From Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Far too often people make fun of Young Adult literature and tell people to read real books instead. Some of the best writing coming out right now is by Young Adult authors. My favorite is John Green. I've read everything he has published, some of it twice, and am continually touched by his insights. Will Grayson, Will Grayson is a terrific novel about teenagers searching for both self-acceptance and the appreciation of others. The characters are all a bit extreme, but very human. I will probably post a number of quotes from that book as I go. For today, the first is:

tiny: you know what? i'm totally at peace with being big-boned. and i was gay long before i knew what sex was. it's just who i am, and that's great. i don't want to be thin or conventionally beautiful or straight or brilliant. no, what i really want - and what i never get - is to be appreciated. do you know what it's like to work so hard to make sure everyone's happy, and to have not a single person recognize it? i can work my ass off bringing together the other will grayson and jane - no appreciation, only grief. i write this whole musical that's basically about love, and the main character in it - besides me, of course - is phil wrayson, who needs to figure some things out, but is all-in-all a pretty wonderful guy. and does will get that? no. he freaks out. i do everything i can to be a good boyfriend with you - no appreciation, only grief. i try to make this musical so it can create something, to show that we all have something to sing - no appreciation, only grief. this musical is a gift, will. my gift to the world. it's not about me. it's about what i have to share. there's a difference - i see it, but i am worried that i am the only frickin' one who sees it. you think i have it easy, will? are you really dying to try on these size fifteens? because every morning when i wake up, i have to convince myself that, yes, by the end of the day, i will be able to do something good. that's all i ask - to be able to do something good. not for myself, you whiny shithead bastard complainer who, incidentally, i really, really like. but for my friends. for other people.