters but slowly, their relationship grew into a combative, hilariously dysfunctional union. Their relationship was real. Real couples have real problems. Maybe not on that scale but it was nice that they were awkward, sarcastic, and emotionally driven with one another.

Veronica Roth tackles beautifully written dystopian fiction in not one but three books, created dozens of characters, then killed off half, and even went as far as to writing out a manifesto for each faction. I commend this woman and give her my utmost respect. It's strange reading a book cover to cover, closing it, and thinking that it changed my life. I don't even know how but I can feel that I'm different now that I've read Divergent. I feel like I can be brave. Hopefully, future readers can feel the same elation I felt after reading this book/trilogy.

This book is fast paced, action packed, emotionally charged, funny, and intriguing. I look forward to future literary works of Veronica Roth's, fingers crossed, and advise everyone to read this book and follow it up with Insurgent and Allegiant!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

That's a Wrap | June and July

Yarp, that is correct, I am doing a collective June and July book wrap up because I truthfully didn't read that much during either month. I'm slightly bummed as well as content with my progress. If you happened to read my BookTube-A-Thon post, you would know that I did not fully partake in it so there's one readathon I already sat on the sidelines for. I am also aware of the shitihavetoomanybooks readathon that is being hosted by Regan from PeruseProject which I am not technically taking part in but it clashes with the Rainbow Readathon so I'm sort of doing both? Possibly? Either way, I'm about to knock out quite a few books this coming week. Hopefully. But back to business.

Here are the books I read in June and July:

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by David Levithan and oh wait, JOHN GREEN

Long Lankin by Lindsey Barraclough

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

I think that list is fairly self explanatory with my whole John Green reading kick. I read The Fault in Our Stars because peer pressure. Plus, I was planning on going to see the movie but have yet to do so. Then I read Looking for Alaska because my friend told me it was her favorite John Green book. After I read those two, I had this intense moment of what I thought was clarity but was truly impulsiveness, therefore, I went out and bought Will Grayson, Will Grayson along with Paper Towns and An Abundance of Katherines. I couldn't help myself. Once I finished WGWG, I noticed that I went into a bit of a reading slump. All of that contemporary reading brought me down but not in a terribly negative way.

Days passed and I wondered why I had less of a desire to read when it hit me. I came to the realization that I needed to pick up a book from a different genre, written by an author other than John freaking Green. Too much contemporary at a time tends to bring me down and I've found that a lot of my fellow bibliophiles agree. One day, as I was browsing through the young adult section at Barnes & Noble, I saw Long Lankin. That book was out of stock for almost a year, so of course I violently leapt toward the first copy I laid eyes on. Meanwhile, I bought the first two Harry Potter books only managing to read the first one for now because yes, I am honest to god that far behind the rest of the world. 

Finding that yet another July has come to an end, I'm happy with how much I read in the past two months, especially considering how busy I've been. I can't wait to move forward with the rest of my to-be-read books in August. Stay tuned for more book reviews which will be posted shortly!

Book Review | The Great Gatsby

Ugh, who doesn't love a good renown story of requited love gone wrong? Okay, like a good portion of those who have read this F. Scott Fitzgerald work, I did not read this by choice. Rather, I read it my junior year of high school, not going in with any expectations whatsoever. I wanted to remain open minded because I had not been impressed by the majority of books I had read prior to The Great Gatsby. Let me say openly and thankfully, this book revived my will to read.

This story centers around a man named Nick Carraway, cousin of Daisy Buchanan, who moves to Long Island during the Jazz Age. He quickly becomes overwhelmed with curiosity towards his wealthy neighbor, Jay Gatsby, who is known for throwing lavish parties and living out the American Dream. Throughout the novel, it is revealed that there is more to Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan than what is seen on the surface. After wading through all of the secrets, drama, and scandal that is The Great Gatsby; readers, along with Nick, discover Gatsby's never ending love for a woman stuck between a rock and a hard place. In the end, life is not what it seems, even when it appears to be the American Dream. 

Overall, I was very pleased with The Great Gatsby. It held promise in my eyes with a title like that. Flipping through the first few pages, I gained the sense of a beautifully disastrous story lurking about. I was partially right. This book comes off as glamorous and highly conscientious of the worlds elite, mainly those found in New York. An interesting topic. Plus the length was short, sweet, and simple. I liked it already.

I had a hunch that Nick Carraway would be a stand up guy but fairly normal in comparison to the other leading characters such as Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan. I personally loved Gatsby. His grandeur way of living, although most of it was for the affection of Daisy, caught my affection as well. Lets' be real. Ya felt for the guy. Well, maybe not the beginning of the novel since that's where he appears the most reclusive, constantly seeking the approval of a woman stuck in her snobby ways with her other half, Tom Buchanan. What a guy. But of all the shady characters, my favorite had to be Jordan Baker. I like the back story behind her character that Fitzgerald explained once upon a conversation with Maxwell Perkins.

As much as I hated certain characters, I'm talking to you Myrtle, I admired the variety of Fitzgerald's fictional East and West Egg inhabitants. They grew on me. Now, I didn't particularly have cons when it came to this book. Instead I found that I was bored with the obvious symbolism. Actually, it bothered me quite a bit. The Dr. Eckleburg sign serving as a makeshift god looking down upon everyone, the green light at the end of Daisy's dock, the yellow car that screamed CAUTION, and so on and so forth. Truthfully, I blame school for that. I can't help but look for symbols or motifs and it was weird not being challenged in finding any since they were laid out like a road map.

