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.

Close-reading Bingo

6. Avoid the verbs "use" and "shows"
Under the Oak
"The diction within this passage uses a precise, with intermediate writing literal and direct."


3. When discussing your supporting quotes, don't be vague
Chillin In The Nyle
"The diction throughout the excerpt is a bit rough around the edges."


1. Avoid "he says" quote introductions
As Told By Ginger
'he also uses figurative language when he mentions the escalator “as the handrails slid on their tracks, like the radians of black luster."'


9. Don't say "this" without putting a noun after it (I include "it" too if the speaker doesn't clarify what the "it" is)
Apples to Apples
"It’s relieved slightly towards the end when mentioning the work of the character’s brother’s “terrific book of short stories.”

Best Response!! InsideOut

The Notebook

With all the reading about drug and alcohol addictions for awhile, I decided to give myself a break and read a classic romance story. What better story to read than The Notebook. I am obsessed with this movie any all other motion pictures that were adapted from Nicholas Sparks' novels. I kind of like to do things the opposite way and I actually like to watch a movie and then read the book it was inspired by after. I did this after watching My Sister's Keeper some time ago and I ended up loving the book way more, which kind of surprised me. I definitely one of those people that would love to sit down and watch a movie rather than play a game or read a book (sorry Mr. Hill). Maybe I liked it so much because it's ending was different from the movie and was totally unexpected and thrilling, you'll have to read it to know what I'm talking about.
Anyways, so I'm really interested to read The Notebook and see how alike it is to the movie. So far I love the format of the book; like the movie, it switches back and forth between Allie and Noah's past and the story being told to the old woman. It's also helpful to have characters in mind from the movie to create a picture in my head while I'm reading the book. I've noticed that Sparks portrays the older man reading the book a lot less optimistic than the character in the movie. In the beginning of the book, it almost seems that he is depressed or hopeless about his long love and their future.

Practice Diction Analysis

Catcher in the Rye-J. D. Salinger

In the excerpt from Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger uses a vulgar and informal style with suggestive connotation and a drilling sound to portray the main character, Holden's, disposition and background. Salinger shows his informality and relaxed mood when Holden first says, "all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth." The sharp and somewhat clattering sound of his writing is supported when Holden also says, "It cost damn near four thousand bucks." The sound and vulgarity shows Holden's ruthless and loud personality. In fact, Salinger uses many instances of inappropriate or profane words. By observing the author's style of writing, the suggestive mood and tone is found through his language.

Currently

pages read this week: 144
semester:1604

all from My Friend Leonard by James Frey
"This is what she seeks, she seeks freedom. From her past, form her addictions, from herself. From her loneliness. I will do anything to give it to her."
"I have used substances to control and kill my emotions and my insecurities and my rage for my entire life. I have spent the bulk of my existence using alcohol and drugs to destroy what I feel so that I wouldn't have to feel it."
"My life is a simple routine."

1.Stardust has a literal denotation in this excerpt, with a scholarly, intricately-designed level of elevation, and a sound neither glorious nor dull.- XC Hoosier 3366
2.The last excert from Survivor by Palahniuk Has a powerfulfully high elevation fortified by a strong connotative tone and ended with a blunt sound leaving anyone who reads this picking their jaw up of the floor. -The Chief
3. I would place Stardust at an elegant high, with precise denotation, and a middle sound that is neither hamonious and sweet nor discordant and bitter. -I need a Nap?


I really like the first sentence because this blogger was able to talk about all three axis' but it reads well and flows together.

My Friend Leonard

After collecting himself after hours and hours of sobbing over the death of Lilly, James Frey in My Friend Leonard puts himself in one of the most challenging positions yet. As he is walking through the streets, he founds himself surrounded my bars and cheap liquor stores. In order to get rid of his unimaginable pain, James decides to try to drink his problems away. In the past, when James would feel any kind of unpleasant or strong emotion, he would cover it up with drugs and alcohol. That's the only thing he knows how to do. With such an horrific event occurring, he sees this as his best option. Determined to follow through his plan, James buys a cheap bottle of wine that most alcoholics use to get wasted quick. He calls it the "quick trip to hell" or "liquid death". This potent alcohol actually eats away at the lining of the stomach.
As James gets into his car and risks being caught illegally drinking and driving with the wine in his hand, he cannot drink it. The bottle of wine sits beside James all night as he curses at everything possible and passes out. I think this event in the book truly shows how much James has grown. Although I think tempting himself and carrying alcohol with him is silly, I'm somewhat proud of James at this point. Even with such a great loss, he is learning to make the right decisions to gain his life back.

