I read a book today that I HAAAAAAATED. Totally hated. As in, I wish I could pull my brain from my head and vacuum out any memories of or thoughts related to what I read. Ugh!!! Worse part is, not only did I buy it, I actually wasted one of my precious book gift certificates on it.
So, here's the deal: I hate lesson-y books. You know the ones that preach to you under the guise of some naive character learning a lesson without actually getting damaged or hurt in any way. This trend used to be particularly prevalent in one of my favorite genres, YA, back when I was a kid. But lately, these books (and the authors) have gotten sooo much better. The kids in the story are like real kids. Some of them are shallow, some of them are nice, some of them are misguided and clueless, etc., etc. But they make mistakes and they regret them. They try to figure things out and sometimes they really, really blow it. But that's the way life works.
In this book, the young naive main character (let's call her YNMC) has a crush on a hot guy who is suddenly interested in her instead of his current hot girlfriend. He sneaks over to her house, they share a few midnight kisses, but he hasn't officially broken up with his girlfriend. Well, YNMC eventually puts her foot down and he breaks up with the girlfriend, but now YNMC's friends all hate her because they're also friends with the former girlfriend. One friend warns her that the hot guy is only interested in YNMC instead of hot ex-girlfriend because of "one thing." Cliche after cliche! Can everyone see the after school special lesson coming?
(Oh, and as a sidenote, she, who has never been noticed before--by her own admission--eats one lunch at the jock table, flirts a little with some of the guys and suddenly she's tagged as easy and guys are phoning her house constantly. Okay, maybe this happens, but after only one incident of mildly flirtatious behavior?!? And the hot guy, now interested in her, says he's heard nothing about it and does not seem disturbed by it. No guy, especially one who is genuinely interested in a girl, is going to be all "eh" when he hears guys talking about his new girlfriend as easy!)
So, anyway, the entire book turns out to be about one issue, pre-marital sex. Should she, shouldn't she? Does her like her only for that reason? Etc. Of course, characters who do have sex are immediately shown behaving selfishly and evilly and then find themselves heartbroken. Whereas the people who wait are all lovey-dovey and wonderful to each other, clearly the couple to emulate. Blah! Seriously. While this may be accurate in some cases, is there a more simplistic, agenda-driven way to shove a message down a reader's throat? Why not show what really makes life decisions like this difficult? That the line is not black and white. All people who have premarital sex are not evil and destined for heartbreak. And yet some high school guys will say anything to have sex and they're a**holes.
But beyond this obviously moralistic take on story telling (I wish Barnes and Noble would create a new category for this crap so I wouldn't accidentally buy it), it was just a lame story. She decides not to have sex and hopes the guy respects her for it. Okay, good for her. Except I could see that coming from about page 3. I kept waiting for the twist (which is the only reason I read it all the way to the end), waiting for the thing that would make me relate YNMC's struggle. But it just wasn't there. The story wasn't interesting, and I wouldn't think that for someone who is wrestling with that decision in her life that it would be all that helpful either. You know what would be helpful is seeing her make a decision, get her heart scraped all over the floor and figure out how to survive the rest of high school. I don't actually care what her decision about sex is, just that it shows her becoming an independent person, struggling with her decisions and the consequences of them. But there was none of that!
Oh, and the worst part, oh, yes, it gets worse, was the overall theme of the book. I actually liked the theme in the beginning, which was part of what encouraged me to buy the book. The idea was that everyone has different voices in their head, the angel and the devil on your shoulders, for lack of a more original description. I liked this idea because I do understand that. The struggle we go through daily as we figure out which voice to listen to. But the book practically comes out and states that exact thing. Like in those very words. I mean, seriously, by that time in the story, I would have thought they could have declared a world-wide shortage of anvils, but nope, she managed to save the biggest one for last. I still have the headache.
Ugh...*full body shudder*
For YA books that handle the pre-marital sex topic sooooo much more deftly, try any of the following:
Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld
Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty
Or any of the three most recent Princess Diaries books by Meg Cabot
It is possible. It can be done with sensitivity and without agenda. This book, however, just ain't it.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Stacy G.
Tag, you're it!
"The rules are: Once you have been tagged you can't be re-tagged, you have to write a blog with 10 weird random things, facts, or habits about yourself. At the end, you choose 10 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says 'you are tagged' on their profile and tell them to read your latest blog."
Just list your ten things in the comments section below... : )
"The rules are: Once you have been tagged you can't be re-tagged, you have to write a blog with 10 weird random things, facts, or habits about yourself. At the end, you choose 10 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says 'you are tagged' on their profile and tell them to read your latest blog."
