My greatest strength is not my ability to write, but today, I am moved to try to write something from deep within myself. I am compelled to share this book with you because it must be shared. I will do my best to arrange my thoughts and feelings into something meaningful. This book, at least, deserves my attempt…
“My thoughts are stars I cannot fathom into constellations.” – John Green, The Fault In Our Stars
Two days ago my husband brought home the book, The Fault In Our Stars, by John Green. Against my body’s plea to get sleep, I stayed up late the last two nights reading it, unable to set down this heartbreakingly beautiful book, unable to release it from my grip in fear that if I stopped reading, then the story would end; while all along knowing that in reality, if I continued to read, the story would eventually end.
As I reached the last few words of the book and realized that indeed the story was ending, I cried. More than I have cried in a long time. I did no such crying the last three years of my life as I struggled with a frustrating autoimmune disease that disabled me and changed my life. But THIS book, this hauntingly lovely and beautifully sad creation, brought me to tears, the type of ugly cry- the gasping for air and a crumpled-up face cry. I found myself clutching this book to my chest and crying for the loss of the characters in this book, while also crying for the loss I was feeling in my life and for the loss in the lives of my loved ones.
Soon this ugly cry became the kind of cry that lets out all of the bad stuff built up inside, the type of cry that releases that toxic sad air that lingers in the lungs. The type of cry that left me at peace, knowing that I was not alone. I was filled with comfort in knowing that with this book, there is now a collective consciousness, of those who might for a moment feel it is ok to cry and realize that they are not alone and that life is precious. I realized that there were lessons to be learned from this book, and that I was not going to miss the opportunity to share them with others.
Here is what I learned:
(1) Do not be afraid of the legacy you leave and wonder if you have made a difference. Your presence in this world is known and felt by others more than you will ever realize- THIS is your legacy.
“You are so busy being YOU that you have no idea how utterly unprecedented you are.”
-John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
(2) The ability to write words that move and inspire others, is an extraordinary gift- not to be ignored or taken for granted.
“Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.”
-John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
[The Fault In Our Stars iPhone Case by ihomegift.]
(3) You have a choice in how you reveal YOUR story.
“You have a choice in this world, I believe, about how to tell sad stories, and we made the funny choice.”
-John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
(4) Those who are sick want to feel “normal”, they want to know that life can still have moments of love, laughter, and joy.
“And I wondered if hurdlers ever thought, you know, ‘This would go faster if we just got rid of the hurdles.”
-John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
(5) We should each have the chance to hear the good about ourselves- to hear our Eulogy BEFORE the funeral.
“You say you’re not special because the world doesn’t know about you, but that’s an insult to me. I know about you.”
-John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
(6) Those who are dying want to know that the loved ones they leave behind will be ok without them.
“I wanted to know that he would be okay if I died. I wanted to not be a grenade, to not be a malevolent force in the lives of people I loved.”
-John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
[The Fault In Our Stars iPhone Case by ihomegift.]
(7) Not a single one of us knows the length of time we will be here on Earth- so live your life without fear and appreciate each moment.
“Our fearlessness shall be our secret weapon.”
-John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
“I was blind and heart broken and didn’t want to do anything and Gus burst into my room and shouted, “I have wonderful news!” And I was like, “I don’t really want to hear wonderful news right now,” and Gus said, “This is wonderful news you want to hear,” and I asked him, “Fine, what is it?” and he said, “You are going to live a good and long life filled with great and terrible moments that you cannot even imagine yet!”
-John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
“Grief does not change you, Hazel. It reveals you.”
-John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
I am celebrating this wonderful book with a fun giveaway of the cool iPhone cases pictured above. If interested, simply click the “Enter Giveaway” button below.
Thank you for dropping by and reading my post Lessons Learned From “The Fault In Our Stars” – it means a great deal to me.
You can also find this post linked here:
[Check out The Link Parties Page for more details.]
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Wow, I have to read this book! The following quote really spoke to me: “Do not be afraid of the legacy you leave and wonder if you have made a difference. Your presence in this world is known and felt by others more than you will ever realize- THIS is your legacy.” Thanks so much for sharing this Amy!
