The Fault in Our Stars Challenge

So I just finished "The Fault in Our Stars" for the first time the other day. I pushed off buying it and reading it because the premise didn't appeal to me. People with cancer, this clearly can't end happily, and I'm all about happy endings. Moreover, it was becoming a big deal on Pinterest and other such places on the internet and when something becomes a giant fad, I tend to stay away from it (remember those Hunger Games? I still haven't made it through the first one).


I did finally give in. With it being summer and with the movie coming out and everything I knew someone was gonna end up wanting to go see it, and I have this weird thing where I HAVE to read the book before I see the movie. I made one of my ex-friends so mad. I wouldn't watch "The Notebook" with her for two years because I hadn't been able to locate a copy of the book to read it first (and if we were still friends she'd probably still be nagging me about reading "A Walk to Remember," which is on my 'to read' shelf).


As much as I would have liked to say I didn't like it because it's all mainstream and a big deal and blah blah blah... I did like it. I kind of wanted to rip my heart out and stomp on it by the time I was done, but I liked the book.


Because I liked the book, because I read the book, and because (as predicted) I've made plans to go see the movie on Tuesday, I will be taking the Heck Yeah Tumblr Challenges: The Fault in Our Stars Challenge right here, right now. Enjoy! (Probably will contain spoilers if you haven't read the book or seen the movie!)


Day 1: How did you learn about the book?

It's everywhere by now. It's a movie, it's a teenage angsty cult thing. I just remember it being oppressively in my face on Pinterest since they announced it would be a movie. My friend Taylor was the driving force in the end to get me to read it. He liked it so I figured it was worth a look (but he's also obsessed with Harry Potter and I never jumped on that Platform 9 ¾ either).

Day 2: Have you read any of John Green’s other novels?

None that were specifically his. I did read "Let It Snow," which was an intertwined three story collection by John Green, Lauren Myracle, and Maureen Johnson. I read that years ago and loved it. I didn't even realize he was one of the authors of that until "The Fault in our Stars" became so big. And now, I do intend to read his other books, even if the subject matters don't appeal to me at first because his writing is phenomenal.

Day 3: Your first opinion of Hazel?

I thought she was funny. She was really relatable too. She just wanted to stay in and watch TV and read books. She doesn't particularly like people. I liked her.

Day 4: How did you imagine Hazel?

Since the movie has already come out and we've all seen the posters for it, I did imagine Shailene Woodley as Hazel while I was reading it.

Day 5: Your first opinion of Augustus?

I wanted to get to know this guy. Aside from the total cockiness that I would have slapped right out of him, I thought he was amazing and was questioning why guys like him don't exist in real life, even from the first sentence.

Day 6: How did you imagine Augustus?

Same as the Hazel thing, since the movie is out I pictured Ansel Elgort as Augustus.

Day 7: Favorite scene? Why?

The scene where Hazel and Isaac are playing blind guy video games after Augustus' death. I started losing it when they were telling the characters to hump the walls of the cave and the game couldn't understand it. I actually busted out laughing and didn't stop for a few minutes, so it was my favorite scene because it was the funniest.

Day 8: Favorite quote? Why?

"The real heroes anyway aren't the people doing things; the real heroes are the people NOTICING things, paying attention."

I love this. It puts emphasis on how important it is to watch, to observe, to look at things in a way that no one else has. Everyone is concerned with DOING something with their life, concerned with coming in second place to something or someone because they waited too long, they watched to get a feel for something, or they thought before they acted. It's true that if you only watch from the sidelines you'll never participate in life, but there's nothing wrong with watching or observing either. You can learn so much from watching and noticing. Someone finally said that.

Day 9: Most romantic scene? Why?

The whole thing with her at the casket. You know, that's just not even fair right there.

Day 10: Did you cry while reading the book? If so, at what parts?

Almost, with the casket scene. I'm pretty good at keeping my emotions in check, and I did.

Day 11: If you could change an aspect about the book, what would you choose and why?

AUGUSTUS WOULDN'T DIE, because they were so good together and I don't like unhappy endings because the world has enough of them already. If you can't count on book and movie and TV couples to have a happy ending, you can't count on anything.

Day 12: Are you satisfied with the ending?

I was hoping for a smidge more. Like, the letter was cute and all, but I didn't like the very last line, I kept waiting for like another two or three sentences more of wrap up.

Day 13: Biggest plot twist?

Writer man just randomly appearing at the funeral and continually popping up in people's cars. Dude... just, what? You're a complete jerk face when these kids come to visit you for their cancer wish and then you fly clear across the world to go to Gus' funeral? Just no.

Day 14: Favorite fanart of the book? (ex: book cover, quotes, main characters, etc)

(It's got it all, right here)