Th1rteen R3asons Why - Week of 11/3/14

Prompt: Why did you chose to read this book?
Pages Read: 1-44
Author: Jay Asher

     The reason why I chose this book because I have been wanting to read a book with mystery in it. Plus, I have asked those who have read the book to tell me their opinion. They all said they loved the book. Though, one person told me this, exact words, "Its one of those rare books that after you are done, you just take a moment to think about it." That is my major motivation for reading it. I love books that gives me a book hangover. When a book captivates me by sucking me into the pages full of ink, I know I have just lived another life.

     This book is about a boy in high school receives a package full of tapes. All recorded by a girl who has committed suicide. The recordings are giving reasons why she has committed suicide. There are thirteen tapes in total. Thus the title Thirteen Reasons Why. Most books I have read about suicide, depression, or self-harm always seem over exaggerated to me. Sometimes that even seem too dramatic. Maybe thats just me. Though, this book seems different because it does not concentrate on life problems and suicide. My prediction of what will happen at the end is not that specific but I know the author will give an overall message that I might be too surprised to understand. Many feelings to be processed at once, getting overwhelmed out of excitement with anger that it just kills you. Just like getting struck like lightening, comes fast but it kills you.

Cask Of Amontillado Narrative

     In the midst of a night,  I sat in my armchair. Starring at the fireplace with no flames. Nothing but swirling above. Just as how my own thoughts swirled. Recalling the moment I have felt as if my power is regained. No more wounds will be taken from his words. As I am deep in thought an intruding sound interrupts. Bang! Bang!  It is my door. I groggily stood up and walked towards the door.

"Who dares to interfere with my busy schedule?" I muttered on my way.

     I swing the door open to find a man from the police department who I recognize though since it is a cold Sunday he is not wearing his uniform but his long coat. Though I do remember on one time he told me he is not on duty on Sundays. Why is Ameplio here?

"Hello Mr. Montressor, I have come here just to ask a few questions regarding the disappearance of Fortunato. You see, some-"

"Now stop right there. I have already discussed this subject with many of your workers. Though I am glad they sent you this time, I have answered the same things many times. Yet you all still seem to insist. After all it has already been three years, why not just let the matter go?"

"Well for you it might already be three years but for others it is just three years. You know Fortunato's family is not the kind to give up without what they want."

     There was a long silence holding up between us. As he looks away I study him carefully for this young man is no longer himself. He has dark bags under his eyes and a plastered look of worry flashes for a second across his face.

"Come in." I tell him, "Looks to me you need a glass of wine."

"Oh no, I must not. I have so much more work to do."

"Do I not recall you are not on duty on Sundays."

"Technically, yes. Though this duty is one to never end."

"At most you can just say you were interrogating me again."

"Fair enough I see your point."

     He steps inside and I have one of my attendants to take care of his coat. He is wearing some black trousers and a gray long sleeve formal shirt tucked in and folded at the sleeves.

I call out to another attendant, "Henry, go fetch some Amontillado for my guest and I."

"Actually, if it is not too much I prefer something other than Amontillado."

"Very well then," I turn to Henry "Anything but Amontillado." He nods and walks away. leaving me starring at Ameplio.

"I suppose you want an explanation of why the rejection of Amontillado."

"It is actually needless to say considering I already know. Therefore I truly apologize for it is not appropriate of your case."

"You know it never bothered me-" Henry enters the room

     A tray in Henrys hand with two glass wines and a bottle. He walks towards me and hands me a glass then to Ameplio. As Henry pours a light yellowish-carmel color into our glasses he introduces the wine to us.

"Pinot Grigio, a grape vine which newly got planted here." he says, "Is that all Master Montressor."

"All for now, Henry." He nods and walks away.

     After several discussions, that are not related to each other, and a great deal of sips I began to feel drowsy. I assume Ameplio felt the same way considering he has been blabbing about God knows what.

