Thoughts on GO SET A WATCHMAN

Photo Credit: Bruna Ferrara on Flickr

Last week, it was announced that Harper Lee, author of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, will be publishing another book. This is huge news. Lee, now 88, has not published anything since MOCKINGBIRD in 1960. After winning a Pulitzer Prize for her debut novel, Lee pulled a Boo Radley and went into seclusion.

Before MOCKINGBIRD, though, there was GO SET A WATCHMAN. This book takes place after the events of MOCKINGBIRD, even though it was written earlier. In this sequel, Scout is all grown up and heading home to visit her father, Atticus. The novel is set to be released this summer. Five months before the book hits shelves, it’s already at the top of Amazon’s bestseller list.

A few people wanted to know how I felt about this news. At first, I was elated. Having read MOCKINGBIRD and loved it, I wanted to read more. I wanted more Scout and Atticus and even Boo. I couldn’t wait to get the sequel.

But then came fears that Lee had been pressured into publishing. Lee’s attorney, her sister Alice, recently passed away. Alice was fiercely protective of her sister’s privacy—would she have allowed WATCHMAN to be published if she were alive? A close friend of Lee’s expressed concerns that Lee was being exploited. After all, she is reportedly deaf and mostly blind.

Another friend of Lee's said she was fine the day before the release was announced. More importantly, Lee herself says she's excited about her new novel. In a statement released on February 5, she said, "I'm alive and kicking and happy as hell with the reactions to WATCHMAN."

If Lee herself is happy, I think I'll be happy, too. If it comes out that she really didn't want WATCHMAN published, then maybe I'll rethink things. Right now, like many of you, I have mixed emotions.

How do you feel about GO SET A WATCHMAN?

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Writer @brianawrites has mixed feelings about Harper Lee's MOCKINGBIRD sequel. (Click to tweet)

5 Worst Book to Movie Adaptations

"The book was better."

It's almost impossible to avoid hearing or uttering that phrase after seeing a film that's been adapted from a novel.

And it's true (of course it is) that Hollywood often fails to capture the magic of beloved literature. With that being said, not all adaptations are terrible. Most recently, The Hunger Games movie franchise has been praised for its accuracy.

At the same time, there are often more bad movie adaptations than good, especially when it comes to classics. Here are five of the worst book to movie adaptations.

5. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005)

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Douglas Adams' spirited sci-fi romp falls flat when shoehorned into this gimmicky film version. The movie lacks most of the wit and charm of the book it's derived from. The sole redeeming quality is Martin Freeman, who makes his American motion picture debut in this film.

4. The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)

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I'm sure Alexandre Dumas would despise this adaptation. For one thing, a handful of characters have been entirely removed from the narrative. Moreover, the director even had the gall to change the original ending. Not even young Henry Cavill can save this one.

3. The Scarlet Letter (1995)

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I don't know who thought Demi Moore and Gary Oldman would look good onscreen together, but... no. While Gary Oldman does a fine job of playing Dimmesdale, poor Demi Moore gets the shaft when it comes to the poorly-penned script. Most of the novel's complexity is abandoned in favor of playing up sensuality and a lighter, happier ending. High school students beware: you're better off reading the book.

2. Great Expectations (1998)

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Who reads a Dickens' classic and thinks, "yeah, this book is dying for a modern-day rechristening?" Alfonso Cuaron, that's who. This film functions like a weird mishmash of Titanic, Moulin Rouge, and a teensy bit of Dickens. Why did this happen?

1. Gulliver's Travels (2010)

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I don't think I could think of a worse film adaptation than this one if I tried. The film lacks most of what makes the original narrative great. On top of that, it's just not funny. It tries too hard to be.

I'm sure there are worse movie adaptations than these out there, but I have yet to experience them.

What do you think of these adaptations? What other bad ones can you think of?

P.S. In Conversation with--Bob Gale, Co-Writer of Back to the Future and Selections from Pixar's 22 Rules for Storytelling.

Book Review: The Successful Novelist by David Morrell

David Morrell is a genius.

There's no getting around that fact. After reading this book, I am more than convinced that this man has more writing talent in his pinky than I do in my whole body.