Just list your ten things in the comments section below... : )
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
10 Things Meme
Tagged by Anne
The rules are: Once you have been tagged you can't be re-tagged, you have to write a blog with 10 weird random things, facts, or habits about yourself. At the end, you choose 10 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says 'you are tagged' on their profile and tell them to read your latest blog."
1. I don't break the spine on books...ever. Or fold the pages.
2. Like my mother, I have whole conversations with myself--I guess I'm pretty good company to myself. : )
3. I'm terrified of birds. Hate the suckers. Especially when they're dead. *full body shudder*
4. I moved eight times before the age of 18.
5. I lean toward the obsessive compulsive side and if I don't keep a tight rein on it, I will check doorknobs, ovens, and alarm clocks three times in a row (or more) to make sure they are in the desired state (locked, off and set).
6. I did not go to my high school prom. Yes, that DOES explain a lot. : )
7. I don't like to leave my shoes tipped on their sides instead of resting upright on the soles. Creeps me out as it always reminds me of that scene in the Stephen King short story, "The Body," which was made into Stand By Me, where the kid gets hit by a train and knocked out of his shoes.
8. I don't actually remember much before kindergarten. Really anything before about 3rd or 4th grade is kind of a blur.
9. When my sister was young and I'd take her out to the store with me or whatever to run an errand for my mom, people would think she was my kid.
10. I'm kind of a germaphobe. Bodily fluids gross me out.
P.S. If you're reading this and feel so inclined, consider yourself tagged! : )
The rules are: Once you have been tagged you can't be re-tagged, you have to write a blog with 10 weird random things, facts, or habits about yourself. At the end, you choose 10 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says 'you are tagged' on their profile and tell them to read your latest blog."
1. I don't break the spine on books...ever. Or fold the pages.
2. Like my mother, I have whole conversations with myself--I guess I'm pretty good company to myself. : )
3. I'm terrified of birds. Hate the suckers. Especially when they're dead. *full body shudder*
4. I moved eight times before the age of 18.
5. I lean toward the obsessive compulsive side and if I don't keep a tight rein on it, I will check doorknobs, ovens, and alarm clocks three times in a row (or more) to make sure they are in the desired state (locked, off and set).
6. I did not go to my high school prom. Yes, that DOES explain a lot. : )
7. I don't like to leave my shoes tipped on their sides instead of resting upright on the soles. Creeps me out as it always reminds me of that scene in the Stephen King short story, "The Body," which was made into Stand By Me, where the kid gets hit by a train and knocked out of his shoes.
8. I don't actually remember much before kindergarten. Really anything before about 3rd or 4th grade is kind of a blur.
9. When my sister was young and I'd take her out to the store with me or whatever to run an errand for my mom, people would think she was my kid.
10. I'm kind of a germaphobe. Bodily fluids gross me out.
P.S. If you're reading this and feel so inclined, consider yourself tagged! : )
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Questions for Becky
Interview Meme Rules are as follows: You comment on this entry requesting an interview. I respond with five questions. The questions will theoretically be tailored to you based on what I know of you (or want to know). You copy and paste those questions into your own journal, and write the answers, along with these rules. Anyone wanting an interview from you continues the game by requesting an interview from you.
1) If you could talk to your college self, knowing what you know now, what major would you tell yourself to pick? If it's different than what you actually chose, what is it and why?
2) Do you still catch yourself thinking/dreaming in German?
3) Do you regret not going to law school? Why or why not?
4) What's one dumb thing you've done that you wouldn't change even if you could?
5) What is a common misperception people have about you? (For example, many people think I'm a bit of a loudmouth, but, as you know, I'm actually rather shy, especially around new people--it's just that forcing myself to be loud and talky is a pretty good disguise!)
1) If you could talk to your college self, knowing what you know now, what major would you tell yourself to pick? If it's different than what you actually chose, what is it and why?
2) Do you still catch yourself thinking/dreaming in German?
3) Do you regret not going to law school? Why or why not?
4) What's one dumb thing you've done that you wouldn't change even if you could?
5) What is a common misperception people have about you? (For example, many people think I'm a bit of a loudmouth, but, as you know, I'm actually rather shy, especially around new people--it's just that forcing myself to be loud and talky is a pretty good disguise!)
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Waaaay too sensitive
I'm having a thin-skin day. I hate these. I've had them since high school at least, and probably for as long as I can remember. It has nothing to do with my actual skin, but my very overactive brain.
Thin-skin days are the days where NOTHING goes right, and while these little wrong-going things normally are brushed aside, on a thin-skin day, each of them is a huge, glaring billboard of suckitude. If that makes sense.
On a thin-skin day:
The world hates me. Everything everyone else does feels like some kind of slight--a stupid reckless driver decided I was taking too long to turn left, so he veered around me to make a left before I could. And I feel guilty, bad and stupid that he felt compelled to get around me, the slow cautious driver!
