Score

Looking for Alaska is a disappointment?! SERIOUSLY? What were you expecting to read from this book? Rainbows and unicorns?! Well, I'd be disappointed too if that's what I expected.

Hey Jenn! Nope - I *like* books about loss, complicated relationships, dying etc.. The characters didn't ring true to me, and everyone walked around as if under a fog:

I know how many people love John Green (plus: on Youtube, in his videos, he seems like an energetic, fun person). But when I read "Alaska", I expected something honest, intense and devastating. Instead, I had to spend time with a bunch of pretty dull, bland and morose kids. No sparks! :-(

Ah, if that's what you're looking for, you should try his other book "The Fault in our Stars".

I didn't expect anything before reading Alaska. That must be why I just enjoyed it a lot. The only thing that made me want to read it (that's an understatement. I really had a great impulse to read it) was the sort of long quote that was all over Tumblr (with hurricane and drizzle thingy).

Whoa - thanks for the comment! I'll give Green another try, then!

If you can, get "Please ignore Vera Dietz".

It's not super-sad / extremely deep. But the main character has SUCH an edge, such a fierce tone... I think it's very similar to "Alaska". But the more interesting personality / voice of the narrator made all the difference, for me.