Top Ten Tuesday: Series I’d Like to Start/Catch up on/Finish and the #ReadWhatYouOwnChallenge

 

Well this prompt is timely since I just declared my participation in Booktuber challenge that's kind of right along these lines! 

That challenge is to read (insert your choice of amount of books here) books from your own shelves before you BUY ANY MORE BOOKS! It's called #ReadWhatYouOwnChallenge. You know we've all done this kind of challenge before, but it's something I've been particularly thinking I need to do anyway. Like TRULY concentrate on doing it and see if I can feel just slightly less guilty about all the unread books around this house.

So I've been reorganizing my hoard of books and as part of that I pared down my TBR to the books I REALLY want to read next... here's that view now:

And so there are books on this shelf that are first or seconds (maybe even thirds and fourths?)  in series... and so it's THOSE that I want to catch up on first. Do you see them? Firefight, Goliath, Son, The Young Elites, Shadow Scale, The Gray Wolf Throne, Magic Study and Fire Study, Oathbringer (ha!), just to name a few. 

If you are interested in my video declaring my participation in the other challenge, here you go. Of course anyone can do this, so join in if you want!!

I'll also be reading Atomic Habits for Nonfiction November as part of this challenge. WAH! I have too many goals, I hope I can accomplish at least some of them!

Introducing: Suey's Book Banter

Once upon a time, I thought it would be fun to do a Booktube channel. Or any kind of channel. Something fun on YouTube. I knew I loved editing, but the talking, not so much. 

Then kpop happened, and the talking fear went out the window because of the enthusiasm I had for this subject! So.. with my sister and daughter, I started the kpop channel. And learned A LOT about having a YouTube channel. Even though there is still SO MUCH to learn.

Now, I'm feeling the pull to do the Booktube thing again, and maybe lighten up on the kpop channel a bit. I don't know. I guess we'll see. And besides, so many YouTubers have two channels, or several channels, so I've been thinking for quite awhile now to just go ahead and start another channel for my other passion and see what happens!

I've been working on it this past week and am feeling ready-ish (ha, not even a little bit ready, I'm so nervous) to share. But I have to get over this fear, right? Because I need to share it to grow, so here you go. 

My Booktube channel: Suey's Book Banter:

All that above story (and more) you'll hear in this introduction post. In this video I also lay out my plans for the channel and things I hope to do with it. I've managed to uploaded a few other things so far and yeah, I hope you find something interesting, (or potentially interesting) and will subscribe and join me over there for bookish thoughts and discussions!

Of course I'll still post things here, but the two will be sort of companions and things will be mingled here and there. 

Anyway, thanks for checking it out!

Book Banter 8: Fluff vs. Morals

We're back! We've been wracking our brains to figure out another thing to banter about, and since Jenny has deemed this adult book month, we wanted one that fit that theme. We've finally come up with this one, though it's a bit of a stretch since we can sympathize with both sides.

But we decided to pick one and argue our points!

And so I give you:

 Book Banter Topic 8: 

Fluffy Books vs. Books With a Point (or Moral)

What Jenny Says:

Reasons I like having a moral to my story. (Which is not to be confused with an agenda.) 

1 I love discussions. I love "arguing" I like to take a side of an "argument" and fighting for it. Thus this lovely Book Banter, Suey and I do. So, when I read a book I like an idea presented. Something to think about and ponder. It doesn't have to be overly deep just a good message. Like a character that learns something about themselves. I like issue-y books. I like books that encourage discussion. If a book is just a fluffy little tale with no real purpose to it except romance or something it's just not as engrossing. 

2 I love finding the "moral" to the story. I have moral in quotes because this can be something different for each reader. When I was young I'd read a book and run and tell my mother all about it. She would always ask me, "what was the author trying to teach you"? So, I guess I sort of learned to always looks for a message. I appreciated my mother teaching me to think deeper about what I was reading and that my answer to her question was never wrong. To this day my mother and I discuss books and their meanings. We'll never agree on The Pearl by Steinbeck. We could argue that one forever! 

3 Reading is an escape for some people. To be honest, though my life is a bit dull sometimes and not always easy but all in all, I have a good life. So for me reading isn't an escape so much as a way to get my brain working. Watching TV can me so mind numbing. Glorious but sometimes I just need to think and discuss. Reading provides an enlightening. My brain needs to be stimulated and without a message or moral or issue...well, it's just reading.  

