Posts going forward will be a little less structured, since this is no longer a class assignment.

I recently read The Fault in Our Stars by Josh Green. My initial reaction was that this was Juno, but with cancer being the central crisis, rather than teen pregnancy. It was hard to get over the super-slick dialog. I mean, I was a smart teenager, and I had smart friends, and we were never so quick-witted as Hazel and Gus.

I did, however, end up caring for the characters immensely and felt all the weight of the unfairness of what they were going through. It's a very Important book, without being didactic. I've already passed it to a reluctant reader who is enjoying it. I was surprised that while I did not cry when I read the book, as I was discussing it with someone else, I started welling up. Trust me, I don't cry easily.

I believe this book would appeal to both sexes, mature readers, and reluctant readers alike. Despite a few unbelievable episodes, it's definitely a book worth reading.