"Secrets," he muttered "Kills people in many ways."

"It does not kill me though." I replied "If anything the secret is that it killed another.  There is no one to trust. I had to learn that the hard way. Thankfully, my problem was fixed by me."

"How so?"

I hesitated for a long moment, not really thinking on the matter of Fortunato's death, so I told him.

"I thought you said you do not trust anyone so how could you tell me and I told another which makes you tell me again and again... and what?"

"That is very true. Though, I suppose you are too drunk to even understand. Nor remember. Now will you excuse me. I will be back in a while."

     I left to the bathroom. I bent over the sink to wash my hands and pour the clear liquid over my face to refresh. I look at the mirror. There staring back at me is a man who looks sick and weary. Someone must help this man for he cannot be controlled. "You will not get away with this." I whispered to the man. Just then something clicked in his mind, or was it my mind? Who knows, but I went back. "Follow me Ameplio. Something I want to show you of your interest." Too stupefied to object he followed. "We are going to the place where it all happened." As we went there I explained everything else I left out.

"You see Ameplio, he not only insulted me by not keeping a secret. Fortunato also insulted me by telling lies that have some sort of truth which makes it more believable. It is amazing how words have a way to one's mind. He not only told my wife of my affair with another but also said I have a child with another."

"Well did you?"

"I do not know." We have arrived.

"Hm."

"This is where his death happened. Now I have been thinking a lot about what you said with trust." I began to explain as I picked up some chains, "Maybe two are able to keep a secret if there is no one to tell. Though I will be doing this a bit differently, so please don't make this harder and just obey," And so he did.

     I did everything the same way as before. I built up the wall and chained my victim. Only difference is that I am with my victim. Along with a pistol which I hand to him. His hands shake as he holds it. As I turn to make sure the chains are intact. I can feel the presence of the pistol by my head. "Not yet I whispered." He puts it down. I turn and bend down on my knees facing him. "I have gone mad. There is no way to stop this. Only way is to kill me. One side, I want others to suffer which is my bad side. My good side I just want to die." I began to sob like a small brat. "Inside that pistol is only one bullet. I give you the choice. You may use it on yourself to get your death over with and just leave me here where I have a chance in escaping for I am not the chained one, or you could use it on me and you stay here and suffer when you have ended my suffering. Though your blood is the same as the rest therefore I know your choice will be to have your death."

He just stares at me. "I am not my father's son." He raises his hand and-

The Secret Life of Bees

Prompt: Character Development
Page: Finished

     In The Secret Life of Bees a girl who had just turned 14, Lily,  is still trying to figure out a way to live in peace, which is hard considering the Civil Rights movement is happening. She just wanted to stop feeling guilt for her mother, to start knowing exactly why her mother died. To stop having her own father keep pushing her in an empty void. To stop trying to fit in just to be popular. She needs a fresh start. How could Lily start a new life if she herself does not know how? She first needs answers and a companion to help her. Her companion is the only person she has cared about more than anything. That is her African house nanny, Rosaleen. When Rosaleen went to go vote, some of the most racist men in town had a little interference with her. Which, of course, made her go to jail along with Lily who was by her side the whole time. Eventually T-Ray, Lily's father, was only able to bail Lily out. At home Lily figured that was her opportunity to leave and start all over. Of course, she has to take Rosaleen. Her nanny is the only one who Lily has had closer connection to. That is when she starts working her way to a new life for answers about the past and to live in peace.

      In the beginning of the book, Lily is insecure and vacillating about herself. She wanted to attend charm school because she thought it would make her fit in. T-Ray is the cause for making Lily feel this way. Putting thoughts in her mind on how Lily is the one who killed her own mother. After realizing really how horrible she is living that triggered her mind to run away. Now she is sure of herself and knows exactly what to do. Which is in the middle of the book where Lily finds her courage. She realizes she won't get anywhere without being tough. Though there were times where kindness got her far.