I digress.

When I mentioned on Twitter that Stephen King's On Writing is one of the most influential books about writing that I have ever read, someone suggested that I look up David Morrell's book The Successful Novelist: A Lifetime of Lessons about Writing and Publishing.

I'm delighted I did.

This book, like King's, provides a veritable treasure trove of knowledge regarding the craft and the business of writing. However, Morrell takes a much more practical approach, giving out advice for you to use in your daily writing sessions. King's book is largely memoir with some practical bits sprinkled in. On the whole, Morrell seems so much more approachable.

The Successful Novelist is suitable for writers of all skill levels. Whether you're just starting out or you've been writing for ages, this book is for you.

It's also short, succinct, and easy to read and understand. What more could you want?

Go out and pick up your copy today. This book will change your life.

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? What book would you like to see me review next?

P.S. Book Review: Adulting by Kelly Williams Brown.

5 Great Gifts for Readers and Writers

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I've got a birthday coming up (June 17), and when I was in school, my summer birthday bummed me out. Now that I'm older it doesn't make much of a difference. If anything, it's better now because people tend to be less busy in the summer, which means that there's more time to celebrate.

If you're like me and you have a birthday this summer, people have probably already started asking you what you'd like to receive. 

Can't think of anything? I've got you covered. Here are five great gifts for readers and writers, most of which are fairly cheap.

1. This vintage book iDock from Anthropologie.
2. This little Light Man.
3. This large floating bookshelf.
4. This iPhone book case (ha).
5. These book pillows.

Hopefully this post has given you some ideas for presents you can give to or receive from your friends and loved ones. Full disclosure: I just ordered the Sherlock Holmes book pillow and I'm way too excited about it.

What do you think of these gifts? What others do you think I should add to this list?

Author Spotlight: Haruki Murakami

This post is a feature I've been wanting to write for some time. I discovered Murakami and his work about a year and a half ago, via the Selected Shorts podcast, where I first heard his short story "The Iceman" read aloud. Shortly after, I plunged headfirst into the bizarre, engrossing world of 1Q84 and haven't been the same since.

Prevalent motifs throughout Murakami's extensive body of work include cats, dreams and hallucinations, magical realism, androgyny, ears, aliens, fate, and coincidences (that are usually so much more than simple coincidences). Most if not all of these motifs can be seen in his longest work, 1Q84. The title clearly pays homage to Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, but the story is not the same.

As much as I'd like to write a review on 1Q84, that's another post for another day. We're here to talk about some of Murakami's other work. He is considered one of the foremost authorities on modern literary fiction, having published several different short stories, novels, and nonfiction essays. Some of his most notable works include "The Iceman," After Dark, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, Kafka on the Shore, and Norwegian Wood (the movie adaptation for which is currently on Netflix). His prose is captivating, magical, and sure to win you over from the very first page.

If you've never read Murakami, check out "The Iceman." And be sure to let me know what you think about it!

Have you read Murakami? What do you think of him?

P.S. Book Review: Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews, Book Review: Oleanders in Alaska by Matt Thompson, Book Review: Adulting by Kelly Williams Brown, and Book Review: Morning Glory by Allison Blanchard.

In Defense of Rereading

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Recently I spoke to someone who doesn't believe in rereading books. "It won't be any different from the first time I read it," she said. "The material is the same. I don't get the purpose."

This sentiment, though shocking, is one I've heard echoed in previous conversations by a variety of people. The general consensus seems to be that once you've read a book, you shouldn't read it again.

This idea is nonsense.

When I think about the stories I've experienced in my life, it amazes me how some of them have changed with the passage of time. One of my favorite books, for example, is George Orwell's dystopian classic Nineteen Eighty-Four. I shudder to think what might've happened had I only read it once.

The first time I read the novel, I was thirteen. That's too young to fully grasp most of what happens in the book, primarily the political overtones and the implications of the society Orwell has crafted. The sex scenes and manifesto went right over my head. What can I say? I was naive.

