Screenshots and lines from The Fault in Our Stars were continuously hunted for and used for Instagram and Tumblr postings equally.
Even those who never read the book will be aware of the impression that this novel left behind after its release.
When the movie came out in 2014, the hype increased further, and the story still remains relevant to this very day.
Each and every reader will recognize why the book was so cherished after reading it. This is a novel that can be difficult to read at times, but is also engrossing.
It tells the tale of a young girl who has cancer and falls in love with someone who is also terminally sick.
If you have been attempting to chase the high that The Fault in Our Stars left behind over a decade ago, you may be interested in what we have in store.
Below, we have listed some novels that contain similar writing styles, plots, and overall vibes. Some were even written by Green himself.
So, let’s get into it. Here are some books that are similar to John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars.
Themes In The Fault In Our Stars
If you are seeking a book similar to The Fault in Our Stars, you may want to start by considering some of the themes found in this particular novel. From there, you can discover other books that share these themes.
Death
This is a rather significant subject throughout the novel, which is to be expected when taking up a book in which the main character is living with cancer.
The subject of approaching death while coping with a terminal illness is covered in this book.
Coming Of Age
The main characters, Hazel Grace and Augustus, are aged 16 and 17, respectively.
We witness them experiencing the remainder of their teen years, experimenting with love and sensuality, while understanding that their time may be short-lived.
Teen Romance
Hazel Grace and Augustus are the main romantic couple in The Fault in Our Stars, but we also explore Issac’s relationship with Monica throughout the book, even if the focus is mainly set on Issac.
The story examines the development and breakdown of teen relationships.
Friendship
While the main focus of the novel is exploring Hazel Grace and Augustus’ relationship, we also get to witness their friendship with Issac.
We get to see how Hazel’s platonic relationship with Issac, and romantic relationship with Augustus, develop throughout the course of these chapters.
Difficulty
Similar to ‘death’, this is also a theme that one would expect to find in a novel like this one.
Despite depicting moments of joy and love in the lives of its protagonists, the story placed a greater emphasis on the anguish and pain they actually experienced.
Identity
Various passages in the book illustrate how Augustus, as opposed to Hazel Grace, wishes to make a lasting impression on the world.
Hazel Grace believes it is less important to leave a legacy than Augustus does. The two continuously battle to define themselves during the little time that they have left.
Books Like The Fault In Our Stars
Below, we have listed 6 coming-of-age novels that all share something in common with The Fault in Our Stars.
If you haven’t checked them out already, or you’ve never even heard of them, we recommend that you give them a read.
Paper Towns, one of Green’s earlier works, was published four years before The Fault in Our Stars.
This book is written in the same humorous way as The Fault in Our Stars, which is to be expected given that it was written by the same author, and shares themes of identity, friendship, and coming-of-age with that book (If you liked this, check out Books Like Let’s Get Lost).
The protagonist of Paper Towns is Q, a young man who sets out with a group of his friends to find and return his missing childhood friend after learning of her disappearance.
If you’re looking for a book with a similar writing style to The Fault in Our Stars but with less distressing subjects, you might want to check out Paper Towns.
Pros
A classic YA novel that fans of this genre will love.
Nostalgic vibes that the reader will relate to in some form.
An emotional journey that will bring out all kinds of emotions from the reader.
Cons
Some readers agree that this story does not have a very strong ending.
Looking for Alaska, Green’s debut book, was published nine years before The Fault in Our Stars. This coming-of-age book also deals with mortality, identity, and friendship (without giving spoilers).
It centers on Pudge, a high school junior who switches to a new school for his junior year. He joins a new friendship group that includes Alaska Young, a brilliant, attractive, yet somewhat unpredictable young woman.
Containing less upsetting themes than The Fault in Our Stars overall, but a little more than Paper Towns, this is a book that you may want to read while keeping a box of tissues at hand.
Pros
Fans of this genre will adore this classic YA book.
An emotional voyage that will stick with the reader long after they finish the book.
This book will make you feel nostalgic for your teenage years.
Cons
Some readers describe it as being a little too contrived to the point that the characters are not believable.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower may have had just as much influence as The Fault in Our Stars in the early 2010s, when Tumblr was at its most popular.
Although the movie received more attention, the book’s themes of friendship, identity, and struggling with mental health ultimately won our hearts.
This coming-of-age book is written in the form of letters, with 15-year-old Charlie serving as the narrator.
