I Like Good Books and I Cannot Lie

I've slacked a little on writing my monthly post for January because I wanted to do something more lighthearted (seeing as how my last post, "If You're Nosy You're Gonna' Want To Read This" was heavy, to say the least). Plus, you best know that I wasn't touching that "New Year, New Me" b*llshit with a ten foot pole. Instead, in my "20 Things" post I referenced a list of goals I had that I wanted to read 50 books before I was 25, and I accomplished that (yay!). So my thought was that I would take the best, and the worst, books and share with you what to read, and what is a total waste of time. My biggest observation while reading all these books is that some have the same plot - just written much more poorly than the other. Like, much. I'll compare it to that whole scandal in 2008 when Miley Cyrus and her song "See You Again" was sued by the guy who wrote "Sunglasses at Night" because it was the exact same beat. And can we all be in agreement that we would sue Miley Cyrus, too?

1. 13 Reasons Why vs. Go Ask Alice

Let me start by saying that the Netflix series of 13 Reasons Why is seriously offensive compared to how the book is written. If you watched the Netflix series, don't even think that that is what the book is like. Both of these books are about teen suicides. But there is reason you probably haven't heard of the latter. Because it sucks, that's why. 13 Reasons Why (the book) was done so delicately with intent. Go Ask Alice was supposedly written by "Anonymous" based on a true story. Ok. Power to this "Anonymous" writer if it was based on a true story (her diary) for sharing; but at least make it realistic. Not only was it a horrible plot, but the sentence structure made this English major cringe.

2. Before I Fall vs. If I Stay

I put these two on my list thinking they were written by the same person and part of a trilogy. First, it is not part of a trilogy. If I Stay has a sequel of Where She Went, but Before I Fall is in no way associated with those two books. Again, these are books that received movie deals and I so hope that you didn't watch these movies before you read the book. Before I Fall is the story of a girl who is in a car accident and "dies" but is stuck in a groundhog day type deal where everyday she is reliving her death until she uses said death for the greater good. If I Stay is also about a girl in a car accident that instead of dying, ends up in a coma. She has a nurse that speaks to her in her comatose state saying it's her choice if "she wants to stay, or go". But of course, the author introduces a love interest who attaches himself by her bedside and ultimately is the reason she is able to come out of her coma. C'mon. I don't even have to tell you which one is better.

3.The Fault in Our Stars vs. Zac and Mia

I seriously have a love affair with anything John Green (author of The Fault in Our Stars) writes. But, I honestly didn't like TFIOS *gasp* as much as his other books. But I did most certainly like it better than Zac and Mia. Both are stories of kids with cancer, where the boy is the hero. Even more appalling, is that the characters in TFIOS travel to Germany together and the boy in Zac and Mia travels to America for his love interest. It's like the author of Zac and Mia didn't even TRY! While TFIOS is still a good book, I would recommend reading his other work to get a full appreciation of just how good he is. My biggest suggestions would be Looking For Alaska and An Abundance of Katherine's, both of which are not movie deals.

4.Sharp Objects vs. The Lovely Bones

I read these books back to back failing to do research about their plots. And what they were about was the mysterious murders of little girls. Sharp Objects is written by Gillian Flynn, the bestselling author of Gone Girl and Dark Places. The Lovely Bones was a much longer novel than it should've been. If either of these books were allowed to be long, it should've been Sharp Objects, which wasn't. In TLB, the story opens up with a rape and murder scene of a 12 year old girl. Once killed by her rapist, she watches her family and friends (and shares her story) from heaven. I don't even want to give any spoilers about Sharp Objects because without a doubt, if you choose to read it, (which you should) you want to go into it knowing nothing. It will make it that much better. My conclusion: Sharp Objects, one point. The Lovely Bones, zero.

5.The Catcher in the Rye vs. Alice in Wonderland

These plots do not resemble each other in any way, shape, or form. But they are both considered classics which is why I grouped them together. By the end, both books will have that little voice in your head speaking like they did in the 1800's. I really didn't like The Catcher in the Rye for the first 12 chapters. Alice in Wonderland had me hooked right away. The reason I wouldn't recommend the latter is because if you've seen one of the many remakes of AIW, then you will easily lose interest in the plot and progression of the book. Plus, you'll be picturing in your head what the characters and creatures look like per Hollywood's perception of them, versus letting your mind appreciate the authors description of them. However, in TCITR, if you can let yourself get past the 15 g*ddamns on each page for the next 214 pages, then the main character, Holden, will grow on you. There isn't a lot of dialogue - hardly any, actually. But he's wildly independent, authentic, extremely comical, and just someone you wish you could be friends with. Truthfully, I wouldn't want to be friends with Alice, she's too emotional.

My book shelf is full of novels, teen fiction, "self-help," Christian, educational, and other genres of books. Most, I would undeniably recommend because the plots and information do vary. Ultimately, I suggest you add to your summer reading list, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Financial Peace University, Firefly Lane, At the Waters Edge, and Unashamed. I doubt you'll be disappointed. But I'm just saying.

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