50/50 Friday is a meme hosted by Carrie @The Butterfly Reads and I and focuses on the opposite sides of books (best/worst, differing opinions, etc). Every week will have a new topic and several advance topics will be listed in the tab labeled 50/50 Friday!
Today's Topic: Best/Worst Book You Read for School
Best:
I'm going with books that I've read before my college career because, as an English major, I've had the opportunity to read some awesome novels and it would just be too hard to choose!
The Giver #1
Release date: April 26th, 1993
Blurb:
"Twelve-year-old Jonas lives in a seemingly ideal world. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver does he begin to understand the dark secrets behind this fragile community."
I am so, so, SO glad my fourth grade teacher had us read this. It's become one of my favorite books of all time. I recently bought the box set of the whole quartet and it's SO gorgeous! They also made a movie a couple of years ago and if you haven't seen it (it's on Netflix) you MUST! The story is simply beautiful and speaks to the fundamental elements of a meaningful human life.
Worst:
This was relatively easy to pick. I was going to go with Brave New World (as I mentioned in the last 50/50 Friday, it's one of my least favorite classics) but honestly, that was so much easier to get through because it was relatively short and sweet compared to this. And, honestly, I typically enjoyed all the books I was required to read for school (weirdly enough).
Standalone to date
Release date: June 8th, 1949
Blurb:
"In 1984, London is a grim city in the totalitarian state of Oceania where Big Brother is always watching you and the Thought Police can practically read your mind. Winston Smith is a man in grave danger for the simple reason that his memory still functions. Drawn into a forbidden love affair, Winston finds the courage to join a secret revolutionary organization called The Brotherhood, dedicated to the destruction of the Party. Together with his beloved Julia, he hazards his life in a deadly match against the powers that be."
This is one of those books where I'm really glad I read it (and I got a lot out of it) but I would never, ever read it again. It starts off okay but once you get into the second and third part, it gets really weird for lack of a better word. With the recent political situation, it's been enjoying a reboot and while I definitely recommend that everyone read this, it remains one of my least favorite favorites (if that makes any sense!).
Have you read either of these? What did you think of them? What are some of your favorite and least favorite books you had to read for school? Make a post and link up down below!
Next Week's Topic: Best/Worst Book Read in March
Oh it's so amazing that you got to read The Giver for one of your classes, it certainly is an amazing book! :D
ReplyDeleteRight? I like to think I had some of the best teachers :) Thanks for stopping by, Marie!
DeleteI loved The Giver! The world was so vivid and I remember feeling so shook after reading it lol. I never had to read 1984 for school but the whole concept intrigues me.
ReplyDeleteMe too! The story is just so gorgeous. You definitely should read it! It's very strange but worth reading. Thanks for stopping by, Emily!
DeleteI’ve yet to read The Giver. I know I could fly through it so I really need to but, yeah. I loved 1984 but you’re right, I’m not sure it’s one I’d read again.
ReplyDeleteYes you need to read it! You could totally read it in a day or two, it's so short. Haha me too. It's so strange but at the same time, everyone should read it at least once. Thanks for stopping by, Jenny!
DeleteI liked 1984, but I didn't Have to read it which might make the difference.
ReplyDeleteI don't particularly remember any of our school reads, but I do remember always being pages ahead because we read out loud and kids who didn't read otherwise were so slow!!
Sometimes I think I would like books more if I wasn't forced to analyze them to a ridiculous degree (that's definitely the case for Lord of the Flies). Haha it was the same for me! I was always so ahead and it was a struggle remember not to spoil certain things. Thanks for stopping by, Stephanie!
DeleteOhhh. School reading! Being Australian we had a pretty different syllabus. I think reading for school my favourite might have either been the Hobbit or Matilda... Worst... I'm not sure??? Maybe Are You There God It's Me Margaret, just because it was a bit old and irrelevant by the time we read it.
ReplyDeleteOoo you got to read The Hobbit and Matilda for school??? That's so cool! Haha I remember reading Are You There God It's Me Margaret on my own and I'd agree with your assessment. While I'm sure it was great like two or three decades ago, it isn't the best now. Thanks for stopping by, Di!
DeleteThe Giver is such an amazing novel. I love it still. Same with 1984, I think it's such an important novel, though I understand where you're coming from.
ReplyDeleteRight?? It's so beautiful! I totally agree. Thanks for stopping by, Carrie!
DeleteSometimes I think the way we were taught certain books had more of an affect on how much we enjoyed it than just the book itself. I didn't read either of these in school, but did pick up both when I was older. I think The Giver would have been one I really enjoyed as a kid and 1984 would have been one where I benefited from group discussion.
ReplyDeleteMe too! There are some books that I don't think I would have made it through if I hadn't been analyzing it for a class and for others, it's the complete opposite. Thanks for stopping by, Alicia!
DeleteI haven't read either yet but I really should! The Giver sounds like something I'd love, and while it's a pity 1984 didn't quite work for you,I find it amusing that you'd still recommend it anyway. I get what you mean, though! Many people seem to have liked it and I'm certainly intrigued.
ReplyDeleteYou must!! I'd love to hear your thoughts on both of them! 1984 is definitely one of those books that you have to think about it's applicability while your reading otherwise you'll just get bogged down by the strangeness of it all :) Thanks for stopping by, Ruz!
DeleteI honestly forget about your 50/50 meme Laura but I really want to participate soon <3 I always think that I've read 1984 but you know reading the synopsis I realize I always think people mean the one with all the animals! hahahahha, so now you've got me intrigued!
ReplyDeleteIt would be lovely to hear your answers to some of the upcoming topics!
DeleteHaha Animal Farm is also amazing (I actually liked that one better than 1984 but I STILL have yet to properly review it). I'd be interested to hear what you think of 1984! Everyone seems to love it but I just can't get past the weirdness of the second and third parts. Thanks for stopping by, Dani!
I barely remember what I read in school. I think best was probably Animal Farm or Memoirs of a Geisha. Worst (or at least weirdest) was Maestro (it's really awkward reading about a teenage boys sexual awakening & coming of age in class)
ReplyDeleteCuriously, I never had to read Animal Farm but I've heard that it's a popular choice. I read it a few years back and really liked it! Ugh yeah that does sound really awkward. Thanks for stopping by, Bec!
DeleteI really loved both of these dystopias. I love creatively imagined new worlds and this is no exception. I can understood how it may not have been as enjoyable for you though, bothe books imagine a world gone awry but with good v bad intentions.
ReplyDeleteTori @ In Tori Lex
Haha yeah I've just never been good with books that get really weird. It's part of the reason why I avoid most magical realism now because it just feels so weird and I can't get over that feeling. Thanks for stopping by, Tori!
DeleteIt's funny because I felt the reverse with 1984! I got more intrigued when it got all twisted and weird and well, yeah. It really just messed with my mind but I have to admit I kind of liked it. The Giver world was a very interesting one too. The whole concept of a Giver fascinated my younger self.
ReplyDeleteReally? Haha I guess it takes a certain kind of reader. TBH, most everyone liked it except for me. Sometimes I just get weird about certain styles. Me too! Both the book and the movie are so beautifully done. Thanks for stopping by, Olivia!
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