In Darkness: Week Of 5-12-14

Prompt: Do you like what your reading? Why or why not?
Pages Read: 1-80
Author: Nick Lake

     In my opinion I am truly finding this book entertaining, but that does not mean I am liking it. Like I am enjoying it because of the different emotions it is giving me which I find entertaining. Also I just started reading this book so I am neutral on it. I still have a lot to read but the plethora of pages I have absorbed was breathtaking. This book, I will admit, is a little over dramatic. It looses it's realistic feeling. I think it is the drama that is giving me these surprising emotions though. I like reading books that are able to control my emotions.

     This book is taken place in Haiti when the most recent earthquake happened which is in 2010. The author, Nick Lake, was inspired to write a story about a person being trapped in the rubble of a hospital. Which we are introduced to the main character and his thoughts while being alone in the dark inside the rubble. In his point of view, he tells us how he got to the hospital in the first place, his tragedy of loosing his sister and father, and his faults. It is surprising how much this boy has experienced at a very early age. An age that is younger than me. This book leaves me wondering, are there people like that who actually think like him and do actions like him? It just leaves my brain wondering off during reading the book because of the surprising actions of his. This book will suck you into the pages. It will not let you go. Maybe after you finnish reading it but my prediction is that you would need some time to recover from what happened. It is basically playing with my emotions.

     Overall just by based on what I have read so far, yes, I do like what I am reading. I might need to get my own copy of it myself. I also hope in the end there will be a happy ending. That is what I am hoping but not what I am predicting.

40 Book Adventures

   

     In my class I have been assigned to read 40 books in the beginning of the school year until the end. We were given a chart where it tells us how many books of which kind genre we are expected to read. The reason for this being would be because my teacher wanted to expose us to different kinds of books. This is called the 40 Book Challenge. I think that is a marvelous idea. Even though some of us didn't make it to 40 books. Also we only have 15 days before the school year ends, it pretty much already ended. Some of us did not make it to 40 books, and I am one of those people. I have read 27 books out of the whole school year. Although the goal is just to motivate you to read more and to get you exposed to other types of genres that you normally would not read. I have actually read much more books than I usually do in the school year. In the summer I read way more. I guess that would be because in school our whole life time is taken up by school, school work, and sleep. This year, though, it was different. I made much more improvement.

    Compared to any other school year I did a spectacular job. I pushed myself to do the 40 book challenge because I would like to be proud of myself. Even though I did not complete it. I still did MUCH better than in sixth grade. Out of the scale of one to ten, I deserve an eight. That's how much I have improved from reading throughout the school year compared to seventh grade.I would get a nine if I made it to 40 books and a ten if I went past it. Also the books I chose for this challenge were my expectations. The genres allowed me to go into a higher reading level. Some books I would lose interest in but in other books I would find myself at exasperating cliffhangers. Thats what I like in a good book. I like that the 40 book challenge was not taken for grade but just for our own good. I thought that was a creative way to get competitive with yourself and have more exposure to other books.

An Abundance of Katherines: Week of 5-5-14

Prompt: Prove what the author is trying to tell you about life. (The moral of the story)What is your favorite part of the book you're reading? Why?
Pages Read: FINISHED
Author: John Green


     I think John Green is a very interesting author to study his writing. He always has this theme going on in every one of his books. I am actually surprised death wasn't involved in in AAOK. There was a really good moral in the story that I think everyone should know. I think the moral of the story is best described by a saying that is well known everywhere. "Don't judge a book by it's cover."I will just switch it a little to, "Don't judge a book by it's title." I think this saying matched the book because in the beginning Colin has a type he only likes girls who are named, Katherine. Specifically Katherine, K.A.T.H.E.R.I.N.E it has to be spelled that way, and pronounced that way, of course. Colin has been dumped by ALL the Katherines he has dated. In total they are 19 Katherines out of 19 people he has dated. I guess that is a sign for him to date different girls but he does not understand that.

