The Fault in Our Stars

by John Green

This is the book I read Tuesday evening instead of nervously watching election results trickle in. Because if I’m going to be emotional I might as well go all the way, you know? The Fault in Our Stars is the story of Hazel, an extremely bright 16-year-old girl with terminal cancer. She’s been fighting it for 3 years, and has reached a stand-off with the tumors thanks to a new (fictional) medicine – they’re not getting bigger, but they’re not going away either. Her life is filled with oxygen tanks, college classes, loving parents, and a support group she’d rather not go to. Until one day she meets Augustus, a handsome and charming fellow cancer victim. Ensue a love story that is mature, witty, poignant, honest and heart-rending. I read this all in one sitting because the story completely pulled me in, and for the last 50 or so pages I was [unsuccessfully] fighting back tears. I won’t say this has a happy ending (as you may have guessed from the title alone, and cancer, and tears), but it was (for me) a satisfying one. This is a book that will stay with me for awhile and I highly recommend it.
 

I give it 5/5 stars.