What Suey Says:

In Defense of Fluff

My part in today’s debate is to argue why fluff and books with no point (though I’m not sure there’s such a thing) or shall I say… books with no obvious message are just as valuable as books with a point and or message.

1. Escape. People read books for many reasons, and lots of people read books to learn, to understand the world, to figure something out and to gain some insight. But I maintain that one of the biggest reasons to read is to escape real life, to immerse oneself in another world, whether that be a fantasy one or a real one it doesn’t matter, just a world that has no real resemblance to our own. If this reason is valid, then I think that the book doesn’t necessary need a point to it… for the whole point is to read said book and escape.
2. Brain Candy. Not only do we read sometimes to escape, but we read sometimes to give our brain a rest. If we have to be figuring out the point of the book, or what’s going on, or who’s who, or trying to understand a complicated plot, then our brain is working. Not to say that’s bad, but if you want to rest your brain from all that thinking then a book with no point, or a fluffy book, is just what you’ll be looking for!
3. Happiness. I like to finish a book with a happy feeling (though yes some of my favorites are definitely not this way) and often the books that have more meaning are the sad, depressing ones. I mean, not always, but often. Does this make sense? And thus, I think those books that simply leave you feeling light and free and happy are worth it too, even if they didn’t leave you with some deep thought about the world.

And there you have it! Did we make you see one or the other of the sides differently? Which camp do you fall in, Camp Fluff or Camp Moral? (Like you can fall into one or the other of them, but I guess the question is, are you just as happy with books that haven't a moral to the story as you are with those that do.) 

Be sure to also visit Jenny's blog today for her take on the issue.

Book Banter 7: Plot vs. Character

Okay everyone! Time for another Book Banter! And we picked a hard one this time: Plot vs. Character! Which team are you on?

Because as we all know, the two elements of a story work hand in hand to make it a good book, but we also all know that we tend to enjoy one over the other. Or can give one a break but never the other one. Am I making sense?

Of course, Jenny and I are on opposite teams... AGAIN... when it comes to these two parts of a story. Here's what we have to say about it:

Suey says:

I remember at one point if someone were to ask me if I was a plot person or a character person, I’d fret and wring my hands and hum and ha and stress about the answer. That was years ago and since then I’ve learned that I lean much more toward the character side of things over the plot side of things. (Not say one is more important than the other… because as we all know, a story needs both.)

Anyway… my three reasons:

1. I’ve noticed that when others complain “but nothing is happening!” I’m like… “really? But stuff IS happening… the characters are talking, right?”  So I guess my first reason is so what if nothing is happening as long as the characters are relating… meaning… they are bantering, talking, discussing, interacting, figuring stuff out, thinking, worrying, pondering. All those things ARE something. Which means… something IS happening! Was that a clear reason? Let me restate: Characters interacting is something happening!
2. Characters make me happy. Sometimes plot goes over my head. Sometimes I miss the details and the ins and outs and the complicated nature of what’s going down… but I GET the characters! They fascinate me. They seem like real people. They are awesome, cool, vulnerable, crazy, swoony, and so many other things. They are the heart of the story and the part of the story that make me interested, much more so than the plot ever does.
3. The questions that often arise in plot… where did that dead body come from and who killed it? Or who’s going to win the war and how? Or why is he going on this journey and will he get there?  etc etc.... they make me lose interest. If those questions start being discussed in too much detail I get bored and start skimming to see if I can find where it “gets back to the story” which for me is when the people show up again! To restate: plot questions are boring!

Of course, I enjoy a fast paced, moving, crazy good plot! Of course I do! BUT… the people are where it’s at!

Jenny says:

Three Reasons That Plot Rules!

1. Even if the characters suck, if the plot is good you keep reading! I just read a book where this very thing happened. The characters were, meh, but the plot was so gripping I. Could. Not. Put. It. Down! I was riveted. Now, sure, ideally one wants good characters they can root for. Even just one but admit it, if the plot is speeding along at a breakneck speed, you're enjoying it.

2. Character driven books are so boring! I've read far too many books where NOTHING happens! It's all character development, character angst...blah blah blah! Character driven books are like watching reality TV. It's all talk and drama and I, for one, get so bored!

