The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han – The Book vs. The Show

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Read This:

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Watch This:

The Summer I Turned Pretty on Prime Video

Why We Made this Selection and Background Knowledge

Claire: I’ve heard of the book and knew it had been popular in the YA crowd for a while, but YA isn’t really my thing so I hadn’t read it.

Julie: None other than seeing people talk about the show. Once I saw the author’s name, I knew her from To All The Boys I Loved Before.

Before you say which you liked better, did you read the book or listen to the audiobook… because it matters.

Julie: Read the physical book

Claire: Read on Kindle

Overall Opinion of the Book

Claire: I confirmed my theory that YA isn’t my thing. Too much teenage drama. I also really didn’t like how the book kept going back and forth between her ages.

Julie: Overall I like it. It’s cute. Fluff like Cotton candy. Very predictable but not exactly relatable (at least not in my experience.)

Overall Opinion of the Show

Claire: I didn’t mind the show. I feel like they showed a lot more about Steven in the show than we learned about him in the book. We also saw a lot more of the mothers. There was some of that petty teenage drama that I can’t stand. But all that being said, I was also crying like a baby at the end.

Julie: I liked the show but it definitely made me feel old. It had a great soundtrack. I also liked the additional storylines.

Which was better, the Book or the Movie?

Julie: The Show

Claire: The Book

Ranking…

  1. Was the outcome the same in both the show and the book? No
  2. Was the main character/primary narrator the same in the show and the book? Yes
  3. Was the primary conflict the same in the show and the book? Yes
  4. Would you read the book again or recommend it to a friend? Julie: Yes, Claire: No
  5. Would you watch the show/movie again or recommend it to a friend? Julie: Yes, Claire: No

Overall rating: Julie – 4/5, Claire – 2/5

To listen to the full episode on The Summer I Turned Pretty check out But the Book was Better on Apple and Spotify. Don’t forget to subscribe so you know exactly when each episode is released!

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