City of Heavenly Fire - Summer Post

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare
Pages read: 1-183
My own Prompt: Analyze the breakup of Malec (Magnus and Alec)

     I have just barely started reading this book and I do not want to spoil anything since it is the last book of the series. Therefore I shall just make a prediction with a couple in this book because they broke up. Which is also like breaking up with me…

     Magnus, the high warlock of New York, is bisexual and is obsessed with glitter. He has a bad habit of helping out shadowhunters when in need which makes himself an easy target. Well while in the process he meets this handsome shadowhunter named Alec. Alec is homosexual, and has barely admitted it when he met Magnus Bane. Shadowhunters are not fond of homosexuals. Alec gets less respect and taken for granted but Magnus is always there to lift up his spirits.

     A vampire who used to date Magnus had teased Alec saying that he will get old and eventually die while Magnus will live forever. Thats when Alec seeks out a way to be immortal. Which is turned the other way around he seeks for a way to take away Magnus' immortality. Though Alec could never do something like that to his love he forgets on doing anything. Then the vampire goes and tells Magnus what Alec was up to which leads their relationship to chaos which they eventually break up. Magnus' last words to him were, "Aku cinta kamu." Which means I love you. For me that means that the relationship actually still has hope. Magnus did not actually breakup with Alec because of what he did. He broke up with him because he is scared.

     Magnus had a vision. A town all covered in blood. Shadowhunter blood. He can see war coming. He is scared that he will lose Alec in the process of the war. Thinking he won't be heartbroken if they don't have a relationship and one of them dies Magnus breaks up with Alec. I do not think that will make a difference. There is a quote that I love, "The Fear of suffering is worst than the suffering itself." I don't think Magnus has lived that long to discover that.

City of Lost Souls - Summer Post

Slight Spoiler

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
Pages Read: FINISHED
My own prompt: Analyze what the main character is feeling towards another.

     The beginning of this book Jace is missing, which is how the last book was left of on. Clary is devastated and worried for her love. Then one night Jace is in Clary's room. He tries to convince her to go with him. What he really means is go with us. Jace is somehow on Sebastian's side. Sebastian is Clary's evil demon-blood brother who tries to destroy the shadowhunters and their government. When Jace explains to Clary everything is not what is seems with Sebastian she knows that it is not her Jace. Clary still joins Jace and Sebastian in their alliance so she will be able to know what exactly Sebastian has planned and gives information to "team good."

     Those days that Sebastian and Clary spent some sibling bonding time Clary cannot believe that he seems good. She knows that he is not but the way he talks about his evil plans make him sound do sure of himself. Sebastian has himself convinces that what he is doing is good. Clary truly believes he is a monster. A monster that her dad has created. Clary will never admit that he is her brother. Especially after all he has done, killing and harming people who are important to her. Keeping Jace in alliance with him is something she hates the most.

     Clary is just trying to figure out how did Sebastian put a tie between Jace and himself because if Sebastian gets harmed so will Jace. If Clary figures out if it was a spell or ritual she just might be able to undo it with a rune of her own. How could she investigate when all eyes are on her 24/7. Her old world which is the mundane world does not exist anymore just love and war. All her friends and family don't know Sebastian like she does. She is the only one who knows what is coming and that is war between the Shadowhunters and Sebastian's army.

Clockwork Prince - Summer Post

Spoiler!!!!

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
Pages Read: FINISHED
My own prompt: Just fangirl on the book and give a short summary.

     During the school year of 7th grade I was reading The Mortal Instruments (TMI) series and the prequel trilogy, The Infernal Devices (TID). I kept alternating the books one after the other. After the fourth book of the TMI series I read of the second book of TID, which is Clockwork Prince. Then I took a break because I felt forced to explore other genres during the 7th grade. Well I went back to my shadow hunting with the books. I reread Clockwork Prince, which I forgot most, and… BY THE ANGEL it was like reading it for the first time! I forgot how much I loved these books.

     Tessa, the main character, has the ability to shape-shift. No one knows why. Though she is given a suspected information that her mother is a demon. Which is what shadowhunters kill. This information was given to her by Jessamine, a shadowhunter who betrayed the shadowhunting government, so why should Tessa believe Jessamine? Not only does Tessa have that on her shoulders but someone is after her, The Magister, is what they call him. Though his name is actually Mortmain. He is seeking Tessa for her ability so she is constantly on the run. After a great battle with her "so called-brother" she has no one left but the shadowhunters in the institute. A married couple Charlotte and Henry, then the two best friends Will and Jem. Though they both seem to have the same special feelings for Tessa and she cannot bear breaking both their hearts. Though Tessa have given up hope on Will because he is just ruthless but after have a long special connection with Jem she find herself engaged. Then Will out of no where says he loves Tessa but a curse has been keeping him from showing it. Now Tessa is confused and torn because Jem and Will are like brothers and also parabatai but she has herself 99% convinced that she will marry Jem.

     At a dinner with all the shadowhunters in the institute eating happily together Tessa and Jem announce their engagement though Will already knew he acted happily surprised for his parabatai. Then Charlotte announces that she is having a baby boy. Henry, flushed with excitement, starts dancing. They all have such an elated surprise but the most shocking one of all is Will's because he himself did not know of it. A servant of the institute comes in and claims that a shadowhunter is here. Henry tells the servant to send her back because they are having a private celebration but the servant insists that it is highly important. She gets sent in. They all turn to face a girl of blue eyes and black hair just like Will. "Cecily" they hear Will gasp. It is Will's sister, whom he hasn't seen for years. She claims that she has abandoned her parents to train and become a shadowhunter just like her brother. That is where the book ends.

Reconstructing Amelia - Summer Post

Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight
Pages Read: FINISHED
My own prompt: Tell what this book is about and describe what you do and/or don't like.


     When I first discovered this book I thought it would take me on a mystified adventure. My prediction was wrong. It did take me on an adventure but it was not mystified it was much more than that. The book was very thrilling and really kept me on the edge of my seat. The more you read the more you want to know. I will admit for me this book was a bit confusing because the topics would change very quickly and directly. One thing came after another, overall at the end the knot was untied.

     This mystery book takes you on a courageous adventure of a single mother looking for her child. Kate, the mother, gets a phone call claiming that her daughter, Amelia, had been caught cheating. Amelia, being a good student and never caused trouble at all so that is why Kate was very perplexed to receive that phone call. When Kate arrives at Amelia's school she find even news about her daughter, Amelia is dead. A suicide of this fifteen year-old has been revealed. Amelia jumped off the roof. Just when Kate's heart could barely take all this in there is more. Kate receives an anonymous text stating that Amelia never jumped. After that Kate takes off on an investigation to discover the truth on her daughters "death."

    As I read this book it seemed to me that the mom was not much in contact with Amelia. Therefore Kate does not know her daughter that well. Amelia's image to Kate seems innocent, but I would not describe Kate as "blind" because of how the author hid Amelia life so well. That is something that I absolutely loved in this book. Many lies and betrayals was uncovered. Me, as the reader, could not believe the ghost shocking truths. Neither would any of the other readers. There were also some parts where a character in the book would do something stupid and I felt as if the author just added that in there to keep the emotion of the reader. It was sort of a forced scene. I did not like that because at some point I need to rest. It was just the after feeling that leaves me thinking. Such an adventure. I recommend this book to whomever loves mysteries with mind shocking explosions. Just remember it's just a book. (what every reader hates to hear.)

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.