3. Plot is everything!  Conflict, even if it's about characters, is plot! And we all know we need conflict in a book. Plot is what keeps us reading. If we love our MC but she has nothing standing in her way, no conflict, nothing happening, it's boring. Who want's to read about that? Not me!

(Disclaimer: I love characters and they are important to me, but if I had to choose, I'd choose plot.)

************************

So there you have it! Two viewpoints on the ongoing discussion of the question, which do you enjoy most: plot or character??!! (Don't forget to give Jenny's blog a visit today too and see the discussion over there!)

So, which side of the fence do you land on? Which team do you root for? Which book do you find less boring, the character driven one or the plot driven one? Let us know! Give us your reasons! Banter back with us!

Book Banter Six: The End of Mockingjay

With the release of the final movie of The Hunger Games books, Mockingjay Part Two, it seems all the discussion about our feelings regarding the ending of this story has come up again.  Thus, we thought it would be a an interesting and timely Banter discussion. Jenny thinks the ending is good and fine while I find it to be sad and upsetting. Here are our reasons:

(BEWARE THE SPOILERS!)

Jenny Says:

The Death of Prim

I know a ton of people were livid that Prim died because the whole point of Katniss volunteering was to save Prim and in the end it didn't work. I personally think the whole point of Katniss volunteering was (in the authors mind) was to start a revolution If Prim had gone to the Games instead of Katniss she would have died and that would have been the end of that. Prim was fated to die either way. Katniss prolonging it set things in motion for an uprising. Prim dying was tragic and a punch in the gut but again, I draw you back to my original point. This is a tragedy. There are NO happy endings in tragedies. Just a quiet acceptance and respect for what lessons can be gleaned.   

PS. I was livid that poor Finnick died. Why? Susan Collins, Why?! 

Suey Says:

KILL THEM ALL!

So, they say make your characters suffer. But really? THIS MUCH? Does it HAVE to be that bad? I think a lot of people are wondering if Prim really has to die (not just me)… because I’ve seen much about this lately floating around in the cyberspace. And yes, maybe she did. Maybe. I don’t know. But did Finnick? Did he really? And the others on the team? The mute guy?  (I forget all their names now.) Really? This book, this series really, is all DIE DIE DIE. That can get to a nice innocent reader after a while!

Jenny Says:

Tragedies

There are stories that are adventures. Stories that are romances and stories that are comedies. There are also stories that are tragedies. Hamlet by Shakespeare is a tragedy and my favorite play of his. Tragedies do NOT end happy. They are usually used as a way of teaching a lesson or making a point. The Hunger Games series is definitely a tragedy. The whole series is a messed up society that has no problem (they even cheer it on) putting kids in a arena and letting them kill each other. When a society becomes that Tyrannical the only way out is complete anarchy. People will die and the outcome might not even work out the way you'd hoped but it rarely can. When you're talking about uprising and war it's not going to end happy. EVER! So, yeah, I was OK with the ending of Hunger Games. There's was just no way it was going to end all happy and celebratory. 

Suey Says:

DEPRESSION

I don’t know exactly why, but I felt so sad and depressed after reading this book. (DIE DIE DIE perhaps?) I had to look up my review of the book (sheesh, five years ago!) and this is what I said then “This book seriously left me feeling blah, sad, a little underwhelmed, confused. Which I guess is what bugs me about the ending.” I really hate it when an ending leaves you with this feeling. Even though I’m not at all scared of tragic sad endings, still. And so, yeah, I was a little worried about the movie and sure enough, it sent me into a bad mood for a good 24 hour period. I literally couldn’t concentrate on a thing the next day. Probably it was more than just the movie, but I blamed the movie! :) Maybe it’s just that we were (are) all so invested in these characters and it was over. Maybe it didn't end very satisfying, even though the bad guy was eliminated. Maybe it’s just the nature of the story, the “dystopia” of it all that finally got to me. Maybe it was Peeta being so broken and not really fixed by the time everything ends. BUT probably it was mostly (see my third reason)....

Jenny Says:

Team Peeta vs Team Gale

I was strictly team Gale. I liked him from the start. I wanted to get to know more about him as the series progressed. Alas, we didn't really get to know him until Mockingjay and by then he was a victim of circumstance. In the end I was relieved that Katniss ended up with Peeta. Gale put too much unwarranted blame on Katniss for circumstances that were forced on her. They grew apart and with that sad of an ending the only way there was ever going to be any happiness was for Katniss and Peeta to end up together.  

