Omni Daily Crush: "Paper Towns"
In 2008, after 10 years of my-eyes-are-bigger-than-my-tote-bag syndrome, I finally learned to just say yes to just one book at BookExpo. That book was Paper Towns, which went on to become one of our top picks for Teens last year. I loveditloveditlovedit with a capital L, so consider what follows an Omni Daily Gush.
A good friend tipped me off to Paper Towns pre-show, after bringing me up to speed on John Green. (Blogger. Nerdfighter. Award-winning young adult author.) As a no-longer-that-young adult, I didn't expect to identify with this book as much as I did, and I realized that that may be one of the best gifts of a great YA book: it reminds you to leave all expectations of what you think you’re going to get at the door.
At the outset, Paper Towns feels like a familiar story: high school seniors, itching for freedom, love, and a home away from their suburban home. The boy (Q) loves the girl next door (Margo), and he has for years. They were childhood friends, before clique wars intervened, but with the end of school in sight, Q and Margo get one last chance at adventure. Together they set Margo's brilliant, bruised revenge fantasy into play--and you can see how Q's love (and fear) grows exponentially as she sticks it to the gang of unsuspecting jerks she once considered friends. But Margo remains a moving target for Q, literally--she vanishes after they stay up all night executing her cleverly planned pranks--and the story that follows is one guy's search for meaning. Now, the problem with being 17 is that everything means something, right? So Q's journey is not easy, but because he's obviously cool beyond his high-school caste system (as are his friends, who help to lighten some of his darker moments), funny, and totally in love, Q's quest for Margo is a story you want to read. I won't lie: there's high emotion here, sometimes intense, other times hyperbolic, but it's entirely appropriate in these characters. John Green captures that teenage perspective so acutely, in such a way that you can’t help but remember that feeling of being invincible, romantic, and completely in over your head all at the same time (and realize that there’s a part of you that still feels that way, even without youth on your side). What’s more, he does it with this breathless* energy and wit and just truth—the kind of truth that makes you dog-ear page after page so you can find that line again when you need it. (I know. I will never use bookmarks and that's just how it's going to be.) But what, in the end, earned John Green a permanent spot on my bookshelf? The totally unexpected appearance of Billy Bragg and Walt Whitman. You tell me, what is a story about love and identity without those two? I was born to read this book. Maybe you were, too. --Anne
Recommended for fans of John Green, natch, and readers who love The Catcher in the Rye, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and (stretchy, this) Leaves of Grass
(*PS: Speaking of breathless, here's John Green on Paper Towns. Awesomesauce.)
KG on September 10, 2009 at 07:24 AM
I am so glad you picked this book as one of your faves of 2008. I am also a not-so-young adult and I absolutely DIED laughing while reading this book, multiple times (specifically chapter 13). Admittedly a Nerdfighter (and so I've been hanging out on the internet with John & Hank for a while now), I have recommended this book to many, many friends, young and old, and all have enjoyed. I am so looking forward to John's next work of awesome! DFTBA! :)
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1278237308 on September 10, 2009 at 02:46 PM
I read this book with my 13 year old and we both enjoyed it, but for very different reasons. She enjoyed the story and the humor, but for me, as someone who has lived a bit, I enjoyed the in-depth look at identity and what makes us who we are. Some of the literary symbolizism is a bit sketchy (the white cow), but the story has true meaning and great entertainment. I also loved "An Abundance of Katherines" (a MUST READ) and "Looking for Alaska" (made me cry darn it).
Mary on September 10, 2009 at 05:25 PM
This book inspired me to collect black santa figurines and imagine my peers as people.
I think someone once said that this book has the perfect mixture of Walt Whitman and penis jokes. They were right.
disques dur on September 10, 2009 at 10:44 PM
Hey Anne Bartholomew you post here such a great blog, i like this blog reaLLy..
I didn't read this book but i think after read this review of book, i have to read.. Actually i am addicted to read books in night for 3 to 4 hours so today or tom only i bought this book..
Ellen on September 10, 2009 at 10:45 PM
This book drastically changed the way that I view and read all literature. On top of which, it made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me scream in frustration. It is the ONE BOOK that I was SURE I'd take to college, despite limited space and limited time to read. I reread it every few weeks, and every time I find something new to love about it. Without a doubt a WONDERFUL recommendation. A book for all individuals.
Nerdette Ari on September 12, 2009 at 07:52 AM
I think I loved this review as much as I loved the book itself, Anne Bartholomew. Thanks for that! In fact, what I really love is how this review hits on every important aspect of Paper Towns. Yes, I was definitely born to read this book too. ;)
wil on September 13, 2009 at 07:45 PM
Yes.