From a corner in the library

Book Info

Name: This Star Won't Go Out: The life and words of Esther Earl
Author: Esther Grace Earl (with Lori and Wayne Earl)
Date of publication: January 28th, 2014
Synopsis: "A memoir told through the journals, letters and stories of young cancer patient Esther Earl"

-This 'synopsis' is actually the summary that is given at the beginning of the book, in the really tiny letter that almost no one reads. I like to read those parts. And I think that that 'summary' doesn't really summarizes this book. It is way more than that, it is a life lesson in 431 pages.
-To start with, I've never read a biography before. So I didn't really know what to expect when I got this book. Which, by the way, I had to order in my library because they didn't have it. Anyway, I got TSWGO last Saturday night (March 15th) and immediately started reading. It is now Wednesday March 19th and I just finished it around two hours ago.
-Being told from different perspectives, it is easier (though, not less painful) to learn about Esther's life. I think that her parents contributions, that is old blog entries, are as important as Esther's diary entries. At first, I thought it was too personal to be shared. But at the end of the book, I realized that it is an inspiration and it changes people's lives (at least it changed mine) which is what Esther wanted: to help people.
-I don't know anyone who has or has had cancer, but I always imagine... well, I don't even know what I thought about people with cancer before TSWGO. But I guess, it was the typical 'oh, poor person with cancer.' I'm also guessing not all of the people with cancer have an attitude like Esther's. Hell, not a lot of the people with NO cancer have Esther's attitude towards life! I know, most of the time, I don't :(
-She was impressive (is impressive? Is...she still is.) not because she had health issues and fought to make a difference. She was/is impressive because she fought to make a difference. She was scared and angry and grumpy and she was just a girl. I'm also just a girl, and I'm healthy (thank you, God!) but do I try to do something for others? Not really, not always.
-I am feeling very suck-y right now. But Esther is inspiring me to do something. And I WILL  be doing something soon. I'll try to honor Esther, even though I never met her. 
-That is what makes Esther so impressive, I think. Many of her friends said in the book that she was someone special, not perfect, but special. Someone who made you feel special. And I believe that! This book, her words and thoughts and battles help me believe that.
-I forgot to mention that I read most of this book on bus rides to and from the university. People must have thought I was crazy because I was crying most of the ride... like really crying! :S
-Ok, to finish: I found this book thanks to John Green. Obviously. And I'm just amazed at how kind and sweet he is with Esther (still is). I thought he was an amazing writer and incredible internet person. But he is simply an extraordinary human being. No wonder why he was friends with Esther...they both had too much awesome it was impossible to not have a connection. So, I'm happy for nerdfighters, for JG, for this book and this experience. I'm happy to have known about Esther, even if I found her so late. Her star, that I found just in time.


Rating: ★★★★
Favorite character: Esther Grace Earl! Obviously.
Favorite part: Every time she would say how important her family was for her during all of the horrible things she went through. There is one part in which she writes a letter to her father and includes little things she remembers about everybody in her family... I loved that part.
Favorite quote:
“Do my words make sense? Whenever I write something and then reread it, it makes little sense. Maybe I'm just too smart for my own brain”
Least favorite part: Her death. I know we're meant to accept death as something natural, especially when someone is ill. And I knew that she died, and while reading the book I could feel it coming. But it sucked. Big time. I'm just happy that I can learn something from my least favorite part of the book.


Rest in Awesome, Esther.☆
Visit the website, take a look, and help? :) This Star Won't Go Out