Isaiah Quinones
American Sniper
By: Chris Kyle
Life: "the existence of a human being or individual" as defined by the Websters dictionary in modern society seems to be full of black and white, Good verses evil, with no true gray area to account for. Chris Kyle, the true definition of and American hero(if there ever was to be one) completely obliterates any doubt in the american citizen that what our US Army does over seas is done full hearty to protect Americans for the threats posed to us as a society. This is all clearly visible through the pages of the flabbergasting decisive novel of both justice, courage, and pride in ones nation.
American Sniper by Chris Kyle describes not only his own personal life as a Navy SEAL fighting in Iraq earning various awards all for courage and valor in the line of duty goes to show what it means to be a true American. He goes through four deployments over the course of his novel while also explaining his home life in between with his wife and kids. The in between goes to show just how much he gave up by choice to defend the American people and continue to fight for our country at any cost with absolutely no regard for his own safety. Major points to note also include his Iraqi Olympic sniping rival, the savior of numerous soldiers in the line of combat, and his overall heroics and training.
I can not even begun to fathom the amount of courage it took Chris to do everything that he has done for America which further reinforces my full hearted support for this eloquently pieced together novel. Not only is the book well written, but the content for which it holds has a little something for every type of audience which is what makes this book so special. It takes a special kind of man, hero even to be as dedicated as Chris Kyle to serve on Americas behalf. You may now be wondering "but why is this book so good?" which can be easily surmised in three main reasons which come as followed: The theme of putting other before ones self, the fight for sheer survival that the novel portrays, and lastly sticking to ones goals and persevering through and handling adversity in the face or fear of death even.
As far as the theme of putting others before ones self goes, (which is a significant portion of the book) no other person in life or literature could i clam to embody this theme more then Chris. He gives up his family, his friends, his wife and kids, and even more so his own freedom and well-being to fight for American Citizens day in and day out. This alone is one of the great leading factors as to why this book is full of pure nobility. Their is nothing more inspiring then that of a man willing to give up every thing he could possibly have to offer in order to protect the American public which for that is why i love this book and why many others share similar feelings. Chris proclaims "but it was the ignorant protesters i remembered, years and years later.." showing just how hurtful the public opinions were to him as he was going off to protect them all and demonstrations of protest to that after all he is giving up is sicking.
The fact that Chris is fighting for his own survival, not only physically but also mentally, brings about a great suspense to the book for which none can discredit the authenticity of which further contributes to legitimize the situations Chris is in. Not only does he put him self on the front lines at times, but he also goes onto give up his own mental health in the great horrors he sees in Iraq defending his country. This alone is a great contribution to the book as a whole both in its plot and relate-ability which is a true measurement of a books success. Our American hero gives it his all both in physical risk and mental health making his nobility admirable and indistinguishably heroic in all forms.
Lastly, what makes this book truly great is the perseverance through very difficult times that this book shows time and time again which is a great lesson for everyone to take away. Chris never backs down even at rock bottom which few can truly testify that they would reciprocate this ideal. From not getting into the Navy at first to being pinned down under heavy fire while needing to rescue a half dead soldier to the great training Chris goes through, he never backed down and always kept it moving forward. These examples of great courage and ascendance of great adversity are traits only a true hero may portray which greatly contributes to the eloquence of the novel of a whole and to Chris Kyle as a person.
"I lived the literal meaning of the land of the free and home of the brave" Chris states which further contributes to why he is so honorable and admirable. For me personally, what i love most about This book is how Chris deals with the worst situations and continues to grind. His grit is unrivaled and so awe-provoking it makes me wish i could meet him.I also greatly enjoy the patriotism he holds and the great life values he instills in everyone around him as he is so influential.
This book is best suited to an audience that takes great interest in and holds great appreciation for both heroism and patriotism. the book would also be great for those who loved books such as Saving Private Ryan.
