The Fault in Our Subtext: Problems with John Green’s Love Story

For my Disability and The Media Class, I wrote an essay critiquing The Fault In Our Stars after reading it in 2022. Please note: I am not a disabled writer. I am writing this based off of the materials and theories learned in the classroom. Please listen to disabled voices first and foremost when it comes to this story and all stories.

In 2012, critically acclaimed Young Adult author John Green published his fourth solo novel entitled The Fault in Our Stars. The novel follows sixteen-year-old protagonist Hazel Grace Lancaster. She has thyroid cancer which affects her lungs, and she uses an oxygen tank with a nasal cannula as a result. After attending a support group for cancer survivors, Hazel meets and falls in love with Augustus “Gus” Waters, a survivor of osteosarcoma and an amputee as a result of cancer. The novel immediately received praise from fans and critics alike and remained on The New York Times bestseller list for seven consecutive weeks. Internationally, The Fault in Our Stars became a fan favorite. 

My Name-a-Thon TBR

Hello everyone! A couple weeks ago, I posted an announcement post about Name-a-Thon (if you haven’t seen it yet, go check it out! ). It’s the day before the readathon begins, and I have finally created my TBR! For the sake of the readathon, I decided to use my first full name which is ‘Olivia’! I think six books is just the right amount for me, and I ended up choosing books outside of the typical genres I read so I’m especially excited for this. Let’s get started!

O- On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous

I Went to Seven Bookstores in Two Days: My NYC Bookstore Tour + Haul

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well! This past weekend, I went to New York for a quick day trip with my mom. Normally when I go to New York, I see a Broadway show (or two). However, since Broadway is still shut down, my mom and I decided to fit as many bookstores as humanly possible in our day and a half trip into NYC.

Stop #1: The Drama Book Shop

Our first stop had to be The Drama Book Shop that just re-opened up in Midtown! I went to the original location one of the very first times I visited New York Summer of 2017. It was in danger of closing, but then some Broadway people (including Lin-Manuel Miranda) came in to save the Drama Book Shop from closing forever. Here’s an article about its recent history if you’re curious about the full story!

The store is GORGEOUS! I don’t even know if pictures do it justice. They mainly focus on drama-related books (plays, biographies, librettos, etc.), but they also have some fiction bestsellers as well. They have a cafe and some seating to sit and work on your laptop, so it’s honestly the perfect vibe. If you’re looking for a new playwright to fall in love with or a beautiful new edition of a Shakespeare book to impulse buy, this is the PERFECT store to go to. I will definitely be coming back.

The Name-a-Thon: Announcement + Meet The Hosts!

Surprise! I made a readathon! I have been wanting to host a readathon for a while, and I am so thrilled to be hosting a really lowkey readathon with my dear friend and roommate, Olive! You’ll meet her more later on in the post, I think it’s time to get into the basics and how you can get involved!

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The Basics

This is a month long readathon (from July 1–July 31 EST) dedicated to your name! The name you choose is totally up to you (ex: your full name, nickname, pen name, name you use online, blog name, Twitter @, channel name, etc.)! However, please keep your safety first priority if you’re using your middle name, last name, or any name that could potentially put your safety and identity in danger!

You’ll read books that start with the same initial. For example, if your name is Sara, your TBR stack might look a little something like this:

Majoring in Publishing: My Experience as a WLP Major at Emerson College

If you’ve been following me for a while (or even just briefly glanced at my Twitter), you probably know that I am a Writing, Literature, and Publishing (‘WLP’) major with a concentration in Publishing at Emerson College. I am about to go into my third year, and I’ve been wanting to write a blog post detailing my experience in my specialized major. This post is specifically going to be focused on my major, and not my experience at Emerson as a whole. With that being said: buckle up, grab a snack, and let’s talk about my experience at Emerson College!

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Why I Chose Emerson’s WLP

Like many people in my major, I first discovered Emerson because of the booktuber Sasha Alsberg. She briefly went to Emerson in 2015, and I really loved watching her videos about the school and her program. I also really loved the idea of going to school in a city and studying ‘books’. Granted, Sasha went to Emerson in 2015 when I was in 8th grade so I had 0 perception of what college actually entails. Regardless, this introduction into Emerson made me fall in love with it fast.

Summer 2021 Reading + Blogging Goals

Hello everyone! Long time, no talk! I hope you are all doing well, and you’re staying healthy (maybe even vaccinated!). I was going through some of my older blog posts, and I came across a post I made about a year ago where I talked about some of my reading/blogging goals for summer 2020. It was really fun reflecting on the goals I achieved and the ones I utter flopped at (yikes). Regardless, I’m ready to talk about some of the reading + blogging goals I have for summer 2021! Let’s get started!

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Reading Goals

1. Catch Up My Goodreads Reading Challenge

So, at the beginning of 2021, I decided to foolishly set my Goodreads reading challenge goal to be 65 books. I was pretty optimistic at the beginning, but I am now a whopping ten books behind on my challenge. One of my main goals for the summer, while I am not in school, is to read more overall. I have a horrible habit of scrolling on TikTok instead of reading, and I hope I can finally break that this summer!

Blog Tour: Libertie by Kaitlyn Greenidge {Book Spotlight}

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well and staying healthy (maybe even getting vaccinated!). In today’s post, I am so thrilled to be working with Algonquin Young Readers for the blog tour of LIBERTIE by Kaitlyn Greenidge! LIBERTIE has been has been included in “Best Books” roundups from The New York Times, The Washington Post, Oprahmag.com, Time.com, PopSugar, Book Riot and more! It has received early praise from so many outlets, and I can’t wait to tell you about this wonderful novel. Get your debit cards ready because you’ll want to order this book ASAP!

