The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

"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." (Description from Goodreads.com)

********

Our New Adult book group choose The Fault in Our Stars for our May book. I first started reading this book six months ago but decided I couldn't finish. My first thoughts were what a well-written, funny story and that surprised me. I was afraid to read more...for the bad to happen. So to say I finished it it a big accomplishment for me.

There has been so many reviews written about this amazing book. Too many to count and too many so well done, it doesn't seem right to write my own words to it. However, I did want to bring light to this book and make sense out of what I read. Here's my own review added to the many out there already...

I would say that this is a beautiful, beautiful love story where we get the time to watch Hazel and Gus fall in love. Not make dumb mistakes where they take each other for granted and have huge misunderstandings but a true falling in love story where you know these two were meant to be together. That is what makes is so heartbreaking, the kind of ugly crying that you don't want anyone to witness.

What makes this story sad is not the cancer or that someone might be dying from it or even the long aftereffects of cancer. It's that these two wonderful souls have found each other and have such a short time together. As one of them said, "Dying is a symptom of cancer." They wouldn't want you to feel sorry for them, even for the short amount of time they get together. As someone who loves reading love stories, it's hard not to feel for them. Feel the pain of one watching the other go through something so horrible and painful, with no answer on how to help but be there. That's what is gut wrenching about the story...at least to me.

When reading it during tough parts, I kept reminding myself that they did have that short, wonderful time together. How many of us in the world don't even get to experience that? The world might not be a wish granting factory but for me it granted these too an epic love story.

The Fault in Our Stars is a beautiful, funny, well-written love story. When reading it, you can't think, "It's a story about kids with cancer." They're teens and living life the best they can in spite of cancer. If you haven't had a chance to read this one yet, I would suggest a bag of chocolate, box of tissues and a day to yourself to really enjoy this story.