In conclusion, American Sniper or much rather the American hero Chris Kyle is a work of art designed to be appreciated by anyone who needs a lesson in true selflessness and sacrifice that Chris partakes in being the quintessence of both patriotism and the values of life for which everyone should hold.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Monday, February 27, 2017
The Secret Year (2nd blog)
Leah Duplessis
The Secret Year
The Secret Year, by Jennifer R Hubbard, is a very complex romance novel. The baseline of the story is pretty simple; It is about a young, poor, and not very popular high school student named Colt, who had been seeing a wealthy, beautiful, and one of the most popular older girls in school, named Julia. They were seeing each other for a year, when Julia's accident occurred. She was riding in the passenger seat of her best friends car, and when she got into an accident Julia died almost instantly. As tragic as this situation was, it was a lot worse for Colt because of his big secret. He had been seeing Julia for that entire year, however not a soul knew besides for the two of them, and Julia had a rich jerk of a boyfriend the entire time. The story begins very strong and easily acknowledges the reader of this situation, however the rest of the story is revolved around Colt's life and how he copes with everything beyond the day of the accident. The thought of Julia eats away at Colt each and everyday, and he becomes deeply obsessed with her, and a journal which she had wrote to him over the course of the year that they were seeing each other. Her brother Michael had came across the journal and when he discovered who it was about, he gave it to Colt. He reads this everyday in hopes to make him feel whole again. The tone of the book changes significantly whenever reminiscing on the relationship between the two or when direct entries from the journal are read. It becomes a very dark and romantic tone, where as the rest of the novel is kind of laid back and just includes random aspects of Colts every day life. When the tone changes to romantic it becomes very risky. The relationship is described very intimately and is very straightforward about sex scenes. The writing done by Julia which we read when it publishes entries from her journal, are very corny and unrealistically romantic, especially for two high school students. The side stories which happen throughout the book are most times insignificant and a little hard to comprehend; however there are a few events which support the whole point of the story and are very important. This includes events such as Colt confessing to Julia's best friend about their love affair in order to find out specific details from the accident for closure. Colt also experiments with another woman, only to compare her to Julia and eventually break it off because "there was someone else", and that someone else being a deceased Julia. As I continue to read the novel it makes me wonder where the book is going and what the main point of the story actually is. Colt ends up starting to fall for another girl, who was actually Julia's brother Michaels ex girlfriend. I felt as though this did not spice up the story in a good way, it really just stirred the pot and drew away from the baseline of the story. It also makes Colt look like a bad person, and that makes you wonder what type of person he may be in general. Overall I am more than halfway through with the book and I don't quite know where the author is going with the story, or when the turning point will be. Im straggling along trying to figure out when the climax is coming or if it already passed.
The Secret Year
The Secret Year, by Jennifer R Hubbard, is a very complex romance novel. The baseline of the story is pretty simple; It is about a young, poor, and not very popular high school student named Colt, who had been seeing a wealthy, beautiful, and one of the most popular older girls in school, named Julia. They were seeing each other for a year, when Julia's accident occurred. She was riding in the passenger seat of her best friends car, and when she got into an accident Julia died almost instantly. As tragic as this situation was, it was a lot worse for Colt because of his big secret. He had been seeing Julia for that entire year, however not a soul knew besides for the two of them, and Julia had a rich jerk of a boyfriend the entire time. The story begins very strong and easily acknowledges the reader of this situation, however the rest of the story is revolved around Colt's life and how he copes with everything beyond the day of the accident. The thought of Julia eats away at Colt each and everyday, and he becomes deeply obsessed with her, and a journal which she had wrote to him over the course of the year that they were seeing each other. Her brother Michael had came across the journal and when he discovered who it was about, he gave it to Colt. He reads this everyday in hopes to make him feel whole again. The tone of the book changes significantly whenever reminiscing on the relationship between the two or when direct entries from the journal are read. It becomes a very dark and romantic tone, where as the rest of the novel is kind of laid back and just includes random aspects of Colts every day life. When the tone changes to romantic it becomes very risky. The relationship is described very intimately and is very straightforward about sex scenes. The writing done by Julia which we read when it publishes entries from her journal, are very corny and unrealistically romantic, especially for two high school students. The side stories which happen throughout the book are most times insignificant and a little hard to comprehend; however there are a few events which support the whole point of the story and are very important. This includes events such as Colt confessing to Julia's best friend about their love affair in order to find out specific details from the accident for closure. Colt also experiments with another woman, only to compare her to Julia and eventually break it off because "there was someone else", and that someone else being a deceased Julia. As I continue to read the novel it makes me wonder where the book is going and what the main point of the story actually is. Colt ends up starting to fall for another girl, who was actually Julia's brother Michaels ex girlfriend. I felt as though this did not spice up the story in a good way, it really just stirred the pot and drew away from the baseline of the story. It also makes Colt look like a bad person, and that makes you wonder what type of person he may be in general. Overall I am more than halfway through with the book and I don't quite know where the author is going with the story, or when the turning point will be. Im straggling along trying to figure out when the climax is coming or if it already passed.
