Finishing Up The Fault in Our Stars & 2016 Books Without Borders Wrap Up

Oh my gosh, this was our last book of 2016 Books Without Borders. The reason I started this book club was to read more books in 2016. I went above and beyond my goal and completed 45 books in 2016. :) 

I would love to hear what you all thought of the book club and any suggestions you might have for next years books for Books Without Borders. And thank you all for following along with my journey. 

Now let me tell you what I thought about The Fault in Our Stars. I love this book!! It is such a sweet story that is sad but by the end you do not feel sad. It ends leaving you feeling happy and hopeful and remembered that no matter what there is always something good to look for and hold on to. 

What did you think about The Fault in Our Stars? Here are a couple questions about the book. Let me know what you thought!

1. John Green derives his book's title from a famous line in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar: "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings." (I,ii,139-140). What does the line mean—and why would Green have used it for his title? Even more important, why would he have altered it to read, "The fault in our stars" rather than ourselves? How does Green's meaning differ from Shakespeare's?

2. How would you describe the two main characters, Hazel and Gus? Do either of them conform, in behavior or thinking, to what we normally associate with young cancer patients? How do the two differ from one another...and how do their personality traits and interests complement each other?

3. How do Hazel and Gus each relate to their cancer? Do they define themselves by it? Do they ignore it? Do they rage at life's unfairness? Most importantly, how do the two confront the big questions of life and death?

4. Do you find some of the descriptions of pain, the medical realities that accompany cancer, or the discussion of bodily fluids too graphic?

Happy Holidays!