So as one of my New Years Goals this year was to read 5 books. Well, it's April and I have just about completed that. Here is a review of two books I've read this year so far!
1. City of Bones (Mortal Instruments) by Cassandra Clare : This isn't a book I would have picked for myself. I was given the book as a Christmas present, and it was finished some time after the New Year. It's the story of a young girl who can see demons and shacks up with some demon hunters. Whenever people asked me what the book was about, I feel like I spent 20 minutes trying to describe the book, because every time I talked about it everyone thought I was reading a demon version of Twilight.
Story: Clary is a normal girl until she finds out she can see demons and starts to hang out with some cute demon hunters after a sketchy night at a club (by the way, if I lived in New York City and was 15-16, there is no way my parents would ever let me go to some night club. Never.). Her mother is kidnapped and the rest of the story is that she has to try to find her mother, while also discovering that the story her mother has told her about her life was actually untrue, and she finds out more about herself than she bargained for.
What I like: I liked Simon. I think out of all of the characters, he understood how ridiculous the situation was. Cleary jumped to do everything with Jace, but I really had hoped that Simon and Cleary would somehow end up together by the end. My only consultation for this is that in the movie previews, Simon is better looking than Jace. So HA!
What I didn't like: I'm a pretty light person. And this to me seemed like a very goth book, and I didn't really get into the characters because I just kept picturing pasty white guys with eyeliner, chains, and trench coats (very similar to some kids who I went to high school who always made me feel uncomfortable).
Rating:*** All in all, it wasn't a terrible book. It did grip me at times, and the characters worked well together. However, I do think it heavily relied on you being interested in reading the rest of the series, and I don't think this book gripped me enough to be interested in that.
2. Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick : While on a trip to Oklahoma City, a friend of mine bought this book in the airport and finished it in a few days. Once she was done, I borrowed it, and the book blew my mind. It is written very similarly as Catcher in the Rye (one of the dirty thirty my mother tried to forbid me to read and I spent a portion of my summer hiding from her and reading that book) and Perks of Being a Wallflower.
Story: A mentally ill man who is still in love with his wife Nikki, but cannot remember the last few years of his life while he was in a mental institution. During his time in the institution, he works hard to make himself more physically fit, because he believes that will bring his wife out. Once out, he continues to workout as well as read the books from his wife's reading list. He and his father have no relationship, other than their love for the Eagles, and his closest companion is his shrink. His friend tries to get him to date his wife's (his friends wife, not Nikki) sister, who turns out to be as crazy as him. She convinces him that if he helps her in a dance competition, she will help him get back together with his wife. Long story short, he doesn't end up with his wife and he realizes he has feelings for Tiffany, even if she did lie to him a third of the book.
What I like: I feel like the author did a really good job writing first person as a mentally unstable person. He really caught the emotions of all the characters. And even though the book is kind of sad, it was hilarious as well. Pat was someone who I wished to know. Tiffany was someone who I wanted to be friends with. Honestly, as soon as I was done, I wanted to reread it again just to live through every moment again.
What I didn't like: After reading the book, I was so excited for the movie. I had made plans to watch it with the friend who had lent me the book, but after a day I was too excited and watched it myself. It was awful. I understand that in a movie, somethings aren't going to be the same, but the story might as well have been completely different movie.
Spoilers
a. In the book, he doesn't remember the terrible thing he's done, in the movie it's given away far too soon.
b. In the book, he doesn't have a good relationship with his father, in the movie they are close.
c. Book Pat loves the Eagles, Movie Pat could care less.
d. Book-several letters are exchanged with "Nikki". Movie-Pat gets one letter and figures out it's Tiffany
e. Book-the competition Tiffany talks about isn't a competition, but instead a self-esteem booster dance show for people with severe depression, also, no Nikki. Movie- the father might lose all of his money if the Eagles don't win and Pat and Tiffany do not get at least a 5/10 in the competition.
f. Tiffany doesn't drink. Or makes ridiculous scenes and tries to get him arrested. WTF.
g. Pat's friend from the institution. Nothing. Like. The. Book.
Basically, Rotten Tomatoes rotten reviews is how I feel about this movie. And believe me, it's not often I really agree with Rotten Tomatoes.
Rating: *****All in all, this might be now one of my favorite books. I laughed out loud. I cried a little. I questioned my own sanity. But seriously, avoid the movie at all costs.
Next blog post will be about:
3. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
4. Fat Vampire by Johnny B. Truant
Stay tuned!
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