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Drifting Away
Julliany Leal
Still Alice
By Lisa Genova
Can you imagine forgetting all your memories and loved ones? Not being able to remember a simple vocab word you learned in elementary school, not being able to look at someone you've known for years and not remember their name, and not remember what you have done in your life nor what has happened. This is what Alice's life is like.
Alice the main character has Alzheimer's and is slowly forgetting everything. She has three children, Lydia, Tom, and Ana. She also married to a man named Tom, the father of her children. Alice is diagnosed with Alzheimer's and her life starts going downhill from there. Her family is shocked by the discovery but supportive of her. Tom goes crazy looking for treatment options and Alice is slowly forgetting things. Her relationship with her daughter Lydia was never great due to Lydia choosing a career in theater, but as time goes on they find something to do together and start getting along, Lydia loves theater and Alice loves reading so they read the same plays and talk about them together. Alice's memory is an up and down rollercoaster. Some days she forgets more things than others, but Tom is very supportive of her. The novel tells you what Alice is thinking so you know she holds back a lot of information and questions from her family.
So far I highly recommend this book. It is very interesting and is very emotional. The story is meaningful and touches you. Alice's character makes you feel sad and happy at the same time. She appreciates everything she has because she may forget all about it someday but she also knows that the day will come.
Some themes of the novel are forgiveness, enjoy life, and be grateful.
This book impressed me because it is telling the story of a woman with Alzheimer's in way that gives you hope and gives this disease a chance. The disease seems better when seen through Alice's life and how she takes it.
On page 162 it states "Lydia reached out across the dishes and glasses and years of distance and held her mothers hand. Alice squeezed it and smiled." This quotes shows you that Alice and her daughter Lydia are finally getting along and connecting. On page 163 it states "Of her three children, she knew Lydia the least." Alice is trying to get to know her daughter more and make things right between them before there is now way to and she forgets her. This gives you hope and shows that Alice cares and wants to make things rights before she mentally is gone. It shows that she's making the most out of her time and this gives hope and encouragement to others with this disease.
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy a heartwarming story and a story that shows how you can make something good out of something horrible.
Still Alice
By Lisa Genova
Can you imagine forgetting all your memories and loved ones? Not being able to remember a simple vocab word you learned in elementary school, not being able to look at someone you've known for years and not remember their name, and not remember what you have done in your life nor what has happened. This is what Alice's life is like.
Alice the main character has Alzheimer's and is slowly forgetting everything. She has three children, Lydia, Tom, and Ana. She also married to a man named Tom, the father of her children. Alice is diagnosed with Alzheimer's and her life starts going downhill from there. Her family is shocked by the discovery but supportive of her. Tom goes crazy looking for treatment options and Alice is slowly forgetting things. Her relationship with her daughter Lydia was never great due to Lydia choosing a career in theater, but as time goes on they find something to do together and start getting along, Lydia loves theater and Alice loves reading so they read the same plays and talk about them together. Alice's memory is an up and down rollercoaster. Some days she forgets more things than others, but Tom is very supportive of her. The novel tells you what Alice is thinking so you know she holds back a lot of information and questions from her family.
So far I highly recommend this book. It is very interesting and is very emotional. The story is meaningful and touches you. Alice's character makes you feel sad and happy at the same time. She appreciates everything she has because she may forget all about it someday but she also knows that the day will come.