Sueys says:
(Wait.. Jenny.. you are Team Gale? I didn't know!!)

GALE

The biggest problem I have with the ending is how Gale is treated. So, okay fine, she picks Peeta. I’m good with that. I like Peeta. I like him a lot. He’s good for Katniss. They need each other. Yes, fine, blah blah blah. But, BUT… Gale. He does NOT deserve to be brushed off and thrown out like Katniss does to him. It KILLS me! It breaks my heart! It makes me want to curl up and cry. he has been there for her no matter what, even if she freaking loves another guy, he’s still there for her. Not once does he moan or stomp off or throw a fit. He only says, “you only kiss me when I’m hurting” or “it’s like kissing someone who’s drunk” so you know he feels bad and his heart is breaking too. But he is STILL there! And he’s been there from the beginning… way way before the events of the book even start. He’s is steady and strong and loyal. And so what if he decides to fight… fight the rebellion that KATNISS started! And she hates him for it? And all he gets is a “goodbye Gale” after ALL THAT? It kills me.

Bottom Line: I feel like the books ended how they had to end, and I'm good with Katniss and Peeta, but still, the feeling I had afterwards, both book and movie, just made me feel overly sad and depressed.

What do you think? Do you agree with one or the other of us? Be sure to check out Jenny's blog today too and see what she has to say!

Book Banter Topic 5: Understanding Tom Hiddleston

Okay, so technically, Tom Hiddleston is not a bookish topic. But hey, he does play F. Scott Fitzgerald for a brief moment in that lovely movie Midnight in Paris! And he does play one of the best villains in all of literature because Norse mythology is literature, am I right? Anyway, when the subject of Tom came up the other day, as it often does, and Jenny said, "I just don't get him."  I was like, what??? Gasp.  I don't get that you don't get him! And thus, yet another banter topic was born!

Suey says:

Let me just illustrate my first argument, summed up in one word: SMILE

I think this will go down as one of my favorite collages ever  made!

Smile: While I agree that he might not have the typical look of a heart throb, (though it can be argued that his untypical look is quite  heart throbby enough)  you can’t deny that he has one of the best smiles in existence. And I, for one,  think that smile supersedes anything he might lack otherwise. (Though I could still argue that his eyes, his dance moves, and his general classic tailored polished look has a lot going for him too!) But his smile! It’s so contagious. It’s so brilliant and beautiful and bright. Seeing that for the first time in the theater watching Thor, I pretty much totally forgot Thor (who DOES have every single “normal” heart throb attribute going on in his favor) because of that Loki/Tom smile.

Jenny says:

K, I'm focusing on looks because I think Tom has a fun personality. I just don't get the attraction aspect. Here goes. I hope a lynch mob doesn't show up.

1. He's Soooo Pale!

Give him white hair and he could play an albino with no makeup needed. Seriously. He's not some southern bell! This isn't the old south! Go to a tanning salon! Go outside! It's called the sun, Tom. Try it!

2. His hair looks so greasy!

Take 1 cup of oil (preferably olive oil). 2 Eggs (for all day hold) and 1/2 cup water (to mix it all together). Apply liberally and scrunch with fingers. Let Dry. Watch girls swoon....for some reason. Ewwww! 

3 His lips...or lack thereof.

Alright, some people just have thin lips. I have thin lips but I don't walk around trying to duck face with them. Look at that those pursed lips! It just makes them suck into his face. Yuck! 

Suey says:

Okay, I didn't just focus on looks, so I have more arguments below. That being said, I'd love to rebuttal the above thoughts.

Pale...yes he sometimes seems so, especially in the role of Loki, which I think is part of that character. Other times, not so much. Many of the pictures I've used in my collage he has pretty normal coloring. But that look adds to his overall aurora I think. It doesn't bother me in the least!

Greasy... WHAT? That's only for his Loki role and only during certain parts of the film! His normal hair is beautiful! (See my pictures above.) Besides, long stringy hair is a turn on for some.. even Thor has it! And Aragon, and oh, so many others!

Lips...never really actually thought about his thin lips because... HIS SMILE! It sort of distracts from the lips thing. And the duck face? What? His face is beautiful...not your conventional manly man face, but insanely beautiful.