Style Mapping

The excerpt from Neil Gaiman in Stardust, the author uses a literal and straight-to-the-point tone along with educated formality and a dull noise that is not harmonious nor clattering. In the more relaxed example, "the inhabitants of Wall are a taciturn breed," the author show's his scholarly vocabulary and chooses worlds that don't exactly produce and noisy or sweet sound. In another excerpt from The Mud Below, Annie Proulx creates a poetic and loose style that has somewhat of a country twang which creates a melodious sound. The first sentence is a perfect example of this country and lyrical tone: "Rodeo night in a hot little Okie town and Diamond Felts was inside a metal chute a long way from the scratch on Wyoming dirt he named as home." The last example I chose as the most serious and educational tone to it. In the excerpt from Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell says, "Wolf's first thought was that the Rosetans must have held on to some dietary practices form the Old World that left them healthier than other Americans." This statements supports his journalistic and precise denotation along with a organized formality, especially since most of his writings are influenced by his research.

A Good Ending

I can't believe this book is already coming to a close. Watching this man's internal growth, interactions with fellow users and family, and the optimistic future ahead of him has been really interesting and somewhat of a new experience for me. Sure I've read books before about really bad or destructive people, but never about a drug addict. I think they're on a whole new field than other characters. Drug addicts are what they sound like, addicted. Not only are they addicted to drugs or alcohol, but they strive on self-destruction, bad relationships, wasted opportunities, and really bad choices. Reading this book was so interesting and definitely different than the usual literature I read.
But guess what I found in Mr. Hill's library...the "sequel" to A Million Little Pieces. It's called My Friend Leonard and it's the story of James and Leonard's friendship (his friend in jail who adopts him as a son). So it's somewhat of a sequel to the first book because it picks up at the time James is released from the center and serves his time in jail. The beginning as been crazy intense already. Remember Lilly, the girl James had a relationship with at the alcohol abuse center? Well their relationship grew and grew into a true love and they planned a future for themselves when James could be released from jail. However, their timing really sucks. While James is in his last week of jail, Lilly's grandmother and only close, consistent person in her life takes and turn for the worst and is on her death bed. Unfortunately, Lilly's grandma dies and Lilly doesn't know how to deal with the loss and her own pain. She calls James to convince him to run away early and come visit her since she so desperately needs him. He knows it would be silly to take such a risk and promise he will be there for her the next day when he is released. I don't mean to ruin the book or be a debbie-downer, but before James is able to reach her, Lilly kills herself.
This event somewhat set the tone for the book. I think it's going to being another raw tale told by James Frey that doesn't sugarcoat any events. He has had such a hard life and I doubt it will get an easier in this book. I'm excited that there's also more of a focus on Leonard, who is another former drug addict that seems to be heading in the right direction.

Quarterly

By taking this class and being able to chose my own novels, I've actually learned that reading can be fun. I use to really dislike reading assignments for school but having the option to pick my book as made it much more enjoyable. I've noticed that I really love reading non-fiction books as well. I think I've enjoyed those because they seem the most real and I can put myself into characters' shoes. One thing that has surprised me is that if I'm in a really exciting place in my book, I'll try to read during other classes. Of course I get my other work done and then I sit back to read my book. My favorite book this quarter has been A Million Little Pieces; I love how raw it is. I think I'm going to set a goal for myself to try and continue to read different genres of books that I normally wouldn't think to pick up.

Currently

pages read this week: 211
semester total: 1460

favorite sentences:

"...I realize why dawn is called mourning."-A Million Little Pieces

"We all choke. Winners know how to handle choking better than losers."- Mind Gym

"I'm sick of just liking people. I wish to God I could meet somebody I could respect."- Franny and Zooey

I'd say I really like all of these sentences because they're real; they share the truth and don't hide anything. I love the use of playing with words the author uses in the first sentence. I think the second sentences speaks the truth about athletes that most don't want to admit. And I like how real the character is being in the last sentence; she isn't afraid to share how she thinks people can be fake and no one has shown any worthiness for respect.

