Thursday, April 28, 2016

Review: Paper Towns by John Green

Title: Paper Towns
Author: John Green
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Speak (September 22, 2009)
Source: Borrowed
Genre: YA Contemporary
My Rating: 3 Stars


Book Description:
Who is the real Margo?


Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs into his life—dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge—he follows. After their all-nighter ends, and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues—and they're for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees the girl he thought he knew...










I'm going to be honest and say that I had really high expectations for this read and because of that I might have been slightly biased when I started reading this. I loved The Fault in Our Stars and I guess, because of that love, I sort of expected all Green's reads, to live up to my love for it.

That was probably my first and second mistake. I should have known better but, live and learn right?

Not to say I didn't like this read, because I did. In fact, it had a lot of really good messages, quotes, and bonds of friendship that left me smiling many times while reading. But it also seriously lagged in so many places that I found myself wanting to skim through them rather than read them. This read would pick up only to tapper off again and along with the tapering of action in the story, my attention also tapered. I found myself pushing through to get to the end and then the ending was...flat. A let down of sorts 

I don't know. Maybe it was just me reading this at the wrong time in the wrong frame of mind or maybe it was my high expectations when I picked it up, either way, I found myself very disappointed with this read. I liked it but also felt indifferent to it many times and because of that, I honestly don't know what to rate this read. 3 stars because the writing was good when it was good or two stars because I feel so letdown and unemotional about it when I was expecting a really good emotional read?

For now, I'm leaving this unrated until I can really ponder about it more and really get a read on my feelings for this. Maybe I'll feel different hours from now, or even weeks. Then again, maybe not.

(edited review to rate)


55 comments:

  1. This has definitely happened to me before Ali! I've fallen madly in love with a particular book by an author, and I therefore expect all their books to reach the bar set by the one I loved. Hard to do for sure. Sorry this didn't quite live up to The Fault in Our Stars!

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    1. It's okay, I did come back and rate it but yeah, it still wasn't quite what I thought it would be.

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  3. Ahh sorry this was a disappointing read for you, Ali! :(
    I know exactly how you feel though. I always go in with the expectations of loving an author's who I have previously read and loved other books and it doesn't always work out.
    Hopefully your next JG novel will be stronger!

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  4. I felt exactly the same way when I read this one. It was disappointing and I kept thinking there was something big coming but nope. The ending even kind of made me mad lol....

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    1. It made me mad too! So relieved I wasn't the only one. ;)

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  5. I liked Paper Towns but had similar feelings with An Abundance of Katherines by John Green. I didn't love it overall and was disappointed but liked the writing and some parts. Sorry this one wasn't better for you!

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    1. I think I will avoid that one then too Grace. ;)

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  6. I gave this one 2 stars. It was okay, but I felt like I didn't GET it. I liked TFIOS and Looking For Alaska was okay, but this one was lacking. John Green is all over the place for me. Sorry you didn't like this one better. :/

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    1. At least I wasn't the only one that thought so. I don't even know if I will continue with any of his books, there are so many mixed reviews for them all.

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  7. I avoid books like this one because I know I will likely be disappointed. I wasn't even that big of a fan of TFITS, so I am definitely passing on this one. Sorry it was such a miss, but I appreciate your honesty.

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  8. From what I have heard this book is of those that will either awe you or bore you. Not read it yet myself.

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  9. I'm sorry this one ended up being a disappointment, especially from an author you enjoy. Thanks for the thoughtful and honest review, Ali :)

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  10. This is an interesting review for me because I've been debating whether to read this. I've never read Green but heard lots of things, and I thought the movie looked fun too. I may just watch the movie and if I like it maybe I'll try the book.

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    1. I did like the movie more than the book if that helps at all. I think for a first time reader of his, I would start somewhere else. ;)

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  11. And I still haven't read a Green book. Off topic, you are quoted in The Sight, so be sure and order a physical copy for your bookshelf.

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    1. The Sight as in the second book in Neill's new series?

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  12. I don't blame you for high expectations on this one! I actually haven't read anything by this author (yet) because he is so hyped! Sorry this didn't live up for you but great review!

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    1. Thanks so much Eva. I think you just have to find the right one of his books maybe? I don't know, I'm still debating on whether I would try another.

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  13. I think I was the same for this one. Out of all his books I've read this is one of my least favorites. So I get it.

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    1. That is good to know Candace, doesn't make me feel so bad for not loving it.

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  14. At this point, John Green is a one-hit wonder for me. :/

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  15. I've never read John Green. I've seen him speak and I thought he was amazing. I completely understand when you go into a book with high expectations and the book doesn't live up to it.

    Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads

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  16. I don't know why ... wait yes I do ... Okay, I prefer watching his movies rather than read the books. Why? Because it's quicker and I don't have to give my full attention. lol

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    1. Yeah I think I like them better as well. ;)

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  17. Sometimes when your not in the mood for things, it can be hard to really get into the story. Great Review

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  18. I have Fault in our Stars in my tbr pile-where it's been for a long time-mainly because I saw the movie and other books have been more important for me to read. This one sounds like I wouldn't like it either! And that happens, but I am sorry :)

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    1. Having said that, I noticed Paper Towns on a movie channel and dvr'd it. Now we'll see if I ever decide to watch it :)

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    2. I liked the movie more than the book so hopefully you like it. ;)

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  19. I haven't read this one yet - TFiOS is my only Green read to date. It's hard to read him because of all the expectations. A let-down of an ending would be really difficult to get past. I do want to see this movie, so I'll probably read it at some point, but it's good to know where to set my expectations.

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. I read it because I wanted to see the movie as well, I have this weird thing where I have to read the book first. ;)

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  20. I loved The Fault in Our Stars too! I made the mistake in reading Looking for Alaska right after and since then, I have vowed never to read a John Green book again.

    Glad to hear you were able to enjoy some aspects of the book nonetheless :) Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. At least I'm not the only one, that is always nice to know. ;) And thank you Claudia, you too!

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  21. It happened with me too, Ali. It can be so disappointing. But I guess even with favorite authors there can be books that don’t work for us.

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  22. Oh man, I'm sorry to hear this was a let down. I loved The Fault in our Stars as well. He did a masterful job on it and has set the bar high.

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    1. He did and maybe I shouldn't have started there. ;)

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  23. Wow, I have never seen you like this with a book before but I have been there. Some books are just like that. Green's books are too much for me.

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    1. It was a surprise to me as well Jennifer.

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  24. Oh man. That is such a letdown when you finish a book and have that feeling :(

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    1. It really is. :( Oh well, on to bigger and better things. :)

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  25. I'm not a huge John Green fan. I kind of got sick of hearing about him after a while. I do have this to read but it's been so long since I've had it, and not picked it up. I might not even bother and give it away. I'm sorry it wasn't so great.

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  26. I'm kinda suprised you didn't like this book that much. I mean, you enjoyed it, so there's that. I liked it more - gave it four stars - but I was slightly disappointed as well. Anyway, it was diverting :P

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    1. It was diverting but I guess I like more of a HEA in my reads like this or at the very least just something more than this offered.

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  27. Paper Towns is a quirky, hilarious adventure that's a little bit about romance, a lot about friendship, and mostly about finding the real people behind the masks.

    Jasmine
    Virginia Beach Carpet Repair

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