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Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Grey

Ok, let's just say it. This is a polarizing book and a polarizing series. People love it, people hate it.

Then there are people like me. I read it, and I didn't think it was the most amazing book in the history of literature, but at the same time, I didn't immediately want to burn it. It was a book. I'll likely read it again. But it won't be on my favorite books list anytime soon.

Let's just cut to the chase. We all know what this book is. It's Fifty Shades of Grey from Christian Grey's point of view. Happy?

Now, here's what I'll say about it. Whenever a book is written in first person point of view, I always kind of wonder how the other characters are seeing these scenes. But usually authors don't care that there are readers that want to see these other sides of the same scenes. This book is my secret wishes made real.

Yes, it has the same dialogue that Fifty Shades has, but that's not the important part to me. I wanted the inner thoughts and the things that happened with Christian when they weren't together.

Plus, some small part of me really wanted to see at least some of the Christian/Elena relationship. I still don't like that woman.

I feel like I'm able to give this particular review because I use books as an escape from real life. I forget about what other people think about certain books and I sit and read them and form my own opinions.

So, this is my opinion. I liked the book. I thought it was an almost fluffy read for me in the midst of some rather heavy classics that I've been reading lately. It was a book I didn't have to think about.

But if you don't like the book, don't read it. I won't judge you on that. I won't judge you if you think it's the greatest book ever. Because it doesn't matter to me and it doesn't change my opinion of the book.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

This is one of those books that I spent years always intending to read, but never did. I finally read it and I'm mad that I put it off for so long.

Now, mind you, I am slightly tainted because I have seen the movie a couple of times, but I think I'm saved a little bit due to the fact that it's been years since I've actually sat down to watch it. So, I had the movie in my mind, but it was one of those blurry and indistinct images that it didn't really sully my reading experience.

That being said, I have to admit that I enjoy reading books more than movies. I never would have guessed that this story was told from Bromden's point of view otherwise. Movies can't really portray that.

Bromden is definitely crazy, what with his thinking that people are machines and that there is a fog that traps the patients on the ward in a state of mindlessness. So, as a narrator, he's not the most reliable, and his story-telling tends to jump around from this story about McMurray and the psych ward they're on to tales from his own personal past, but he (as the narrator), tells an engaging set of stories.

While it may have some racist and sexist moments, I am also able to see that the time period that this story was written in and about tended to normalize those behaviors, so it doesn't bother me as much as it would if it were about today.

The ending was both expected (because, again, I've seen the movie), and touching in a way. I can definitely see why this is on the list of classic novels.