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Okay. I read this book in the middle of January and I could have sworn I already wrote a review for it, but alas, I have not blogged about it, which is tragic since it's already one of my favorites of the year.
Miles Halter has led an uneventful and rather boring life hiding himself in books and a penchant for discovering and memorizing famous last words. An opportunity to attend Culver Creek Boarding School sends him eagerly off to a new world with hopes of discovering what poet François Rabelais' called "the Great Perhaps". Culver Creek is in many ways the land of possibilities that Miles has always craved. He soon finds himself dubbed with the new name "Pudge" - for his overly skinny frame - and surrounded by new friends The Colonel, Takumi, and of course, Alaska.
Alaska Young is the charismatic, sexy, and destructive prankster living down the hall from Pudge and The Colonel. She represents a world of danger and risk that Pudge has always wanted and never known. She's the magnetic epicenter of their strange group of friends and Pudge soon finds himself hopelessly in love with her.
Looking for Alaska by John Green is a mix of humor, philosophy, tragedy, and the everyday teenage existence. John Green has an amazing talent for creating characters with the perfect balance of charm and quirkiness. Pudge, with his strange talent for quotation, is misguided but loveable. Even the less than likeable characters have a talent for fully captivating the reader and I am never less than fully drawn into Green's stories. Much like An Abundance of Katherines (the first John Green book I read), Looking for Alaska is a novel I find myself thinking about long past its finish date.
I know there are a lot of John Green fans in the blogging world, so I guess this is my next opportunity to ask for advice: having read Abundance of Katherines and Looking for Alaska, which novel of Green's should I check out next?
March 19, 2012 at 12:58 PM
Definitely, definitely THE FAULT IN OUR STARS.
KATHERINES was my favorite until I read it. Now it's a very close call, but lately I lean in the direction of STARS. Though, like you, I think about ALASKA all the time. And quote the last line to myself.
March 20, 2012 at 9:46 PM
Angie - I've read so many great reviews of Stars that I'm definitely eager to check it out, but I may wait until later in the year. I hear it's a pretty emotional book and since I'm already in a state to be crying at sappy commercials (see previous post), it's probably wise for me to wait on reading that one! ;)
March 20, 2012 at 9:50 PM
I have to agree: The Fault in Our Stars is fantastic. Though you're right -- it is definitely emotional.
March 22, 2012 at 4:12 PM
First of all, hi! This is my first time leaving a comment; I actually just stumbled across your blog and I was drawn in by the fact that you're a reader of such diverse books, as I am.
Secondly, and this is a terrible admission, I've never read John Green! Yet. I think An Abundance of Katherines was the first I added to my to-read list, but I just haven't had the chance for any of them yet. (I remember I was first interested in his writing after reading one of his pep talks for NaNoWriMo - funny how that happens.) Anyway, I've heard absolutely monumental things about The Fault in Our Stars, like everyone else is suggesting, and I know a friend of mine (also a book blogger) considers it a book that had a rather significant impact on her - one of those rare ones that really leaves a lasting impression. But if you're not keen on the emotional investment, I know Paper Towns has been very highly acclaimed and Will Grayson, Will Grayson is supposedly quite fun. But of course, this is all from a girl who hasn't had a chance to read any of his work yet whatsoever sooo...it is what it is? ;)
May 22, 2013 at 1:29 AM
so nice..
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