The Fault in Our Stars - John Green

Although I typically avoid contemporary/romance themed novels, I really wanted to see what the fuss was about.  Turns out the fuss is earned.  I also generally dread depressing books, but I plowed through this like there was no tomorrow.  It's not a perfect book, but it's a damn good one.  It's funny and heartbreaking and feels, 80% of the time, very authentic.  I laughed and I cried...a lot. I love this book now, but I would have absolutely adored it as a teen.