Some themes of the novel are forgiveness, enjoy life, and be grateful.
This book impressed me because it is telling the story of a woman with Alzheimer's in way that gives you hope and gives this disease a chance. The disease seems better when seen through Alice's life and how she takes it.
On page 162 it states "Lydia reached out across the dishes and glasses and years of distance and held her mothers hand. Alice squeezed it and smiled." This quotes shows you that Alice and her daughter Lydia are finally getting along and connecting. On page 163 it states "Of her three children, she knew Lydia the least." Alice is trying to get to know her daughter more and make things right between them before there is now way to and she forgets her. This gives you hope and shows that Alice cares and wants to make things rights before she mentally is gone. It shows that she's making the most out of her time and this gives hope and encouragement to others with this disease.
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy a heartwarming story and a story that shows how you can make something good out of something horrible.
The First Part Last
Kayla Hernandez
The First Part Last
By: Angela Johnson
Bobby is a high school student who has now gained bigger responsibilities then being an alumni. At the age of sixteen, Bobby became a dad. "But I figure if the world were really right, humans would live life backward and do the first part last"(4). It was all so unexpected for him, hearing the news from his girlfriend, Nia. Nia was still in school as well, and didn't know what she was going to do with the pregnancy. Not only was it a shock for both Bobby and Nia but also their parents. They all had different perspective on what to do about the pregnancy, but Nia was the one to decide. Throughout the book, Bobby continues to go between then and now. He mentions the good times he spent with his two buds and all the fun he had then, at parties, being a teenager. Now it all seems to just be memories from the past and reality has kicked in.
Feather is now a couple months old and lives with Bobby at home. To Bobby, Feather has become his most important person and his world. "Sometimes she looks at me like she knows me. Like she's known me forever, and everything I ever thought, too. It's scary how she looks at me"(80). Bobby did use to live with his mom and now lives with his dad. Now when Bobby has a chance, he will leave Feather with her sitter and with his friends he will go across the city to visit Nia at the hospital.
I believe this book is a connection to generations of now a days, because some of them get themselves in situations like Bobby found himself and they now have to take upon bigger responsibilities then high school. It's a tragedy to have to become parents at such a young age, but it occurs in our world of now. It also brings on the responsibilities to balance, school, school work, baby, friends and even family. This book is something to learn from and that unexpected events can happen.
I personally connected with it, because it is easily something realistic that occurs all around in our society. I do believe it's wrong and very against our social norms, but I think it gives teens the experience of adulthood and parenthood. It gives them a lot more responsibilities and prepares them for the world, at a much rather early age, but it happens. I believe it was it well written book and would recommend it to friends. I would also recommend it to this audience.
The First Part Last
By: Angela Johnson
Bobby is a high school student who has now gained bigger responsibilities then being an alumni. At the age of sixteen, Bobby became a dad. "But I figure if the world were really right, humans would live life backward and do the first part last"(4). It was all so unexpected for him, hearing the news from his girlfriend, Nia. Nia was still in school as well, and didn't know what she was going to do with the pregnancy. Not only was it a shock for both Bobby and Nia but also their parents. They all had different perspective on what to do about the pregnancy, but Nia was the one to decide. Throughout the book, Bobby continues to go between then and now. He mentions the good times he spent with his two buds and all the fun he had then, at parties, being a teenager. Now it all seems to just be memories from the past and reality has kicked in.
Feather is now a couple months old and lives with Bobby at home. To Bobby, Feather has become his most important person and his world. "Sometimes she looks at me like she knows me. Like she's known me forever, and everything I ever thought, too. It's scary how she looks at me"(80). Bobby did use to live with his mom and now lives with his dad. Now when Bobby has a chance, he will leave Feather with her sitter and with his friends he will go across the city to visit Nia at the hospital.
I believe this book is a connection to generations of now a days, because some of them get themselves in situations like Bobby found himself and they now have to take upon bigger responsibilities then high school. It's a tragedy to have to become parents at such a young age, but it occurs in our world of now. It also brings on the responsibilities to balance, school, school work, baby, friends and even family. This book is something to learn from and that unexpected events can happen.
