The Fault in Our Stars - John Green

Oh. My. God.

Do you know how when you open a book and you read the first page and you KNOW you're about to embark on something BIG? That is exactly what this book was like times a bazillion.

John Green is a complete genius and I would give my left kidney (oh hell, and my right) to have a tenth of his talent. It was simply dripping with emotion and love and tears and amazing that it completely overwhelmed me. I read this book a couple of days ago and it took me this long to write up the review because I want to give it justice.

The characters were desperately real to me that I could feel them breathing. I cried when Hazel cried, I hurt when she did, when she didn't want to get out of bed, neither did I. She is such a gorgeously written character and her strength was felt through and through. Augustus...there are no words. He is stunning and heartbreaking and the true definition of a man.

Now that I am crying all over again, I urge you to PLEASE read this book. It is everything. You will never need to read another book again after you read this one. What is life and death? What is the most important thing to us? Is it really over when we die? This book will change your life and make you think about things in a completely wonderful and frightening way. I am SO jealous of those who have not read it - you are in for such a treat and I cannot wait for you to open this wonderful, wonderful gift John has given you!

***** (and then some)

Shine by Lauren Myracle

When her best friend falls victim to a vicious hate crime, sixteen-year-old Cat sets out to discover the culprits in her small North Carolina town.

What a beautiful novel!

I was not expecting something to like so much from Lauren Myracle. I only knew her from her Internet series and honestly didn't expect this from her! The writing was incredible and the voice of Cat was so real to me that I could even hear her Southern twang in her voice. The crime against Patrick made my stomach turn and it felt so real that it was happening to one of my friends.

This story was about so much more than just the hate crime. It was about drugs and the effect it has on people and their relationships. I know firsthand what it does to people's lives and it made the book all the more important to me. It really proved that the smaller the town, the bigger the problems. I really recommend this book and it totally made me cry!

*****

Every You, Every Me - David Levithan

Evan is haunted by the loss of his best friend, but when mysterious photographs start appearing, he begins to fall apart as he starts to wonder if she has returned, seeking vengeance.

Heartbreaking and hauntingly beautiful!

From the first chapter I read of this book I knew I was in for a treat. David Levithan's writing is so intense and full of emotion that you can't help but to be wrapped in and feel what the other characters are feeling. The characters were stunningly written, particularly Evan and Jack. Even Ariel is written as a character even though she never spoke one word.

Levithan is a wonderful author and so clever. I found the collaboration between him and Jonathon Farmer so amazing - neither of them had any idea what the other was doing until they saw the actual photograph. How in the heck did they do that?! Evan's grittiness and torgtured soul made me want to cry for him.

Amazing book, a total favorite!

*****

Lola and the Boy Next Door - Stephanie Perkins

Budding costume designer Lola lives an extraordinary life in San Francisco with her two dads and beloved dog, dating a punk rocker, but when the Bell twins return to the house next door Lola recalls both the friendship-ending fight with Calliope, a figure skater, and the childhood crush she had on Cricket.

If it was possible (and logical) to marry a novel, it would be this one! There were so many things I loved about this book that I smile just thinking about it. There's no doubt that Stephanie Perkins knows what she's doing as an author and as a romanticist. By the end of the book she had me in a puddle on the floor.

Everything about this book was charming. The imagery, quaint neighborhoods, and just the city in general. I've been to San Fransisco and I fell in love all over again! The characters were amazing and had the best personalities. Cricket was the best guy ever and I need one for me okay? Thank you!

It was also so great to 'hear' from Anna and Etienne again, they're relationship was adorable. I absolutely cannot wait for Isla and the Happily Ever After. I might have to slug someone for a possible ARC...