Monday, April 12, 2010

An open letter to Cliff Notes

Dear Cliff Notes;
I have a bone to pick with you! How can you sleep at night knowing that you are reducing an amazing literary work into short meaningless synopses? How can you look at yourself in the mirror and not be ashamed at the yellow and black stripes covering the beauty of what once was a great book?

I heard someone say recently that they felt so bad for all the great writers every time that they looked at you littering the shelves at book stores. I have to say I totally agree, how about you? Do you feel bad for them as well as you are sitting next to them? How about when you are chosen off the shelf and they sit to collect dust? You have to feel a bit of regret right?

You are trying to do a good thing, I know that. Your main goal in life is to help poor high school and college students who would rather stay up all night partying than dive into a good book. So, I do apologize  because I know your intentions as good. What you don't realize though is that you really are just  harming them. You are making it way too easy on them! I know that if they were forced to actually read a novel they would appreciate it and kick themselves for ever going towards you as the easy option.

So, Cliff Notes, do us all a favor and step down. Books have you beat by leaps and bounds, you know it and we all know it. Just admit it and go on with your life, which really would be much more fulfilling as whatever you will be recycled into anyways. Just think of the possibilities.....maybe you will be made into a real book! I hope so, I know you would be much happier :)

Sincerely,
All us book lovers!

BAD!!
Awesome!!! :)

5 comments:

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

I have actually posted that same library picture on my blog way back!! Love it.

And I agree. Cliff notes should be banned. I am proud to say that I never have bought or read a Cliff Notes version of something.

AWJ said...

Completely agree! Oh how I wish I had more time to read novel after novel on a daily basis... I want to read everything.

On a side note: I see you like Brandi Carlile... <3 <3 she's my favorite. Gah, I love her.

Heathrow's World said...

You have no idea how many times I've dreamt of arranging my books by color. But first I need to get enough books to make it look this cool...

crystal said...

Im glad everyone loves the rainbow book pic, its very inspiring to me. I have a ton of books and I don't think I could do it, so anyone with that many books is impressive to me!
Oh, and glad to hear there about another Brandi fan!!! :)

Mel's Way or No Way said...

One time I was so behind on school work and I tried cheating with Cliff notes (The Grapes of Wrath)and almost got busted. Luckily I had read a little of the book. I felt so guilty, I had to go back a really read the book.