"Looking For Alaska" was John Green's first published book and was published in March of 2005. The book centers on Miles "Pudge" Halter as he starts at a new boarding school in an attempt to find a new meaning to life. When he reaches this school, he meets his roommate Chip "Colonel" Martin, who introduces him to Alaska Young.
The three of them, accompanied by a few more acquaintances, tackle their growing minds and bodies and struggle to find their place in school and life. At least until a brutal upset forces them to handle the shocking reality of life and mortality.
One of my personal favorite pieces from John Green, I've created a playlist to help capture the feeling of the book. Below I've listed the songs involved, and the link to the spotify is available here.
1. "How To Be A Heartbreaker" - Marina and the Diamonds
2. "Until I Am Whole" - The Mountain Goats
John Green's favorite band had to make an appearance in this playlist, as I can imagine their music fueled some of this book's greatness.
3. "I Used To Cry" - Lynn
4. "To My Parents" - Anna Clendening
5. "No One's Gonna Love You" - Band Of Horses
6. "I Will Follow You Into The Dark" - Death Cab For Cutie
7. "Habits (Stay High)" - Tove Lo
Now, generally, this song was included to inform of the vast amounts of underage drinking, but also because Alaska Young is a hardcore smoker, and I felt this song accurately captures her feelings of her vice. She actually says "Y'all smoke to enjoy it. I smoke to die." in the book, so I feel it's a fitting song to include.
8. "Good Woman" - Cat Power
9. "The Anthem" - Good Charlotte
They're teens, they're gonna have fun, and go a little crazy. This song is fun. It's dancable. It's perfect.
10. "Until The Day I Die" - Story of the Year
11. "All I Ever Wanted" - Looking For Alaska
As of now, I've yet to determine whether this band was around before the book or not, but either way, the song kind of fits with Miles and Alaska's relationship, and the name fits with the book, so yeah.
12. "Worthless" - Anna Clendening
13. "A Drop In the Ocean" - Ron Pope
I picture Miles writing this for Alaska, to be honest. It's deeply romantic and feels like he's pining for the woman, but not able to fully have her.
