Emily

on reread, probably 15+ years later, still an excellent read.
unsure how much nostalgia glasses played into this rating, as this was one of my favorite books throughout late elementary, middle, and early high school, and I reread it dozens (not exaggerating) of times. it was one of my first fantasy books, and for that it will always have a special place in my heart.
there were definitely some quirks I noticed on reread that I never noticed when I was younger - we'll call them artifacts of being written by a young author for a young audience. nothing major/immersion breaking, just goofy little bits.

I read this book on the brink of the third wave of COVID-19, thoroughly exhausted and otherwise despondent about humanity as a whole.

I really couldn't have picked a better time to read it - these mini essays reminded me about the beauty and fear and anger and joy and inevitability that comes with being human and existing at this time, on this planet, in our tiny corner of the universe.

I leave these pages with a flicker of hope, and a lighter heart. Thank you, John Green, for reminding me to feel everything instead of numbing myself to it - to dwell in nature and appreciate the little moments and linger in the time I have with the people around me.

this manga only gets better and more wholesome as the pages turn.

I cried when they flash backed to becky not being able to make friends, then flashed forward to anya and her asleep together in the car. v good.

delightful and refreshing. more, please, always, Ali!

love for quifrey++, the volume