lunabob's review against another edition
1.0
One star review not because of the content, but because I couldn’t bring myself to finish it. I skimmed it and from what I read I enjoyed it.
I should have read it years ago
I should have read it years ago
lovelife1008's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
kelforrest's review against another edition
emotional
informative
lighthearted
sad
4.0
Didn't finish, only because I'm quite busy atm and currently don't have time for much reading, but what I did read was amazing and heart-warming, and I definitely plan on revisiting this book at a later date when I'm far less busy!!
Edit: Finished the book since I didn't like that I was leaving the book unread, and it did not disappoint!!
Edit: Finished the book since I didn't like that I was leaving the book unread, and it did not disappoint!!
hereistheend's review against another edition
5.0
this is incredible and beautiful and perfect and this girl.
i cried, of course, but some were happy amazed tears, and yeah, there were pissed off sad tears OF COURSE.
but this book…. i just.
and the bits about god were like wow. it makes me so so so so so happy to know i'll meet her someday in heaven.
i read your book in one day, esther, curled up in my bed, eating cake, and then curled up in bed again… you are beautiful inside and out and you were real.
i cried, of course, but some were happy amazed tears, and yeah, there were pissed off sad tears OF COURSE.
but this book…. i just.
and the bits about god were like wow. it makes me so so so so so happy to know i'll meet her someday in heaven.
i read your book in one day, esther, curled up in my bed, eating cake, and then curled up in bed again… you are beautiful inside and out and you were real.
jayeraine's review against another edition
5.0
Sometimes the best stories are told imperfectly, with grammatical and spelling errors and no sense of pacing, sometimes confusing the sequence of events. Sometimes the best thing a story can give you is a reminder that we're all just human, and to be human is to be imperfect and flawed, and that this basis of humanity in no way detracts from the value of a person. Esther Earl passed away at the age 16, and she was flawed like everyone else. Despite, and sometimes because of, these flaws, she managed to reach out and accomplish things that many of us couldn't do in a lifetime. One of Esther's deepest wishes was to make a difference in the world before she left it, and she accomplished this wish a million times over-- not just in the big differences that she is most widely known for, but in the small differences as well. And through it all, she never lost her sense of self, neither to her illness nor her sudden, confusing fame.
"Dad you do realize I'm a human. Which is always good."
"Dad you do realize I'm a human. Which is always good."
bookswithbre's review against another edition
5.0
Equal parts inspiring and heartbreaking. Esther, what an amazing girl that deserved more time on this Earth.
hyebitshines's review against another edition
4.0
I am a pessimist. I'm always waiting for the next big disaster to strike and even my happiest moments are undermined with an anxiety that never quite goes away. I think that's what made this such an emotional read for me (I mean, the sucky cancer part didn't help either). Esther Earl lived and died within sixteen, too-short years, but she left behind a story: the all-too common misfortune of childhood cancer turned into an inspiration by one compassionate, God-centered optimist.
One moment that made me go whoa was when when Esther did her "thankful" video and amidst her rambling, she said, "I don't know... I might have died a different way!" Her optimism made me rethink the whole cliche half-full vs. half-empty glass analogy... because Esther shows that even if things look hopeless in the present, there is always something for which you can be happy about.
Esther always wrote letters and cards to her family members, saying the simple, but easily forgotten "thank you". She drew beautifully and her writing was so honest- By the end of this memoir, I felt like I, too, had the honor of knowing her. I certainly didn't expect to cry or learn as much as I did, initially drawn to the book for its association with John Green.
Most importantly, I learned that saying "I can't" is a privilege. Esther just did, without overthinking the logistics of success or talent. She drew and wrote for herself, her expression, and those she loved. She said "I can" through her journals, although cancer cut that momentum short. The little pessimist writing this review walks away from this book a little lighter, a little less burdened because if you look hard enough, there can be more happy found despite the overwhelming world suck.
