2015 Reading Challenge [Closed] discussion

So I started off about 2 months ago watching the show on Netflix and fell in love with it. That's when I realized that it was based off of this auto-biography. I instantly started searching for a copy of the book at every used bookstore I could find and I finally found a copy about 2 weeks ago! I'm about half way through the book so far and it is nothing like the show, not that I expected it to be but I was a little hopeful that it would have funny parts in it. I am certainly enjoying the book and feel like a lot of that enjoyment comes from the fact that I have a BS in criminal justice so it is nice to have a personal experience to read about as far as the female side of corrections goes. I'm eager to see how the story plays out.

Brittany wrote: "So I started off about 2 months ago watching the show on Netflix and fell in love with it. That's when I realized that it was based off of this auto-biography. I instantly started searching for a c..."

When I finshed season 2 I too discovered the tv show was based on this book (I think that the author appears in one of the frames of the opening titles but I haven't spotted her yet!) and I had to read it because I felt I had to catch up with a huge chunk of the story but you're right, the book is just the foundation of the tv show but it is nice to recognize who was the original Red or Miss Claudette! Plus it is a proof of how unfair prisons are for the inmates in the States and how most of the times they're unliveable for them and it was interesting to read about something I never took the time to get interested into! :) I hope you'll like it!

I agree that it is very interesting! And I love that you can see some of the characters from the show, I think my favorite chapter so far has been "So B*tches Can Hate" where you get to meet Pensatucky and Crazy Eyes! haha

I read this for my 'book turned into a TV show' and I thought it was great! Loved the further insight into the show. Series 3 comes out on Friday! YAY!

Francesca wrote: "I read this for my 'book turned into a TV show' and I thought it was great! Loved the further insight into the show. Series 3 comes out on Friday! YAY!"

... This friday? I lost track of time!

little hands clapper wrote: "Francesca wrote: "I read this for my 'book turned into a TV show' and I thought it was great! Loved the further insight into the show. Series 3 comes out on Friday! YAY!"

... This friday? I lost t..."

Yeah!! I'm so excited! A+ gif usage there, btw!

I'm so happy that it comes out this Friday! I'll be sitting around with some yummy food, my lucky Buddha beer and binge watch all of season 3. sleep is for quitters lol

Brittany wrote: "I'm so happy that it comes out this Friday! I'll be sitting around with some yummy food, my lucky Buddha beer and binge watch all of season 3. sleep is for quitters lol"
You must have Netflix, don't you? Here in Italy we don't have that kind of luxury yet! >_<

Francesca wrote: "little hands clapper wrote: "Francesca wrote: "I read this for my 'book turned into a TV show' and I thought it was great! Loved the further insight into the show. Series 3 comes out on Friday! YAY..."
Ahaha thanks, is the only one that can properly translate my feelings! ;D

Brittany wrote: "I'm so happy that it comes out this Friday! I'll be sitting around with some yummy food, my lucky Buddha beer and binge watch all of season 3. sleep is for quitters lol"

Agreed! I have a similar plan!

You must have Netflix, don't you? Here in Italy we don't have that kind of luxury yet! >_<

Oh no! Are you still able to find and watch it online or do they show it differently in Italy?

I've been considering watching the show for a long time now and thanks to you I just discovered that it was based on a book! I think I'm going to read the book and then watch the tv show, do you think it is a good idea?

Sophie wrote: "I've been considering watching the show for a long time now and thanks to you I just discovered that it was based on a book! I think I'm going to read the book and then watch the tv show, do you th..."

I think that's a great idea! I will warn you though, when you watch the series, it's very different from the book. Some of the characters are still there and the basic premise is the same but the story goes in a different direction and there are a lot of things that are added for more drama or more comedy. I read the book recently after already watching the first 2 seasons and noticed how different they were. I didn't mind and still love the show and enjoyed the book but you might want to be aware of that before you go into the show.

Sophie wrote: "I've been considering watching the show for a long time now and thanks to you I just discovered that it was based on a book! I think I'm going to read the book and then watch the tv show, do you th..."

Sophie, I completely agree with Francesca! They have the same basic story line (middle-aged, middle class, white female in prison, and we are hearing all about what happened to her) but as far as all the extra things as far as comedy and drama that's where things start to differ. I don't necessarily think this is one of those combinations that you HAVE to read the book first, as far as actual details go they are kind of in way separate areas of the same universe -- if that makes sense. like not all of the characters are in the book, but if you do read it first it will make it easier to keep the characters straight of who is who because a good portion of the names are changed from book to show lol.

Thanks for your warnings! I generally like it when books and tv shows are different (like Dexter), because when you finish one of them, you can still have another bit of the story with the other.

