John Green’s Favorite Reads
1. The Book That First Taught Me to Love Reading:
Ann M. Martin’s The Babysitters’ Club series ignited my passion for reading, paralleling Eudora Welty’s concept of “sweet devouring.”
2. The Book That Made Me Want to Become a Writer:
Michael Chabon’s The Mysteries of Pittsburgh inspired me in high school, fueling my dream of writing.
3. A Book I Wish I’d Written:
Paige Lewis’ novel Canon feels both timeless and contemporary—something I greatly admire.
4. I Tell People I’ve Read, But Haven’t:
Admittedly, I’ve never read Marcel Proust’s Remembrance of Things Past.
5. A Book I Wish I Could Read Again for the First Time:
Toni Morrison’s Beloved made literature feel visceral and alive, evoking strong emotions.
6. The Book I’ve Reread the Most:
Either Beloved or The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
7. A Book I Read in One Sitting:
Dear Martin by Nic Stone kept me up well past my bedtime.
8. My Favorite Book of the Year (So Far):
Lily King’s Heart the Lover captivated me recently.
9. The Book with the Best Love Story:
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is my favorite.
10. The Book with the Best Central Mystery:
Lost Light by Michael Connelly is a standout in the mystery genre.
11. A Classic I Can’t Stand:
I struggle with The Lord of the Flies by William Golding, feeling it misrepresents human nature.
12. A Book That Made Me Weep Uncontrollably:
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin had me sobbing.
13. A Book That Stirred Me to Take Action:
Phantom Plague by Vidya Krishnan opened my eyes to issues of inequality.
14. The Book with the Best Opening Line:
James Crumley’s The Last Good Kiss features a memorable opening sentence.
15. The Book with the Greatest Ending:
George Eliot’s Middlemarch delivers a powerful conclusion.
Bonus Questions
If I Could Live in Any Library or Bookstore:
The Book Cellar in Chicago would be my choice.
Favorite Audiobook Narrator:
Julia Whelan is my favorite, and she co-narrates my latest book, Hollywood, Ending.
