Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green

Title: Everything is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection

Author: John Green

Publisher: Crash Course Books 2025

Genre: Nonfiction - Science, History

Pages: 208

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Unread Shelf; Nonfiction Reader

Where I Got It: Preordered in 2025!

Tuberculosis has been entwined with hu­manity for millennia. Once romanticized as a malady of poets, today tuberculosis is seen as a disease of poverty that walks the trails of injustice and inequity we blazed for it.

In 2019, author John Green met Henry Reider, a young tuberculosis patient at Lakka Government Hospital in Sierra Leone. John be­came fast friends with Henry, a boy with spindly legs and a big, goofy smile. In the years since that first visit to Lakka, Green has become a vocal advocate for increased access to treatment and wider awareness of the healthcare inequi­ties that allow this curable, preventable infec­tious disease to also be the deadliest, killing over a million people every year.

In Everything Is Tuberculosis, John tells Henry’s story, woven through with the scientific and social histories of how tuberculosis has shaped our world—and how our choices will shape the future of tuberculosis.

I really appreciate John Green’s ability to weave hard science and history with emotional human stories and somehow not make it seem trite or manipulative. We get a comprehensive history of tuberculosis, its place in society, and current state. We get some beautiful and tragic human stories weaving in and out. I really loved hearing personal stories of dealing with the disease. Along the way, Green also includes his own commentary about his obsession with tuberculosis. I absolutely loved this short book.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green

Title: The Anthropocene Reviewed

Author: John Green

Publisher: Dutton 2021

Genre: Memoir

Pages: 304

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

The Anthropocene is the current geologic age, in which humans have profoundly reshaped the planet and its biodiversity. In this remarkable symphony of essays adapted and expanded from his groundbreaking podcast, bestselling author John Green reviews different facets of the human-centered planet on a five-star scale—from the QWERTY keyboard and sunsets to Canada geese and Penguins of Madagascar.

Funny, complex, and rich with detail, the reviews chart the contradictions of contemporary humanity. As a species, we are both far too powerful and not nearly powerful enough, a paradox that came into sharp focus as we faced a global pandemic that both separated us and bound us together.

I’m going to start by saying that this book is definitely going onto my Top 10 of the year. It’s just that good! I finally picked this up thinking that I would read an uneven collection of memoir style essays. Sure I love John Green and his writing, but could his collection of essays engage me all the way through? Turns out that they can. From the mundane to the profound, from the serious to the comedic, Green covers a variety of topics that resonantly directly with me and my life. (As a side note, John Green and I have a lot in common, from where have lived {Indiana} to, at times, crippling anxiety. We are only a few years apart {4 to be exact} and connect on so many strange life points.) On the surface, this is a book of reviews for a variety of subjects, events, and ideas. For example, we get to hear all about the importance of Diet Dr Pepper. But embedded in these reviews are life truths expressed and quiet thoughts and emotions said out loud. Much of this book was written during the pandemic and there are many times when Green connects a variety of ideas to the reality of his present in quarantine. I was moved to laughter and tears throughout this collection. And I was forcing into J’s hands at multiple times. Guess it’s time for me to buy my own copy of this one. I give John Green and The Anthropocene Reviewed five stars!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Title: Wil Grayson, Will Grayson

Author: John Green and David Levithan

Publisher: Dutton Books 2010

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Pages: 320

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - NPR Teen; MMD - Same Author

One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical.

My last big John Green novel that I hadn’t read. I dove in and I wasn’t as enthralled by it as I have been by other books. The writing style switch between the two Wills was quite jarring. The first few times it switched, I really had to take a minute to adjust. Once I got further into the book, I found I was much more involved in the storyline and the two Wills. But ultimately, I just wasn’t that interested or connected to the characters. A lot of the story really fell flat for me. I definitely liked John Green’s later books much more.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Title: Turtles All the Way Down

Author: John Green

Publisher: Dutton 2017

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 286

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges:  Monthly Key Word: All; Modern Mrs. Darcy - Same Author; Literary Escapes - Indiana

Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Russell Pickett’s son, Davis.
   
Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts.

