Looking for Alaska by John Green

March 24, 2014 Young Adult Fiction 27

Greetings, Bookworms!

I turned 31 this weekend. The fact does not thrill me. In order to combat the “I’m getting old” blues, I thought it would be a good time to write about some YA fiction I read recently. My body may be aging but my mind can remain immature indefinitely, right? I ADORED The Fault in Our Stars (my review), but when I went on to read An Abundance of Katherines (my review) I got all cranky and decided to take a break from John Green. Now that a reasonable amount of time has passed, I thought it would be safe to give Green another shot and read Looking for Alaska.

lookingforalaskaMiles is a typical tall, lanky, invisible teenage boy living in Florida. Because his social prospects are so grim, he decides to pursue attending boarding school at his father’s alma mater in Alabama for the remainder of his high school career.

Shortly after his arrival on campus, Miles discovers what he’s been missing. He is quickly dubbed “Pudge” (ironically of course) by his roommate “The Colonel,” and accepted into his crew of misfits. Cigarettes, booze, and the quintessential “manic pixie girl” give Pudge the high school experience he never would have had at home.

Alaska Young is beautiful, smart, and fascinating. She is also moody, mysterious, and self destructive. OBVIOUSLY Miles falls head over heels for her. He’s drawn deeply into her world… And then? Nothing is ever the same.

You know what, Bookworms? I really liked this book. Part teen angst, part cautionary tale,  Looking for Alaska satisfied my hankering for some Young Adult drama. Were there occasions when my old-ness resulted in rolling my eyes at the kids in this book? Definitely. Did it feel even remotely like MY high school experience? No. Although… That’s probably not the worst thing, because, well, there was a lot in this book that I’m glad I didn’t have to live through. In any case, I definitely give Looking for Alaska the green light for the next time you’re looking for a YA fix.

So tell me, Bookworms. Do you feel your age? Sometimes I feel like an old soul, and other times I’m pretty sure I’m still about 14. Anybody else got that age confusion thing going on?

27 Responses to “Looking for Alaska by John Green”

  2. Shannon @ River City Reading

    Happy belated birthday, lady! I really enjoyed Looking for Alaska, too and felt the same about The Fault in Our Stars, though I haven’t read An Abundance of Katherines. My favorite John Green is actually one he co-wrote and I think you would LOVE (if you’re still looking for more YA): Will Grayson, Will Grayson.

    Reply

  5. Ashley Z

    I’m so glad you liked this one! I loved it! And I try not to feel my age. That’s why I’m 29 forever!

    Reply

    • Words For Worms

      “The time is nigh” makes me think of doomsday prophesies… And now I’m giggling thinking of you carrying a sign warning of the end of days…

      Reply

  7. Megan M.

    You love him! You really love him! I knew you would!

    I routinely feel about 12 years old. I don’t feel like a grown up at all. I do that thing where I see someone who looks like they have it “together” and I just assume they’re older than me, and if I find out they’re younger it totally throws me off.

    Reply

    • Words For Worms

      I do that ALL THE TIME! I’ll see someone looking all together and perfect and think “That’s what I want to be when I grow up.” And then I realize that person is 26, and I’d have to age backward…

      Reply

  8. Charleen

    Happy birthday! I’m just a few months behind you (I’ll be 31 in June) and I definitely don’t feel it. I think I internally stopped aging when I graduated college.

    Reply

  9. kristinshafel

    Am I weird for actually LOVING my 30s so far? They’re way better than my 20s!!! Making some money, building my career, in a loving secure relationship, and becoming an auntie is super fun (I’m still a little young (in my own mind) for SOME things, hehehe)

    Not with you on John Green. Tried Fault in Our Stars, didn’t love. Didn’t even like. I have too many other books on my TBR to spend any more time on Green. Sorrynotsorry! 🙂

    Reply

  10. Ashley F

    YAY. Hope you had a great Birthday. I hear 31 is harder than 30 for some people. Meh, you’re awesome and we’re all in this….getting older…thing together.

    This is on my to-read list. I’m reading The Silent Wife right now and then this is next in line.

    Reply

  11. Jenny @ Reading the End

    Happy birthday!!! I don’t know that I feel my age, but I don’t NOT feel my age. I like being a year older every year and feeling that I’m — I don’t know, more experienced, less dumb than I was the year before? When I look back on high school, and even college and the years immediately following, I just can’t help feeling that I was kind of a dumb cluck. :p

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  13. Jennine G.

    I am 34 and a half and don’t feel my age at all. (Well physically maybe here and there.) But I think it’s because my kids are finally old enough I can do a lot of things I wanted to in my 20s but couldn’t. So I guess I’m living my 20s a decade late. And I work in a high school, so I still feel like I know what’s going on in the young crowd (although I also judge them about it too! Lol).

    I liked Looking for Alaska too…better than FiOS!

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  14. Amy

    I re-read this over a snow day this winter and was reminded why I loved it so much to begin with, and I’m glad you enjoyed it too! An Abundance of Katharines really let me down too, and I really loved all of John Green’s other books!

    Happy belated birthday! I’m 21, soon to be quoting Taylor Swift and feeling my 22~*

    Reply

  15. Rory

    Happy, happy birthday! I don’t feel my age unless I’m dreadfully lacking in sleep. Then I do. My face gets all puffy, making the bags under my eyes more pronounced, and I’m hellish to be around. Other than that, I’m fairly certain I stopped aging right around 25. I hope I look younger than I am, but frankly I am scared to ask anyone.

    Reply

  17. Heather @ Capricious Reader

    Old? I’m not OLD! Who are you calling old? Just because I’m 5 years older than you (gag) does not make me old. I’m extremely young. In mind, of course. AND I DEFINITELY DON’T LOOK IT. Ahem. 😛

    So glad you liked this one. It’s my favorite John Green. I’m fairly certain it is because it was my first John Green.

    Reply

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