Finally

pages read this week: 203
semester: 2007

I have grown so much as a reader this semester. I would say I used to not be a reader at all. I think having the freedom to read whatever I would like and whenever has helped this. During the summer, I would always enjoy reading books for fun by the pool. Then I would dread starting school and being forced to read a bunch of big-yawn books. I have loved taking this class and being about to somewhat fall back in love with reading.
This semester I read a range of books. I think that was beneficial for me to change up the topics of my books. I didn't get bored so easily. I also found that I LOVE nonfictional books. My favorite book of the semester was probably Mind Gym. It was pretty short and sweet but I loved all of the famous quotes and factual studies that were mentioned. Honestly, I chose to read most of the books I read because either someone told me to or the cover looked pretty cool (A Million Little Pieces).
Sometimes meeting the reading quota would be hard during the week, but I found that reading during class when you have down time helped to get some pages down. When I read at home, I really like to listen to chill music. Most people find that distracting but music always seems to calm my mind; I can't really do homework without some tunage. My absolute favorite band and the best music to read to is The Fray, especially their first album.
I always laughed when something would occur during my week that would remind me of a book I was reading. Also I really found it helpful to watch the movie the corresponded with my books to help visualize events and characters in my mind.

Last Blog

It's here. My last blog! I'm almost to the end of My Sister's Keeper. I really love reading Jodi Picoult's work. I know she has a lot more novels that would be interesting to read. I like her because her topics are usually unexpected and creative. Who would ever think of writing about a designed-child created to save her dying sister. It seems unreal. I'm still torn about my opinions concerning this topic. Of course a family should do anything to help their children, especially to save their life, but there are limits. I would be really concerned about Anna's (younger sister) feelings and definitely her health if I were her parent. I'm just thankful that I'm not in their position.
So I'm supposed to do my book talk coming up soon in class. I can't decide which book I should talk about! I've read so many great novels from a good range of topics. I can describe my intense drug memoirs or romantic dramas. I feel like I would have a lot of good excerpts to read from in A Million Little Pieces or My Friend Leonard. These settings are exciting and the topic is very interesting and a definite crowd pleaser.
Anyways, thanks Mr. Hill for being such an awesome teacher. Your class as been one of my favorites by far. I love how excited you get about teachings us new things; it's easier to want to learn new things when the educator is just as enthusiastic. I'm also surrounded by a great group of students in your class. So thanks :)

Last Week

I can't believe this is already our last week of blogging! This semester is flying by, which makes me really happy. I'm so ready to go to college!! In fact I just recently committed to Ohio University to swim next fall. Go Bobcats! Anyways, I'm not going to lie, I thought having to blog was going to be a big pain at the beginning of this class. Now blogging has become my favorite part of this class. I love being able to reflect about anything regarding my book of choice. So cool.
So I'm still in the middle of reading My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. On my way to a recruit visit to OU this past weekend (5 hour drive yay!) I actually got to read the book and watch the movie. I don't think I can get through that movie without crying. It was nice being able to put faces to the characters after I had just watched the movie. One aspect I'm actually disappointed with in the movie is that Jessie (the brother) isn't depicted as such a big rebel. Sure he has his moments when he stays out late but the movie doesn't really show Jessie doing destructive things. In the book, Jessie is a regular fire-maniac. He finds pleasure in finding old, abandoned buildings to set on fire. What's ironic is that his dad, Brian, is a firefighter. While Brian can go to work doing his regular work, he has no idea that some of these fires are caused by his son.

Currently

pages this week:106+52=158
semester: 1804

"Birds floating so close together in some places that she couldn't see the water. From a distance, the groups of swans looked almost like icebergs."
"I close my eyes and become a mighty ship in churning waters, strong and fearless, and she is my sails."
I love these lines from the book because I love these scenes in the movie. Nicholas Sparks does a great job with his use of imagery; the pictures painted in my head are very similar to the movie.

My Sister's Keeper

So I've decided to continue to be nice to myself and read a book again that I already read about 2 years ago. I remember I loved reading this book because of all the emotion behind the words; I also enjoyed reading from different perspectives (each chapter is written from the point of view of different characters, it created a lot of situational irony). I saw this movie in theaters with my sister, let's just say you could probably hear my sobbing from rows back. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult is a story about a family's struggle to make the right choices with a dying daughter and another daughter created to save her.
I love how the book gets straight to the point from the beginning. The book doesn't really dance around your feelings, it hits subjects hard. In the first chapter, Anna, the younger sister, realizes at the young age of 13 that they only reason she was created was to save her sister. She was genetically developed to be a perfect match for her older sister Kate whenever there needed to be a donor of any sort. Anna's biggest struggle early in the book is trying to stick up for herself or even knowing the right choices to make.
In the beginning, Anna visits a lawyer to learn about gaining medical ownership of her body from her parents. It's crazy to think that a 13 year old girl has to face this struggle, and on top of that feel the need to fight this battle alone enough to visit a lawyer.

Book vs Movie

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks was such an easy read and I finished the book this weekend! It was a nice change to read an easier book that wasn't quite as depressing as my others books. I still can't even imagine what I would do if my spouse became so ill that he couldn't always remember me. I think writing a notebook about our lives is of course and interesting and heart-warming method for a book but this would never work in my life. I'm not a patient enough person to sit down and ready someone the same book every day. However, Noah's actions as they are growing older shows a lot about his patience and persistence along with his internal love for Allie.
Although I was somewhat disappointed with the book compared to the movie. The one scene I was really looking forward to reading was the part in the movie when Allie and Noah finally reunite during the rainy boat ride. After realizing that their love never ended, Noah grabs Allie and they have classic movie embrace moment. Well in the book, the passion and intensity is almost nonexistent during this scene. The two characters start having sexual desires for each other but they don't necessary act on this right away. Instead they dry off inside and get drunk together. This isn't quite as scandalous and exciting compared to the movie obviously.
However I was really pleased with the ending of this book. When I watch the movie, of course I sob like a baby at the end like any other emotional girl. Well I shared this same feeling while reading this book too. The words and metaphors Sparks uses to show Noah and Allie drifting away to Heaven is beautiful. I loved the line: "I close my eyes and become a mighty ship in churning waters, strong and fearless, and she is my sails." This line somewhat reflects upon the rest of the book as well; the author's organization of words and his imagery create a soothing and tranquil mood.

I'm really enjoying reading The Notebook this week. It's so much different than the other books I've been reading lately. Unlike devastating drug addict memoirs, it has a complex setting and plot along with a sweeter love story.
In the beginning of the book, Allie is already traveling back to visit Noah while she's engaged to Lon; however in the movie, this part comes much later. This backwards way to start the book makes the beginning definitely more interesting and somewhat adds some urgency to Allie's situation.
Another aspect I like about The Notebook is that its set in a different time era, post World War 2. It's neat to see how the character's interactions and daily activities are different compared to the more modern setting books I've read. At one point, Allie takes a bath while contemplating her thoughts. Although this seems pretty normal, this kind of even doesn't usually occur in more modern books.
One thing I can't wait to read about is how the author shows how the grown-up Allie learns to realize the meaning of this story.  The movie made it seem like she caught on pretty quick, we'll see how the book goes.