V for Vendetta

I felt like the movie focused too much on action, and not enough on the dark, psychological themes of the graphic novel (which was more of like an atmospheric/gothic dystopian tale). The movie felt like a clear cut “good guy vs. bad guys” situation, while the novel was a little more nuanced in its approach to its characters, morals and dilemmas.

All Quiet on the Western Front

It taught me that war can cause someone to feel hopeless, and wonder what the point of anything is anymore. Like the part where the main character reads a book, and he sees it as “just words”.

Son of Rosemary by Ira Levin

I loved reading Rosemary’s Baby. I always wondered what their lives would be like with >!Rosemary raising her son (despite him being the Son of the Devil), and vowing to teach him how to be good.!< I was surprised there was even a sequel to it, and wondered why nobody talked about it. Yeah…there’s a reason.

I liked the concept of Rosemary waking up from her coma, and reuniting with her son after so many years. Even him being half devil added some interesting conflicts and dilemmas about nature vs nurture. But then it fell apart once the incest angle came into effect, there were some moments where it felt “fan fiction-y” in terms of describing her son’s success, some plot threads that just went nowhere, and DON’T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE ENDING.

Overall, it was a complete waste of time.

Son of Rosemary by Ira Levin

I loved reading Rosemary’s Baby. I always wondered what their lives would be like with >!Rosemary raising her son (despite him being the Son of the Devil), and vowing to teach him how to be good.!< I was surprised there was even a sequel to it, and wondered why nobody talked about it. Yeah…there’s a reason.

I liked the concept of Rosemary waking up from her coma, and reuniting with her son after so many years. Even him being half devil added some interesting conflicts and dilemmas about nature vs nurture. But then it fell apart once the incest angle came into effect, there were some moments where it felt “fan fiction-y” in terms of describing her son’s success, some plot threads that just went nowhere, and DON’T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE ENDING.

Overall, it was a complete waste of time.

I’d argue, at least in my opinion, that if a book you read years ago didn’t hold up as an adult, then it probably wasn’t that good to begin with.

With that being said, I’m in my early 30’s, and I’d read a good handful of Goosebumps books for the first time last year on Halloween. I found myself really enjoying them, and realized just how dark they were for children’s literature (especially The Haunted Mask). They gave me that nostalgic feeling of being a kid again, and reminded me of the times when I was afraid of everything. They did make me wish I’d read them as a kid, but I appreciated them all the more for pushing the envelope on the horror elements (especially for a younger audience).

Even if I’m not in the “target audience” (for lack of a better term), do I at least gain some sort of perspective or insight from the main characters? And are the stories themselves well written? If both answers are “yes”, then they’re worth reading no matter how old I am. That’s how I view it anyway.

When I was in middle school, the one book series that got me into reading was The Land of Elyon series by Patrick Carman.

The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton.

It felt relevant during the pandemic, and gave me a sense of catharsis when reading it.

I’d probably be into cooking, writing and learn how to brew beer.