The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Summary:
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I seriously can't believe that I waited this long to read The Fault in Our Stars. I wanted to borrow it from the library but it has been on hold or out since it was released. I eventually saw a copy of the novel on my friend's bookshelf and she reluctantly let me borrow it. This is definitely my favorite John Green book, which is really saying something because he's an awesome author.

The story is destined to be depressing. That's what happens when your main character has terminal cancer. Though it's not terminal in the sense that "oh I have a year to live." It's more of the fact that Hazel knows she will eventually die from cancer, but the doctors aren't really sure when. Now that her disease is slightly stabilized, Hazel is able to go to classes at the community college and attend a cancer support group. Which is where she meets Augustus! He is such an awesome character and definitely one of those John Green signature personalities. The relationship between Hazel and Augustus is so, so sweet, especially since he understands her due to him having cancer at one point too.

There were other interesting and important characters as well. I loved Hazel's parents, who were so supportive and loving. Augustus's friend Isaac was hilarious. The author of their favorite (fake) novel makes an appearance and is a little rough around the edges but ultimately a good guy.

I just want to warn those who haven't read the book (which is probably no one at this point): you will cry. I predicted the ending but it didn't make it any less sad! This is going to be even harder to watch on-screen, when it's made into a movie.

I really enjoyed The Fault in Our Stars now that I've finally read it. I think I devoured it in about a day - I just could not put it down. I would probably consider this my favorite John Green novel and I hope that whatever he writes next can top this novel.

Rating: 10 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from a friend.

2012/Dutton Books/313 pages.

Waiting on Wednesday - 158

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine for bloggers and readers to see what new books are going to be released.

Raging Star by Moira Young

Saba is ready to seize her destiny and defeat DeMalo and the Tonton...until she meets him and he confounds all her expectations with his seductive vision of a healed earth, a New Eden. DeMalo wants Saba to join him, in life and work, to create and build a healthy, stable, sustainable world…for the chosen few. The few who can pay.

Jack’s choice is clear: to fight DeMalo and try to stop New Eden. Still uncertain, her connection with DeMalo a secret, Saba commits herself to the fight. Joined by her brother, Lugh, anxious for the land in New Eden, Saba leads an inexperienced guerilla band against the powerfully charismatic DeMalo, in command of his settlers and the Tonton militia. What chance do they have? Saba must act. And be willing to pay the price. (from GoodReads)

I didn't love Dust Lands, but the first novel of this trilogy was so good that I need to know what happens all the way through. Raging Star will be released April 15, 2014.

Top Ten Tuesday - 104

Top Ten Tuesday was started by The Broke and the Bookish for bloggers that like to make lists about books.

Top Ten Books I Was Forced to Read

1. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
This was one of the summer reading books for my AP Lit class senior year. Out of the four, it was the only I actually enjoyed. It's pretty long with small print but so worth it. The main character tells the story of his childhood, and of his friendship with the odd Owen Meany.

2. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
This is one of my favorite classic novels and I'm so glad my teacher put this on the list. It doesn't even read like it's from the 19th century. I love the relationship between Jane and Mr. Rochester and the Gothic atmosphere is so spooky.

3. Macbeth by William Shakespeare
I can tell why this is considered one of Shakespeare's greatest works. I can't remember everything that happens, but it has a ton of twists and turns and creepy Lady Macbeth seeing blood on her hands.

4. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
This is super popular now that the movie was just released (which was really good by the way!). I really enjoyed the novel before the film and it's such an easy read.

5. 1984 by George Orwell
I'm not really a fan of the ending of 1984 but it was interesting to read one of the first dystopian novels.

6. Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
I never really hear people talk about Ethan Frome but it's such a good book. It's really good for discussions because it deals with emotional cheating.

7. Hamlet by William Shakespeare
This is one of my favorite Shakespeare plays, mostly because my friends and I had to rewrite it for class and perform it.

8. Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane
I had to read this for my 9th grade world history class during the section on Africa. I think I talk about this book a lot but it's about a boy living in South Africa during Apartheid.

9. The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank
I read this in 8th grade and we could all really relate to Anne because we were around the same age.

10. Tangerine by Edward Bloor
This was a book I read in 7th grade but I think adults would enjoy it too! It has a huge twist at the end that you will not see coming.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Summary:
I have two weeks. You’ll shoot me at the end no matter what I do.

That’s what you do to enemy agents. It’s what we do to enemy agents. But I look at all the dark and twisted roads ahead and cooperation is the easy way out. Possibly the only way out for a girl caught red-handed doing dirty work like mine — and I will do anything, anything, to avoid SS-Hauptsturmführer von Linden interrogating me again.

He has said that I can have as much paper as I need. All I have to do is cough up everything I can remember about the British War Effort. And I’m going to. But the story of how I came to be here starts with my friend Maddie. She is the pilot who flew me into France — an Allied Invasion of Two.

We are a sensational team. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I'm behind on reviews, but since I just finished Code Name Verity, I thought I'd review it first. When I started this book, I didn't like it that much. However, by the end I was in love!

