Paper Towns by John Green is an intriguing novel filled with mystery. It is not like most mystery books, with an unlikely premise and extremely odd characters; it starts out in a normal school in Orlando, Florida, with a main character who is not particularly strange. However, there is one extraordinary girl who changes everything, and that is what makes this book unique.

The story starts out exciting. The main character, Quentin, goes on an unexpected adventure and pulls creative stunts that were carefully planned by Margo, this extraordinary girl. It is interesting because it is completely out of character for Quentin to do any of this. The adventure takes them through many places, getting back at their enemies and having the time of their lives. This part is fast-paced and fun to read, leaving you wondering what will happen afterward.

Once the adventure is over, the plot gets an exciting twist: Margo goes missing. Many people panic over it, and it causes the school to change dramatically. Quentin, who has found clues left by her, takes it upon himself to try and find where she went. Every page introduces new information and different theories on Margo’s disappearance. The mystery becomes more complicated and confusing with each clue found, and it leaves you wondering what all of it really means.
One of the interesting parts of the book is that it has a strong theme of self-examination. It is introduced by the discovery of a poem that Margo left as a clue. Quentin struggles with finding the meaning of the poem throughout the book, despite consulting his English teacher and reading it over and over again. The reader is also left with the curiosity over the true meaning of the poem, which isn’t revealed until the very end.

The theme of self-examination is also taken further, using critical thinking against the validity of the poem, and of other metaphors for life that are presented. The characters have a lot of insightful talks about the way the world works, and they question the way they live their own lives. The book may even invite the reader to question his or her life, and it can change a person’s outlook on the world. The characters also sift through the different views on life. Some of them learn life-changing lessons. These philosophies can be intriguing, yet confusing, and the reader will have to decide which ones to believe.

This book, through its twists and turns, is definitely worth reading. The ever-evolving mystery of it all keeps the story interesting. The ideas presented in the book will stay with you long after you finish reading it.