Hate List
The first thing that comes to mind if I were to describe this book is it is about a school shooting. But its not, it is about the aftermath of the aftermath. It is about after the media has moved on to the next tragedy and the students are returning to "normal life" when really is there any way to return to that? The story follows a girl named Valerie who was shot in the shooting. However she also was dating the shooter and helped write the list where he got the names of those killed in the shooting. It follows her through her senior year as she tries to go back to the school and face the people who now know she hated them and blame her partly for the shooting.
Why Stand Alone:
This is a book that works perfectly as a stand alone. The book tells a complete story. There is nothing left to tell of the story after it is done. Not even the ending which leaves the reader to make up what happens can be expanded upon.
Sequel/Prequel:
Firstly my post above says the answer to this and that is usually the case. Secondly the author has said there will never be one. Thirdly while I can not imagine either of these I could see Dr. Hieler in other books as the authors newest book as well as the one she is writing are both about kids who could use therapy. I would love to see this happen.
Adaptation:
No news on that front.
Recommendation:
This is a good book. It also a very powerful book. Maybe one of the most powerful I have ever read. If you have ever been bullied or know someone who has you should read this book. The idea of bullying and how it pushes people to the edge is perfectly done in this book.
Paper Towns
Book Sumary:
OK so the setup is going to sound like a mystery book. That is partly what it is but mostly not. Margo is Q's next door neighbor and crush. They don't talk much so he is very suprised to see her at his bedroom window one night during their senior year. She asks him to help her pull pranks and do various things in the middle of the night most of which revolve around her boyfreind cheating on her. He reluctanly agrees but in the end has a great time. However the next day she is gone. She has runaway but unlike previous times has left no clues. Except she has but not for her parents, for Q. It is up to him to figure out where she has gone with the help of his friends.
This book is great as a stand alone. Like I said before it is partialy a mystery novel and the mystery is presented and solved in this novel. We do not need more info about the characters then that we have already and that is what makes it so great.
Sequel/Prequel:
No. Just no. There is no way to do it. No character needs to be improved upon. No storyline needs finishing. Nothing can be done to expand this book at all. I find this so true for most stand alones. That nothing could be done to expand the story. Especially when they are like this one and so character oriented. Books like Little Brother which have more worldly themes could have companion books. This one can not and should not.
Adaptation:
A script was written by the author but in the end not picked up.
Reccomendation:
I will repeat what I said earlier. It is my favorite book. I can open to any page and find with in a page or two find a scene I love. It is a perfect mix of comedy and drama. Of a heart felt story and a light funny read. The melding of stuff in this book is great. I describe it as a mix of the best parts of his (John Green's) previous two novels. I find it great to read his first three novels in order of publication. They are all good with Looking for Alaska, his first, and Paper Towns being two of my favorites. His second, An Abundance of Katherines is good but not on the same level emotionally. Read this book, you will not be disapointed.
