Follow Friday!

This week I'm using two different books for Book Beginnings (Rose City Reader) and Friday 56 (Freda's Voice). The first is Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones.

BB:
'In the land of Ingary, where such things as seven-league boots and cloaks of invisibility really exist, it is quite a misfortune to be born the eldest of three. Everyone knows you are the one who will fail first, and worst, if the three of you set out to seek your fortunes.'
Well, this doesn't bode too well for me, considering I'm the oldest! But I love how easily Jones establishes that magic exist, because it simply does. 

For F56 I'm using Reading Joss Whedon edited by Rhonda V. Wilcox and others.
In an age when geek chic has come to define mainstream pop culture, few writers and producers inspire more admiration and response than Joss Whedon. From Buffy the Vampire Slayer toMuch Ado about Nothing, from Dr. Horrible’s SingAlong Blog toThe Avengers, the works of Whedon have been the focus of increasing academic attention. This collection of articles represents some of the best work covering a wide array of topics that clarify Whedon’s importance, including considerations of narrative and visual techniques, myth construction, symbolism, gender, heroism, and the business side of television. The editors argue that Whedon’s work is of both social and aesthetic significance; that he creates "canonical television." He is a master of his artistic medium and has managed this success on broadcast networks rather than on cable.

I really liked how this sounded and so far it is really good. Here is the F56:
'It is a good example of American Gothic work in that it presents the horrors of both physically misshapen monsters and monsters of evil intent but often located the latter among human, highly attractive (Glory), or seemingly mild (Mayor Wilkins) characters.' p.56

This is about the series Buffy, which I still haven't seen, boo me, but I agree with this on a theoretical basis. Everything I've learned about the literary Gothic genre matches the above statement, so I definitely think I will enjoy the rest of this book.

Follow Friday is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee. This week's question is:
Tell us about a book that you didn't like and why we shouldn't read it (as nicely and respectfully as possible).

Ok, this is probably not quite the answer that I should be writing but that's because I have to ask a question of my own. I started reading The Fault in Our Stars by John Green because it made my sister cry and everyone is talking about it, especially now that the movie is coming out. But I started it and somehow I just couldn't get into it. Somehow the tone at the beginning was too conversational and maybe I wasn't in the right mood, but it simply didn't grab me at all.


Alison Can Read Feature & FollowThere is just such a hype around the book that I feel it almost can't really live up to. I am also getting slightly tired of the beautiful romances we see in some novels. Is a man really going to stick with me if I tell him I don't love him, is he going to quote poetry to me and remember everything I said on our first date? Probably not, because I probably won't either. Sometimes I just wish that there'd be more realistic relationships in literature because although there is love and it's passionate, it is not always so dramatic. I remember that the relationship I saw in The Fountainhead or The Master and Margarita almost made me cry, but that was because they were restrained and possible, rather than over-the-top and perfect. And this is why I'm hesitant about starting TFIOS because I'm afraid it will annoy me.

So I guess my question is actually the other way round, why should I read The Fault in Our Stars?

So, how about you? Which book do you definitely not recommend?

Comments

  1. Hi there! I definitely understand why you dislike The Fault. Some parts were kind of dull to me, I really don't know why. Maybe John Green isn't my type of author or what, but I definitely do not enjoy reading some of his books :(
    New GFC follower. :) (I'm your 556th) Visit me?

    Jillian @ Jillian's Books

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  2. I refuse to read TIFOS just because of the crying factor alone. Nice to know I have someone else on board with me there. I am a new follower on Bloglovin and G+!

    Have a great weekend!

    My FF

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  3. I keep seeing The Fault is in Our Stars but have not read it. It just did not appeal to me.

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  4. Howl's Moving Castle! I re-read the book recently and just absolutely love the book =D Happy reading! Thanks for dropping by my Friday Book Memes :)

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  5. Well I feel silly. I've never heard of that book or if I have it didn't stick with me. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

    Lacie @ Rainy Dayz Reviewz

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  6. Definitely not a book I've heard of, but the title and excerpt are fascinating. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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  7. Oh this is a meme I need to join. I'm sad to hear that you didn't enjoy TFIOS that much. I blame all the hype though. I have read it when it first came out and it was such an amazing experience. Great post :)

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  8. I've yet to read The Fault in Our Stars, so I cannot help you there. It is on my TBR list, though. I'm honestly afraid of reading it. I hate over the top, emotional books. I'm always wrecked and depressed for days after. But I feel like with all of the hype, it's a must read. Bleh. Why do we torture ourselves like this?! Hah. Good luck if you try to finish it.

    Thanks for stopping by My FF! New follower via GFC and BlogLovin'.

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  9. Reading Joss Whedon sounds intriguing -- what a mind to produce such a range of material!

    I liked TFiOS -- but I did adjust my lens when reading/reviewing it and kept in mind that it was for Young Adults. I actually liked An Abundance of Katherines better ... have you read that yet?

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  10. Hi Juli,

    I really shouldn't be tempted by any more memes right now. I can't cope with posting every day, so don't even manage to keep up with the memes I already support ... Still I don't suppose it would do any harm to take a look!!!

    I haven't read any of your books, or come to that, authors this week and I am not altogether sure that they would really appeal to me, if I am being honest.

    I was always taught to believe that it is the middle sibling of three who always misses out and gets forgotten. The eldest will always be the favoured first born and the youngest remains the family baby, but the middle child somehow becomes lost in the equation and is left to fend for themselves.

    Hubbie is the middle sibling of three and he maintains this theory is correct, although I couldn't really say, as I am the eldest of myself and my brother.

    Interesting words anyway ... thanks for sharing and have a good weekend,

    Yvonne

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  11. I love the beginning of Howl's Moving Castle. I haven't heard of this book before so I will have to check it out. Have a great weekend!
    Happy Reading,
    Rebecca @ The Key to the Gate

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  12. Both books sound good in their own way, and I haven't read The Fault in our Stars so I couldn't tell ya... lol
    Happy weekend!

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  13. Hopping through. i didn't love TFIOS right away. It was a book that sort of sank in a few days after I finished it.
    My FF

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  14. I too have avoided The Fault in Our Stars. Personally for me it's because I just don't like sad books and don't want to cry and think about sad subjects. So I have no advice for you on that book!

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  15. I really want to read Howl's Moving Castle. I LOVED the movie so much and want to discover the magic in the book. Here are my Friday 56 and Book Beginning quotes: Anne@My Head is Full of Books

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  16. TFIOS is too overrated for me, but I did find the book okay. I hope you like it!


    New bloglovin and GFC follower! :)

    Our FFF

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  17. Eeep... I'm kind of in love with The Fault in Our Stars, but I do see your point!
    Great post! New GFC follower! :)
    Xo, - Cary.

    My FF Post.

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  18. Whew...I am glad I am the second oldest of eight. :)

    I don't know this book...thanks for sharing.

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My Book Beginnings

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  19. "it's not always so dramatic" Thank you! Amen to that. haha. I agree with you, can you tell, lol. I won't read The Fault in Our Stars cause my mom just got over cancer and I just don't want any sadness at the moment. Thanks for stopping by!

    ~Pam @ Moonlight Reader

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