John Green does it again.

I have been waiting, waiting, waiting, for my copy of John Green's Paper Towns to come in at the library.

So when it came in last week I immediately started it, even though I've got about forty other books that are going to come due first that I should be looking at. It's not like I've been out partying, having a crazy good time lately, so I figured, what the hell? I've earned this.

For those of you who don't know him (and why don't you? Sure, he's the author of books for teens--"YA" or "Young Adult" books for those in the book and library biz--and may therefore be under your radar. That is no excuse), John Green is the author of the fabulous YA novels Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, and now, Paper Towns.

What's important here is not really the story, which can be nutshelled as follows: Quentin Jacobsen, who's harbored a longtime crush on his next-door neighbor Margo Roth Spiegelman (known far and wide for her adventurous exploits and hijinks), is shocked when she shows up late one night to take him along on a night of pranks aimed at those who have wronged her (including her unfaithful boyfriend). Immediately thereafter, she disappears, and Quentin and his friends spend the rest of the book trying to find her. Want a better synopsis? Visit Bookshelves of Doom.

What IS important is the world into which Green dumps his readers, and his writing skill. In my opinion, Green is hands-down, one of the best writers at creating quirky characters you wish you could be or know (except, well, maybe with just a few fewer neuroses) since J.D. Salinger. Interestingly enough, when I read his books, I never particularly want to be or know his female characters, who are all somewhat troubled, offbeat, and brilliant but complicated young girls. I want to be his male characters, who always have an interesting group of friends and a thoughtful nature.

Case in point? Q is friends with Ben and Radar. Radar's parents just happen to have the world's largest ollection of black Santas:

"In total, Radar's parents owned more than twelve hundred black Santas of various sorts. As a plaque beside their front door proclaimed, Radar's house was an officially registered Santa Landmark according to the Society for Christmas.

'You just gotta tell her, man,' I said. 'You just gotta say, Angela, I really like you, but there's something you need to know: when we go to my house and hook up, we'll be watched by the twenty-four hundred eyes of twelve hundred black Santas.'" (pp. 22-23.)

That's right, black Santas. I love John Green.

Comments

[Venta]

C.R.!

I couldn't read your post because I'm about to start Paper Towns for my review group. I love John Green, too, but I don't want to be influenced. I'll come back and read your post when I'm done.

I finished another YA book. My Most Excellent Year by Steve Kluger. Kluger wrote one of my favorite (adult) books, Last Days of Summer. My expectations must have been too high, because I had some problems with My Most Excellent Year. It was an o.k. read but needed some editing.

I'm so glad you're recommending John Green and I'm looking forward to Paper Towns!

[katharine]

He's getting even better! I keep thinking about the story well after reading it which I think is always a sign of a good book. It's his quirky yet intellectual writing that sets him apart and I love that he writes about young adults as mature and thoughtful people (like we were at that age right?) I hope english teachers are afraid to use his books in their classrooms, I would think that most kids could relate to them in some way. Oh, the other thing I like about this one is that the "cool" kids and the "nerdy" kids end up finding lots in common. When you're all grown up we have to play together anyway, it's a good lesson for teens to get. Sorry this got long-winded, you know my feelings about JG are strong. He will be in Racine this Saturday if you want to road trip and see him in person.
Nerdfighter for life!

What is John Green doing in Racine??

My Rat-town husband just asked me the other day if those two brothers are still doing that internet thing.

[Katharine]

IT's his book tour and his brother is with him! I have to work otherwise I would consider it myself. JG posts pretty regularly on his blog, but I do miss their banter.

[Citizen Reader]

Venta,
Come back and let us know what you think after you read it, okay?
Your point about the author for adults you love not quite working out in YA format is interesting...I don't think I read any authors like that. I tend to read authors who write ALL YA or ALL adult. Interesting point, though...we'll have to revisit at some point.

[Citizen Reader]

Katharine!
You're never too longwinded. I was hoping very much to hear a comment from you because I know how you love JG. I'm glad you liked this one too. My favorite remains Looking for Alaska, but this was a solid effort.

EDITORIAL NOTE:
Let's give Katharine a shout out here. She is such a great reference librarian that she even provides reference help on blogs. What a stunning librarian she is! Thanks for the heads up on the Racine appearance...

[laura]

Definitely props to Katherine for the excellent referencing! And props to John Green for another great book. I *still* practically fall on the floor when thinking of the black Santas.

[The Laundress]

Okay, finally, finally, got around to finishing "Looking for Alaska" (CR and Katharine and my kid all told me, told me, told me it was GOOD) and damn but I am just blown away. Oh my. Now afraid to read anything else (besides the Green Boys Nerdfighters site) 'cuz it could only disappoint.

Oh crumbs. Late to the party again... should I be bundling up my kid and racing to Racine tomorrow night? Shoooot.

[Venta]

**SPOILER ALERT BELOW**

LOVED IT!!! John Green does it again. Wow. Great point, CR, about the differences between the boys and girls in his books. The guys are usually more fun & thoughtful, and the girls tend to be more complicated with complex relationships. But why wouldn't high school girls decide to go naked under their graduation gown? Is it really that they want to wear nice dresses? I don't know, but then again I was the only girl in my graduating class who wore slacks under my gown. I still laugh when I think of Ben running through the field with just his gown on screaming, "'IT'S GONNA BLOW!'...his bony bare ass exposed."

I also liked the ending when Q realized he was different than Margo. That they parted was the best way to end the story.

Joyce Carol Oates has written several YA books. Nick Hornby just wrote one, too. There are adult writers who have written picture books. The school librarians I review with call it the grandmother/father syndrome.

[Citizen Reader]

Laura,
I'm glad you liked the black Santa part too. I was thoroughly amused.

Laundress,
How did I know your kid would love "Looking for Alaska"? That's it. I have to read it again. Did you race to Racine? I couldn't find the energy but I did think about it.

Venta,
I'm so glad you loved it. John Green is a super talent, and I totally agree with you about the ending (sorry, I added the "spoiler alert" to your comment, just in case. I usually read the last chapters of books pretty early on, but not everyone does that, I know).

I just don't think high school girls are as blase about nekkidness as teen boys are, and of course, different anatomies present different challenges (I'm thinking if it was a cooler day, or a girl was nervous...).

I often like the boys better in these types of narratives, but I've always enjoyed hanging out with boys, too, so that only makes sense. That deep, complex, angsty aspect of girly adolescence was something I never understood, and still don't, really. I'm also well aware that if I was a character in these books, I would totally be in love with the characters like Q...who of course would be totally bored by me and would be in love with the charming but sometimes demanding girls like Margo. Oh well. I can still enjoy reading about them!

[Venta]

My apologies to everyone for not adding a "spolier alert" note to my post or, for that matter, discussing the end of the book. I was a little too enthusiastic!

[Citizen Reader]

No apologies needed, Venta. I only noticed because I've been told I often tell too much of the endings of novels myself. And, we're big fans of enthusiasm here at CR. So enthuse on!