     It was at the very end where Lily was able to have balance in life. Especially after realizing the truth she asks for forgiveness to her mother and gives forgiveness. She confronts many fears and faces them all at once. Not only to look at the negative parts of her life but the positive ones. Overall Lily became a young woman who believes in herself.

First Quarter Reflections

     When the school year first began nothing has changed much. We are all back to the same routine. The only difference would be that we are getting through work that is more advanced. For example we did a whole unit on character development based on short stories. Last year, in the first quarter we just did an introduction of what was expected in this class. This year, since we know the expectations, we are just continuing our learning but on a more advanced level because we are no longer in seventh grade. Our work so far this year does not seem like an introduction of the class and I like that. Therefore the work was a bit more challenging for me. Though, I do see improvement in my reading skills when it comes to reading a book. After learning more about character development I was able to analyze how the main character in my book would reshape his/her persona.

     In this quarter we were able to get into more discussions about the news all around the world. One of those discussions would be about Ebola and how it is wildly spreading all over the world. My class and I were able to discuss about the topic and hear one another's opinion about how we should be handling this situation. I have also noticed that we all worked a lot with partners for most assignments. It was not partners of our choice it had to be our shoulder partner, so that helped me learn how to cooperate with others. There were times where my shoulder partner and I did not really agree with each other but we were able to solve it. It also helped me see another's view and get more ideas. Which this helped expand my mind. Overall, this first quarter flew by but I was able to learn a lot. 

Then and Now - Reflective Writing

     When I look back at my very first post I do not see much improvement. Though, I do remember in my first post I did not exactly know what I was doing. I was just trying to make it the best I can. Basically, I would struggle a bit more because I was unsure of my writing skills. Now, I know how to make even more thorough thoughts that will easily be followed by the readers. My vocabulary and word choices do not show any difference. I do seem to have a topic sentence in my first blog post. Which is something that I probably already knew. I also have noticed that I had much more enthusiasm in my first blog. Maybe that is because I of the topic I was writing about which is my favorite book(s). For example I would use an exclamation mark to show I am excited. Sometimes I would exaggerate a topic to add some humor or sarcasm. I do not know exactly what changed me but I know that my posts now are considered to me as... boring.

     In my most recent post I have better organization. Before, I would force in a topic that I knew I would need to include. Now, I would break them down and separate them into sections just how I did in my last posts, or I would figure out a way to ease in the topic. I also get more in depth on a certain topic which I am trying to explain. After analyzing my first blog post and my most recent one I do not see much difference. Therefore, I hope to make a difference this year. Maybe I will try to add more enthusiasm towards my feelings about a book.

The House Girl Analyzation - 9/29/14

          "Josephine stepped through the back door into the kitchen and placed the basket,                    half full with berries on the table. She felt Mister's slap still in the bones of her face, echoing down her spine, but she saw no mark when she checked in the glass above the washstand. She fixed herself with a stare: her eyes shifting color, a shadow of blue here green there, heal and brown and gray, the colors fractured together and split. 'Tonight,' she whispered. The pushing downward , the roof lifting toward the open sky."

     
Analyzation - Mood

     The mood the author, Tara Conklin, sets in me is pity, hope, and curiosity. This book is about slavery and a slave named Josephine, who tries to escape and plotting a dangerous quest to leave her  "home" and run away. I feel bad for her because she has always been treated unfairly by her masters. After all she has been through, her masters still intend to treat her roughly. All of this is making me feel bad for her and have pity. I feel hope because Josephine is trying to escape to have a better life. I hope she does escape. Josephine has to get information about other slaves who have tried to run but didn't succeed. She wants to know where they were aiming on going. Josephine has to do all of this secretly so she won't get caught. All the sneaking around she is doing is keeping me in the edge of my seat. All I can do is hope she succeeds and read on. Finally, curiosity is getting the best of me. It has been mentioned very rarely in the story but I was able to capture it. There is foreshadowing going on in this story. Though, I am not sure if there is actually until I finish the book. A foreshadow is when Josephine sees Mister going around the house to in a very direct speed with horrifying look. Then she sees a man's and a woman's silhouette by the window curtains talking and making hand gestures rapidly. Basically all this mystery is making me curious. Josephine thinks it is just an argument they are having over something but I think there is more than that. Why are they arguing?

