I've been trying to start reading books again like a good girl (it has been difficult to be motivated due to the fact that I rarely go to the library) and here are my ratings for the books I've read this summer.
The ratings go like this: How much I enjoyed it/the quality of it
The Great Gatsby: 9/9
You'll enjoy it more after watching the movie (the movie itself was sort of sucky, but Leonardo DiCaprio's emotional interpretation of Gatsby really transcends into the book). The symbolism, the timing, and the use of language was freaking perfect (thumbs up to Fitzgerald), but I would like it if he had added at least a teaspoon of emotion to the book. Emotionlessness sort of enhances the symbolism, but it takes away from Gatsby's longing and the desire of some readers to keep reading. You pretty much don't get attached to anyone or anything (unless you keep Leonardo in mind), but because of the other awesomeness it's definitely one of my favs.
The Help: 8/10
I enjoyed it, but I didn't get REALLY into it. It didn't make me think (Great Gatsby made me think...a lot), but the dialogue and the progression of the plot was very natural and the author nailed the mood of the book. It's super inspiring and all the characters were very well-fleshed out. A book that everyone should read (especially feminists. Lots of powerful females in here).
Perks of Being a Wallflower: 7/8
I love how the book is through Charlie's innocent lenses (ironic, since the events mostly deal with partying and drinking and yeah) and overall I just love Charlie's personality and character. However, I felt this book lacked focus; it covered a bunch of themes that teens go through, but it didn't take time to develop them. It had so much potential, but I felt like the plot ultimately fell flat (just like Farenheit 451). The ending had an interesting twist though.
Looking for Alaska: 10/10
Okay, I rated this next because it's so similar to Perks of Being a Wallflower, except it does everything that Perks messed up on right. OMG JOHN GREEN definitely deserves all the accolades and attention that people are literally showering on him right now. His language is exquisite (I never knew English was so beautiful until I read his stuff), his analogies really make you think, and the mood he set up was spot on. This book had a lot of focus (although, yes, it did deal with partying and drinking and yeah) and I really liked John Green's thoughts on the enigma of the labyrinth. Some of my friends don't like this book that much because they feel that the whole thing revolved around Alaska (a girl), however, I felt it's what Pudge (main character) learns from this whole experience that is the true center of the book. Anyhoo I really like Pudge and his dry sadistic view on life (especially in the first few pages haha he's funny). The only bothersome thing was that the characters' names were so funky! Like why Pudge out of all things D:
How to Save a Life: 6/7
Not to be associated with the song or the movie with the same title. Okay it was easy to grasp and heart warming, but there was nothing special about it. That's all. At some points it tried to be deep, but when the mood is already modernized and matter-of-fact, it don't work. The mood is the main problem with modern teenage books.
The Moon and More: 6/7
On the same caliber as How to Save a Life, except Sarah Dessen seems to be a lot more popular than the other author (who I forgot). This book didn't venture out into any creative directions. It was pretty much the same as all her other books except she switched up the location and the main characters' names. This book was a lot longer than her other books (420-ish pages, ugh why) because she tried to be deeper than usual. However, it didn't work with the mood she had already set up (I appreciate the effort though). It just doesn't fit, ya get what I mean? Don't put deep into a light-hearted summer novel unless it actually fits. A lot of tiny things annoyed me, but what annoyed me the most was how Dessen antagonizes her antagonists (yes, they are meant for antagonizing, but hear me out). Her antagonists have always been flat and predictable; always seeking the worst for the main character. It's so oversimplified to the point of unrealistic-ness, and that's what's so annoying. Obviously, the people labelled as "antagonists" change throughout her novels (for example, in this one, Emaline's dad, Ivy, Luke, and Theo all were antagonists at some point). While these people aren't being antagonists, their character is fleshed out well enough and they admit to having errors and are regular human beings. Then Dessen decides that they should be antagonists and these people become stubborn, narrow-minded, and become blind to their faults. Which gives the protagonist a clearly defined reason to shun these people out (which also annoys me! In this sense, the protagonist is equally narrow-minded, but since she's the protagonist, Dessen assumes that they should be pardoned). Okay yeah done me rant.
Up next...
The Cuckoo's Calling
The Host
Wuthering Heights
Persuasion
Stuff
God Bless
We love because He first loved us-I think this is paraphrased from like Paul or someone
But it's true
These two posts took me two hours
See what I mean by writing slowly?
Good night
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