Anna series - 5 Reasons To (Not) Read

There are certain series that seem to be YA must-reads and that everyone in the YA community has read and reviewed. But then a new girl comes in, one who didn't realise that YA was a thing until last September. I'm that girl. I saw all these reviews about all these series that everyone read and I felt the need to read them too. However, I discovered that just because everyone reads something, it doesn't mean it's right for you.

So hence a new kinda post: 5 reasons you should and 5 reasons you shouldn't read some of the most well known YA series. If you're new to the community, then first of all: HIII!! and second of all: I hope this helps you. I know I would have loved a post like this so I could objectively decide if I wanted to read these books. I'm not passing judgment on these series and won't say if I enjoyed them (though you're always free to ask). These series could be a great read if they're your kind of book - I'm just here to help you decide if they are.

Today, I'm discussing Stephanie Perkins' series that includes Anna and the French Kiss, Lola and the Boy Next Door and Isla and the Happily Ever After. Though all books can be read individually (they each focus on a different girl and romantic interest), they are a part of a series.

5 reasons to read

1. It gives you all the fluffy feels

Honestly, the best part of the Anna series (that's what I'll call it from now on) is all the feels it gives you. It's completely light and feel-good and it will make you "aaaw" while you're reading it. If you've had a long day and just want to read about other people having a way more exciting and happy life than you, these books are perfect.

2. It will give you travel envy

The books are spread over Paris, New York City and San Francisco, so there will be at least one location you will fall in love with and will want to travel to. (And it is still kinda summer, so that's perfect!)

3. There are some seriously hot bookcrushes to be found

Three different books means there are three different guys and everyone who has read the books has a different favourite: Etienne is a hot British guy living in Paris, Cricket is a quirky boy from San Francisco and Josh is an absolutely dreamboat (and artist!) from NYC. With that much variation, you're bound to find your new bookboyfriend. 

4. It shows real female friendships

Though the books almost completely focus on romantic relationships, there are some cute moments where we see the female narrator interact with her female friends. These are enjoyable scenes that show that female characters can interact with each other - even if it's mostly about boys.

5. It's well-written

Stephanie Perkins can write. This book has so many potential pitfalls for a reader (read the column next to this one to find what you might not love about it), but it is written so well. It's easy to read and you'll breeze through the books with just the right balance between description and dialogue!

5 reasons to not read

1. If you don't like romance, don't even pick it up.

I guess this is an easy one, but a really important one. As the titles suggest, THESE BOOKS ARE ALL ABOUT LOVE. If you're not interested in teenage girls falling in love, with all the expected issues that arise from that, then don't read these books, because you will just not enjoy it.

2. It's filled with clichés

Like I said, there are expected issues and there are quite a lot. Teenage narrators seem to have a scheme about how they are supposed to fall in love and all three girls follow that scheme pretty strictly, yet in different ways. Yes, there will be eye-rolling involved as a reader.

3. You probably won't like all the main characters

This was to be expected: all three female narrators are so different that you are bound to dislike one. The plus size to this point is that there is also a good chance for you to love one of them, even if they are all quite typical quirky YA girls.

4. They're kinda predictable

And these girls also make the books kinda predictable. If you want to be blown away with twists, then these really aren't the books for you. They're predictable, which can be good if you're prepared and looking for that, but if not, then pass these books.

5. A guy means a happy ending

There is quite a lot of character building done without guys, but as you can probably expect after reading all my points, a guy still means a happy ending. These girls' stories aren't finished until we know what happens with the guy. If you're going through a bitter phase and can't stand to see happy endings,then look away.   

Selection series - 5 reasons to read or not read!

There are certain series that seem to be YA must-reads and that everyone in the YA community has read and reviewed. But then a new girl comes in, one who didn't realise that YA was a thing until last September. I'm that girl. I saw all these reviews about all these series that everyone read and I felt the need to read them too. However, I discovered that just because everyone reads something, it doesn't mean it's right for you.

So hence a new kinda post: 5 reasons you should and 5 reasons you shouldn't read some of the most well known YA series. If you're new to the community, then first of all: HIII!! and second of all: I hope this helps you. I know I would have loved a post like this so I could objectively decide if I wanted to read these books. I'm not passing judgment on these series and won't say if I enjoyed them (though you're always free to ask). These series could be a great read if they're your kind of book - I'm just here to help you decide if they are.

Today I'm discussing The Selection by Kiera Cass. (I excluded The Heir, because even though it's officially part of the series, it deals with (mostly) different characters and is kinda a serie on its own in my opinion)

5 reasons to read

1. It's the perfect feel good book

Life sucks. We have work, school, tons of boring forms we have to read. Some days, you just want to crawl into bed and read a book that you will enjoy without it taking any effort to understand. That's The Selection series for you. It's easy, you breeze through them and there's enough fluff to make you feel wonderful whatever kind of day you have.

2. You like The Bachelor - without all the really creepy contestants? Here's a series that's basically one long episode.

Look, I can pretend I'm all high class and only like "important entertainment", but I love The Bachelor. I hate that it's so cliché and fake and brings together some of the worst people in the world, but I love watching it. It's addictive and you can't help but get involved in the romance aspect of it all. Same with The Selection. You'll cringe at points, you'll encounter incredible clichés, but you'll be too invested to stop reading. All you want to know is: will America get the prince?

3. There's not one boring page.

Relating to that previous point - you won't be bored. You might get annoyed or frustrated, but so much happens that there's no way to put the book down. I'm not a night reader but I also did a few all-nighters while reading The Selection. That's how good it is.

4. The prince is a totally hottie and sweetheart

Obviously, it's all about the girls. But when the main goal is to find out if they'll marry the prince, a cute prince is important too. And Maxon doesn't disappoint. He's cute, caring and incredibly nice. He was my favourite character of the book and it was so easy to imagine all these girls falling in love with him.

5. Dystopian + princesses + insane fashion + bachelor = fun

Do I need to explain this note? All those elements together? How can you not love it?

 

5 reasons not to read

1. America is extremely annoying.

Narrators are important; they basically influence your whole reading experience and even though The Selection world is awesome, America is not. At all. She's the most annoying, immature, read-too-much-Cosmopolitan narrator you can imagine. A lot of readers think she's too annoying and naive, while others appreciate her innocence. It's all about what you look for in a narrator, but be prepared that she's a cliché - and not a good one.

2. America's family is the weirdest and their communication is unrealistic.

America's family treats her like she is a toddler. This could be due to the fact that she acts like the baby of the family or that they are just overprotective. I personally skimmed all communication between America and her father, but it is kinda endearing if you're up for a sentimental parent/child relationship.

3. Some things are too dramatic.

I mean, this was bound to happen. The Bachelor is dramatic. Dystopian fiction is dramatic. The dresses are dramatic. Sometimes you just want to shout RELAX! to everyone. The good news is, they do calm down - eventually.

4. Easy ending.

The ending took a note from Game of Thrones. There were so many lose ends and people who were there that would be in the way so... yeah, if you've watched GOT, you'll know what that means.

 

5. You might not root for the main character.

Like I mentioned, I kept reading the books to see how to romance turned out, but I must say I wasn't 100% team America. If you want to absolutely relate to the main character, this is not your book. But if you want to see a very creative world and amazing side characters, you'll love this book. 

So what do you think? Will you pick it up? If you have, do you agree with my points?