Every time I read Nineteen Eighty-Four, I notice something new. I've read this book at least a dozen times and still I learn more with each reading. The material isn't changing (that much is obvious), but I certainly am. As I continue to change I'm sure I'll continue to get different things out of the novel.

If you've read something once, there's no reason you shouldn't sit down and reread it. If it's a book like Nineteen Eighty-Four, it should withstand the test of time. Whether it's The Great Gatsby, Harry Potter, or Crime and Punishment, there's something new to discover when you dip back into the pages.

Don't believe me? Well, there's only one way to find out.

How do you feel about rereading books? What books have you enjoyed rereading?

Book Review: Morning Glory by Allison Blanchard

Having read Allison Blanchard's debut novel Forget Me Not, I was thrilled to have the chance to read and review the sequel. Morning Glory continues the story of Adeline, a high school girl whose ordinary life is turned upside down when she encounters a boy named Cole and his native traditions. Blanchard's new novel is the perfect blend of depth, drama, and romance. Her stellar cast of characters, dedication to narrative, and attention to detail make Morning Glory an even greater success than Forget Me Not. This book is fantastic.

Fans of the first novel's protagonist Adeline will not be disappointed by her portrayal in this sequel. Blanchard stays true to Adeline's character throughout this novel, and I had a difficult time finding anything that did not feel true to character. My other two favorites, Cole and Emma, are given an equally respectful treatment. The relationships established in the first novel are deepened and explored further in this sequel. Because fiction is about people, I loved Blanchard's depth of characters and exploration of family, friendly, and romantic relationships throughout her new book.

Another quality that makes this sequel worth reading is Blanchard's dedication to the established narrative. Blanchard reminds the reader of the legend established in Forget Me Not while adding details that enhance the realism of the mythology. She also does an excellent job of keeping up with her characters' histories and backstories (I'd like to know how she does it because I could use a few pointers).

With a whole mythology to look after, it's impressive that Blanchard does not slack off when it comes to her attention to detail. As with the backstories, Blanchard makes certain that every part of the legend exists for a reason--that is, every seemingly-insignificant detail coincides with something that happens in the story. Nothing happens unless it needs to. This level of attention is something that I have the utmost respect for.

My only complaint about the novel? At times, it seemed that there was too much convenience. Certain events felt contrived rather than inevitable. Without giving too much away, I had a hard time believing the identity of the man who pulled Adeline from the river. Even then, Blanchard did her very best to convince me, which is why I am reluctant to list this single grievance.

This sequel is as good as, if not better than, its predecessor. I enjoyed every second of the book and found it difficult to put down. If you loved Forget Me Not, or if you're in the market for a new kind of paranormal romance, you need to check out Blanchard's work.

You can purchase Blanchard's debut novel on Amazon. She also has a blog that you can view here.

Want me to review your book? Comment or send me an email! I'd love to get in touch with you.

Book Review: Flowers in the Attic by V. C. Andrews

I’ll be the first one to tell you that I love scary things. Whether it be books, movies, or video games, I love any story that gives me the creeps. Blame my weird fascination with horror on R. L. Stine’s Goosebumps series and the television show Are You Afraid of the Dark?. Whatever the cause, I love anything that frightens me. And Flowers in the Attic is no exception. Note: this review contains some spoilers.

I feel like I’m the last person in the world to have heard about this book. V. C. Andrews wrote it in 1979, so it has certainly been around for a while. The book achieved widespread popularity after its release, selling over forty million copies worldwide. In 1987, it was adapted into a movie. Somehow, though, I still hadn’t encountered it until discovering it on a list of contemporary classics. I’m so happy that I found it.

The narrator of the novel is Catherine Dollanganger, a young girl who wants to grow up to become a ballerina. After Catherine’s father dies in an automobile accident, Catherine’s family loses all of their money and possessions. Corinne, Catherine’s mother, moves her four children (Christopher, Catherine, Cory, and Carrie) out of their family home and into the house where she’d lived as a child. Corinne’s wealthy parents have written her out of their will, and she hopes to win back her father’s approval and secure a stable future for herself and for her children.