     My favorite part of the book was when Colin and Hassan were about to meet Lindsey's friends. While the three of them were talking Lindsey left to go get her friends. While Lindsey and her friends were walking towards Colin and Hassan, they quickly quickly set up a story pretending to be someone else. Colin was visiting America from another country and did not speak english. Hassan is his translator assistant. When Colin spoke in a different language, Hassan did not understand so he just made up funny stuff. Until eventually he went overboard.

     I thought this scene was very funny and creative because Colin and Hassan did not really discuss what they would do. They just discussed their character of what they will pretend to be. I thought this scene showed true friendship and creativity. It also reminded me of the kind of friendship I have with my friends, Ebony, Nora, Emily, and Fran. We always go with the flow. We understand each other, and we are not afraid of doing random embarrassing stuff around each other. We just like to have fun. Just how John Green put an amazing fun-packed adventure in AAOK.

   

Of Mice and Men: Week of 4-28-14

MAJOR SPOILER!

Prompt: What makes the story meaningful?
Pages Read: FINISHED
Author: John Steinbeck


     There are so many things that makes the story meaningful. Especially the ending which stands out for everyone. Since I read this book with my class and I had my teacher guiding me through this novella, I was able to evaluate the story more. We went more into depth of all the character's thoughts and emotions. Even though some of our assignments and brainstorming was difficult at the end there were still good points in the story. If I were to read this novella without some guidance and thoughts from others I would not see the true meaning and value of the book.

    What made the story meaningful was that the combination it had. It had friendship, historical fiction, humor, and friendship. Yes, I know I already wrote friendship but that's what stood out to me the most. Friendship also stood in the characters in this book. Like when the characters talked to George about how it's interesting that he and Lennie travel together. Friendship stood out to them too. Most men during this time period are independent. They travel from ranch to ranch working and more work. George, him being the smart one, I am surprised that he has not left Lennie. Like George said, "God a'mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy." Lennie is basically dragging George. Yet, despite the complaining that George always does, he does not leave Lennie. Lennie suggested to leave him alone and he can live in a cave with no ketchup, but George refused him to leave his side. That is showing friendship, and humor.

     At the very end, something very odious happened. Lennie was killed by George. Lennie kept causing trouble that eventually he went overboard. He had killed Curley's Wife and the men from the ranch including Curley wanted to go kill Lennie. Instead George killed him. Better have George do it than the others because Lennie would be mad at George for letting them kill him. Instead he would probably understand why George was the one to do it. Also I don't think the men would just kill Lennie. They would probably want to torture him first. I know most people won't agree with me on this but this is just my opinion.

     Another thing that made it meaningful was how Lennie got killed. We know he was killed by George, but while they were talking by the Salinas river they were talking about their dream. George was telling Lennie to imagine their ranch they would soon own. While they recited their dream Lennie was killed in that moment. He died living in the dream. It was not something George wanted to do but he had to. This novella showed me that friendship is highly needed for everyone and there are risks when bonding with another human being.

"We could live offa the fatta the lan'."

An Abundance of Katherines: Week of 4/21/14

Prompt: Evaluate the quality of writing. Write a quote from what you are reading that has special meaning to you. Explain why you chose this quote.
Pages Read: 27-125
Author: John Green

     In my last blog post I have mentioned something about John Green's writing style. I think I have figured out his writing style. His writing is most of the time in one of the main character's point of view. (Remember I have only read two books of his and I am currently reading another so this evaluation is not official.) All of the main characters from each book seem to be educated. Even in those characters who are not as smart as the others in some parts of their dialogue it seems proper. Even when they are not talking, sometimes it's when they describe a scene or a memory they've had. It just seems like the characters are really smart. Then I wonder if it is just the character that has that kind of persona or if the author, John Green, is conveying his persona into the character. Is is like a child getting a gene from their parent. In this case the book is the child and Green is the parent. I find Green's writing style very fascinating... and hurtful.

"That smile could end wars and cure cancer."