I began the book not really enjoying it because it's really dense and there's a lot of description of airplanes and British military terms. There's still some acronyms that I don't know the full meaning of and if you're not careful you'll get hung up on all the lingo. I wanted the story, so I ignored a lot of the technical stuff that I didn't care for.

I absolutely love the idea of an unreliable narrator and it works super well for this story. The narrator (I can't say who it is because it's a spoiler) tells the story of how she and Maddie, a British female, pilot became best friends. She's telling this story instead of being tortured, because in it she's supposed to be disclosing important Allied military information. People will have a different opinions of the narrator because she's technically a traitor, but she had been tortured so can you really blame her? I'd probably be spilling all kinds of secrets.

The first half of the book I thought was okay. Once the book switches narrators halfway through it gets so much better. You find out all this new information about the characters and there's some twists and turns of the plot. I find myself flipping back to the first half to see how everything tied together and looked for clues that I had missed the first time around. The way Elizabeth Wein weaves the two stories together is amazing.

The ending is very sad but I thought it fit well with the story and that made me not hate it as much. I wish there was more character development between the narrator and Maddie - at times it was hard to tell that they were best friends. I also loved that both the characters are strong women. One was a pilot and the other was a spy, which was unheard of during World War II. Well, at least it's unheard of in movies and books. I'd love to read more about females in WWII, I'm sure it would be fascinating.

Overall, if you like historical fiction, especially WWII fiction, you have to pick this book. If you just like a good story where you have to piece together the facts, you'll probably enjoy Code Name Verity too.

Rating: 8 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from the library.

2012/Egmont Press/447 pages.

Waiting on Wednesday - 157

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine for bloggers and readers to see what new books are going to be released.

The One by Kiera Cass

The Selection changed the lives of thirty-five girls forever. And now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen.

America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the competition approaches its end and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

From the very first page of The Selection, this #1 New York Times bestselling series has captured readers' hearts and swept them away on a captivating journey... Now, in The One, Kiera Cass delivers a satisfying and unforgettable conclusion that will keep readers sighing over this electrifying fairy-tale long after the final page is turned.




I wasn't the biggest fan of The Elite but I do want to find out what happens with America and Maxon! Will they end up together? I need to know. The One will be released May 6, 2014.

Top Ten Tuesday - 103

Top Ten Tuesday was started by The Broke and the Bookish for bloggers and readers who like to make lists about books.

Top Ten Best/Worst Endings Series Ending

WORST:

1. Requiem by Lauren Oliver
I really do love this series but I was so disappointed by the ending! The book just ends and you don't find out what happens to the characters. I get that that's the point the author wanted to make, but I didn't like it!

2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Howling
I still love this book, but I wasn't the biggest fan of Ginny, so I didn't like how Harry and her ended up together.

3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
I didn't mind the ending but the rest of the book was not my cup of tea. Which is unfortunate because this trilogy is awesome.

4. The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
I did enjoy the book mostly expect the part where a certain character dies.

5. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
I truly believe this series should have ended with Eclipse... this book was rough.

BEST:

6. Specials/Extras by Scott Westerfeld
Extras is a companion novel so I didn't know what you would consider the "ending." Both books are great though and I absolutely love the world that Westerfeld created.

7. Sever by Lauren DeStefano
I was surprised by how much I liked Sever, especially because I didn't like Fever. The ending actually makes sense and is a nice conclusion.

8. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
I cried so much reading this but it's pretty much perfect.

9. The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan
This trilogy is so understated and underappreciated but I love it.

10. Runaway by Meg Cabot
This was a fun conclusion to the Airhead trilogy.

Top Ten Tuesday - 102

Top Ten Tuesday was started by The Broke and the Bookish for bloggers who like to make lists about books.

Top Ten Book Turn-Offs

1. Religious Preaching
I don't mind books having religious undertones and if it's done right these books can be very interesting (see: The Opposite of Hallelujah by Anna Jarzab). But I do not like a book that's preachy and you can tell that the author wants to get their own religious message across.

2. Insta-Love
Anytime a book has "instant love" or "instant connection," I'm turned off. Those types of relationships aren't realistic and make the characters look weak. I want to see the relationship develop slowly - there's no reason for the characters to have love at first sight.

3. High Fantasy - I'm really not a big fantasy person, but if it's done right I love it (aka Harry Potter). So the plot has to sound extremely intriguing for me to pick up a book that's set in an alternate world.

4. Poetry/Verse - I don't like poetry that much so when a book is written in verse I definitely shy away from it. I have read some great novels written in this style but it's still something I avoid.

5. Non-Fiction - I just really enjoy reading fiction and have no interest in non-fiction most of the time.

6. Self-Harm - Not really a fan of reading about depressing parts of the human psyche and this one is hard to read about. I just want to help the character!
7. Sexual Abuse - Same as the above, too depressing to read about.

8. For Fans of Twilight - If it's like Twilight then I'm probably not going to like it.

9. Eating Disorders - Another "issue" but this one hits close to home for my family and I so I don't need to read about it too.

10. Drug Abuse - Ok, I ran out of ideas so I'm listing all of the ills in our society. I like my books to
be happy!