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I must warn you that the following blog post may slightly resemble a book review – although without going too far into the actual plot, character developments or quality of writing. It also involves two blogs, both popular in their own right, with the aura of a c-list celebrity, one might be super excited to meet these bloggers, or then again, maybe not.

I recently had the pleasure of reading two somewhat enjoyable books, 'Petite Anglaise' by Catherine Sanderson and 'Julie & Julia' by Julie Powell.

'Julie & Julia' is the book from which the recently in theaters move was made, which I admit to not seeing yet. From what I understand there are mixed reviews on it – especially when it comes to Julie's life, and the movie is also definitely quite different from the book as well. The original blog from which the book stemmed from is still online, but almost all entries have been deleted, so you cannot even relive her failures and triumphs vicariously and in the past. This is the original and almost defunct 'The Julie/Julia Project', and here is Julie Powell's current blog.

How was the book? It was alright, a woman's tale of how she rediscovered her passion for life through cooking and blogging, putting herself and her marriage to the test. At times a little dull, I admit I hurried through it during certain chapters, but it ended without that satisfying feeling you get from finishing a good book. What started out as a a race, finished rather dull, like so what? She finished. It felt impersonal, as if halfway through the project she had indeed lost herself and brought about a superficial persona to finish  it off.

The first 'memoir' also leaves you with a chapter from her next 'memoir', a somewhat disturbing and stomach-turning account of her descent into crazy by working at a butcher's shop. Going into unnecessary detail about blood and bones and smells – definitely not on my 'must-read' list of books.

Further research reveals that Julie Powell indeed kept secrets from us, her readers, all along. A secret that is revealed in her second novel – clever marketing scheme to keep us hooked or a cowardly approach on the part of execs fearful of a values-oriented audience? Whatever the reason, I feel her omission kept the book from being personal. Truthful.

Julie Powell had an affair and didn't write about it in the book, neither was it revealed in the movie. And although I take the stand that she doesn't need to share every moment of her life in a self-professed 'memoir', it seems that this detail was important enough that it changed her way of writing, changed the open and welcoming style of her writing to that of someone with a secret, or a rudeness that was apparent to all but herself.

And I realise that this was the reason for the book feeling very superficial. The movie reviews say that the parts with Julie Powell seem boring, without heart or passion. Do producers not realise that make their characters personal – flaws and all – helps us, the audience, relate to them, even if we don't agree with their choices?

This important emotional turning point was left out of the book and the movie, and in turn makes Julie Powell, the character portrayed and the author in question, quite unlikable.

'Petite Anglaise', the blog, still contains all the archives from the beginning for you to peruse. The novel again has the same theme – of a woman rediscovering her passion for life through blogging, only this time, she left no emotion out, no feeling unturned.

Catherine triumphs, fails, cheats, breaks up, finds love, gets dumped, feels guilty, sad, happy – all in one tale. She does not shy away from any detail (although I'm sure every detail is not quite revealed, it does not feel like she withholds anything), from her blogging to her love life, she shares it all. Her writing is brave, fragile in a way the you don't pity her, but you get wrapped up in her life, like a good friend, you want to see her win the fight.

Petite Anglaise is very personable, very likable, and makes you want to go back for more.

I promise, there is a point to all this blather, and it simply comes down to this.

Likability.

Julie Powell starts off likeable enough, but progresses into someone who is hiding a secret not only from her husband, but also her readers and viewers. Catherine does not hide anything, she uses writing as therapy for her life's troubles.

When you read a novel or a blog, watch a television show or a movie, you invest your time in a character, a person, someone that interests you and makes you watch and read more. You go through things with this character, empathize with them, face hardships and have good times right along with them.

And when this character withholds something from you, you feel cheated. You feel as though you have wasted your time with something or someone, and you just don't want to bother anymore. You can tell when someone is lying to you most of the time, and why would you want to watch something fake, unlikable, and impersonal?

And this is where Catherine, or le 'Petite Anglaise', wins. Because although she may have not always had people on her side, she did it her way, not hiding her true feelings and passions from her readers, because that wouldn't be right. It's unfortunate that 'Julie & Julia' left a sour taste in my mouth, and that I won't be reaching for her next novel, but it comes down to likeability, and Julie just doesn't have it.

Sidenote: As I was writing this an old blog Miss Musing came to mind. The superficiality was upsetting for many people all around the globe, and I think that's something we can all relate to.