Upon arriving at Foxworth Hall, the house of Corinne’s parents, the children discover that the grandfather has no idea that they exist. Apparently, he and the grandmother would view them as an abomination because they are the product of incest. Corinne goes along with the grandmother’s plan to hide her children in the attic. The mother assures the children that they will only have to stay in the attic for one night. The next morning, she says, they can come out into the open.

Needless to say, the children spend a great deal more time in the attic than they anticipate. Without giving too much away, days turn into weeks and months and even years. As the children grow older, they also grow weaker. Could it be that their mother has no intention of ever letting them out of the attic?

Flowers in the Attic is a chilling story that reveals the dark side of human nature and the capacity for imagination and innovation in children. This book is certainly not a light read, but it’s hard to put down. If you’re looking for something haunting, psychological, and intense, be sure to pick up V. C. Andrews’ bestselling novel.

Have you read this book? What did you think of it?

Costume Ideas Based on Literary Characters

In case you hadn't noticed, Halloween is close at hand. It's less than a week away. If you don't have a Halloween costume yet, there's no need to panic. I'm happy to help. Here are a couple of ideas based on characters from famous works of literature.

Hester Prynne

All you need for this look is a black dress, a white apron, some black shoes, and a scarlet letter. Bonnet and child born of wedlock are optional.

Jay Gatsby

Pull off the infamous American Dreamer by dressing in a suit and carrying around a glass of champagne. Be sure to mention Daisy and green lights wherever you go. Also, don't forget to say, "old sport" as much as humanly possible. Bonus points for hosting a legendary Halloween party without sending out any invitations.

Big Brother

Take a piece of poster board and cut out a hole in the middle for your head to fit through. Write BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU in bold letters with a permanent marker. For added paranoia, hide cameras all over your friends and family. And grow some nasty facial hair. By the way, you may or may not actually exist. Keep that in mind.

Mina Harker

Here's another for the ladies. Put on a nightgown, preferably a lacy one. Muss your hair and wear it loose. Apply fake blood to your neck as though you've been bitten by a vampire. Faint constantly throughout the evening. Babble incoherently about uninvited nighttime guests.

I know this post is short, but this should've given you a few ideas for your Halloween costume. 

What do you think? What are you going to be for Halloween?

Books to Get You in the Spooky Spirit

I love Halloween. You should know that about me. I also love reading.

Why not combine the two?

There are several books that I love to reread around this time of year. These books are full of thrills, chills, suspense, scares, horror, and mayhem - every spooky sensation that you can imagine. That's what makes them perfect for an All Hallows Eve read. If you're looking to curl up with a creepy classic or a contemporary chiller, check out one from this list:

• Dracula by Bram Stoker - Whether or not you've read the book, the story of Dracula is certainly familiar to almost anyone. Read about the vampire that inspired them all. The cool thing about this book is that it is told in the form of letters from several different characters.


• The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux - Another haunting read whose story is pervasive in modern culture. This novel tells the story of the ghost of the Paris Opera House and his obsessive attraction toward a young chorus girl. Fear, violence, love triangles - what's not to love? And yes, this is the book that inspired one of the longest-running shows in theatre history.


• Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier - Released in 1938 and made into a movie by none other than Alfred Hitchcock, Rebecca has been dazzling audiences since its initial release. Hands down one of the best books I've ever read. I couldn't put it down. Without spoiling anything, this book is about a young woman who marries a widower with a mysterious past. It. Is. Good.


• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - One of the most famous examples of the gothic romance. Jane Eyre is a young woman who falls in love with her employer... and finds that he has a skeleton in his closet (or perhaps in his attic, but I'll say no more). If you read it in school, it's worth a second look.


• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - This is the novel that birthed science fiction. And it was written by a woman. Need I go on? If you read this book, you'll understand why some people cringe when you refer to the monster as "Frankenstein."


• The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne - Okay, okay. This book is not necessarily scary, but parts of it are unnerving. Hester Prynne has an affair and is forced to wear a scarlet "A" on her chest so that everyone will know her crime. This novel is haunting, and I can't explain why.


• The Shining by Stephen King - The King of Horror writes the King of all horror novels. Just read it, mmkay?


