Crank Book Review

Hey guys!

Last night/this morning I finished reading Crank by Ellen Hopkins.

(The old cover was way better but this is the one I own.)

Crank follows Kristina, a 16-going-on-17 year old girl. She's the perfect daughter: obedient, great grades, on track to graduate early. When away at her father's house on a court-ordered trip, she meets the monster: crank, also known as methamphetamine for those less educated about drugs like me.

I've read three Ellen Hopkins books before (Impulse, Perfect, and Tricks) and I loved them. All of them got 5 out of 5 stars. Crank, however, was somewhat of a disappointment. The main character really annoyed me. Some of her decisions seemed really stupid and something that wouldn't happen in real life, although this novel is based on Ellen Hopkins's actual daughter. The story was also very repetitive. It basically goes like:

Kristina moves.

Kristina gets high with her dad and new boyfriend.
Kristina moves back to Reno.
Kristina gets high.
Kristina gets high.
Kristina gets high.
Kristina gets high.
Kristina gets high.
Kristina gets high.
Kristina gets high.
Kristina gets high.
Multiply by 10.

The writing was beautiful as usual but the plot just bored me. What I did like however, is how Hopkins tackles the subject of teenage drug abuse. Unfortunately, I felt Ellen was trying too hard to steer teens away from drugs because of her personal experience with it. This was her first novel so she definitely has improved and I look forward to reading more of her other books.

Thanks for reading!

Hana

If I Stay Movie Review

Hey guys!

So today I saw the movie adaptation of If I Stay.

I would give it a C+/B- (7.5/10 stars). It wasn't the worst book-to-movie adaption but it wasn't the best. While watching it there was a lot of awkwardness. The transitions from past to present were awkward, Chloe's acting was awkward, and the voiceover was awkward. I think the best way to have presented the movie was to just have it be confusing in the beginning and then clear things up in the end instead of having Mia narrate. Another problem I had was that there were a lot of continuity errors and some of the logic didn't make sense.

I also didn't like how they made everything overdramatic. For the most part I liked Jamie's acting but sometimes he could be too dramatic. Additionally, some of the character changes that were made I didn't understand. For example, in the movie Adam was extremely selfish at times and it just didn't make sense. Kim was also downplayed too much. In the book she was a big part of the story but in the movie it seemed like her only purpose was to show that Mia isn't a total loner.

While all of these things added to the poor execution of the movie, my biggest problem was how they centered around the romance. Instead of focusing on Mia and her Choice, they focused on Mia and Adam's relationship. I felt that the book really wasn't about the romance and was about her Choice. Another thing that upset me was the ending. (Spoiler) I feel like instead of making the Choice herself, Adam made it for her. Adam wasn't the only reason she chose to stay, but the movie made it seem that way. (End Spoiler)

There was a lot I didn't like about the movie, but I did like some things. The (many) kissing scenes were great and there were a few scenes that I genuinely enjoyed. However, I do think the movie could have been a lot better.

Thanks for reading!
Hana

The Book Blogger Test

Hello! I saw this tag online so I decided to do it. :)

1. Bent spines, curled pages, long chapters
2. My bed with a mug of tea
3. I judge books by their cover, I tend not to read the blurbs of books, can't think of a third one
4. A month ago when I read Where She Went by Gayle Forman
5. I don't have a bedside table.
6. Ice cream
7. The Fault in Our Stars - John Green, Divergent - Veronica Roth, and The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman
8. Don't have one.
9. They mean everything.
10. Don't have one.

TTFN!
Hana

Welcome to my blog!

Hello!

My blog is going to be the place where I share my interests, book reviews, and more! I hope you enjoy what I have to offer. :)

TTFN,
Hana