John Green writes novels for young adults, but you don't have to be young to enjoy them. I'm forty-three, and he's one of my favorite contemporary authors. I became a fan of Green not by reading his books but by watching videos on his amazing YouTube channels CrashCourse, Mental Floss, and Vlogbrothers. I thought I was too sophisticated and mature to read a young-adult novel, but I love Green so much I gave him a shot. Most fans of John Green that I know love his book The Fault in Our Stars the best, but my favorite John Green novel is Looking for Alaska. It’s the story of a 16-year-old boy who spends his first year at a private high school in Alabama. He meets friends and love-interests he’ll never forget. They pull pranks. They drink and smoke in the dorms. And then something tragic happens to one of them and we get to see how this close-knit group of kids deals with their grief. It's smart, funny, and deeply moving. Highly recommended for teens who like realistic fiction, parents who want to gain insight into teenagers' lives, or adults who appreciate teen angst and ambiguity.