I've never really been interested in the prison world and I feel uncomfortable with injustice or bullying, but I want to get out of my comfort zone this year, so it is a good opportunity to do it! :)

Well if you're looking to step away from your comfort zone then I highly recommend this!!! Especially as a female - even though I personally have never spent time in jail/prison or any form of correctional facility - I still feel like I connect with piper on some weird level...I think the best quote from the show (haven't seen it in the book yet) is when one of the guards was like "I'm no different than you, we all do illegal things, I just didn't get caught for mine". it is definitely a read that makes you think about everything you've done in life that could have potentially got you in some sort of trouble.

Francesca wrote: "You must have Netflix, don't you? Here in Italy we don't have that kind of luxury yet! >_

Oh no! Are you still able to find and watch it online or do they show it differently in Italy?"

We usually wait for it be be uploaded on a streaming site I must admit. Although I've heard we're going to have access to Netflix next year so, everyone, fingers crossed for your fellows Italians! ;)

man that's awful! hopefully they get Netflix for you guys soon!!! I always seem to find the streaming sites that are in different languages like Russian or Chinese lol

So season 3 was posted last night, my friend stayed up to watch the season premier...she said she cried! I am so happy that it is Friday and I can go home from work and watch it all night!! anyone else have plans to start season 3 tonight/this weekend?

Brittany wrote: "man that's awful! hopefully they get Netflix for you guys soon!!! I always seem to find the streaming sites that are in different languages like Russian or Chinese lol"

Ahahah no, luckily we get the streaming in English and good souls waste their days translating the episode and adding the subtitles in Italian! :') I understand English quite well but all those different accents in OITNB confuse me! D:
I'm planning to watch the premiere tonight, AH! I'm so excited!!

I'm going to be watching it from the moment I get home from work tonight! I don't want to be up too late tonight though so I may end up watching some tomorrow as well but I'll have to wait and see just how hooked I get tonight! Haha!

You're not the only one! When I first started the show some of the accents got me confused too, I had to back up a couple of scenes because I missed what was said lol.

That's it then, see you all on the other side!

oh I love that!!! I never figured out how to put those in my comments :(

Brittany wrote: "oh I love that!!! I never figured out how to put those in my comments :("

< img src="" width="" height="" alt="description"/ >

This is the code, copy and paste the url of the picture/gif you want to add between the two "" after src= and then delete the spaces between < img and / >

Hope you understood, it is a bit tricky to explain!

ok, here it goes...

Brittany wrote: "ok, here it goes...

"


YASS!!!

the one I wanted didn't work and I'm not sure why, but I found that one and just replaced the url! yay!!!

Piper Kerman is absolutely amazing. Thanks to Francesca, I found her on twitter and told her how much I love her book and asked her how I could become more involved in the prison system (I have a degree in criminal justice) and she responded! just wanted to share with everyone how awesome the real Piper really is. #CJreform

Brittany wrote: "Piper Kerman is absolutely amazing. Thanks to Francesca, I found her on twitter and told her how much I love her book and asked her how I could become more involved in the prison system (I have a d..."

That's awesome! Oh, I'm so happy for you and glad I could help!

I'm so excited that the new series is out!!

Me too! I'm curious to see who this new character is! and I'm DEFINITELY curious to see how they are getting a third AND fourth season!

I just finished the book, and really liked it! I understand why some people criticize the fact that she was "privileged" being pretty, blonde and middle-class and that her experience in prison was very easy compared to other people's, but it didn't bother me. I was a bit reluctant of reading a book set in prison, because I don't really like to read hard and difficult stories. I read to change my mind on everyday life, and not to depress myself! But this book was perfect in this way, I made me think about the prison system and the alternative ways we could use to make people reflect on their crime, but didn't depress me. I particularly found thought-provoking the way that inmates are absolutely not prepared to return to their previous life. I liked the way the story was written, quite matter-of-factly and adding not unnecessary dramas, but still with humour and emotions.

Starting to read this today! I love the show so it'll be interesting to see the real story behind it.

I'm so happy you enjoyed the book Sophie! I felt the same when I realized just how unprepared most (if not all) inmates aren't prepared to return to normal life outside of a prison. It's honestly a little heartbreaking and makes you really understand why there is such a high recidivism rate.


Erica, I'm sure you'll love the book if you enjoy the show, the most important thing is to understand early on that although the show is based off the book...it is very LOOSELY based on it lol.

I liked the book a lot, but I definitely think the show is better.

Look what I've found! Apparently it is the real Alex Vause's memoir!

Annamaria wrote: "
Look what I've found! Apparently it is the real Alex Vause's memoir!"


That's pretty snazzy. I'm definitely going to try and snag a copy of this to read!!!

Having now read the book and watched the TV show, I will begrudgingly admit that I preferred the show. This never happens. I am a staunch "the book was better" critic but I feel that the show's creators really did an excellent job bringing this story to life and filling in the gaps and loose ends that are inevitably left as real life transpires. While I didn't expect Piper and Nora to rekindle their relationship as shown in the show I did expect a more significant impact and more revelation regarding this interaction. That part of the book fell particularly flat for me and left me lusting after the show instead. I do however think it is great that through this show and book a discussion about prison reform and how we set prisoners up for reentry with our current practices has received much more attention.