P.S. Do you have a problem with his eyes? Because... THOSE EYES!! Sa-woon!

And my non looks reasons:

Charm: Of course we none of us know what Tom Hiddleston is like in real life. All the celebrities put on a face for us no matter who they are or what they’re doing. But I feel that Tom must, he MUST truly have the charm that he exudes for us all. That charm, I think even more than the smile,  is what has made so many of us fall for him. He is charming as himself, he’s charming as Loki, he’s charming as whoever he is in that haunted house movie (even though I haven’t seen it I’m pretty sure he’s charming, in  creepy way, am I right?). It doesn’t matter the role he’s playing, or the face he’s presenting, he can’t help but be charming.  The style he sports, the gentlemanly manners he practices, the ideas he professes to…. all charming and perfect.

Acting/Singing: So I’ve only seen him in a couple of movies and I really haven’t seen him sing yet except random YouTube clips. But what I HAVE seen makes me tend to declare that he is one amazing actor. And I can’t wait to see him in more stuff, especially the upcoming singing one! I find it interesting when someone like him plays a role for someone like Loki and we all fall in love with Loki, the villain, and a pretty awful sad sorry mean old villain too, then that says something for the way that villain is acted. Know what I mean? He’s amazing. AMAZING!  I don’t know how else to say it. Just. . .amazing.

Bottom Line: Tom Hiddleston has something going on: smile, charm, eyes, acting, singing, gentlemanly class...I don't know what... that is definitely swoon worthy.

What do you think? Let us know in comments! And be sure to check out Jenny's take on this subject and her rebuttals to my reasons over on her blog!

Book Banter Topic Four: High School Love

Often, while reading our favorite YA books, Jenny and I will cross paths when it comes to the subject of falling in love as a teenager.. or in high school. This scenario happens over and over again in our favorite books and Jenny will often say.. this could never happen! And I'll say.. but it does! It happened to me! And then it goes from there!

The problem with this topic is...I agree with much of what Jenny has to say and I told her I wasn't sure if we could truly argue this one decently. But we've decided to go ahead just to put it out there! We want to know what you think! But I'm going to present my post differently, without the rebuttals and all. I'll just paste our thoughts... first Jenny's and then mine.

Be sure to visit Jenny today to see what she has to say!

JENNY'S THREE REASONS: No, you can't fall in love in high school.

1 No reality
High school kids live in a different reality than adults. They still live with their parents. They sometimes done't even have a job or a car. They don't have bills or kids of their own (hopefully). Basically High school kids don't have any responsibilities besides doing homework and getting good grades. I'm not lashing out at high school kids, I'm just saying. There's a complete difference that comes in a relationship when reality sets in. Having all the responsibilities that I mentioned above and sharing them with another person is what really tests that light infatuation and turns it into love.

2 Selfishness
No kid that chases the love of their life into the underworld or the lair of a vampire or werewolf (you get my point) to save them is a good selfless kid. This kid isn't talking to their parents, they often ignore any good decent advice they do get and run headstrong into a situation that could get them killed with no thought on how that might effect their parents, their friends or even the other kid they are "rescuing"! That kind of attitude does not reflect love but selfish, immature infatuation.

3 Levels of Love
I guess what I'm saying is this: No kids in high school are not capable of love. Infatuation? Crushes? In like? Yes, maybe, but not love. Love often starts with all these things but love doesn't come until you've faced the mundane ins and outs of life in all it's boring glory. Love comes in levels and you can't get to the top level in high school for all the reasons I mentioned above. You just can't.

SUEY'S THREE REASONS: Yes, you can fall in love in high school.

Graduating from high school
with my future husband. :)

1. I lived it.

Yes, I’m one of those people. I started dating my husband in January of our senior high school in year. Probably three months later (I can’t really remember the exact moment!) I was pretty sure he would be in my life forever. We had ups and downs of course. And we still waited a long time before we got married (three years) but it all began in high school and it was real and true and all that! I always like to say that I enjoyed being 17 because when I was 18 suddenly things were serious and real. Not to say that was a bad thing, but it definitely felt like something changed that year. So having lived it, I can say for certain that it CAN happen in high school.



