A Book A Week

It has been a few weeks since I last read a thriller, and I've really missed them. Don't get me wrong, I've really enjoyed expanding my reading habits and exploring new authors and genres. I've gained a greater perspective of the literary world at large, and I'm happy to see such a diverse and fruitful crop of books. I've become a more well-rounded reader and will continue to vary my reading as the year continues. Still, I'd be lying if I said I haven't missed my go-to genre of mysteries and thrillers. There's something about flying through the pages of a good thriller that just can't be beaten. J.T. Ellison flew onto my radar a few years ago when I read her first take as a solo author Lie to Me. I had a few minor issues with that book, but really enjoyed the way Ellison played with her characters. In an attempt to read more from her and to quench my thirst for another thriller, I picked up her latest book Good Girls Lie.

Ashlyn Carr has had a tough run at life thus far. The young, English girl had a privileged but tragic childhood that culminated in the death of both of her parents. An orphan with no family to care for her, Ash turned to an unlikely place to take refuge. The elite Goode School in Virginia has historically been a place of learning for the intelligent and wealthy girls of the US. After completing a successful video conference interview with the school's dean, Dr. Westhaven, Ash was admitted to the school. Attending and living at the school will give her a shot at starting things over, making friends, and grieving for her past life and trauma.

At first, Ash is invigorated by the intellectual challenge the school provides her. She is a natural with all things computer-related, and the computer teacher sets up private lessons to foster her passion for the field. While excelling in academic rigor comes naturally to Ash, she is having a tough time connecting with the other girls. Goode prides itself on being the cream of the academic crop, but it can't overcome the societal norms that plague almost every school. The girls at Goode fall into hierarchal cliques that have a mysterious secret society at the very top. Ash instantly finds herself on the wrong side of senior girl Becca who is the unofficial head of the student body. The plot comes to a boiling point when one of Goode's girls is found dead, hanging from a spike on the front gate of the property.

Good Girls Lie is a twisty and tumultuous thriller that sees author J.T. Ellison tackle classism, grief, and the education system at large. She deftly shifts perspectives between present-day Ash, Ash's past, and the present-day dean Dr. Westhaven. Each chapter reveals a new ripple of revelation that tantalizes the reader with the feeling that everything is coming together. Just when I felt like I knew where this story was headed, Ellison would throw in another curveball. Ellison thrives at inhabiting her novel with characters who are flawed with complexities that have you questioning who, if anyone, to root for at any given point in the story. The plot of this one does veer a bit to the side of being outrageous and unbelievable, but I can forgive that in this case. The pages were turning so fast and I was so invested in seeing what happened next that I really didn't notice the unbelievability until I had finished the final page. Overall, Good Girls Lie more than satisfied my need to read a thriller and reminded me of why I often turn to this genre. Complex characters, a twisted plot, and a breakneck pace make Good Girls Lie a really fun read.

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2020, 25)

"I don't know how to live a normal human life."

Greg Gains has high school all figured out. The school is comprised of various cliques, and a student's social status within the school is determined by which clique they are in. As anyone who has gone through high school can imagine, finding your place within that enigmatic social structure can be quite the challenge. Greg has a simple solution. Rather than exhausting himself with the search for the perfect clan, Greg doesn't belong to any of them. By keeping a low profile, he avoids any of the complications that come with a social life.

With all that in mind, you may wonder how Greg manages this life of self-imposed solitude. The truth is that he isn't actually the loner that he seems to be. Greg has only one real friend, Earl. The two boys bonded over a love for classic films and spend their spare time crafting movies of their own. With a dysfunctional family to deal with at home, Earl has little time or interest in finding other friends. This makes him an optimal companion for the introverted Greg.

Greg seems destined to escape high school unscathed, but the titular dying girl comes along and changes everything. Rachel and Greg had the kind of awkward young love that was doomed from the start. He only ended up dating her because he was too peculiar to score the girl he truly desired. That was a while ago. His master plan of not belonging to any group meant limited interaction with people other than Earl. . . especially an ex girlfriend. Now that his mom has dropped the bombshell that Rachel has cancer, Greg feels obligated to reconnect and somehow cheer her up. There's only one problem. Befriending the campus's resident dying girl threatens the anonymity that Greg has desperately tried to achieve.

In Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, author Jesse Andrews defies the conventions of the teen romance genre with satirical wit and emotional heft. Any expectations that I had as I began the novel were immediately negated. Greg narrates the story with the kind of self deprecating humor that is both amusing and genuine. The story itself is not uncommon. It is the way that Andrews plays with our preconceptions of the story that makes the novel so compelling. While other books like The Fault in Our Stars use a cancer story to maximize dramatic and sentimental effect, this novel takes a more nuanced and realistic approach. In a genre that usually tries to inject some kind of deeper meaning into the narrative, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl dares to take situations at face value. By embracing the mundane nature of everyday life, the book is ultimately elevated to a remarkable commentary on death.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.

(2016, 17)

A review of a book to film adaptation. 

Lately, it seems as if Hollywood will do anything to produce a surefire hit. Instead of taking risks with original material, studios rely on established franchises and characters to draw in audiences. They have even gone as far as to completely remake or "re-imagine" previous films. And so, 37 years after Stephen King's debut novel, Carrie, was originally adapted for the big screen, we get another film version of his classic high school revenge story.

The film follows the shy high school student Carrie White (Chloe Grace Mortez), as she endures relentless bullying from her peers. From the start of the movie, we are aware that Carrie does not fit in. She is shy, quiet, and a bit awkward. At home, a religious and disturbed mother, played by Julianne Moore, attempts to shield her daughter from the sinful outside world. This sheltered lifestyle ends up being the root of Carrie's problems. While showering after gym class, Carrie experiences her first period. Terrified by the blood, she panics, having a meltdown that draws the attention of the entire locker room of girls. But instead of helping the frightened girl, the others mock her, throwing tampons at her, and posting a recording of the entire horrific incident.

One girl, Sue Snell, feels bad for the mistreatment of Carrie, and has her boyfriend ask Carrie to the prom as a way to make amends. Meanwhile, Carrie discovers that she has telekinetic powers that enable her to manipulate objects with her mind. Both empowered by this new found skill and terrified of its possibilities, Carrie wants nothing more than to be normal and to fit in. So, she accepts the prom invitation. The rest of the story is an infamous scene of the horrors of bullying and the revenge that follows.

This is the ultimate revenge story. The talented cast of this film help to make the audience sympathize with Carrie. As she exacts her revenge, we are drawn to cheer her on, even when the revenge becomes out of control. Despite its age, this story rings with social relevance, commenting on bullying, the power of social media and other technologies, and the basic human desire to be accepted by our peers. Fans of Stephen King, horror movies, and thrillers are sure to enjoy this well done remake.

Have you read the novel or seen the movie? If so, what did you think of it? What book adaptations would you like to see as a future Friday Flicks post?