Fan Prize Pack!
Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.
― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
I cannot express how much I loved The Fault in Our Stars. I totally didn’t expect to like John Green’s writing. I’d heard from a friend there are some crude things in at least one of his other books. I don’t do crude (no matter how realistically YA it might be) so I sort of forgot about it.
Then she recommended The Fault in Our Stars to me (Thanks, Christen!). Oh my word! I’d just like to publicly apologize to John Green for making an assumption before actually reading something he wrote. I read The Fault in Our Stars last year (before I even knew the movie was coming out) and it was unlike any book I’ve ever read.
Let’s get a couple things straight. Yes, The Fault in Our Stars is about teens with cancer. No, The Fault in Our Stars is not a “cancer book”. I feel I can speak freely on this a little because my mom passed away from cancer two years ago, and my grandmother before that. To put it bluntly-cancer sucks. And John Green captures that fact perfectly. He doesn’t tiptoe around the matter with a bunch of ooey gooey Lifetime television-type stuff. He writes cancer real. The constant-ER-trip, late-night-in-the-waiting-room, I-wish-everyone-would-stop-crying-every-time-they-see-me kind of cancer. Cancer from the perspective of a teenage girl who just wants to be normal. Who doesn’t want to be a walking time-bomb. Good read. Real read. Read it!
Why did I like The Fault in Our Stars?
A) Real characters with flaws. I know I say this a lot, but this element is key if I’m going to like a book. Hazel is jaded but undergoes transformation. Augustus is swoon-worthy and yet has his own issues (I won’t ruin it for you). I even related to the parents in this book. I’ve never had a child with cancer, but I had a parent with it. I could totally relate to Hazel’s mom in so many heart-wrenching ways.
B) Quick read. The Fault in Our Stars isn’t epic. You probably won’t see people dressed up like the characters lined up along the sidewalk outside the theater on opening day (I’m talking to YOU Darth Vader). It was just a good book. I read it in a day. I’ve heard authors say they don’t like hearing that for all the blood, sweat and tears they put into writing the book. Believe me, John Green, when I tell you this is the hugest compliment I can give you. Reading The Fault in Our Stars in one day means I didn’t clean or cook or do any of the normal mom and wife stuff. It means I cared more about finding out what happened to Hazel and Augustus than I cared about my hair.
C) It’s going to be a movie! Okay, so this is technically not a reason to like the book, but it sort of is. I mean, if the writing is good enough to become a movie, that says something, right? A book becoming a movie is the greatest treat ever for a reader such as myself. It means I get to see everything that’s been inside my head for the past year on the big screen. Yay! Happy birthday to me!
The Giveaway…
Okay fans of The Fault in Our Stars, I’ve got an awesome prize pack just for you! Enter via the Rafflecopter for your chance to win:
- A copy of The Fault in Our Stars ~ Movie Tie In Edition (Paperback)
- A $10 AMC gift card (delivered electronically) to use when the movie releases June 6th!
Enter through Tuesday, June 3rd. Winner will be announced in my June newsletter (so be sure to subscribe via the form at the bottom of this page).
What did you like best about The Fault in Our Stars? If you haven’t read it, why do you want to see the movie?
Click to Tweet:
- Tweet: Enter 2 win #TheFaultInOurStars Fan Prize Pack from @SaraEllaWrites. Includes paperback book + $10 AMC gift card! http://ctt.ec/dZRBf+
- Tweet: Love #TheFaultInOurStars? Win the book + a gift card 2 see the movie! @SaraEllaWrites http://ctt.ec/Sew9T+
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christenekrumm says
Oh my gosh what isn’t there to like about John Green???!!! (yes, I have a total and complete nerd crush on Mr. Green — have you seen his Lit YouTube videos?!)
I love the way he puts words together, how his books aren’t mammoths but still pack a ginormous punch, and I’m pretty sure he laces his words with magic because once you start reading a story it’s so so hard to put down!!
xo,
Christen
ChristenKrumm.com
Sara Ella says
I know right? This is the only John Green book I’ve read but it makes me want to read more. He’s an awesome writer!
Brooke @ i blog 4 books says
I’ve been hearing about this book for a while now. It sounded interesting but I really got curious when I learned it was being made into a movie! Like you said, it’s not a reason to like a book, but it will make me curious. 🙂
Sara Ella says
Hi Brooke! Yes, a lot of times a book becoming a movie actually draws more readers to a book or author. I’m excited to see it in the theater. Thanks for taking time to comment:)
Cindy Goar says
I would like to see the movie and read the book because my daughter loves John Green. She has read his books and I would like to take her to see the movie.
Sara Ella says
Hi Cindy! That sound like a fun thing you girls can do together. John Green is a great author. Good luck in the giveaway and thanks for taking time to enter!
HS says
I want to see the movie because I like the story.
Sara Ella says
Me too, HS! I love books to movies. I’m so excited. Thanks for commenting:)
Prasert says
I haven’t read the novel but i’ve heard that it’s wonderful
Sara Ella says
It is, Prasert! Thanks for stopping by:)
Jordan says
So many friends have told me how amazing and sweet the story is! I love movies like that!
Sara Ella says
Hi Jordan! Your friends are right on. It is such a sweet story, one of my faves. I expect the movie to make me cry LOL:) Thanks for entering and good luck!
Jamie says
i saw the trailer and it looked fantastic. I haven’t read the book .
Sara Ella says
The trailer does make the movie look good:) I recommend the book, Jamie. I’m excited to see how similar the movie ends up being. Thanks for entering!
Julie Raye-Rod says
I really fell in love with the novel. It was written beautifully and i can’t wait to see the movie
Sara Ella says
I totally agree, Julie! Thanks for commenting:)
brittany says
I haven’t read it but I want to see it because it looks good.
Sara Ella says
Agreed, Brittany. The trailer makes it hard to wait until June 6th! Good luck in the giveaway and thanks for commenting:)
couponboss says
I heard the book is good…so I want to read it first, then see the movie.
Sara Ella says
Reading the book first is always what I like to do too! Thanks for entering and good luck!
Tabathia B says
I have never read any of his books, but I read a recent review of this book and it made me want to read it and the trailer seemed similar to a Nicholas Sparks type (movie based on his book)
Sara Ella says
The book was wonderful. I highly recommend it. I hadn’t thought of that–comparing it to a Nicholas Sparks story. I didn’t think of the book that way but am interested to see how the movie portrays the story. Thanks for commenting, Tabathia and good luck in the giveaway!
adriane says
I haven’t read it yet, but heard good things about it. I’d like to see the movie since I like Willem Defoe and Laura Dern
Sara Ella says
It’s definitely an awesome film cast, Adriane. I’m excited! Thanks for entering and good luck!
Suzanne Rose says
The previews look like it’s going to be a great movie, tearjerker perhaps, but I like the romantic element! So can’t wait to see the film!
Sara Ella says
I love the romance in this story too, Suzanne. One of my favorite literary couples. Thanks for entering and good luck!