The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Summary from Goodreads:
Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now. 

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumors tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault. 

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

No Rating

Library Book

Tried to Read January/February 2013

My Thoughts:
This is not a full review.  I am not able to give a full review.  I couldn't finish this book, so I don't feel that I can give it a full review.  I will however share my thoughts on what I did read of this book.

This story is fantastic.  The characters have me so involved with them that I feel like they are real.  This book shows me the life of teenagers facing terminal illness in a different way.  I appreciate the candor.

Unfortunately, I got to a point in this book where I just couldn't keep reading.  I kept taking day long breaks and reading fluff in an effort to be emotionally able to continue.  Last night I was a mess.  I started reading the next part of a chapter and had to put it down.  I didn't want to read what I saw coming.  I couldn't do it.  I thought maybe I could face it this morning.  But this morning I woke up and said to myself, "why am I putting myself through this?"  

Some may not agree with my decision, but I decided to stop reading this book.  I felt an instant relief.  I know that this book is considered one of the best of 2012.  I know that it is highly acclaimed.  I can totally see why.  It is, however, a book.  One that I can choose to read or not read.  I don't need to make myself any sadder.  I don't need to feel any more pain.  

I am going to spend some extra time today showing my children how much I love them and cherishing the time that I have on this earth.  I am going to count my blessings and smile.  And, I may pick up a fluffy, regency romance and lose myself in the fantasy of it.

Warnings: Lots of swearing and an instance of premarital sex that was tastefully done, not graphic.  Millions of tears.

I would not let my 14 year old read this book.  I do not want to put her through this kind of pain and it has pretty mature themes in it.