     This quote stood out the most to me because I just thought it was very sweet of the main character in AAOK to describe Katherine XIX like that. It means her smile to him was very strong and beautiful. I also find special meaning to this quote because it makes me think about the people who do not seem to smile that much but when they smile it is the best thing you have seen of them. A smile can hold so much meaning, even sadness. It would hold sadness but for me I can tell a real smile from a fake smile. A real smile would mostly have the person's nose scrunched up a bit. Of course, I am not always right on that.

     In conclusion what this quote has taught me is to smile more and try to make other people smile because a smile is good look to have on. It is one one of the fashion styles that NEVER runs out of style. Please listen to the message that I send to all of my readers. Have a smile because it suits you and everyone.

An Abundance of Katherines: Week of 4/14/14

Prompt: What is the book about? How does this connect to your life?
Pages Read: 1-27
Author: John Green

     I am trying to read all of John Green's books. One of my friends, Ebony, is reading all of them and has got me convinced to try and read all of them. I have read Looking For Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars, now that I am reading An Abundance of Katherines I see a unique writing style that only John Green conveys. It is hard to explain but I am getting familiar to his writing.

     An Abundance of Katherines is a book taken place in Chicago. Colin Singleton has special interest in girls named Katherine. Well, the book starts of with Colin being dumped by Katherine XIX. Right after graduation of senior year he is heartbroken.
His friend, Hassan, thought of the idea of going on road trip to have Colin forget about his break up. Adventure takes on as these two friends go out on a road trip.

     This connects to my life because my aunt had gotten heartbroken once, after getting married. We tried to cheer her up in many ways but none helped her. She was very depressed and we feared for her. She would do many bad things that were unexpected. At first she would stay in bed the whole day then she started going out and making a bad influence on many. My uncle (her cousin) then came from texas and took her with him so thst she may start a better life all over again and forget her past. It worked. She is all better now. My aunt now moved back over here and works as a doctor.

Shadow and Bone: Week of 4/7/14

Prompt: Tell me about the main character. What kind of person he or she is?
Pages Read: 189-230
Author: Leigh Bërdugo

     The main character in this book is Alina Starkov. She has been introduced to a whole new life that she knew existed but have never been in it. When she found out she was a Grisha she refused to believe it. She still refuses to believe it. Alina has always looked at all Grisha girls and guys so beautiful and well-mannered. To herself she is none of that. She is a special type of Grisha, though. A very powerful Grisha out of all of them. She is very special because she may be the key to defeat the darkness. Since she is special she must be well protected form anything. A lot of people want to kill her so, many troops come to her rescue. Just for her. Alina still refuses that it is a mistake that she does not have any powers. She is not Grisha material. Her many adventures are so tiring. It seems as if this whole new life was thrown at her face saying, "Take that!"

     Although Alina has faced many dangerous adventures she is still brave enough to face them all. In an unexpected situation she intends to figure out a way to get out. In one situation someone was attacking her. She started fighting with him trying to protect herself. If it were me I would have just been screaming hoping my scream will save my life somehow. Alina is also very curious. She cannot control what she will say. When she has a curious question it just escapes her mouth. Just how Alina blurts out every question to the Darkling. I do not blame her thought because she has been through so much and who wouldn't be curious to find out who you really are.

     Alina has been having a crush on he best friend Mal for a long time too. She really does care for him. She also blames herself for not trying to save one of her friends. This shows that Alina is very caring for the people around her. Just how she hates to dissapoint to disappoint all of the other Grisha. They expect so much from her and her powers yet she doesn't know anything about t herself. Many are just hoping that her sun summoning will rescue them. Alina hopes she keeps everyone's expectations.

The Curse: A Poem Inspired by TID

Book Series: The Infernal Devices
Author: Cassandra Clare

Since I am dying of boredom, I would like to share a poem that was inspired by The Infernal Devices. I wrote it myself a long time ago.

A heart shattered

in my own hands,

In my own grief

and in my own lands

Though it is not my fault,

It is the curse set in me,

It is the curse that takes control,

Yes,

I am aware it is still my choice

That is why I am in a hunt,

In a hunt for the demon,

The demon that set this curse,

This curse is what keeps me from my love,

My love so beautiful and free,

And free is what I wish to be

You see no one will understand,

So this is what I command,

LEAVE ME ALONE YOU MONSTER

You wouldn't care at all!