Everything I say is stupid--was caught off-guard today and blabbedy blabbed on forever in answer to an incredibly off-hand and simple question. I feel awkward and giant-sized in a world of tiny, put-together, sophisticated people.
I repeatedly do remarkably stupid things--let's see, just today I...slept fifteen minutes longer than I should have, agonized over perfecting writing instead of just writing it (write a sh*tty first draft--that's supposed to be my mantra!), skipped my Wed morning Starbucks (which always makes me feel good and organized that I can stop to get a hot chocolate and still make it on time to work), got frustrated over small things that I have no control of and ended up not being a big deal anyway, stopped to pick up the mail and forgot to put the car in park (I figured it out before it rolled too far), and drove over the concrete parking header-thing at the gym.
And yes, I know all of this is completely ridiculous and self-centered, but bad days usually are, right? : )
So, as a counter measure:
Good things that happened today--I went to the gym (yea!), I finished the latest Suzanne Brockman book from the library before the due date (which means I saved the money from buying it) and best of all, I'm shutting down the computer and going to bed now, which means this day is over!
Thin-skin days are the days where NOTHING goes right, and while these little wrong-going things normally are brushed aside, on a thin-skin day, each of them is a huge, glaring billboard of suckitude. If that makes sense.
On a thin-skin day:
The world hates me. Everything everyone else does feels like some kind of slight--a stupid reckless driver decided I was taking too long to turn left, so he veered around me to make a left before I could. And I feel guilty, bad and stupid that he felt compelled to get around me, the slow cautious driver!
Everything I say is stupid--was caught off-guard today and blabbedy blabbed on forever in answer to an incredibly off-hand and simple question. I feel awkward and giant-sized in a world of tiny, put-together, sophisticated people.
I repeatedly do remarkably stupid things--let's see, just today I...slept fifteen minutes longer than I should have, agonized over perfecting writing instead of just writing it (write a sh*tty first draft--that's supposed to be my mantra!), skipped my Wed morning Starbucks (which always makes me feel good and organized that I can stop to get a hot chocolate and still make it on time to work), got frustrated over small things that I have no control of and ended up not being a big deal anyway, stopped to pick up the mail and forgot to put the car in park (I figured it out before it rolled too far), and drove over the concrete parking header-thing at the gym.
And yes, I know all of this is completely ridiculous and self-centered, but bad days usually are, right? : )
So, as a counter measure:
Good things that happened today--I went to the gym (yea!), I finished the latest Suzanne Brockman book from the library before the due date (which means I saved the money from buying it) and best of all, I'm shutting down the computer and going to bed now, which means this day is over!
Monday, February 05, 2007
Love is Murder
I attended Love Is Murder this weekend, a mystery and romantic suspense writers and readers conference in Chicago.
Some of the highlights included a seminar presented by a graphoanalyst (one who analyzes handwriting), a demonstration and explanation of a polygraph machine and how a polygraph examiner does her job, and meeting my new publisher!
It was so cool, you guys! Echelon Press sponsored the lunch on Saturday, which was for like 200 people, and my publisher, Karen, got up and introduced the EP authors who were there, including me. So exciting!
I also got to meet Nancy Pickard, a mystery author whose books I've loved for years. I started reading her Jenny Cain series back in high school or even before. She was a marvelous speaker and very laid-back. Charlaine Harris was also there and she's always a hoot!
I also got to see Nancy and Luisa Buehler (another awesome mystery author who is with Echelon) and a bunch of other authors doing the Super Bowl Shuffle, of all things, after dinner on Saturday. This was, of course, before the Bears didn't quite make it on Sunday.
As always, the best part of going to these conferences is just getting to hang out with other writers. I always learn something new, and it just feels good to talk with other people who go through all the ups and downs of writing too.
Some of the highlights included a seminar presented by a graphoanalyst (one who analyzes handwriting), a demonstration and explanation of a polygraph machine and how a polygraph examiner does her job, and meeting my new publisher!
It was so cool, you guys! Echelon Press sponsored the lunch on Saturday, which was for like 200 people, and my publisher, Karen, got up and introduced the EP authors who were there, including me. So exciting!
I also got to meet Nancy Pickard, a mystery author whose books I've loved for years. I started reading her Jenny Cain series back in high school or even before. She was a marvelous speaker and very laid-back. Charlaine Harris was also there and she's always a hoot!
I also got to see Nancy and Luisa Buehler (another awesome mystery author who is with Echelon) and a bunch of other authors doing the Super Bowl Shuffle, of all things, after dinner on Saturday. This was, of course, before the Bears didn't quite make it on Sunday.
As always, the best part of going to these conferences is just getting to hang out with other writers. I always learn something new, and it just feels good to talk with other people who go through all the ups and downs of writing too.
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