Hi Nancy:
I am glad you liked my quote. Thanks so much! This book really was such an inspiration for me. I hope you get the chance to read it!
-Amy Kathleen
Wow, what a lovely post! I, too, cried buckets when I read this beautiful book. I love how you’ve distilled the wisdom from the novel. Thank you!
Hello Ann:
Thank you so much for visiting The Mindful Shopper! Thank you for your kind words. Means so much coming from a book review expert!
-Amy Kathleen
Oh isn’t it wonderful to find a book that really opens you and offers profound things to think about? As I was reading about your experience I couldn’t help but think of Isak Dinesen’s words “The cure for anything is salt water – tears, sweat, or the sea.”
Hi Deborah:
The quote you shared is wonderful. So true. I love it! Thanks for sharing it and for stopping by!
-Amy Kathleen
How inspirational….and I so agree…a good deep down cry goes a long way for releasing all the negative energy that we sometimes unknowingly store. Thanks for sharing…..such beautiful words.
Hi Debbie:
Thank you! Your words mean a great deal to me. Yes, a deep down cry is needed every once-in-awhile. Thanks for stopping by!
-Amy Kathleen
I’m one of the few that haven’t read this book yet, I keep hearing wonderful things about it and this is a really touching review.
Hi April:
Thanks! Means a lot to me coming from you! Hugs to you!
-Amy Kathleen
thanks for linking up! This is on my ‘to read’ list and I cried just reading your review…God only know what I will do when I start reading it.
Hi Karen:
Thanks for the comment! I am glad to hear that you are planning on reading this beautiful book. Hugs to you!
-Amy Kathleen
What a beautiful and creative book review and I loved every single quote you shared. This is such an amazing book and one of my all time favorites. The only reason I didn’t cry is because if I did then I wouldn’t be able to read through my tears. Such a powerful, witty and humorous in the light of the circumstances book.
Hi Tanya:
I always love it when you stop by!!! Thank you for the kind comments. Means a lot coming from you! Hugs to you!
-Amy Kathleen
I love this beautiful phone case and what a great movie!! I loved it.
Hi Holly!
Thanks! I am glad to hear the movie was great! I will be checking it out soon.
-Amy Kathleen
wow
Hi Carl!
Thanks for dropping by The Mindful Shopper!
-Amy Kathleen
I love this phone cover!!!
Hi AnaKaren:
Thanks so much for stopping by! (Love your name by the way!) I am so glad you like the phone cover. Make sure to sign up for the giveaway! Thanks again!
-Amy Kathleen
First off, this is a great post! I’m moved to pieces to read this book; my daughter and I are on the waiting list at the library.
I think this weekend, we’ll just go buy it!
I cannot wait to go through the sad and beautiful journey, and come out with my own life lessons.
Thanks for sharing via Mommy Monday.
XOXO
http://www.mrsaokaworkinprogress.com
Hello!
I absolutely recommend getting your own copy of this book. I am not the type of person to reread books- but I am keeping my copy of this book so that I can reread it again and again. Such a wonderful piece of writing!
Thanks for stopping by!
-Amy Kathleen
When I saw the title of this post a few days ago my heart gave a little skip. I absolutely loved this book which I read on the recommendation of my son a few months ago. My daughter just finished it last month. Oh my word. Like you I sobbed and sobbed at the end. Just didn’t see that ending coming. Also was so moved by the story, the characters, the writing … everything. Am somewhat reluctant to see the movie. Movies from books somehow never manage to spark my connection in the same way.
Hi Kelly:
Thank you so much for the comment. Yes, such a wonderful book. I hear the movie is good- though there is no way it can compare to the book. So nice of you to stop by! Best to you!
-Amy Kathleen
I cannot wait to see this movie! I loved your review and glad you got all of those tears out! It is a relief afterwards (0:
Hi Kelly:
Yes, I am looking forward to seeing the movie too! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs to you!!!
– Amy Kathleen
wow amy, such a beautiful post! it’s so true that we often get so busy trying to be this and do that, we forget the most important things in life is really to be true to ourselves and love each moment… x
Hi Ananda!
Thanks so much for stopping by! Love seeing you! Thank you for the lovely comment! Hugs to you!
-Amy Kathleen
great