I expected not to like this book, honestly, in spite of the review (that I now can't find) that I had read that claimed it wasn't the usual weepy "girl gets cancer, suddenly develops a personality and higher thinking skills, changes everyone for the better, then dies" type of book. I can't stand those type of books, but the review did say that it had a few moments similar to that towards the end.

Honestly, in spite of the fact that I'm a girl, I saw a lot of myself in Greg (the "me" character in the title) both in social awkwardness and humor. For example, fairly on in the book he likens the "church kids" groups in his school to child predators in the lines they use to get you to join them at their church functions.

So the rich kids aren’t the alpha group of the school. The next most likely demographic would be the church kids: They’re plentiful, and they are definitely interested in school domination. However, that strength—the will to dominate—is also their greatest weakness, because they spend so much time trying to convince you to hang out with them, and the way they try to do that is by inviting you over to their church. “We’ve got cookies and board games,” they say, or that sort of thing. “We just got a Wii set up!” Something about it always seems a little off. Eventually, you realize: These same exact sentences are also said by child predators.

I laughed insanely hard at that. Rachel (the dying girl) isn't exactly someone he likes through most of the book. Not that he really dislikes her either, she's just somewhat of a chore foisted on him by his mother once his mom found out that Rachel had cancer. That conversation went something to the effect of, "Sweetie, your casual acquaintance that you knew years ago has cancer and really needs a friend before she dies and it's going to be you whether you like it or not."

Greg's reaction is about the same as mine is. "Why should I care? It doesn't affect me and I don't know this chick." However, because he's forced to hang out with her, they end up getting along and actually somewhat becoming friends. There's still no earth-shattering "holy crap I know the meaning of life moment" in the book because that doesn't happen in real life, either - only in the realities that people create for themselves in another's misery and misfortune. In that respect, this is an amazing book.

However, the reason for five stars, plain and simple, is the way it's written. There's no style or finesse or anything resembling "typical book" format and it's wonderful. I did not expect to like this book - I expected to have to force myself to finish it - and instead I couldn't put it down at all. I read it last night while in the tub and couldn't bring myself to wash my hair until the book was over. Definitely worth a read. :-)