I had heard that the main character suffered from generalized anxiety disorder, but wasn’t quite sure what to expect going into this book. John Green perfectly describes anxiety and specifically thought spirals. I was uncomfortable in my many parts of this book as Aza’s experiences are very similar to mine at times. I really felt for Aza and her daily struggles. I loved hearing her inner thoughts on a variety of topics but specifically her thoughts on the self. I couldn’t put this book down. I was hooked from chapter one. The plot was okay and the mystery of Russell Pickett’s disappearance kept the book moving, but I was here for the characters. I loved the relationship and ultimately the honesty between Aza and Daisy. I really put myself in Aza’s mom’s shoes in many places through the story. I finished the book and am left with a feeling of understanding. There are others that struggle with anxiety just like me. (Logically I know this, but sometimes my depression brain tells me that I’m the only one.) Most definitely an amazing book and one that I really want to put in many specific people’s hands.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Paper Towns by John Green

Title: Paper Towns

Author: John Green

Publisher: Dutton 2008

Genre: Young Adult

Pages: 305

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - NPR Teen, Top 100 YA; Modern Mrs. Darcy - Same Author; Literary Escapes - Florida

Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificent Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life—summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge—he follows. When their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Margo has disappeared. But Q soon learns that there are clues—and they’re for him. Embarking on an exhilarating adventure to find her, the closer Q gets, the less he sees the girl he thought he knew.

I’ve been meaning to read this one for a few years, but the library never seemed to have it when I was browsing. Holds to the rescue! After diving in, I basically read this one in two sittings. I was taken on an adventure with Quentin in his attempt to unravel the mystery of Margo. This is my favorite John Green book that I’ve read so far (only have Will Grayson Will Grayson and Turtles All the Way Down to go). I love the adventure and the mystery. I love the inclusion of poetry and music. I love the various side characters and their thoughts.of the events of the book. But most of all, I love Quentin and his need to unravel Margo and her disappearance. If I was 15, I would read and re-read this book often. So good!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Title: Looking for Alaska

Author: John Green

Publisher: Speak 2008

Genre: Young Adult

Pages: 234

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - NPR Teen; Modern Mrs. Darcy - Banned book

Miles “Pudge” Halter is done with his safe life at home. His whole life has been one big non-event, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave “the Great Perhaps” even more (Francois Rabelais, poet). He heads off to the sometimes crazy and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young. She is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart. Then. . . . After. Nothing is ever the same.

If I had read this book at 15, I imagine that it would have devastated me. Green has a connection to the teenage experience; so much so that is sounds as though he is speaking directly to the reader. I successfully avoided all spoilers for this novel leading to a suspenseful read. Obviously something big happens, but I had no idea what. I was floored when the event happens. I just couldn’t believe it. I will even admit that I teared up. Definitely a great book, especially for those teen readers.

Next up on the TBR pile:

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Title: An Abundance of Katherines

Author: John Green

Publisher: Speak 2006

Genre: YA Contemporary

Pages: 228

Rating:  4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: NPR Teen; Top 100 YA; Mount TBR; 52 Books - W39; What's in a Name - Names

Colin Singleton believes he is a washed-up child prodigy. A graduating valedictorian with a talent for creating anagrams, he fears he'll never do anything to classify him as a genius. To make matters worse, he has just been dumped by his most recent girlfriend (all of them have been named Katherine), and he's inconsolable. What better time for a road trip! He and his buddy Hassan load up the gray Olds (Satan's Hearse) and leave Chicago. They make it as far as Gutshot, Tennessee, where they stop to tour the gravesite of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and meet a girl who isn't named Katherine. It's this girl, Lindsey, who helps Colin work on a mathematical theorem to predict the duration of romantic relationships.

It took me awhile to get into this book, but once I did, I was right there with the characters.  Green has a way with characters that's for sure. I love the quirkiness of all the characters, especially Lindsey. The storyline wasn't the best thing, but worked well with the characters. I even loved reading about the math behind Colin's theorem.  It may not be my area, but it was a great nerdy addition.  Not quite as good overall as The Fault in Our Stars, but I still really loved this one.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Title: The Fault in Our Stars

Author: John Green

Publisher: Dutton's Children 2012

Genre: YA Contemporary

Pages: 337

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: US of YA; NPR Teen; Books to Movies; ebook; New Author

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning-author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.

Our first book club selection of 2014!  I have heard absolutely amazing things about this book.  That's why I put it up for consideration for our January club selection.  The reality of the book didn't live up to all the expectations.  It's a good book.  I might even say it's a great book.  But, I think it's a great book for someone else.  I think if I had read this when I was 16 it would have been great.  As I am now 31, it's just a good book.  The love story seemed a bit too teenagey for me.  I wanted a bit more depth to the romance.  The sections about life and death are really what kept me sucked into the book.  Gus and Hazel's look at life was interesting and thought-provoking.  I especially loved the eulogies at Augustus's pre-funeral.  I would love to be remembered that way instead of some empty platitudes about living a good life.  I would love the real me to appear at my funeral.  Overall, I think TFiOS is a really really good book.  I just couldn't give it 5 stars.