Analyzation - Description

     Tara Conklin seems to always go in depth with descriptive writing using very few words. Just by the few word choices she uses describes so much. For example when the narrator says, "She felt Mister's slap still in the bones of her face, echoing down her spine.." It tells where she feels the slap specifically instead of just stating, "She felt Mister's slap on her face." I like that Tara added the word "bones" to be more specific. Second, there is an action in the end of this quote, "She fixed herself with a stare: her eyes shifting color, a shadow of blue here green there, heal and brown and gray, the colors fractured together and split." What stood out to me the most was the end, "..the colors fractured together and split." I feel like this created more of dramatic mood. Emphasizing that she is determines to be stronger. Tara is trying to show emotion in the character,  which in my opinion does a marvelous job at that!
   

Banned Books Vlog - Harry Potter

The House Girl - 9/18/14

Prompt: Who is your favorite character? Why?
Pages Read: 1-30
Author: Tara Conklin

     My favorite character in The House Girl would be Lottie because she seems like the kind of woman who is heart warming and good-natured. What I have read in the story so far would be about a slave who named Josephine. She has been treated poorly and has been separated from her one and only love. There hasn't really been much depth of many characters in the book but, the over view of most characters would be that they are cruel. These characters would be considered the "masters" of the slaves. After Josephine was slapped barbarically she went to a river stream to calm her nerves. There Lottie stood washing clothing for their master. Lottie then swiftly went to Josephine's aid. Based on Josephine's point of view she felt relaxed and reassured when
Lottie helped her.

     I sense that Lottie has that motherly feeling that she carries everywhere. I think this would be because she has lost a young son. Since then, she probably has still felt that nature of being a mother. Lottie is the kind of woman who would be trustful and do anything to help the innocent people. The narrator describes the affection she gave to another character as, "A muffled, distant kind of love." Showing that she has love for everyone even when she doesn't seem to have it. Though, it is only for those who has treated her well.

     My other reason for having Lottie to be my favorite character would be that she is brave. She has lost her husband in a terrible tragedy and has watched her son suffer which has also made Lottie suffer right along with him. Just when she was about to give up she didn't. Most slaves, based on their living conditions, commit suicide or attempt to run away. A man, named Nathan, has attempted to run twice. Twice he has failed and had his cut off. Lottie would never to that and she is just persevering. Though, there are times when you have to take action yourself and be your own advocate to reach happiness. That is exactly what Josephine is striving for. It keeps crossing her mind and whispering at her. To run.

The House Girl - 9/8/14

Pages read: 1-60

Prompt: Figurative language and imagery

Author: Tara Conklin

     In The House Girl the figurative language used was a metaphor. Josephine is a house maid and her master slapped her on the cheek for no reason given. "She nodded, her cheek on fire." This gives me the sense of touch. Since she was slapped she now has that burning sensation on her cheek. Burns usually are tangly. Fire always has that tangly burning sensation therefore the author, Tara, made a metaphor saying that Josephine's cheek is on fire. Though, giving it is a metaphor, it really isn't on fire. The impact it has is the sense of touch and feel.

     Another figurative language the book used was a simile. A simile is an explicit comparison. In the book they are explaining Josephine's living conditions. Her home is badly insulated therefore a lot of heat goes in. It would be rough for her to sleep at night. "...the summer nights so hot she'd lie spread-eagle, no two parts of her body touching, her own two legs like strangers in a bed." This shows how hot the nights in the summer would be and how she would be treated as a maid. 

