Amina

I’ve been a shameless skimmer for the better part of my literate life.  To be perfectly honest, I can count on my hands the number of books I’ve read thoroughly beginning to end, and, even as an adult, cannot rationalize devouring a 500 page novel once the trailer is already in full swing - it’s less time, and I don’t have to go through the trouble of being disappointed by on-screen misrepresentations.

A couple of overzealous college professors merely put the nails in the coffin…

12.25 TW

Purchase Gone Girl, Sharp Objects, and Dark Places here!

Despite my cynicism when it comes to leisure reading, there are books that even I can’t turn down for Ben Affleck and Golden Globe Nominations.  The ones that have helped me write college essays; the ones that have convinced me that no bad relationship is worth settling for; even the ones that were mere company in an indulgent plethora of self-fulfilling prophecies.  In fact, these books have left such an impression on my admittedly exaggerated view of the world, that they have accompanied me on every major journey I have taken in my twenty-something lifetime: college, new apartment leases, even semesters abroad.

Let’s just say, in the past month, Gillian Flynn has cost me approximately 7lbs. of luggage space and a hell of a lot more in travel expenses. 

Not only is she a skilled master of craft but she brilliantly straddles the line between heinously morbid and one hundred percent believable…in the best way possible.  As someone who swears by 90’s rom-coms, she’s convinced me to take a step into the darker side of life (no pun intended, I’ll leave the dark humor to Ms. Flynn, herself). 

Perhaps the most inspiring part of Flynn’s fairytale mystery trifecta is her anything but predictable career path.  Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Flynn attended the University of Kansas where she studied English and Journalism.  After a brief writing gig working for a California based trade magazine, Flynn made the move to Chicago where she received her masters in Journalism from Northwestern University.  She ultimately accepted a writing position with Entertainment Weekly (which she held for 10 years) before blossoming into the sick and twisted voice (that we know and love) behind characters such as Libby Day and Amy Dunne.

Grey.Line.7

She brilliantly straddles the line between heinously morbid and one hundred percent believable…in the best way possible.

Grey.Line.7

If you’ve become a Flynn Fanatic (like I certainly have over the past year) I’m not telling you anything you don’t know.  So why the bSmart-spiration?

It’s simple: She’s defined a space of her own.  Not only have Flynn’s critically acclaimed novels garnered massive success in just 8 years (which believe me, in writers’ time is crazy good) but she’s also completely changed the thriller/mystery genre for the better.  Sure, we’re used to reading about the intricately wired male characters gone wrong and surely their beautifully innocent and, in many cases, shallow female counterparts, but Flynn begs to differ.  Not only are her female characters psychologically unsound, they’re just as appalling as they are intriguing.

Flynn has reinvigorated readers everywhere by challenging the very roots of widespread social assumptions proving all along that female characters aren’t merely sexual objects and comedic relief, that New York City isn’t the only appropriate setting for downward spirals, and that despite our better judgment the best story is often the one that hasn’t been told.

So what is it you’ve been putting on the back burner?  Do yourself a favor - pick up a copy of Sharp Objects or Dark Places (because let’s face it, you’ve already gotten your hands on Gone Girl) and figure out how to define your own genre.

 

Amina is a Chicago-based blogger/writer who works as an advertising strategist in her free time. She graduated from Amherst College in May of 2013 with a degree in American Studies and is still very much in the process of decoding the post grad life on a daily basis. If you like what you’ve read on bSmart Guide, feel free to check out more of her work on her personal blog Yours Exceptionally or for post grad advice on the go, follow her on Twitter @Amina_Taylor. 

 

Comments (0)

There are no comments posted here yet

Leave your comments

Posting comment as a guest. Sign up or login to your account.
Attachments (0 / 3)
Share Your Location