John Green - The Fault in Our Stars

I'm a bit late reviewing what has become the hottest YA book of the last few years. The fact is, I hardly ever read young adult novels - which means this might be an interesting review for those like me who are generally more drawn to adult fiction, classics, or things that are a bit more 'literary' in general. I downloaded the novel on my kindle, after all the hype, particularly now that the movie has come out in the States. I figured I would probably see the movie eventually (I haven't yet) and I wanted to read the novel first.

I know this will shock many people, but it took me a while to get into it. In the beginning I was turned off by the writing style and the overly self-analyzing first person narrator, as well as some of the characters. But, like I said, I'm not used to reading contemporary young adult fiction and I was looking at it very closely through my Literature-Ph.D.-candidate reading glasses (probably more than I would have another book, because it's ya and written by a youtuber). As the story went on, however, I was completely sucked in and read it in about two days, forgetting my stylistic qualms. I'm pretty sure everyone and their mother knows the plot of this novel, but I still don't want to spoil it for people who may not have read it. Hazel Grace Lancaster is a cancer patient who meets dreamy Augustus Waters at a support group meeting. The two develop a friendship and then something more, end up in Amsterdam to meet the reclusive author of Hazel's favorite book, in order to ask him what happens to the characters after the story ends. Things don't go exactly as planned - let's leave it at that. But the biggest plot twist is at the end. Suffice it to say that I finished it while on a train ride and was literally sobbing - mascara rolling down my cheeks, nose dripping and all that fun stuff, while the people around me looked concerned. I didn't see the ending coming and John Green built it up just perfectly. It was touching, but not sentimental or overly tragic.
I still have to say I'm not as obsessed with this book as a lot of people are. If I had read it 10 or 15 years ago, I'm sure I would be, though. I did really enjoy it at the end, and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for an easy-to-read, gripping story that deals with a touchy subject in a respectful but also lighthearted way (at times, at least). I like that it's not the typical cancer-book. The characters have lives aside from their illness, they're not saints, they have interests and hopes and fears. A lot of deeper questions are raised about life, the meaning of suffering etc., but John Green doesn't bang you over the head with them - or with the answers. Before I started the book I had read somewhere that the author is Episcolapian, so I was actually expecting a bit of a clearer message relating to salvation, life after death, grace or something. But thinking about the story later on, I actually appreciate the subtlety of the dealing of these topics, and the focus on the characters and the story more than their philosophical implications. Once again, I guess I just need to come to terms with the fact that this is a contemporary ya novel and it fits the genre.
Definitely pick it up if you're in your teens or enjoy YA in general. I did like it more than I was expecting and will probably watch the movie at some point, too. (I'll do a blog post about it, when that happens). I always like that good cry at the end of a book or film!

Booktube

What is Booktube?

Over the last 4 or 5 years Youtube has changed radically. It used to be a video-sharing platform where you could find funny cat videos and David Letterman reruns. Then, almost suddenly it seems, it became the new TV. New Youtubers started making channels about specific interests, they vlogged, they created web series' etc.
I love Youtube. I don't own a television and I don't miss it because on Youtube I can find pretty much everything I'm looking for: historical documentaries, cooking shows, interviews, rare concert footage, rambly vlogs by entertaining families (Shaytards anyone?) etc. What Youtube also enables, compared to traditional TV, is community and connection with other viewers and content creators. The first Youtube community I stumbled across were the so-called Beauty-gurus - offering tutorials, reviews etc. Later I started following the fitness community (who needs to pay for workout dvds anymore?) and I only just recently found the Booktube community.
Booktube has literally exploded over the last couple of years and while in the beginning most of the books people reviewed and talked about were YA, now there is a very diversified group of people, who interact with each other through tags and collaborations.  Most reviewers are not by professionals of the literary world - and that's a good thing, if you like the informality of hearing someone chat about a book they just read, showing you what they just bought (hauls) and what is on their TBR (to-be-read) list. I enjoy this, and obviously, I enjoy listening to other lit students and scholars, as well.
Booktube is a great place to go in search for inspiration (I've definitely started reading more now that I watch these videos) and to connect with other people from around the world who share your love of reading.
I'm always discovering new people to follow, but here are a few of my current favorites:

Readingbukoswki. She is a lit major from York and was the first Booktuber I discovered. She is my absolute favorite because she is so passionate in her reviews. Like me, she reads a lot of classics and literary works.
https://www.youtube.com/user/ReadingBukowski

Librarianfanmail. A quirky Canadian librarian whom I find incredibly entertaining. She reviews a variety of genres. I have to say, she usually talks about books that I have never read or even heard of, but her reviews - and discussions about other things as well - are so interesting, I could sit and watch her for hours.
https://www.youtube.com/user/librarianfanmail

AdamandKarate. This Booktube couple makes quick and funny videos, mostly about non-fiction. Again, I rarely know the books they talk about, but their videos are really entertaining.
https://www.youtube.com/user/adamandkarate

BOOKSandBable. A lovely (former?) Lit student.She talks about classics and literary works in a very knowleadgable way. I love her attitude (and her accent).
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtEzD16lgejopt7rKMNfq7A/feed


 

Booksandquills. Like me she is bi-lingual (Dutch and English in her case). She reads a wide range of styles and her reviews are always very thorough and well though out.
https://www.youtube.com/user/booksandquills

RonLit. A Lit graduate student from Canada. She is hilarious and also really informative.
https://www.youtube.com/user/bookjunkielit

WordsofaReader. Again, she reviews classics and literary books so most of her choices are right up my alley. And she has a lovely Australian accent too!
https://www.youtube.com/user/WordsofaReader

FromtheShelf. She hasn't been vlogging as long as others, and her videos aren't quite as professional as some, but I love her taste in books and her chatty, informal style. She just seems like a genuinely nice person I could be friends with in 'real' life.
https://www.youtube.com/user/FromtheShelf