The Great Gatsby was a quick read, timeless, and enjoyable the majority of the time although it doesn't end on such a high note. I appreciated the over anticipation of the American Dream throughout the book and how it ended worked for me. It was neither happy nor unbearable. It is not my favorite book and I've read other books more recently that surpass it but it will remain a classic in my mind! I recommend that everyone read this book at least once, or perhaps another one of F. Scott Fitzgerald's books.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Book Review | The Time Keeper

I read The Five People You Meet in Heaven and was pleasantly surprised with Mitch Albom's writing abilities. Unfortunately, my previous reading experience led me astray, indefinitely. I read the first page of The Time Keeper and truly believed there would be a great story ahead. Wrong. I was completely wrong. I find it interesting that my peers found this book so inspirational and wonderful and la-di-da-di-da, because in all reality, I was frustrated with this book.

We're introduced to three people throughout the entirety of the book who carry the story: Dor, Victor, and Sara. Dor is from a different time period, much earlier than that of Victor and Sarah. Dor decides that it would be a good idea to measure time which backfires to a certain extent; he figures out how to measure time, inevitably to be punished for it. He is made to be Father Time. As Father Time, Dor watches over those who complain about not having enough time or take their time for granted. Enter Victor and Sara. Victor is this old, rich man who tries to cheat time because he is very ill and Sara is a teenage girl that feels she should give up on life with the lack of a father figure and boy troubles getting the best of her.

I cannot emphasize enough how much I liked the first page. Hell, the first two pages were promising! But with every page, my awe slowly withered down to shock. It wasn't a good kind of shock either. The main characters of this book were so far from any of Mitch Albom's other fictional characters, it hurt my soul. I kid you not.

THE GOOD:

To be honest, there wasn't that much good in this book so I'm going to skip this section and go straight for the jugular.

THE BAD:

I had several problems with this novel. First of all, the character development was close to terrible. At first, I felt bad for Victor. Then poof, my sympathy and compassion disintegrated. His life and story were not expanded upon nearly enough and any inkling of a connection I had or potentially could have made, was ruined. Now, I wanted to like Victor but there was a huge disconnect with Sara. I flat out could not stand the character of Sara, which was probably due to the poor writing with her whiny and repetitive teenage perspective. There was no depth to her character, sadly making her come across as an annoying teenager, complaining about life and wishing it away when things didn't go her way. It lacked originality. Unless the name Dor constitutes as an original name but even then, his name hardly helped push the plot along. Freaking Dor.

I sound like I'm bashing this book. A perfectly fine book in theory, written by Mitch Albom, who has proven he has a knack for writing. I'll admit it: I am kind of bashing this book. It was just such a let down. Authors are seen as these perfection infested beings. They are supposed to write something worthy of resting upon a glistening pedestal way above any of us “average” people but here's the thing: Mitch Albom might have been aiming too high in order to stay on that pedestal when he wrote this book, his fifth to be exact.

Overall, this book seemed to have nothing but good intentions and honest life lessons about using our time wisely, but ironically, the time throughout the book didn't strike me as being used wisely. Plus, it was a really slow read. Mr. Albom tried to make it effortless, thought provoking, deep, and well written; it missed the mark. There was no spark. Without that spark, it's just another mediocre book lost in the void.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

BookTube-A-Thon Failure

As many fellow readers, book enthusiasts, writers, bloggers, and booktubers know; BookTube-A-Thon has recently concluded. Unfortunately for me, I was that person who showed up late to the party but didn't have the fashionably late excuse to fall back on. I flat out had no idea the Readathon/BookTube event was even occurring until this magical social media site called Instagram informed me along with it's many inhabitants. Thank you fellow Instagram followers.

Since I was about three days behind everyone, I figured I could try and catch up--until I read that one of the challenges was to start and finish a series and I only had four days left. I had a pitiful "laugh out loud" moment. On the up hand, I did manage to read a book that covered two of the challenges which happened to be 1) Read a book with pictures in it, and 2) Read a book with red on the cover. In the end, I was impressed by everyone else and their progress along with my half ass ATTEMPT at participating ever so slightly. I'm making a mental note, physical note, and computer note to ensure that I fully participate next year.

In a new found effort to redeem myself, I have decided to partake in the Rainbow Readathon which runs from August 2nd to the 9th, so if you're interested, here's the run down:
Read a RED book
Read an ORANGE book
Read a YELLOW book
Read a GREEN book
Read a BLUE book
Read a PURPLE book

Here are my reads: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS. THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME. IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY. I HAVE NOT CHOSEN A GREEN BOOK YET MY BAD. THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE. Now I'm kind of cheating with my purple book option because I want to read FOUR but it's technically blue or if ya want to get fancy, maybe indigo...but I'm reading it either way. 

Anyway, those are my reads for this awesome readathon created by thebookishgirl on Instagram. If you're like me and failed miserably with previous readthons, please feel free to join in on the fun and get some TBR books out of the way!

Read on ✌