Finally! A book-turned-movie that doesn't disappoint!

As I mentioned before, a movie I was really looking forward to seeing was Warm bodies last month after spending Christmas vacation reading the book. I saw it with Josh and although they captured the main scenes in the book perfectly, it was a disappointment only because one of the main characters, the hard-ass who's dead on the inside dad was actually a normal guy. It may not seem like much but it was pivotal in the book. that among other things didn't do the incredibly dark-themed book justice. I guess I just can't see the movie if I already read the book. The next book-turned-movie that entered my life was actually perfect for me, not just because it's journalism related.

I already love Chris Colfer as Kurt Hummle on Glee so after seeing all the promos about his book turned movie and all the positive reviews he's gotten, I knew this story wouldn't disappoint, and I was right. while the Novel and Movie have a few scene differences (what novel-turned-movie doesn't?) the overall essence of the story was perfectly captured, sometimes life is a lot like lightning.

The novel is about a high school senior, Carson Phillips, and his experience during his senior year of high school. While the setting brings back memories of my final days as a Miramar Patriot, Carson makes it clear in the first few sentences how much he hates his high school peers' narrow mindedness and lack of desire to leave their small hometown. He also makes it clear that he wants to go to the prestigious journalism university, Northwestern University and become the youngest freelance writer for "The New Yorker".

The book is essentially a journal written by Carson Phillips, a sarcastic and sometimes rude high school senior who dreams of leaving his small (and small minded) hometown and become a journalist, a freelance writer for "The New Yorker", to be exact. Carson wasn't always rude and sarcastic, but he got a new demeanor when his parents divorced when he was very little, which would leave anyone bitter and resentful. Carson's ambition is fuelled by his grandmother who encouraged him to write around the time his family life was crumbling, thus his love for words was born.

It's like looking in the Observer's newsroom, except the picture has more people.

Now as a senior, Carson has the perfect application to send in for the early admissions deadline, when his high school counselor tells him that his impressive GPA and being editor-in-chief of the school paper isn't cutting it with the admissions board anymore and suggests he start a literary magazine. This task tests his perseverance because to write a literary magazine, he needed a staff to want to write, and his staff for the paper was already non-existent because none of the students were interested. after walking in at the right place and time to find two of the popular students in a compromising position, he gets the idea to blackmail every popular kid to write a submission for the magazine in time to meet the deadline for early admissions.

As the book goes on, the reader gets more insight as to why he is as cynical and dark as he is. his broken home of a life is something else I could relate to, because divorce is harder on the kids then the parents who "stay together for the kids." His booze-drinking, pill-popping mother isn't as enthusiastic for her son's future, and does something terrible to ensure that he stays where he is for college. Carson's father, who he hasn't heard a word from since the night he left, suddenly shows up, much to Carson's dismay, and finally Carson's grandmother who suffers from Alzheimer's gets progressively worse throughout the story, which takes an emotional toll on him, finally breaking down at one point questioning why everything comes so easily to people who don't deserve it, and people who work get so little in return.

His magazine is published, and although most of it goes unread, he sends a copy off to the admissions office, but what happens next takes the book a turn for the sad, and as it's shown in dates, Carson begins to write a little less and less because of the events. I won't say what happens in the end, because it would ruin two plot twists in the story. Some things are better left to be read than just told. (like when I wanted to know what happened in breaking dawn part two instead of reading it. what a spoiler..) The difference between the book and the novel is that in the book, the novel is being narrated by Carson, himself. In the movie, his mother finds his journal and starts reading it. how did she just find his journal? Let's just say, this book isn't called "Struck by lighting" for nothing.

For a good laugh, I highly recommend this book because Carson's cynicism is pretty hilarious. It's also a good book to help encourage to always look to the future, even if it's uncertain, it's better than being in the present looking at the past. as an avid reader and journalism lover, Carson is like a kindred spirit, and in the end, his ambitiousness had a greater impact on his peers than he would've imagined.

This isn't just another book that takes place in high school, the themes of the story go much deeper than that, which is why I highly recommend everyone to read the dark and funny work. In the book, the reader can actually read the literary magazine, and it's actually a good look inside what the kids who were being blackmailed into writing were feeling about their senior year, life and love. The movie was even funnier with Sarah Hyland and Rebel Wilson, who is hosting the MTV movie awards this year. Chris Colfer really was awesome writing this and directing the indie film, wish I could say there was a sequel to this, but oh well. see the trailer for yourself!