Last night I read the first on my list of books for 2014. Looking for Alaska, by John Green.

First of all, it takes place at a boarding school. That’s one way straight to my heart.

Second, it is very clear right from the beginning that something significant is going to happen and when. A more sophisticated reader (this is a YA novel) might be bothered by the complete lack of subtlety; I found it an aid to the building tension.

So I liked it. It was short (again, a YA novel)–note my language above “last night I read”, not “started” and not “finished,” but actually the whole thing. I tend to prefer longer books, but…bring on Arizona.*

*I’ve read Alaska already.