2. I’ve seen it.

The example that always stands out to me is my grandma’s sister, my great aunt, someone who I knew (know actually, as she is still alive) fairly well. She got married at age 15. And not during a time when this was normal. (I think I remember my grandma saying that she, her older sister, was pretty freaked out by this!) I’m not sure the year they got married but I’d guess it to be late 50’s. So 15 even at that time, was pretty shocking. (And no they were not pregnant… at least I don’t think they were!) And anyway, they had a long and happy (I assume) marriage which only ended when my uncle died a year or so ago. I’ve always been impressed with her story and I’m sure there are many more examples like hers out there.

3. Anything is possible! 

I can’t really think of another reason, except for the the fact that anything can happen really. And teenagers can most certainly find their soul mates at a young age. I do agree that they shouldn’t make major life decisions (like my aunt did!) when they are so freaking young, but by 18 or 19 (even though that is still so freaking young!) they can pretty much know what their gut and hearts are telling them. (I’ve had sisters and sisters in law get married this young and all is well… so far!) I think that high school love stories in the YA books we read are so much fun because it does touch that romantic place in all of us and gives us the satisfaction of a great storybook happily ever after.

My Bottom Line: While it isn't highly ideal for kids to fall in love in high school, it happens. It happens all the time. And some of them make commitments that last a lifetime and some of them make commitments that fall apart... just like any other relationship that gets its start at later ages.

Let us know what you think! Do you think kids can fall in love.. "true" love... in high school?

Book Banter Topic 3: The DUFF

It's time for more bantering! Today we're discussing the book, The DUFF by Kody Keplinger. And we are switching it up today with Jenny taking the positive and I'm taking the negative. Don't let it throw you off too much!

Jenny Says:

Reason One: It's Readability

Whether you liked it or not, I have yet to meet a person who didn't at least admit that this book was incredibly readable. It was addicting and hard to put down. Usually when a book is that readable it's due to great writing and an intense story line. Call me a weirdo but I have to give points to a book that is THAT engaging! 

Sueys Says:

I have no argument against this one.  It was readable in a sense, kinda of like not being able to look away from a train wreck. :) I didn't find the writing to be anything special. Mostly I just kept reading, hoping for some sort of change that would make the whole story make sense. 

Jenny Says:

Reason Two:  The Flawed Characters

While not entirely believable, Bianca's life is not and has not been great. Her mother is absent. She knows there's marital problems with her parents and her father, an ex alcoholic, is drinking again. Both her parents have stress outlets. Bianca see's it. She learns her behaviors from them. No her stress outlet is not very smart. It's not a great thing to put in a YA book (I totally think this one should be categorized as NA) but I can understand it. I can sympathize. 

Suey Says:

The characters were terrible. I didn’t like anyone in this book. And I’m usually okay to find the good in even a questionable character. I’m often rooting for the villain, or liking the mean guy, or wanting good things to happen to the underdog, etc. But everyone in this book was just dumb and stupid. They had no brains, like, at all. I couldn’t root for anyone and when that happens, it makes me sad and the book becomes not fun at all.

Jenny Says:

Reason Three:  The Romance

Alright so it might not have started as a love based romance but that doesn't mean it wasn't steamy. I liked that there wasn't that many details about the sex but it sure was sexy! As unreal as it was, I liked that Bianca was lucky enough to have found a guy that didn't just use her too but was willing to admit there was something more to their relationship and stick with her. They may have not been perfect but these two were perfect for each other and with everything bad in their lives I'm glad they found some good in each other. 

Suey Says:

All that sex without romance. Call me old fashioned, but I find sex without love and romance to be no fun. Wrong for sure. Boring even. No chemistry. No feeling. No intense emotions. Mix in the fact that these are teenagers and, yeah. Just, no.  I kept hoping throughout the whole book that maybe, just maybe, they’d find some romance to throw into the mix. But nope. It never happened.  Well, maybe at the very bitter end. And even then, I’m not sure they ever decided for sure if they really liked each other. Or if they were just jealous of anyone else who got to, you know, “be” with that person. Which was the reason I kept reading just to see if it would appear, the romance angle. I was disappointed and let down.

And finally Suey Says:

There was no point. Most books do try to make one. Sometimes it’s pretty vague. Sometimes it’s in your face. But usually you come of off a read with some sort of satisfying feeling, some sort of redeeming thought, some sort of accomplishment. This one had nothing for me. Nothing. Except maybe, “hey kids, perhaps if you feel bad you should talk it out with someone and not have nonstop sex with a guy you can’t stand.” Maybe that was it.

