As one-half of the vlogbrothers, Hank Green is a YouTube sensation. Working alongside his brother John, himself the decorated author of Looking for Alaska, Green dedicates himself to educating kids.
He also has a deep love of science fiction. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that Hank Green’s books focus on this genre. Here we look at the three books from the star of vlogbrothers and SciShow.
Who is Hank Green?
Hank Green started the YouTube channel vlogbrothers alongside his brother to give kids a crash course in many subjects. The channel spawned the nerdfighters universe, leading to greater YouTube success for the pair.
But far from being solely a YouTube creator, Hank Green is a man with many hats. He’s the co-founder of DFTBA.com, which helps other creators with merchandising. He also created VidCon as a way to celebrate creators.
With the release of his debut novel, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing, Green entered the literary sphere. Today, he juggles his responsibilities as a YouTube content creator, author, and family man.
Hank Green’s best books
If you’re a lover of sci-fi, or Hank Green’s work in general, his booklist is essential reading. Each of these book reviews explains why you should check out Green’s work.
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing
When talking about Green’s debut novel, the New York Times bestselling author Patrick Rothfuss humorously says it’s annoying how good Green’s book is.
The first of a two-book saga, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing introduces the reader to April May. While wandering New York in the early hours of the morning, she comes across an enormous transformer dressed like a samurai.
Ever the one for an eye for a viral sensation, April enlists her best friend, Andy, to make a video about the find. That video goes viral, with the transformer getting named “Carl.”
Soon enough, Carls start springing up all over the world. From there, April has to figure out how to deal with the newfound fame her discovery brings.
With obvious nods to his own YouTube career, Green delivers a fun novel that is great for kids. Anybody who aspires to have a successful YouTube channel may discover that fame is not all it’s cracked up to be.
A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor
Following on from his first book, A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor has a slightly more mature tone. April May has gone missing, leaving behind the infamy of the Carls in the process.
But there’s a mystery afoot. April’s disappearance is confusing enough that it sparks her friend, Maya, into a search for her.
At the same time, Andy now grapples with the fame brought on by her discovery. And another friend, Miranda, starts pursuing scientific work that she knows April didn’t want her to explore.
Ultimately, Green’s second book is a tale about friendship and repercussions. It’s also a surprisingly good entry into the mystery genre, as Green skilfully crafts a mystery tale around April May’s disappearance.
From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back
The first of Green’s books to eschew the novel format, From a Certain Point explores his love of Star Wars. Specifically, it focuses on what many consider the best film in the series – The Empire Strikes Back.
Written alongside multiple contributors, including Seth Dickinson and Kiersten White, the book is a celebration of a cinematic masterpiece.
It also has an interesting concept.
From a Certain Point of View brings together 40 creators and authors. Each has a scene from The Empire Strikes Back, which they describe through the eyes of a supporting character.
Though the concept risks making the book gimmicky, Green and company pull it off surprisingly well. Some of the tales are positively heart-wrenching, while others inject humor into otherwise serious scenes.
What are some books that Hank Green recommends?
Beyond his own work, Green is quick to point to other books that inspire what he does. With this list, you may learn more about what makes Green such a talented author:
The Fault in Our Stars – John Green
Sula – Toni Morrison
The Martian – Andy Weir
Paper Towns – John Green
The Slow Regard of Silent Things – Patrick Rothfuss
Find books about science and science fiction on Speechify Audiobooks
Anybody who loves science fiction is sure to find themselves engrossed when they pick up a Hank Green novel. His work does a superb job of blending sci-fi with modern social media. And in April May, he’s crafted a relatable character.
If Green’s work gives you a taste for sci-fi, Speechify Audiobooks has more of what you need.
Speechify Audiobooks is an audiobook platform with over 60,000 titles. Unlike other subscription services, it doesn’t charge you a monthly fee. Instead, you sign up and then buy whatever books you want, with no obligations.
The platform also has a strong collection of science fiction. It counts In Search of the Unknown, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas, and many more in its growing sci-fi collection.
Would you like to discover what Speechify has to offer to the audiobook enthusiast?
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FAQ
What else should I read if I like Hank Green?
The authors Megan Angelo and M.T. Anderson have similar writing styles to Hank Green.
Will there be a third Hank Green Book?
There won’t be a third book in Hank Green’s original series of “The Carls” novels. However, Green has worked on three books and may work on others in the future.
What is the first Hank Green book?
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing is the first Hank Green book.
Are there any Hank Green books for children?
All of Green’s books are suitable for children aged 14 and up. He hasn’t written any books for younger children.
Does Hank Green have a brother?
Hank Green has a brother named John Green. Together, they run the vlogbrothers channel on the social media platform YouTube.
Is Hank Green married?
Hank Green married television writer Jennifer Green in 2006.