He makes a new set of pals during his freshman year, and we follow their lives throughout the book. Charlie is an introverted youngster with a rocky past.
There are times in The Perks of Being a Wallflower that are particularly heartbreaking, followed by joyful and humorous moments. Although it can be challenging to read, the experience is well worthwhile.
Pros
Provides a strong message that will stay with you for a long time after reading the final page.
Introverts who struggled in high school will be able to relate to this novel.
There are lots of fun moments that counterbalance the darker points.
Cons
This novel contains very dark themes, e.g., child abuse, that some readers may find triggering.
Me, Earl and the Dying Girl shares more characteristics with The Fault in Our Stars than the other books we’ve discussed, since it centers on a young girl dealing with a fatal illness, and the friends supporting her.
The main character of the story is Greg, who learns that his childhood friend Rachel has been found to have terminal cancer.
Despite having very identical themes to The Fault in Our Stars, this novel is more concerned with friendship than it is with love.
Another difficult read, Me, Earl and the Dying Girl is peppered with enough humor and heartwarming passages to keep you going.
Pros
Andrews uses humor and wit to overcome the novel’s overall dark theme.
Highlights the struggles of dealing with a terminal illness without glamorizing it.
A cynical take on the YA genre.
Cons
Some readers believe this book tries too hard to be crude and witty at times.
Due to the shared subject matter and writing style, this book has frequently been compared to The Fault in Our Stars.
The story is set in Australia and centers on two teenagers named Zac and Mia who are dealing with terminal diagnoses.
Zac, a 17-year-old leukemia patient, meets the attractive yet outspoken Mia when their hospital rooms are put next to one another.
They initially don’t get along since they don’t share much but their diagnoses, but they quickly grow acquainted.
This is another endearing yet distressing read with themes similar to The Fault in Our Stars, as one might anticipate when reading a book about teenage cancer patients.
Pros
A powerful narrative that will stick with you.
An engaging read that navigates upsetting yet realistic themes.
As equally hilarious as it is upsetting.
Cons
Some readers believe the book felt ‘unfinished’ when they reached the ending.
Instead of focusing on cancer patients, Five Feet Apart centers on two kids who are admitted to the hospital after being diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.
Similar themes to The Fault in Our Stars are companionship, pain, identity, and death in this book about coming-of-age.
Patients with cystic fibrosis should maintain a six-foot distance between one another in order to prevent the spread of infection.
When Stella, a high school student, notices a boy named Will moving into a room opposite hers, she realizes it may be difficult to stay away from him.
Once more, you might want to have some Kleenex on hand when reading this book. However, we unquestionably suggest checking it out.
Pros
This story will give you a fresh perspective on how to appreciate your life.
Highlights awareness for cystic fibrosis.
Uses the classic ‘forbidden love’ trope that we’ve all grown to love.
Cons
There are a lot of YA clichés that fill up this novel… which could be considered a ‘pro’ if you’re a fan of that kind of thing.
Themes: Death, teen romance, identity.
Final Thoughts
The story’s uniqueness is due to how skillfully The Fault in Our Stars balances sharp comedy with intense passion and sadness.
Anyone who reads it will be able to connect with the painfully accurate picture of juvenile cancer patients.
We advise you to read the books we mentioned above if you’ve ever wished you could reread The Fault in Our Stars from scratch and not recall a thing to get the same sensation.
We hope you found this article helpful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is A Suitable Age To Read The Fault In Our Stars?
It is recommended that those who are aged 15 or under should avoid reading The Fault in Our Stars.
While the novel isn’t particularly explicit, there are brief mentions of certain adult themes that may be deemed inappropriate for younger readers.
Why Is The Fault In Our Stars Inappropriate?
While The Fault in Our Stars is mostly teen-friendly, there are mild references to sensual activity and alcohol, with strong language being used throughout.
Is The Fault In Our Stars Based On A True Story?
The Fault in Our Stars is a fictional story, and the plot is not firmly based on true events. Hazel Grace and Augustus were not real people.
However, the book was dedicated to John Green’s 16-year-old friend, Esther Earl, who passed away from thyroid cancer in 2010.
Hi, my name is Anna Davis and I have been working with books for five years now. I got a job at my local library, so I could be closer to all of the books! I created this website in the hopes of inspiring others to start reading again. Who knows, maybe you’ll find your new favorite book from my site!