Carrying On

James Frey is still recovering and learning to deal with the emotions inside his head in A Million Little Pieces. As a part of his program James participates in the Family Program. James' parents come to the clinic to take part in this program. The moment he sees them, James finds it difficult to continue this particular treatment. Their faces remind of home and the outside world that he is missing out on. They all participate in many therapy sessions with his counselor and in one meeting, James finds out he had serious ear infections throughout his childhood that went untreated. His parents also inform James that his grandfather had a serious drinking problem throughout his life. While his parents continue to push their belief that these findings are a major cause to James' addiction, James will not give in to their theory. He stresses that his addiction is not an illness, but a weakness. I think this shows James' growth as a person and drug addict. He is realizing that treatments and medicine won't necessarily cure him, his mind will. James knows he is the only person that can truly change himself and that his future relies on overcoming these weaknesses and find new strengths in life.
I feel like this point in the book (his sudden realization) is the turning point. He stops feeling sorry for himself and being destructive because he can't find a fix. Instead, James is understanding to start changing and to be hopeful for his future. It's a lot more comforting for him to plan and dream of a better future than fearing a relapse or failure. James has been such an interesting and dynamic character to follow, especially in these worst moments of his life.

Currently

Pages Read This Week:166
Semester Total:1249


"I hate that what I have turned to in my loneliness lives in a pipe or a bottle."
I love how he basically is using his tangible harmful treasures as his source for loneliness, and that he realizes this.
"More than anything, all I have ever wanted is to be close to someone."
It's sad that this man as been so alone all is life. He focuses all of his love towards drugs and alcohol instead of actual people.
"My eyes start to tear and the hair on the back of my neck stands straight and my tooth hurts like the point of a bayonet is being driven through it."
As a part of his therapy, James visits a dentist who repairs his much damaged with while using no sedatives or painkillers. It's incredible how descriptive this chapter was and how readers can feel his pain just by reading about it.

A Rehab Romance

It is true that throughout his entire life, James Frey felt alone and often purposely put himself in this position. Not only is he alone but he is stubborn. Although he knows that the clinic only wants the best for him, James cannot bring himself to accept and participate in the Twelve Step Program to recovery. He continually refuses to complete any tasks they present him.
One task James was not hesitant to fulfill was his secret meeting with Lilly, a middle-aged woman in the recovery program. While in the cafeteria, Lilly hands James a note that tells him to meet outside. Both know that interactions between men and women are strictly prohibited and they both ignore this rule anyways. After a while of meeting, their relationship turns into a secret love affair. James and Lilly (hmm isn't that Harry Potter's parents' names? weird) meet for long periods of time in the clearing outside and mostly talk about their past and kiss and hold each other.
Later Lilly finds out her dear grandmother that means everything to her as only a short time to live. Lilly runs away from the clinic and James finds himself chasing after her. He finds her in an abandoned building engaged in sexual activity and smoking crack. James has the choice to indulge and join her but he chooses to save her over the drugs instead. I think this choice says a lot about the growth of his character. Before James would have joined the party in a heart beat. Now I think he's learning self control and wants to take care of someone else so he can learn to take care of himself. Although she's somewhat danger, I think Lilly is helping James in his road to recovery.

Poor Guy

I am an Alcoholic and a Drug Addict and a Criminal.
This phrase is repeated throughout A Million Little Pieces by James Frey. Although he has dug his own hole and put himself in this awful position of near death, James feels like he cannot get out. All of seclusion and with-drawl has allowed James to evaluate his on soul. He is more aware now than ever of how poor his character has become since his addiction. He doesn't think of himself as a loving or gentle person and others definitely don't view him this way as well.
With his frustration building up, James even got into a bad physical brawl with another patient. Although the other taunted and teased James, his low self-confidence got the best of him and allowed him to make a fool of himself. This embarrassing behavior didn't make James' stay an easier.
In the chapters I've read, James also starts talking more about his past and the previous woman in his life. He only shares bits and pieces and doesn't reveal the entire story or situation with this woman. So far I think this woman was a consistent figure in James' life that he relied on a lot. I think their relationship eventually grew into a romance but life many other things in his life, his addiction sabotages it. Every day he seems to regret or feel guilt from the decisions he made. I think James strongly wants to get better for her and to maybe secure a future with her.
My favorite part about this book is how raw it is. There is no sugar coating. James' extremely vulgar language and vivid details of his experiences make this story seem more real than ever. After all, this book is a memoir of a drug addict.