Bottom Line: Skip this book! But don't take my word for it... see what Jenny has to say!

In case you wondered, the movie is a little better, but not much.

Book Banter Topic Two: John Green

Once upon a time I discovered John Green. And I loved him from that very first video I watched. It just went on from there. When I learned that Jenny didn't so much love him, I was like... wait, what? How can you NOT? 

And thus, another Book Banter was born!






Jenny Says:

This one is tricky because I don't hate John, he just annoys me.  

Reason 1: His You Tube Video Blog

To be honest I haven't watched too many of these but while everyone else is heehawing at him, I just sit there looking confused. Some  of the things he says are mildly funny, I guess, but talking really fast and clever editing videos doesn't make you a comedian. I guess his brand of funny isn't mine because I just don't get it. 

Suey Says:

When we discovered his videos, we binged watched, one after the other after the other and never got sick of them. I'm not at all bothered by the fast talking, I love it. And the editing, of course that doesn't make a person a comedian, it just makes him a fabulous YouTuber. Something that because of him, tons of other people are doing and becoming. It's a whole new thing and he started it. That's cool. And I look back and think, now why didn't I think of the? I could have used YouTube to talk to my sisters and we could have become famous and had a gazillion people copy us and then start a conference about it and... and... and... 

Here's a recent video just in case you haven't ever watched him and want to know what we are talking about here:

Jenny Says:

Reason Two:  His Books

Oh, John. Please, in the name of all that is holy, stop writing books about yourself! Everyone of his main characters, if you pay attention, is totally him! Slightly nerdy, lanky, a wallflower, not one of the "in crowd". I could go on and on but you just have to read the books and pay attention and you'll see what I'm saying. Why does he do this? Is it because he's so small minded he can't reach outside himself and create a character that's different from him? Or is he actually in therapy for his chronic fast talking and the therapist has assigned him to write stories about himself to help discover his inner self? Who knows, but for some reason he just can't seem to stop writing about himself. Even The Fault in our Stars is about him...as a girl! Sigh! 

Suey Says:

So  I get that his books may seem like he's just writing about his own life things, but all authors do that! ALL! Why pick on John? And I maintain that the reason his books are so popular is because everyone can see themselves in his characters!  Here's what I said to Jenny as one of my reasons I love John Green. I will copy and paste:

I love that he’s relatable. He’s normal. He’s gets people. He’s geeky like we all are. He owns up to it. He embraces it. He makes other geeky nerdy kids feel proud of that. He makes people feel like they can do anything. Because if he, a nerdy guy, can do it, we can all do it.

Also, along these same line I had this to say:

I love that he’s smart and funny and witty. I love that he says things that make me think. I love that he says things that make me feel.  I love the way he says things  and the words he uses. I think he’s a great writer full of real emotion.  

Jenny Says:

Reason 3 :The Women

I could just say that all the women in his books are type cast characters that are all exactly the same. Sexy but they don't know or believe it, angsty, gritty cursers. See where I'm going with this? What bothers me isn't exactly that they are all the same but it's the type of same that they are. I think John ,bless his diseased mind, is trying to send the message that women are beautiful no matter their issues or beliefs but that's not what I'm getting. I believe John just has a type and in some twisted way is writing about himself getting this type. 

Suey Says:

Alaska and Margo have similar characteristics, but I don't see the same type cast in An Abundance of Katherines or The Fault in Our Stars. Yeah. I just don't see it. Once again, I think people fall in love with these characters for a reason... we see ourselves in them. 

And one final point that I want to make as a reason to love John:

He uses his fame to teach and inspire other people. I mean, he’s probably pretty busy, and yet, he makes videos about history and literature and gets people excited about them. (His brother Hank does the science-y videos.) I love that he has so many projects all for bettering others. He has inspired so many people to go out and do their own projects and start their own things and be their own kind of creative. It’s just cool. And I love it.

Here's an example of one you should all love:

Bottom Line: I find John Green to be funny and inspiring. And he writes books that people can relate to.

And don't forget, be sure to go see Jenny's take on the subject!

So my readers... what do you think? Are you a John Green fan or does he annoy you?