"Even cancer isn't a bad guy really: Cancer just wants to be alive."

I started reading The Fault in our Stars by John Green this morning, around 8:12am.  Yes, 8:12am on a Saturday morning.  That's what I call commitment to self improvement . (; Actually the novel came highly recommended by a good friend so I intentionally slept earlier the night before to wake up early and read. (:  Best decision ever.  Five hundred forty one pages and buckets of tears later, I finished!   And it was absolutely amazing.  Truly amazing.  It is so brilliantly crafted.  The story itself is simple but the love and tragedy that it entails is so real.  Battling cancer is such a tremendous feat; it's happiness and sadness constantly colliding, with anger and confusion.  Lots of confusion!

Having watched my own 'po' battle cancer for a year before succumbing to its inevitable will (I despise using the word "losing" in this context), it's obvious the story affected me on a very personal level.  Frankly, it broke my heart.  But on a good note, it reminded me of the importance of self-preservation and good health.  I will now proceed to recycle all the fast-food chain coupons that I have accumulated and saved over the last few months and solemnly promise to upkeep a regular exercise schedule.  *nods*  

NEXT on my reading list (well, more like my book-club reading list) is The Book of Negroes (aka Someone Knows My Name) by Lawrence Hill.  Keep posted! (: