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3.37 AVERAGE
3.37 AVERAGE
i did it! gave up on it being available at the library and just read it on my phone with the viagra ads. just what i expected, it was good and im glad i read it. the ending,,, wow. i dont even know what to say. on to the movie!
Spectacular indeed!
I'm blow away by this incredible, touching story. Review to come.
I'm blow away by this incredible, touching story. Review to come.
I feel like this book was good in a sense that it told the truth. That there are girls like Aimee and boys like Sutter. But on the other hand.. I wanted to read a book that took me away from the reality that I already know. I go to high school, I know what this story tells me already. The reason I read books is to escape reality. This book didn't do that for me but I never gave up on Tim, and yeah, I'll admit I liked certain parts but over all, I don't think I'll be reading any other books by Tim.
Very profound ending, but other than that the main character is a total loser and pretty much stays that way throughout the novel.
So I really like this book. I like how there are a lot of elements involved in the story. Some went a little overboard though, like Aimee's drinking and Sutter's denial/attitude, which is why I'm rating it 4/5 stars. But I like that there are different types of relationships represented, including inner/hidden feelings of a few of the characters. As much as it's about Sutter and Aimee, it's about the other characters, too. Same with it having romance but that only being one part of the book. I think most of the other characters were in the book sufficiently enough, except for Ricky and Bethany, I would have liked more about there relationship, but I guess that represents how distant Ricky and Sutter became after he started dating Bethany.
Now I'm thinking of what else to write here and I thought I should also mention that I saw the movie adaptation before I read the book. I wanted to read the book first but I decided to watch the movie when it came out because my brother rented it. I love the movie! It's one of my favorites! And it stayed in my head for so long that I waited for four years until it wasn't as clear to read the book! I'm definitely looking forward to watching it again!
This is one of the only books I've read with a teen romance, but none of the other times was I like squealing and giggling. With the other books I was only smiling.
I don't really know what else to say.
This is my full comment from an earlier update: Oh my goodness. Sutter and Aimee's relationship is so cutesy and I'm so overwhelmed with happiness and adoration; they're so precious! I'm fluttering with joy and emotion- the feels! The good feels!
But if only Sutter was not in denial about his true feelings and motivation.
Also, there are some damn funny moments! Example: "Aimee's eyes filled with actual dread." Example: "'Hey, Krystal, didn't anybody ever tell you that if you eat another box of Ding Dongs, your big fat butt's going to explode?'" I mean that's rude but it caught me so off guard!
Random fact: When I was typing that last quote it autocorrected the word butt. And as I just typed it again there is a red line under it. Weird. .. I'm on my phone if that wasn't clear.
Now I'm thinking of what else to write here and I thought I should also mention that I saw the movie adaptation before I read the book. I wanted to read the book first but I decided to watch the movie when it came out because my brother rented it. I love the movie! It's one of my favorites! And it stayed in my head for so long that I waited for four years until it wasn't as clear to read the book! I'm definitely looking forward to watching it again!
This is one of the only books I've read with a teen romance, but none of the other times was I like squealing and giggling. With the other books I was only smiling.
I don't really know what else to say.
This is my full comment from an earlier update: Oh my goodness. Sutter and Aimee's relationship is so cutesy and I'm so overwhelmed with happiness and adoration; they're so precious! I'm fluttering with joy and emotion- the feels! The good feels!
But if only Sutter was not in denial about his true feelings and motivation.
Also, there are some damn funny moments! Example: "Aimee's eyes filled with actual dread." Example: "'Hey, Krystal, didn't anybody ever tell you that if you eat another box of Ding Dongs, your big fat butt's going to explode?'" I mean that's rude but it caught me so off guard!
Random fact: When I was typing that last quote it autocorrected the word butt. And as I just typed it again there is a red line under it. Weird. .. I'm on my phone if that wasn't clear.
a reread, this book will always have a special place in my heart.
Check out my review of the movie and its comparison with the book on my blog!
I'm not sure what to think about this book. Okay, scratch that. I hated this book. Sutter was a conceited asshole (sorry). He never really changes throughout the book or learns a lesson, even with all of the crazy, life-altering things that happen to him that most people would probably learn from.
As far as characters go, they were all...okay. I didn't like Sutter, Ricky, or anyone in Sutter's family. Aimee was a little too naive girl for me and she was pretty flat. I didn't like how she was so dependent on Sutter. Aimee obviously could have done fine on her own! I liked Cassidy. She was probably my favorite character because she was kind, understanding, and the most realistic and unique character out of all of them. Everyone else just kind of sucked.
I didn't like that most of the plot revolved around Sutter's alcoholism. To me, that's not interesting to read about, since I don't support drinking, especially with teens. The book made it sound like drinking was somehow okay? I didn't like how Sutter was 'cool' because he drank. And with no consequences! It sounds like he drinks ALL THE TIME but for some reason can drive perfectly. Also, how many descriptions and mentions of his 7-UP do we need? Apparently about 100.
However, I did like how Sutter treated Aimee. It's really hard for me to find a book where the main male character isn't an absolute jerk to the female love interest and she just puts up with it. Sutter actually cared about Aimee, treated her with respect, and took all of her opinions and feelings into account. I mean, most of the time.
The plot of this book didn't really go anywhere. It just felt like a lot of random snippets of boringness that didn't really seem to matter in the long run, as Sutter never learned his lesson. Everything felt like it was unnecessary. I had so many questions, but literally nothing was answered. Which is not how I like books to be, especially books like this, where I don't think it's supposed to be really psychological and thought-provoking.
Unlike most people, I actually didn't mind the ending.
Overall thoughts: I did not like anything about this book except for Cassidy. Sutter was a horrible person and main character, Aimee had barely any personality, all the other characters sort of mattered, but then also mostly didn't. Plot basically didn't exist; this book seemed like it took me forever and it's only about 260 pages. Also, most of this book revolves around a glorified drinking problem. So...you tell me.
I'm not sure what to think about this book. Okay, scratch that. I hated this book. Sutter was a conceited asshole (sorry). He never really changes throughout the book or learns a lesson, even with all of the crazy, life-altering things that happen to him that most people would probably learn from.
As far as characters go, they were all...okay. I didn't like Sutter, Ricky, or anyone in Sutter's family. Aimee was a little too naive girl for me and she was pretty flat. I didn't like how she was so dependent on Sutter. Aimee obviously could have done fine on her own! I liked Cassidy. She was probably my favorite character because she was kind, understanding, and the most realistic and unique character out of all of them. Everyone else just kind of sucked.
I didn't like that most of the plot revolved around Sutter's alcoholism. To me, that's not interesting to read about, since I don't support drinking, especially with teens.
Spoiler
Also, I did not like that Sutter pressured Aimee into drinking.However, I did like how Sutter treated Aimee.
Spoiler
(Except for when he pretty much pressures her into drinking all the time too)The plot of this book didn't really go anywhere. It just felt like a lot of random snippets of boringness that didn't really seem to matter in the long run, as Sutter never learned his lesson. Everything felt like it was unnecessary. I had so many questions, but literally nothing was answered. Which is not how I like books to be, especially books like this, where I don't think it's supposed to be really psychological and thought-provoking.
Unlike most people, I actually didn't mind the ending.
Spoiler
I thought that Aimee definitely deserved better than Sutter, and he wasn't a complete jerk when he told her that moving to St. Louis wasn't going to work out. I also thought it was realistic. I don't like books where the guy and girl are perfect and get together in the end, because that's not how a lot of relationships work out. However, I didn't like how nothing else was resolved.Overall thoughts: I did not like anything about this book except for Cassidy. Sutter was a horrible person and main character, Aimee had barely any personality, all the other characters sort of mattered, but then also mostly didn't. Plot basically didn't exist; this book seemed like it took me forever and it's only about 260 pages. Also, most of this book revolves around a glorified drinking problem. So...you tell me.
The Spectacular Now is a vivid yet honest snapshot into the life of a party loving teenager. Full of loveable characters and lead with an authentic voice, Sutter Keely’s careless ways are truly tested when confronted with the challenging drama of his new girlfriend, Aimee, and the impact his drinking problems have on her new way of life.
Similar to John Green’s novels, with a tad more darker themes.
Similar to John Green’s novels, with a tad more darker themes.
I was expecting a lot more from this book. Probably because it's the movie trailer that sparked my interest but I suspect there a quite a few changes in the movie to make it better.
Sutter Keeley has some big problems. He's basically drunk all the time, constantly drinks and drives and he's subtly misogynistic. Can you even be subtle about that?
I really hate the way he differentiates Cassidy and Krystal. "But what really sets Cassidy apart is that she's so damn beautifully fat. And believe me, I don't use the word fat in a negative way." and "The fact is [Krystal's] very much a non-beautiful fat girl. Whereas Cassidy's voluptuous with grand monumental curves, Krystal Krittenbrink is what you'd call amorphous- a blob." Fuck. You. Sutter.
This didn't bother me at first because I assumed that Sutter would learn this monumental lesson not to treat people differently because of the way they look, but he didn't. (and yes, I understand that Krystal was not a good friend to Aimee. But that has nothing to do with weather or not her curves were "voluptuous") I don't think he learned anything at all. In fact, there is little to no character development with him.
At first I thought his intentions with Aimee were pretty noble- trying to find her friends, make her more social. In a cheesy way, I thought Aimee Finickey would inspire Sutter to be a better person but instead he just dragged her down with him.
I was pretty taken aback by how much drinking and driving happened in the book. And I was pretty pissed that there was literally no consequences for Sutter, at all. I'd really love to see him pulled over by a cop and arrested.
Ever since I read Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell I've been thinking about what it means to read through the eyes of an unreliable narrator. Sutter Keeley is the epitome of an unreliable narrator. He's so stupidly blind to the damage he does to himself and others that it's infuriating.
2/5 stars.
borrow it from the library. I'm still hoping the movie is better.
Sutter Keeley has some big problems. He's basically drunk all the time, constantly drinks and drives and he's subtly misogynistic. Can you even be subtle about that?
I really hate the way he differentiates Cassidy and Krystal. "But what really sets Cassidy apart is that she's so damn beautifully fat. And believe me, I don't use the word fat in a negative way." and "The fact is [Krystal's] very much a non-beautiful fat girl. Whereas Cassidy's voluptuous with grand monumental curves, Krystal Krittenbrink is what you'd call amorphous- a blob." Fuck. You. Sutter.
This didn't bother me at first because I assumed that Sutter would learn this monumental lesson not to treat people differently because of the way they look, but he didn't. (and yes, I understand that Krystal was not a good friend to Aimee. But that has nothing to do with weather or not her curves were "voluptuous") I don't think he learned anything at all. In fact, there is little to no character development with him.
At first I thought his intentions with Aimee were pretty noble- trying to find her friends, make her more social. In a cheesy way, I thought Aimee Finickey would inspire Sutter to be a better person but instead he just dragged her down with him.
I was pretty taken aback by how much drinking and driving happened in the book. And I was pretty pissed that there was literally no consequences for Sutter, at all. I'd really love to see him pulled over by a cop and arrested.
Ever since I read Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell I've been thinking about what it means to read through the eyes of an unreliable narrator. Sutter Keeley is the epitome of an unreliable narrator. He's so stupidly blind to the damage he does to himself and others that it's infuriating.
2/5 stars.
borrow it from the library. I'm still hoping the movie is better.
I really wanted to love this book. The easy-going way the main character narrates about high school made me remember the first time I read Perks of Being a Wallflower. I wanted to love The Spectacular Now like I loved that.
But I didn't. And I'm not sure why.
Actually, I do know why. It's because the ending felt hollow in my stomach, knowing it was the most realistic ending to a young adult book could give.
(Aside: But didn't Perks have one too? I don't know. I'm just feeling torn about this book!)
Since I had seen the preview for the movie before reading the book, Sutter in my mind IS Miles, and since I love Miles, I automatically loved Sutter. Sutter is a party boy, always looking for the next buzz and never really sticking with anything too long. When he accidentally meetings Aimee after an all-night bender, he finds a true friendship with someone he had always looked passed.
I liked that Aimee was a realistic person -- she wasn't the over-the-top nerdy outcast like Jamie in A Walk to Remember, but a genuine character with real personality traits instead of stereotypes.
The highlight of the book was Sutter's relationship with his sister. I wish it had been explored more in the book, and I wonder if the screenwriters expanded that relationship with more scenes in the movie.
After finishing the novel, I would definitely check out more of Tharp's work and I look forward to seeing the film version of this book soon. (If only I could watch it and not pay attention to the fact Aimee is played by the Secret Life of American Teenager girl
But I didn't. And I'm not sure why.
Actually, I do know why. It's because the ending felt hollow in my stomach, knowing it was the most realistic ending to a young adult book could give.
(Aside: But didn't Perks have one too? I don't know. I'm just feeling torn about this book!)
Since I had seen the preview for the movie before reading the book, Sutter in my mind IS Miles, and since I love Miles, I automatically loved Sutter. Sutter is a party boy, always looking for the next buzz and never really sticking with anything too long. When he accidentally meetings Aimee after an all-night bender, he finds a true friendship with someone he had always looked passed.
I liked that Aimee was a realistic person -- she wasn't the over-the-top nerdy outcast like Jamie in A Walk to Remember, but a genuine character with real personality traits instead of stereotypes.
The highlight of the book was Sutter's relationship with his sister. I wish it had been explored more in the book, and I wonder if the screenwriters expanded that relationship with more scenes in the movie.
After finishing the novel, I would definitely check out more of Tharp's work and I look forward to seeing the film version of this book soon. (If only I could watch it and not pay attention to the fact Aimee is played by the Secret Life of American Teenager girl