Top Ten Books

1. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

     Green Eggs and Ham has had a great impact in my life because I have always thought this children's book has had a fun quirky rhyme. This book was read to me many times. Including by my younger siblings. I never get tired of reading it or of it being read to me.






2. Percy Jackson & The Olympians by Rick Riordan

    I have always been interested in Greek Mythology since I was in 2nd grade. I would do my own research on the myths in libraries and online. When my dad started taking this literature class he was assigned books. One of those books happened to be Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. He recommended me the book and so I read the whole series since I got engaged in the first one. The books take you on thrilling adventures through every chapter. Many cliff hangers and plot twists. A prophecy that a child awaits as he gets closer to coming of age.

3. Looking For Alaska by John Green

     This book takes you on a teenage adventure in search for a great perhaps. I would describe this book as spontaneous because it about teenagers just trying to find themselves. A teenage boy in high school spending time with people who are broken while hiding something from them is also breaking him apart. Incidents happen after the other, so he is just trying to fit in and live his life a flow. On GoodReads someone commented something that I agree with 99%. "I did not cry. But, John Green still managed to hit me where it really hurt. And it was awesome." That 1% left over was because I did teared up.

4. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
   
     I read this book trilogy right after the PJO series. It was one of the popular books at that time so I just had to know what it is about since there was a movie being made. When I read the begging I thought it held lots of humor because of the way it introduced me to two characters. Later on, I knew it was a serious book that had no humor in the plot at all. I remember staying up late past 2 am reading the books. Since I was reading them on my Kindle I purchased them one after the other. I lost so much sleep because of the trilogy but I do not have any regrets. It was a life that would always stay with me forever.



5. The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare

     This book trilogy is the prequel to the main top series of Cassie's books, The Mortal Instruments. I find The Infernal Devices more amusing to me because it takes place in an earlier century where all the females wore dresses and men were proper. These books have an action-packed adventure with lots of demon hunting and fighting. With a sprinkle of love and a whole dump truck of love I have for this trilogy.

6.  Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

     Awful events happen to everyone, but for three siblings they have an everlasting adventure of bad luck. Being put under di
fferent care of different people after their parents have died is a lot to take in. The reason for having to move constantly would be because several "deaths" happen to their guardians. Caused by someone who is after them and their fortune that was left from their parents. I read these books before the PJO series and I fell in a deep pit of disappointment through each book. It wasn't until the end that I liked. The reason for having disappointment would be because there was a plethora of unfortunate events happening one after the other. It would come non-stop. That was what kept me at the edge of my seat. These books soothed me into reading but I was not loyal to them until I officially became a bookworm.

7. Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck

     This book, in my opinion, shows true friendship. Combining friendship and labor working together and making it weave in perfectly into a good story plot is true talent of writing. Especially the dialogue that Steinbeck provides is just magnificent. I honestly will say that reading this book really extended my mind.

8. Biscuit by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

     My aunt loves children and working with them. At the time that I was reading these books which were when I was 5. My aunt was 20 so she still in college. Every week she would bring me a different book about Biscuit. She also brought a tape where I get to read along with the recording. I would bring the book everywhere I would go. I even begged my mom for a dog exactly like Biscuit. These books just shaped my childhood and I am thankful for that.

9.  The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

     This story taught me that the simplest things can become something infinite. Having no distance or limits of happiness by something simple that triggered you and elated your soul. Charlie, a boy whom has had a rough past is trying to be his best for his freshman year of school. How can one run away from a burden of sorrow from losing your only friend and best friend in the world? Charlie is trying his best to survive and just enjoys what he can have and makes an infinite happiness out of it.

10. ????

     I do not have a tenth book that has impacted my life because I am saving it for something greater. What I look forward to this book would be something that will change my perspective on everything. I will hate the book for doing so to me but I will also love the book because of what it has made me become. Most say that if there is a book you would like to read that doesn't exist, then you have to write it yourself. Maybe I will.