Thank you, Esther Earl, the Earl family, and all her friends, for being the not-so-down-your-throat inspiration I needed in the frenzy of school and "starting new chapters" crap. Rest in peace to the awesome girl who continues to fight world suck with the lives she touches ; v ; I shall indeed someday, somehow find my happy as Esther so simply put it:
"Just be happy, and if you can't be happy, do things that make you happy, or do nothing with the people that make you happy."
Fin.
One moment that made me go whoa was when when Esther did her "thankful" video and amidst her rambling, she said, "I don't know... I might have died a different way!" Her optimism made me rethink the whole cliche half-full vs. half-empty glass analogy... because Esther shows that even if things look hopeless in the present, there is always something for which you can be happy about.
Esther always wrote letters and cards to her family members, saying the simple, but easily forgotten "thank you". She drew beautifully and her writing was so honest- By the end of this memoir, I felt like I, too, had the honor of knowing her. I certainly didn't expect to cry or learn as much as I did, initially drawn to the book for its association with John Green.
Most importantly, I learned that saying "I can't" is a privilege. Esther just did, without overthinking the logistics of success or talent. She drew and wrote for herself, her expression, and those she loved. She said "I can" through her journals, although cancer cut that momentum short. The little pessimist writing this review walks away from this book a little lighter, a little less burdened because if you look hard enough, there can be more happy found despite the overwhelming world suck.
Thank you, Esther Earl, the Earl family, and all her friends, for being the not-so-down-your-throat inspiration I needed in the frenzy of school and "starting new chapters" crap. Rest in peace to the awesome girl who continues to fight world suck with the lives she touches ; v ; I shall indeed someday, somehow find my happy as Esther so simply put it:
"Just be happy, and if you can't be happy, do things that make you happy, or do nothing with the people that make you happy."
Fin.
loveathena98's review against another edition
2.0
I found Esther's narrative to be very heartfelt and just like what a young girl would write in her journals. However,I found the subject matter to be very depressing and triggering for me personally, so I won't be finishing it. I think it's great her story is out there, but it's just not for me.
thesaltiestlibrarian's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
2.0
"Caitlin, two stars to a book about a teenager dying from cancer? You're an asshole."
Fair enough.
So is the publishing house for putting it out on the coattails of John Green's only tolerable novel, then having him write the introduction. All for money.
Esther's family are warriors. If not for the miraculous transplant my oldest brother received in 2021, he would have died before his 35th birthday. I know what's like to watch someone grafted onto your heart wither and fade right in front of you. Two stars for them. Esther seemed really cool and would have been the same age as my younger brother today if she had lived.
The timing on the part of John Green and Dutton, however, feels super gross.
"You're too cynical, Caitlin. Not everyone has ulterior motives."
True. But you can see it when they do.
Fair enough.
So is the publishing house for putting it out on the coattails of John Green's only tolerable novel, then having him write the introduction. All for money.
Esther's family are warriors. If not for the miraculous transplant my oldest brother received in 2021, he would have died before his 35th birthday. I know what's like to watch someone grafted onto your heart wither and fade right in front of you. Two stars for them. Esther seemed really cool and would have been the same age as my younger brother today if she had lived.
The timing on the part of John Green and Dutton, however, feels super gross.
"You're too cynical, Caitlin. Not everyone has ulterior motives."
True. But you can see it when they do.
dmg95's review against another edition
5.0
I finally got around to finishing this book. I purchased it at Leakycon 2014, which was my first Esther Day. I didn't know the whole story, but Esther sounds like a wonderful human and I would've loved to have met her. Her story is motivating and makes me proud that I am pursuing a medical career. Now knowing more about her story, I am proud to be able to celebrate Esther Day every year, even when I can't make it to con. #RestInAwesomeEsther and I hope you realize how amazing all of your work is. And to the Earl family, I'm glad I met some of you when I bought this book, you're all super awesome for sharing Esther's story with the world. DFTBA! P.S. my keychain flashlight from Leakycon 2014 still shines bright and it's a reminder that This Star Won't Go Out <3