I won't get fooled again,

I will not take the fall.

This is based on one of the main characters, William Owen Herondale. It is in his point of view, of course. Will is convinced he has this curse in him set by a demon. The curse is that anyone who comes to love him and him to have love in return for that same person, his lover will die. It does not even have to be a lover it can be a family member whom he loves as family. Meanwhile, Will feels love for Tessa but he is being mean to her on purpose so that she won't fall in love with him. Will is saving Tessa from death, basically. Until eventually he can't control his feelings anymore so he sets out on a hunt for the demons who has set the curse in him.

Shadow and Bone: Week of 3/31/14

Prompt: Who is the most interesting character in the book and why.

Pages Read: 1-189

Author: Leigh Bërdugo

     First of all, I recommend this book to ALL Shadowhunters out there. If you are part of the TMI fandom you know what I mean. The reason I recommend this book to all the Mortal Instruments fans would be because they are so alike. Well not really but in a way they are. Obviously, I am part of the TMI fandom and I am LOVING this book. I really do not want to spoil anything so in order to see if it is your kind of book you have to read it.

     My prompt is more of an opinion so I don't think many others would agree with me. On that note the most interesting character so far is The Darkling. He is a very powerful Grisha who is in a very high class. A Grisha is a person who has special powers. The Darkling is a very powerful Grisha that is known to not show mercy. In the book he is described as handsome and young but who has lived many years because he is immortal. There are many other dark rumors of him therefore many people fear him. The main character, Alina, has to travel for a long time with him. She has experienced many adventures with him and so she fears him. Although he has saved her life that overcame her fear to trust him. Alina is just afraid she might disappoint him.

    The Darkling is very interesting to me because he seems very dark and mysterious. I also like that he shows not mercy. Although he kills for important reason. I loved how he took action to save Alina by cutting a man in half which is called the Cut. That is just the beginning of his power so that is not much of a spoiler. He might be very strong but also has feelings so in a way I feel as if he is living in a curse. I can't explain why because I do not want to spoil it for the Shadowhunters.

My Reflection on Poetry Unit

Sarai Zamora

3•4•14

Poetry Reflection

Poetry can really inspire lot of people in many different ways. A way poetry helps me is to get excitement out of my system. I once wrote a poem based on a book series called, “The Infernal Devices.” I am such a huge fan of these books that I can get very exhilarated while reading them. Sometimes I do not feel elated at times, so instead I write something unplanned that sort of relates to my situation. I never usually want to write my full life into it because I love using my own imagination and keeping my life incognito. 

Even though poetry could help me in a variety of ways, poetry is not meant for everyone. I know this because some people do not have minds that would go that far. Maybe they do have the mind but prefer to do something else than writing. Some people may express themselves in writing put not in poetry form. I know this because I have asked four people if poetry helps them in life and if so how. Two of them answered yes and used almost the same reason as me and the other two said no. Their reasoning was of what I have mentioned before. 

Many people write poetry based on life experiences. For example like poet Billy Collins wrote a poem called, “The Names,” based on the tragic real life story of 9/11. Life experiences also affects poetry by giving the poem a better visual. By giving a poem a better visual, it gives it more of a realistic feel to it. How a poet can give a poem a realistic feel is by adding description into what their experience was. In my a opinion a great poet would add description to the five senses, see, smell, taste, sound, and feel. In order for a poet to know how to perfectly describe one of the five senses they would need to have experience, if they were to not have experience then the poet would make false ideas which the poem would loose its reality. Unless the poem is about how someone imagines an adventure they have never experienced before or if it is a made up narrative poem.

Poetry has a way to create a world in the poet’s mind. When the poet writes down their ideas and structures the ideas to make a poem he/she is putting a world into our minds. The same goes with books and authors. That is the world of literature.