Colin Singleton is a child prodigy who can speak many languages, loves anagramming and has dated – and been dumped by – not less than 19 girls named Katherine. Hence, the title.
He has just graduated from high school and is locked up in his room moping about his most recent break-up and the fact that he is no longer a child prodigy and will probably never be a genius or do anything that matters when his friend Hassan comes in and convinces him that all he needs is a road trip.
Classic John Green story.
They drive from Chicago to Tennessee and stop by a town called Gutshot, where they claim is the resting place of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
They meet Lindsey, a tour guide/store clerk/paramedic in training/daughter of the richest person in town and girlfriend of another boy named Colin, whom they promptly start calling TOC (the other Colin).
Colin and Hassan are offered a job and move in with Lindsey and her mom. Hassan goes around making friends and having fun while Colin works on his new idea, the one that will probably give him the genius status he desires so much: a mathematical theorem that explains his past relationships with Katherines and predicts who will dump who in any given relationship.
Meanwhile, Colin and Lindsey get closer and discuss being important, doing things that matter, trying to fit in and being yourself.
For once, the characters’ speech didn’t annoy me and it was again a nice read.
Favorite quotes:
“What is the point of being alive if you don't at least try to do something remarkable?”
“I don't think your missing pieces ever fit inside you again once they go missing.”
“I don't think God gives a shit if we have a dog or if a woman wears shorts. I think He gives a shit whether you're a good person.”
“The future will erase everything—there's no level of fame or genius that allows you to transcend oblivion.”
He has just graduated from high school and is locked up in his room moping about his most recent break-up and the fact that he is no longer a child prodigy and will probably never be a genius or do anything that matters when his friend Hassan comes in and convinces him that all he needs is a road trip.
Classic John Green story.
They drive from Chicago to Tennessee and stop by a town called Gutshot, where they claim is the resting place of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
They meet Lindsey, a tour guide/store clerk/paramedic in training/daughter of the richest person in town and girlfriend of another boy named Colin, whom they promptly start calling TOC (the other Colin).
Colin and Hassan are offered a job and move in with Lindsey and her mom. Hassan goes around making friends and having fun while Colin works on his new idea, the one that will probably give him the genius status he desires so much: a mathematical theorem that explains his past relationships with Katherines and predicts who will dump who in any given relationship.
Meanwhile, Colin and Lindsey get closer and discuss being important, doing things that matter, trying to fit in and being yourself.
For once, the characters’ speech didn’t annoy me and it was again a nice read.
Favorite quotes:
“What is the point of being alive if you don't at least try to do something remarkable?”
“I don't think your missing pieces ever fit inside you again once they go missing.”
“I don't think God gives a shit if we have a dog or if a woman wears shorts. I think He gives a shit whether you're a good person.”
“The future will erase everything—there's no level of fame or genius that allows you to transcend oblivion.”
