I read this book like not finishing it would cause me serious pain; hungrily and selfishly and in the bathroom.

It's very inconsiderate of me to even mention the word "pain" in this context considering The Fault in Our Stars' subject matter - teenagers with terminal cancer - but that's how moved I felt as this brilliant book sucked me in and swept me away from the considerable hype surrounding it which I really thought would pin me synically to the ground.

In other words, I didn't want to be one of the millions who adored and grieved their way through this book, but I was and I am.

Aside from the utter ease with which Green gives life (no distasteful pun intended)to his young, charismatic characters there were unexpected bonuses for me personally as they take a trip to Amsterdam, my current place of residence. The critic in me wants to point out that this book isn't perfect (I got hung up on the slightest of pulled threads in the plot and I didn't quite get the heart-wrenching sob fest at the end that I wanted) I can't not give this story 5 stars because nothing has moved me like this - and swallowed me whole - for SO long.

While the cruelty of our young heroes is overwhelming, the tenderness of first love somehow saves the day. And that's what it's all about, right? This Young Adult craze that I'm still getting to grips with is all about those sweetest of firsts, isn't it? Well, even if it's not, I'm all the better for being reminded of the power of love in life no matter how short and how we should try to find the fun in everything - or as much as we possibly can - thanks to this book.