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Book Challenge Day 27 – Saddest Novel

Trigger warning.

I’ve cried at quite a few books. But, I probably cried the most at ‘Me before you’ by Jojo Moyes.

This is another story I’ve written about before, so this is going to be a short post. Lou is hired to assist Will who was paralysed after being hit by a motorcycle. Although Will isn’t keen on Lou, to begin with, the two eventually create a friendship that’ll stick with Lou forever.

It is so sad. I cried like a baby when I read it. Once the film came out I knew I’d cry horrendously at that as well. Spoiler alert: I did. In the movie, Lou is played by Emilia Clarke from ‘Game of Thrones’, and Will is played by Sam Claflin from ‘Love, Rosie’.

When I watched the movie I was really impressed with how spot on it was compared to the book. There is one big difference I wasn’t really surprised to see missing from the film though, and that is when Lou is sexually assaulted. They didn’t really play into that in the film, but I don’t think it was too big of an issue. Do you think they should’ve included this scene in the film?

There is a sequel to this book, but as I’ve said before, I doubt I’ll read it really. I just don’t understand how you can go on from this book. I just think it should’ve been a stand-alone novel, so I think I’ll just leave it as that by not reading the sequel.

What did you think of this book?

Thanks for reading!

Book Challenge Day 26 – Worst Book – Film Adaptation

I really tried to think of a film adaptation I’d seen that I didn’t like, and there were a few, but I just kept going back to a TV series. A Netflix Original that aired the first season last year. Any guesses? That’s right! ’13 reasons why’ is the worst adaptation I have ever seen. It’s a controversial show anyway and being a terrible adaptation doesn’t help. I’m sorry this isn’t about an actual film, but I just have got to talk about this show. This means there may be some upsetting things spoken about in this post, so here is a trigger warning.

Where do I even begin with this show? Well, I read the book in school – in fact, I actually forget I read the book to begin with, which probably means I didn’t particularly enjoy the book, to begin with anyway. But I do know the book was better than the show. From what I can remember, I don’t think it took Clay that long to listen to all the tapes in the book, but they really dragged it out for the TV show. I think it could’ve been made into a film instead, but we all know they wanted to do a sequel whether people wanted them to or not. And guess what… They did!

I don’t like the plot of the story anyway, I feel like it makes depression and suicides a trivial thing. After the first season aired and the second season was announced, I saw multiple people on social media, Twitter specifically, saying things like ‘Hannah was a drama queen’ or that Hannah was pathetic. That is not the sort of things you want to hear after a show like this is shown. I’m sure that these reactions aren’t what the production crew and the writers wanted when they pitched the idea, but that’s what they got. When you get reactions like this maybe you should take a step back and think ‘how could we have gotten these points across without people thinking Hannah was dramatic?’ I’ve thought about this a lot, and honestly, there are one-hundred-and-one ways they could’ve portrayed this show better.

I do think important issues do come in the show, things that should be talked about. I just absolutely hate the way they went about it. Suicide is something that needs to be spoken about. Depression is something that needs to be spoken about. Rape is something that needs to be spoken about. Just not how ’13 reasons why’ talks about them. As someone who suffers from depression, I was actually quite offended that we are shown this way. We already face people every single day saying that we are being dramatic, or that we have nothing to be sad about, etc. So seeing this show, and the reactions from people afterwards really felt like all the progress and information we had spread about mental illness was knocked back about ten steps. I don’t think Hannah was depressed, to begin with. She was bullied, sure, and that isn’t okay. But the way the show portrayed Hannah, I don’t believe she was depressed. Obviously, some pretty horrific things happened to Hannah, which could’ve resulted in her becoming depressed, I totally get that. I just feel like trying to portray mental illness on TV or in movies is a fine line, and you have got to get it right. ’13 reasons why’ completely missed the mark on this.

Don’t even get me started on season two. Throughout the whole season, my heart was beating so fast. I was basically in a state of panic the whole time I was watching it. I know what you’re thinking, ‘Brenna, why didn’t you just stop?’ Well, I had to watch it because I wanted to know how they were going to weasel themselves out of the shitstorm they started after season one. Let me tell you, they didn’t. It was worse. I was not prepared for the content in season two. At least this time they actually included trigger warnings at the beginning of the episodes. Yet again they made something extremely serious into something trivial. They romanticised school shootings, rape, abuse, drug abuse, depression, bullying and suicide. Again. There is just nothing positive I can say about this show.

If you haven’t watched it yet and want to, and I really suggest you don’t – especially if you suffer from depression, anxiety or another type of mental illness, or if you’re triggered by any of the things I mentioned in this post. The show is rather graphic. If you are triggered by self-harm or suicide then do not watch the last episode of season one (episode 13) from 35:30 – 39:05 – it shows a graphic scene of a suicide.

I’m sorry this isn’t actually about a film, but I just had to talk about how horrible I thought/think the show is.

Thanks for reading!

Book Challenge Day 25 – Least Favourite Author

I know that this author is very well liked, and rightly so. And don’t get me wrong, I love his stories. But… I hate the way he writes. Charles Dickens, in my opinion, over-writes his work. I find it really hard to read.

I’ve tried to read multiple Dicken’s novels, multiple times, but I just cannot get into them. It’s such a shame though because I love the story and plot of his stories; Oliver Twist is one of my favourite stories, but I can’t read the book.

Whenever I mention this to people most of them seem to understand why because they feel the same. Not everyone though, otherwise he wouldn’t be one of the greatest writers of all time. Just not for me.

