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What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

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Original poster

"The Fault in our Stars" - what did you think? <spoilers>

48 replies

PacificDogwood · 15/08/2014 21:07

I really liked it - not every aspect of it, but the debunking of the 'cancer war' myth and the 'noble sufferer' myth.

And how John Greene managed to write a book about cancer and death that is funny and life-affirming, I am still not quite sure.

At least one MNer did not like it , so how about you lot?

OP posts:

Nerf · 16/08/2014 19:58

Same here. It's such a beautiful piece of writing.

Primadonnagirl · 16/08/2014 19:59

Loved the book so don't need / want to see the film...sadly I read it at a very pertinent time when I heard I had just lost someone it cancer but it made me realise how undiscriminating the bastard disease is...

Original poster

PacificDogwood · 16/08/2014 20:08

Oh, I've heard of We were Liars, not read it though - it's going on my reading list. And Before I die.

I knew nothing about TFIOS before I picked up (supermarket BOGOF for holiday reading - the other one was a Jack Reacher one ) and I did not know it was written for YA.
Maybe it is a bit of a Marmite book - I am at the less soppy end of the book-reading spectrum and quite a cynic but thought it was well done in the book just because it was NOT all the tear-jerky and quite life-affirming in spite of its subject matter.

I agree neither Hazel nor Gus look like I had imagined in the film.

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bruffin · 16/08/2014 20:09

I am reading We were Liars at the moment, it is beatifully written. I am only on summer 17, so no spoilers please

Nerf · 16/08/2014 20:17

Bruffin I am envious, its so brilliant. Op you. must-read it.

BertieBotts · 16/08/2014 20:40

I read the sample bit of We Were Liars and found the style hard to follow. Is it worth sticking with?

AuntieBrenda · 16/08/2014 21:19

Thanks for the suggestions - will do!

FairlyUseless · 16/08/2014 21:25

AFIOS did what it intended to do - make a fuck load of money. I found it pretentious, predictable and a poor imatation of other, better books of the same genre.

John Green obvious watched a lot if Dawson's Creek before he wrote it.

Having said that, is other books are much better.

madamehooch · 16/08/2014 21:30

Not a fan of 'We Were Liars'.

I preferred 'Amy and Matthew' to TFIOS. Very well written and not schmaltzy at all.

One of my favourite YA books though is 'Thirteen Reasons Why'. A must read if you haven't done so already.

bruffin · 16/08/2014 22:02

This thread and my ds playing all the ALS ice bucket videos remind me of a book i read when i was 15 called May I Cross Your Golden River (A Time to Love A time to mourn) about a teenager with Motor Neurone Disease.

I read it when i was about 15 and loved it and thanks to the wonders of Amazon managed to get an old copy recently and re read. iIts one of those books that just stayed with me. Sadly couldnt get dd interested in it. This was before her obsession with TFIOS

Nerf · 16/08/2014 22:35

Bertie, yes. Fall into the reading style and you'll be fine.
I shall try 13 reasons next

Original poster

PacificDogwood · 16/08/2014 22:42

The wonder of my Kindle app have allowed me to download all your suggestions.
Tissues at the ready...

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Nerf · 16/08/2014 22:56

Aw,same here...

sweetnessandlite · 17/08/2014 15:35

Hasnt anybody read Before I die by Jenny downham. it's on kindle

Original poster

PacificDogwood · 17/08/2014 15:36

I started last night, sweetness, 3 chapters in.
So far I am not sucked in, but it's early on...

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sweetnessandlite · 17/08/2014 15:40

It's very realistic.. especially the last few chapters... it had me blubbering like a baby.

Original poster

PacificDogwood · 21/08/2014 20:56

Ok, I've finished Before I Die a couple of days ago.
I liked it (well, as much as you can 'like' a book about a teenager's death), but it did not grip me as TFIOS.
I think I liked the fact that TFIOS was a bit more contrived and the protagonists incredibly clever and articulate and creative etc etc; somehow 'hyper'real IYKWIM.

I'm now on to We were Liars and I am full of East Coast Millionaires Lifestyle Envy - I am missing the point of the book, aren't I? Good read so far anyway...

OP posts:

bruffin · 21/08/2014 21:01

i have finished We were Liars and it is good.

Dont worry Pacificdogwood I was looking up holidays in Marthas Vineyard last night

Original poster

PacificDogwood · 21/08/2014 21:03

Never mind Martha's Vineyard - I want my own private island.
The news about Gat is not going to be good, is it?

NO!!
Don't tell me!

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Nerf · 21/08/2014 21:31

Oh it's fine...I'm so jealous of you reading it for the first time.

Original poster

PacificDogwood · 23/08/2014 12:51

Well, We are Liars….. I don't know what to say.
I really like the writing and the characters, but did not think that the twist was much of a twist (in that it was obvious that something fairly traumatic must have happened to her) and just feel gutted for them all

I still want the private island though...

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carben · 24/08/2014 20:44

Bruffin- I read that book by Paige Dixon when I was 15. I fell completely in love with Jordan Phillips but hated his girlfriend. The romantic in me wanted him to be with Em. I was always going to call any child of mine Jordan because of this book but unfortunately it got really popular with unfortunate connotations so I couldn't (sob).

bruffin · 24/08/2014 21:04

I was the same. I wanted to name my child Jordan as well, but then I grew up .
I have managed to get the sequel. Its about Jordan's younger brother who goes on a road trip to meet his fathers family. The family are a bit like the Sinclairs in We Were Liars.

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