Thursday, 16 May 2013

Book Review: Looking For Alaska

This is the second time I've read Looking For Alaska by John Green and it's definitely a book that I will be visiting again. I first picked up the book back in 2008 after my sister recommended it to me, and despite being only 13 while reading it, I really enjoyed it. Now that I'm 18 and actually understand everything that happens in the book, I loved it even more.
Published in 2006
I'll be honest, it's really hard to give a synopsis of the book without spoilers but the gist is boy meets girl, boy falls for girl, then one mistake in the middle of the night changes things. It's obviously WAY more complicated than that, but the MAIN story line follows that.

The book deals with family, love, death, loss, friendship/relationships, regret and empathy. I've just made it sound like a really heavy book but it's not (unless you get really emotionally invested in characters like I do). Yes it deals with some adult themes that I don't think many children below the age of 15 will truly understand, but at the same time I wouldn't rule this book out for young teens nor say they won't enjoy it, because I certainly did the first time I read it. It's a book that doesn't take effort to think about, the language is simple and easy to read for everyone. The book is actually really uplifting and despite some awful things happening, I feel John Green wanted us to focus on the more positive and inspiring qualities on the book; thus focusing on love and relationships more than anything.

As a teenager reading it, I found it, I don't want to say relatable because I personally have not had the same experiences, but I understood aspects of the book that people in a different age bracket would judge differently. I know I'm not making any sense. It's a book that more girls would enjoy compared to boys but I highly recommend any teenager to read this book. I personally would not store this in my children's fiction section like all book stores, but young adults definitely.

What books are you guys reading? Anything you guys recommend and want a review on?

Talk to you soon!
Katie xo

3 comments:

  1. dont even mention looking for Alaska in my vicinity I get war flashbacks

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  2. Such a great book! I read it in one night. Have you read 'The Fault in Our Stars' yet?

    xx,
    mashasmumbles.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. yes i have and omg cried so much! TFiOS is my favourite book and i cant wait for the movie!

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