Book Club

First off, we have Looking for Alaska by John Green. I had previously read Green's The Fault in Our Stars, which is simultaneously tragic and hilarious, so I was stoked when my sister bought me Alaska for my birthday. That said, it was nothing like I expected; in fact, it was quite trashy. I didn't find any of the main characters likable, nor was there much of a plot until the (semi-predictable) second half of the book. Disappointment!

Read if: You like wild high school stories, wine, and unlikable protagonists.
Or better yet: Stick with TFIOS, where Green isn't quite so self-indulgent.    
Would you recommend it? I would not.



The book I'm currently reading is The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. I'm pretty sure this is the book everyone in ninth or tenth grade was assigned to read, but for some reason, I never had to read it. When I found it at a thrift store some months back, I bought it, and I finally cracked it open yesterday. I love it! Something I didn't like about Alaska was all the cursing but this book -- so far -- omits "pervasive language" (haha) by just stating that the characters cussed. I like that. Classy move, S.E. I always knew I liked you. Also, Hinton wrote this book when he(?) was like, 16. Radical.

Read if: You like good writing, and amusing characters with interesting personalities.
Would you recommend it? So far!

Last, but by no means least, is Passion & Purity by Elisabeth Elliot. My friend Gracie let me borrow it, and so far I've only read the foreword, but I'm already super intrigued. Normally, I don't get excited (giddy, even) over reading something that is nonfiction. But, I'm really pumped about how God's going to speak to me through this book, and I can't wait to see how He changes my viewpoints. Plus, Elisabeth Elliot is kind of an amazing lady. So, there's that.

Read if: You want some Christ-centered advice on romantic relationships that will radically transform your heart -- in a good way.
Would you recommend it? HECK YES