I definitely think I’ll try and try again until I actually make it all the way through a Charles Dicken’s novel. I’ll make it my life mission. I may even find that I actually like it, who knows. But until then I have to say that Charles Dicken’s is my least favourite author.

Do you like Charles Dickens?

Thanks for reading!

Book Challenge Day 24 – Favourite 21st Century Novel

Another book I’ve written about previously. But I love it so much. That would be ‘Call Me By Your Name’ by André Aciman.

Again, because I’ve spoken about this I’m going to keep this post short and sweet. But there is just no way I could leave this out. You all know how much I love this story and the characters in it. The film is one of the best I have ever seen and I wasn’t expecting the book to be awful, and it wasn’t.

The book has more detail in it, obviously, but the ending is extended. I’m pretty sure they have announced an official sequel to the film which, I assume, will be about the extended ending. I’m super excited about that; I hope it has the same atmosphere as the first because that film was something special.

The first-person narration of the book makes it all that more personal and emotional. Elio’s love affair with Oliver is simple and straight-forward and I think that is really shown in the way the book is written. It’s engaging and romantic.

If you don’t know what the plot is about, Elio is a seventeen-year-old boy living with his parents in Northern Italy for the summer. His Father takes on students to shadow him every summer; this summer it’s Oliver, a twenty-four-year-old. The two eventually have a secret relationship. I wouldn’t go as far as to say the two are in love. I think it is just an initial attraction and then the excitement of something new.

I love this book (as you can tell) and the film. I know I say this a lot, but you should definitely check both of them out and let me know what you think.

Thanks for reading!

Book Challenge Day 22 – Character You’d Like To Be Friends With

There are loads of characters I would like to be friends with. So, due to the process of elimination, I’ve decided I would want to be friends with Percy Jackson the most. Percy Jackson is the protagonist of the ‘Percy Jackson’ book series by Rick Riordan.

Percy Jackson is a demi-God. He is the son of the Greek God of the sea – Poseidon. I love mythology so the idea of hanging out with Greek Gods and mythical creatures all day seems pretty damn exciting.

I love all of the stories that come with the Gods and Creatures. Being friends with Percy Jackson would put me right in the middle of all things mythological, which I’m down for. Although most of the Gods of Goddesses in Greek mythology (and Roman) are totally scary and unpredictable, I think that’s a life I’d be willing to live. I just don’t want to get on the wrong side of Athena, am I right Medusa? Yikes.

I love the Percy Jackson series, I just wish the films did the book justice. They lacked the excitement that the books have which sucks. I definitely think that they should remake the film but as a TV series instead. Incorporate all the book into this series. I reckon it’d be amazing with the right cast. Better than the films anyway.

If you’re into mythology you’ll know how dark and twisted it is, and that would be intimidating if I were to be friends with Percy Jackson, especially because his father is a piece of shit (google it). Honestly, I’d chill with Medusa. She is one cool lady, despite everything that happened to her.

Are you a Greek, Roman or Egyptian mythology lover? Who or what is your favourite mythological creature?

Thanks for reading!

Book Challenge Day 21 – Book About Animals

Michael Morpurgo was a pretty big author when I was growing up. My primary school seemed to be fond of him as the only books we seemed to read were his novels. I mean, I liked them so I’m not really complaining. One we didn’t read in school, but I read, later on, was ‘War Horse’.

I’m not really a massive fan of war books or films, but War Horse was such a good book. I read it just before the film was announced (fantastic film too, by the way), pretty good timing I think. Set during the First World War, a horse named Joey is sold to the army. Joey’s owner, Albert, tried to join too so he can stay with his horse but he is too young. Joey goes on this huge adventure due to his riders dying. He is used by Germans and the English, even a local farmer. It’s a book that sparks emotion within you whether you want it to or not.

I’ve read a selection of Michael Morpurgo books and I really quite like them. Well, liked them. I don’t read them anymore and haven’t for a while. ‘War Horse’ is probably his most well-known novel; probably due to the film adaptation and also the stage production.

On the 8th of this Month, I saw ‘War Horse’ on stage. It was incredible. I truly rate it. The production is wonderful. The costumes are spectacular. You’ve probably all seen the amazing horse puppets they use. It’s mind-blowing. I love it. To be fair, I wasn’t all that impressed, to begin with, but it definitely redeemed itself. Go see it if you can.

Have you read any Michael Morpurgo books?

Thanks for reading!

Book Challenge Day 20 – Best Book To Film Adaption

Without a doubt, Baz Luhrmann’s take on ‘Romeo and Juliet’ (1996) is one of the best movies ever made. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes.

It is a modern take with the original play script. I just love it so much. The cinematography is spectacular. The colours and costumes. The first time I saw this I cried. I thought it was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

Baz Luhrmann is one of the greatest directors of all time in my opinion. Everything he does is a masterpiece. ‘Moulin Rouge’ and ‘The Great Gatsby’ are also phenomenal films. Luhrmann has this really unique style that just floats my boat. I love his use of placement and colours. His choice to include more modern music over period pieces will forever be one of my favourite directorial decisions.

This film is definitely one of my all-time top five. It has some of the most iconic scenes in history; including the bathroom scene when Romeo and Juliet see each other for the first time. It’s so magical and emotional. I think it’s probably the one film that truly sparked my interest in film, although most of Baz Luhrmann’s Work would do the trick.

What do you think of the film?

Thanks for reading!