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The critically acclaimed and Whiting Award–winning author of We Love You, Charlie Freeman returns with an unforgettable story about the meaning of freedom.

Coming of age as a free-born Black girl in Reconstruction-era Brooklyn, Libertie Sampson was all too aware that her purposeful mother, a practicing physician, had a vision for their future together: Libertie would go to medical school and practice alongside her. But Libertie, drawn more to music than science, feels stifled by her mother’s choices and is hungry for something else—is there really only one way to have an autonomous life? And she is constantly reminded that, unlike her mother, who can pass, Libertie has skin that is too dark.

Six Asian-Owned Bookstores to Support ASAP

In the past year and a half, violence against Asian Americans has been on a steady increase in the United States. Most recently, the shooting in Atlanta that killed eight people, six of whom were Asian. If you click this link here, it will take you to a carrd with resources and places to donate to support the AAPI community. I heavily encourage you to check it out and donate/support where you can.

As we are sharing Asian-owned business links around on social media, I think it’s especially important to uplift Asian-owened bookstores within the book community. Today, I’ve compiled a list of six Asian-owned bookstores in the U.S. to support. I have also included website links for you to support them even if you are across the country (or world) from them.

1. Arkipelago Books (San Francisco, CA)

The following quote was taken from their Website:

“Arkipelago Books has been a pillar of the community for 20 years and exists as one of 2 of the only distributors of speciality books outside of the Philippines. Additionally, the store’s collection of contemporary and historical Filipino American titles makes Arkipelago Books a leader in book distribution to libraries, educational institutions, as well as to the local and traveler alike interested in Filipino Literature, Culture, Social Sciences, Art, Poetry, History, and more.”

January & February Wrap Up

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well + staying healthy in the first two months of 2021! I have had a very busy and emotional past month or so (and school is whooping my butt this semester), but I am VERY ready for the spring and the warm weather that comes with it! I have not had the chance to wrap up my reading months for 2021 so far, so I decided to do it in one grand post like this! In total, I’ve read nine books in the past two months and I can’t wait to chat with you about them!

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde ★★★★: My first read of 2021! I have been wanting to read more classics recently, and THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY was the PERFECT introduction to the genre! When I asked for classic recommendations on my Twitter, this was one of the most recommended books since so many people read DORIAN GRAY in high school! I really fell in love with Wilde’s writing style; it was a very hauntingly dark story, and I was shocked by how much I loved the characters. I will definitely be reading more of Oscar Wilde’s works in the future!

My Life in Books Book Tag

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well! Last July (lol), I was tagged in the “My Life in Books” Book Tag by Cielo at Bellerose Reads. Today, I’m finally sitting down and answering these questions! Let’s get started!

1. Find a book for each of your initials

I decided to make this more of a challenge for myself, so I did my full name instead of just Liv!

On The Come Up by Angie Thomas

Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert

Ignite me by Tahereh Mafi

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

I‘ll Be The One by Lyla Lee

Animal Farm by George Orwell

EVERY BODY LOOKING by Candice Iloh {ARC Review}

I received EVERY BODY LOOKING from Penguin Teen in exchange for review. This in no way impacts my opinion or overall review.

EVERY BODY LOOKING by Candice Iloh

Publication: September 22, 2020

Genre: YA Contemporary (Written in Verse)

Page Count: 416 pages

Format: Psychical ARC from Penguin Teen

Rating: ★★★★

Every Body Looking is a debut novel in verse in the style of Elizabeth Acevedo and Jason Reynolds. Candice Iloh’s book tells the story of Ada–daughter of an immigrant father and an African American mother–and her struggle to find a place for herself in America and in her own family.

“This is a story about the sometimes toxic and heavy expectations set on the backs of first generation children, the pressures woven into the family dynamic, culturally and socially. About childhood secrets with sharp teeth. And ultimately, about a liberation that taunts every young person.”–New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds

Blog Tour: How to Build a Heart by Maria Padian {Book Spotlight}

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well! On today’s post, I am so thrilled to be working with Algonquin Young Readers for the blog tour of HOW TO BUILD A HEART by Maria Padian! It’s received so many wonderful reviews since it’s been released, and I can’t wait to tell you about this wonderful novel!

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One young woman’s journey to find her place in the world as the carefully separated strands of her life — family, money, school, and love — begin to overlap and tangle. 

All sixteen-year-old Izzy Crawford wants is to feel like she really belongs somewhere. Her father, a marine, died in Iraq six years ago, and Izzy’s moved to a new town nearly every year since, far from the help of her extended family in North Carolina and Puerto Rico. When Izzy’s hardworking mom moves their small family to Virginia, all her dreams start clicking into place. She likes her new school—even if Izzy is careful to keep her scholarship-student status hidden from her well-to-do classmates and her new athletic and popular boyfriend. And best of all: Izzy’s family has been selected by Habitat for Humanity to build and move into a brand-new house. Izzy is this close to the community and permanence she’s been searching for, until all the secret pieces of her life begin to collide.

How to Build a Heart is the story of Izzy’s journey to find her place in the world and her discovery that the choices we make and the people we love ultimately define us and bring us home.

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