• Misery by Stephen King - Another masterpiece from the master himself. Man, do I love Stephen King. Even if you've seen the movie, you should probably read the book.


• Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews - This book creeped me the eff out. A mother keeps her children locked up in an attic for over two years. Terrifying because it reveals the dark side of human nature. I couldn't put this one down, either.

Of course, these are just some of my favorite scary reads for the scariest time of the year. I'm interested to see which of these books you've read and enjoyed. 

What do you like to read around Halloween? What books did I miss?

Cheap Books and Fried Dough

I spent this past weekend at school for a couple of reasons, one of which was Deep Roots. For those of you unfamiliar with the area, Deep Roots is an all-day event downtown with food, games, vendors, drinks, performances, and live music. It's basically the most exciting thing to happen to this town all year.

I spent a whopping four hours at Deep Roots with my boyfriend, friend, and roommate. While the four of us were out, we watched a STOMP-like performance, danced in a flash mob rendition of "The Time Warp" from Rocky Horror, bought over a dozen books, chowed down on funnel cake, and had a fantastic time.

If you like to read, let me tell you about the awesome deals I got on books. Have you spent much time at antique or thrift stores? Maybe you've noticed that these places also sell books. These books are CHEAP. I picked up twenty for only sixteen dollars. How cool is that?

Also, I'm sorry if I made everyone crave funnel cake. Luckily, I found a recipe that you can try out at home! While you're reading that post, follow that blog. It's fantastic.

All in all, I had an excellent weekend. What about you guys? What did you do?

Book Review: Adulting By Kelly Williams Brown

I am a closested self-help book-lover. I love to read and reread books that promise to help me better myself, even if they never actually come through on that promise. After all, can’t we all stand to become a better person?

Sometimes, a self-help book exceeds my expectations. Sometimes it’s everything that I wanted it to be and so much more. Such is the case for Kelly Williams Brown’s book Adulting: How to Become a Grown-Up in 486 Easy-ish Steps. Brown’s book is based off her popular Tumblr blog, found here. If you don’t want to read the book (which you should after reading this review), you should definitely follow her.

Adulting has the potential to improve many aspects of your life, no matter what your age. If you’re a twentysomething who, like me, often feels lost and confused when faced with real-world problems, this book is a must-read. In her book, Williams covers topics such as cooking, cleaning, relationships, work, and hospitality. Her style is entertaining yet educational. It’s like having a sassy, worldly friend give you life-changing advice. And while this book won’t necessarily cause you to have a soul-cleansing epiphany, it should at least make you think twice about your immature attitudes.

If you’re looking for an informative read that’s also enjoyable, look no further than Adulting. While you’re at it, be sure to visit Kelly Williams Brown’s blog, full of even more advice and tips for finally growing up. And if you do read the book, please let me know what you think! I’d love to hear about it.

Beat Writer's Block by Casting Your Story

Whenever I come up with story ideas, I usually have a mental image of the story’s characters as well. For example, my characters are usually famous people. In the novel I’m working on now, my protagonist would be played by Mila Kunis, and my antagonist would be Johnny Depp.

    

Why bother casting a novel if it hasn’t been made into a movie yet? Because visualizing your characters as they would actually appear in reality is fantastic.

Take a minute to calm your mind. Breathe in and out. Focus.

Now, I want you to imagine the world of your novel. Unravel the setting, the landscape, and the time frame. See the buildings, trees, and streets in your mind’s eye. Next, move on to your characters. Imagine them going about their everyday lives. Who do they look like? Pretened you’re watching a movie adaptation. Which actors come automatically to mind?

Once you’ve come up with some famous names, do a Google image search to find some photos of them. You can save them to your computer for reference if you want. Now, whenever you get stuck on a difficult scene, imagine the actor in your character’s predicament. Picture him or her in as much detail as you can. What does he or she do in that same situation? What does he or she look like? What does he or she say?

This exercise has proven useful to me, but it might not work for everyone. It’s been my experience that visual learners and writers with a more visual sort of memory have a better time with this technique, but feel free to give it a shot, no matter what your style.