As most of you have probably heard or at least seen the endless stream of memes and comments both negative and positive... there is a "new" television series gaining popularity in 2017 and it is: "13 Reasons Why." If you've read the wonderful book "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher, you probably tried to watch the TV series thinking it would be the same or at least mimic the book to your liking - you would be wrong.

This television series is a downgrade from the interesting book as it is aimed for the populous to enjoy, so a lot of elements that made the book great have been deleted from the TV series. The first thing that people find an issue with the television show is the graphics, which people claim to be triggering to those actually suffering from suicidal tendencies and thoughts. To this argument, I say chill. Horror movies and other TV shows show such graphic content within their plot and no one ever calls that triggering or anything. Just because the show is about a girl who commits suicide and is raped people are using it as a way for them to point fingers and call it terrible for being honest and showing the truth in such mental disorders and life events. Truth hurts. If you feel triggered by it, then don't watch! Super simple, if you are intelligent.

Secondly, people say that the show is not as good at the original book. This argument, I agree with. "Thirteen Reasons Why" is one of my favorite books that I have ever read because it is relatable and emotional, therefore making you think deeply about your actions and others' actions. The TV show just uses actors/models to tell the story in order to gain viewers and popularity for the show. They over-extend the premise of Clay watching the tapes into episodes, which defeats the purpose of the book having Clay listen to the tapes in a somewhat quick manner to get to the point. The show is just stretching the plot so it can make more money and gain more views.

I also find it hard to enjoy a show or movie of any kind if the book that occurred beforehand is much better and more intriguing. Reading a book brings you into that life more so than a movie or TV show, so one cannot truly experience "Thirteen Reasons Why" just through the show. I recommend reading the book before thinking about watching the TV show so you know the true plot and point of the book instead of watching the show first and thinking that is all the book is and it is not as deep. The book explains the plot better and actually gives the reader the meaning of the lesson they are trying to teach.

This lesson is: some people are suffering from serious mental illnesses like depression and suicidial thoughts due to actions occuring in their lives.

Be nice! Don't bully!

Even though you should already know that, the book really hammers the lesson into your head more so than the show. I am sure those who participated in the show probably believed they were doing good and spreading awareness or possibly are making something better than the book, but this is untrue. Books are always better than the movies or TV shows - there's no point in arguing.