The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

I didn't have a clue what this book would be about, and the fact it was in teens made me nervous. My twitter friends recommended it to me several times. Even then, it was only after a desperate soul called me at Chapters (I work at Chapters) praying that we would have a copy that I finally decided to put one aside for me as well.

When I read the first two paragraphs I nearly died thinking 'OH NO! This book is about depression and cancer!?' I don't think I would have picked it up, had I known, and thank god I didn't, because it was fantabulous!!!! Let me say it again: FANTABULOUS!!! A FIVE STAR BOOK! Do you even know how long its been since I've read a five star book!? Jane Austen.

Hazel Grace is an enlightened 16 year old girl, and the narrator of her seemingly inglorious story of her battle with pain and social apathy. "Sickness really does eat up one's passion for life." "That's the thing about pain, it demands to be felt." However, 17 year old Augustus is quickly introduced to the plot and suddenly Hazel has an equal to challenge her mind. It was not long before I had to pry the book out of my hands, find a note book, and start writing out quotes that I'm sure I will be using for years to come. That and a dictionary, from time to time, because words like "hamartia" are regretfully not in my vocab. - Even google's blogger is trying to auto correct the word, right now, which makes me feel a bit better.

The plot moved at a perfect speed, no sooner did I ask a character/plot question, in my head, then it was answered. I felt like I was digesting such a feast, and yet with each page I was still ravenous. The seamless way Green wove Shakespeare and Maslow's Hierarchy all into one story reminded me of Malcolm Gladwell's genius. Both have a way of effortlessly explaining complexities and making it palatable.

But here I am rambling on about the writing style and not the plot. In part, because I don't wish to deprive you from peeling each layer of this onion yourself. And the other part, being, because the style was so fantastic that I feel a healthy portion of this review should just praise it.

One can't help adore the love that blossoms between Hazel and Augustus. Pity and laugh with their blind friend Isaac. And muse at the complexities of Hazel's parents position.

Suffice it to say, "I fell in love <with this book> the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once."

P.S. Big Thank You to all my Twitter peeps who recommended this book to me! @charlie_n_books
For more info on the book and the writer please visit: http://johngreenbooks.com/the-fault-in-our-stars/
If you wish to buy it you can find it here: Great Deals!!

Escape from Camp 14

I just finished reading an incredible story of survival. 

The story of Shin Dong-Hyuk takes you right into one of North Korea's most horrifying prison camps that make the Holocaust seem like a spring vacation. Human life is disposable. Human feeling unheard of. Trust even between a mother and her son does not exist. Love is impossible.

What was most scary for me, was truly coming to terms with this place where I could understand how and why Shin made the decisions he did. And I question my own moral integrity were I to be in the same place.

To get such a vivid description of what life was like for Shin, who happens to be my age, and so many others in these camps, was very serial. I have grown up with the comforting thought that camps like these were a thing of a Nazi past, not happening simultaneously as I've been living my very comfortable free life.

Shin met many strange, and deeply troubled characters along his path, and I couldn't help wondering 'why?' Why certain people acted this way or that? What was their motive or drive? Did no one feel any emotional attachment? And most of all what happened to many of them? - Questions, I'm sure, that will forever haunt Shin.






What's heart breaking is there is no foreseeable end to camp 14 and the likes of it. But I believe, at the very least, they deserve our attention.

You can purchase 'Escape from Camp 14' in trade paper back here: Chapters'