For me to do a year in review is difficult. I read no more than 5 books that were standouts. Alas I decided to make one anyways. It'll be short, because some of these books I've already written about and some I will never subject you to knowing they exist. Think of it as a readers digest version of my ramblings...
I did not need to think long at all about what my favorite book of the year was. I read this book at the most perfect time. During the 3 hottest days of the year, while riding the train, and while working an assignment for Pokemon. I'm not going to lie this book gave me nightmares. I stayed at my cousin's house, just to really catch some sleep in-between shifts and freaked myself out so much that I closed all the windows in her living room and slept in the 90 degree stale air.
I still don't want to ruin this for anyone, because it is just that fantastic, but its simple to figure out. If you read or watch TV/movies as much as I do you will figure this out in no time. I had it figured out a little over halfway through, which isn't a bad thing because it's hard to surprise me, but it made it that much better! They are making this into a movie this year with Emily Blunt, do not miss out on reading this! You will truly love it.
Oh where to begin. I judge most books by their covers. If it's chicklit and you have a crown or a pink, sparkly cover I will most likely read you. If you're a YA novel that has a mysterious no faces shown group shot you will end up on my to-read shelf. Which is why our next topic ended up there. First thing that comes to mind is the writing style. If you want to be poetic, write poetry, if you want to be a trashy teen thriller then be that. Do not be both. Those 2 genres do not mix. Not even a little.
It wasn't just the writing style that bothered me, it was the characters, rich girl problems, and overall fishy nature of this book. The title has you suggest that everyone is a liar, so I didn't believe anything anyone said. I also found that things just didn't seem to add up. When you're dealing with rich people stories they either deal with Nazis or someone ends up dead. When none of the red flags were actually pointing to a red flag with a swastika, I knew we were dealing with death. Just overall this book wasn't for me and I actually got mad when I saw it on another top 10 list. Why! Ugh to each his own I guess.
Pleasant Surprise: Maus I & II by Art Spiegelman
I actually just wrote about these graphic novels, which were fantastic. I don't think will ever come across another one I'll like as much as I did this. For more in depth ravings click the link above to find out more!
I actually just wrote about these graphic novels, which were fantastic. I don't think will ever come across another one I'll like as much as I did this. For more in depth ravings click the link above to find out more!
Regrettable Read: Looking for Alaska by John Green
I loved the Fault in Our Stars. I know its corny and its a book made for children, but it was just a really nice story. Was Hazel particularly likable? Not really, but if I had cancer I don't think I'd be a peach either. I read 2 additional John Green books last year, Paper Towns which I'll admit had a truly enjoyable movie, and Looking for Alaska Green's first novel. I was not impressed by the latter.
I loved the Fault in Our Stars. I know its corny and its a book made for children, but it was just a really nice story. Was Hazel particularly likable? Not really, but if I had cancer I don't think I'd be a peach either. I read 2 additional John Green books last year, Paper Towns which I'll admit had a truly enjoyable movie, and Looking for Alaska Green's first novel. I was not impressed by the latter.
I'm not sure what it was, perhaps it was the same tiring formula that I've already gotten used to from him or I just really couldn't stand the characters. Most likely it's a combo of both. First off I get why people like his books, they teach lessons. The lesson in this one is closure after death. Why do people die? Why do they make the decisions they
make? Those are good lessons for teens or young adults who may not experience any sort of grief until they're well into their 20s. These characters going through tragedy, eh I couldn't of cared less. I have written about this before, but I had not one caring bone in my body for The Colonel and Pudge or even Alaska. I think I read too much, so really its hard to surprise me, but as soon as we met Alaska around page 30 I was like yup, she's a goner.
Maybe I'm being too harsh and maybe I should cut Green a break, but I don't feel like it. I was truly disappointed that I read this.
Honorable Snaps: The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, Fast Girl by Suzy Favor Hamilton
Thanks to these books for getting me through the year. All 3 of them were so different and very good, I've actually recommended all 3. For my Boston Girl post you can click the link and find out more on that. I've never read historical fiction and I thought it was beautiful.
I haven't written about Doerr's book yet, I'm really slacking, but it was fantastic. If I didn't really love The Girl on the Train this would be been my favorite book of the year. It was long, dense, sometimes didn't have purpose, but was truly beautifully written. Doerr has a way that everything just flowed and seemed natural. I'm not sure if he's just a creative genius or the best researcher ever, but I felt like I was in WW2 France. I know books are supposed to make you feel that way, but this one actually confused me as to what decade I was in, because I would get so lost. There will be plenty more to come on this book in the near future.
Same goes for Fast Girl by Sizy Favor Hamilton a former Olympian, I haven't written about it yet but it's also a great read. I enjoy memoirs, and anything written by an Olympian, especially an Olympian I actually know and remember watching is always a treat. More to come on that a later time, also the last book that I read of 2015 and it was fantastic.
Book I Wish I Had Time For: Troublemaker:Surviving Hollywood and Scientology by Leah Remini
I love Leah Remini! I also saw Going Clear, so I was pretty dead set on reading this book. It is on my list for this year, and I will be fitting it in. I cannot wait to report back on this!
Books to Movies/Movies to Books:
The Good: Room by Emma Donoghue
I'll admit I haven't seen the film version of Room, but I'm planning too. I think I deserve a pass on that because it was limited release and its only now just coming to theaters today. For reals though, this book was a tearjerker and I really did like it. Plus its nominated for an Oscar now and Brie Larson (Ma) is nominated for Best Actress. You go girl!
The Bad: Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
I loved Dark Places. I actually loved it more than Gone Girl, but this movie was God awful. Who ever decided to cast Charlie Theron as 4'11, red headed, big boobed, no toed Libby Day was quite honestly on drugs. She wasn't even close. While I appreciate the script staying true to the book, actually very true to the book, I was not a fan of the casting, acting, or overall pitch blackness of the shots. Please do not butcher Sharp Objects! It's all we have left!
The Ugly: 50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James
If you haven't watched this and want too I suggest watching this instead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atfIIDZRk9E
That way you're not subjected to actually watching the full movie or reading the crappy book.
If you haven't watched this and want too I suggest watching this instead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atfIIDZRk9E
That way you're not subjected to actually watching the full movie or reading the crappy book.
And that's it! That is my favs and hates for 2015. Yay!
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