I personally connected with it, because it is easily something realistic that occurs all around in our society. I do believe it's wrong and very against our social norms, but I think it gives teens the experience of adulthood and parenthood. It gives them a lot more responsibilities and prepares them for the world, at a much rather early age, but it happens. I believe it was it well written book and would recommend it to friends. I would also recommend it to this audience.
Monday, February 13, 2017
Barely awake
Melissa Nicolas
Alive By Scot Sigler
February 6, 2017
Alive By Scot Sigler
February 6, 2017
Submerged into blandness and engulfed by boredom, what can
anyone do when they're trapped reading the same thing over and over again with
no climax and seemingly no resolution. This will be my second review of Scot
Sigler's novel Alive. The book starts the readers off with a powerful and
suspenseful beginning. We meet our mysterious, no named, protagonist who awakens surrounded by darkness and isn't sure where she is nor who she is. To
reflect, a young girl awakens chained in a coffin completely in the dark and
has no idea how she came to be like this and has no memory of who her family is
or even her name. With all the strength, she can muster she breaks free of her
casket. Only to realize she is in a room filled with a dozen casket with bodies
waiting to be awoken. The only information she knows is that her name must be
M. Savage because it was in her coffin and that she is definitely not twelve
years old anymore. The storyline is unlike any other book I've reviewed. I was
quickly captivated by the characters and plot of the book. To my dismay, when I
initially reviewed the book giving it praise I hadn't anticipated that
everything I read in the first couple chapters was all the book had to offer.
Once readers find themselves half way into the book they
realize that the characters trapped underground have made no progress getting
out or finding their true identities. This fact is the reason for the
drastic change in my review of the book. I cannot identify a single point in
the book where I was truly on the edge of my seat and turning pages left and
right. This is not a recommendation to readers, unless you are the type that
enjoys slow paced books without climactic excitement and lack real resolution.
Towards the middle of the book, I suspect is where many readers have lost
interest in the storyline and even the characters. The only praise the book
deserves is the diverse and wildly entertaining and wildly different characters
created by Scot Sigler that reside in this book. Characters like Yong (the only
piece of identification given to the audience), who was highly combative and
arrogant but kept the book exciting with his sharp tongue and short temper.
" His arms are crossed again; his head is tilted slightly to the right. He
is a walking challenge, daring anyone to contradict him. Something about his
presence promises pain" (Sigler 41). Characters like O' Malley weren't nearly as
captivating. If he was meant to be the brooding, handsome love
interest that young girls are entranced by then he came off more as having an
emotion deficiency and the audience couldn't learn to love him. " He [ O'
Malley] doesn't seem suspicious or
angry. When someone talks, he looks, at them... he's analyzing, he's
measuring" ( Sigler 237).
I still believe that this book can be salvaged and could
potentially be a good read for other people. I still recommend it to readers
that like slow paced science fiction book but if not then I would stay away
from this book unless you are in need of some sleep.
Saturday, February 11, 2017
A Gronk and his Ball
The 2011 season of NFL football witnessed something that was far from normal; the NFL had rising stars all over the league but none shined more than Rob Gronkowski. 2011 was the year that Rob Gronkowski became the best tight end in football. It was the year " I became everything that I worked so hard to become ". In his book Gronk explains that the road to becoming a top tight end in the league is easier than being trusted by Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. The birth of Gronk came with two minutes left in a game against St. Louis Rams gronk said " that he knew the ball would come to him " it was one of those moments where you see a great player flash his greatness. In his second season Rob delivered on his promise to be in shape and to help the patriots win. He details how tough it is to be a Patriot. The way that they do not celebrate success and only focus on the mistakes that players make it seems like a harsh place to play but in reality it is one of the better organizations to be in it has cultivated and brewed success under Belichick, Kraft and Brady to say the least Rob Gronkowski was a pivotal piece in revitalizing the city of Boston. The road did have bumps, bruises and nicks along the way for Gronk but it was definitely not the hardest thong he has accomplished. He went on to set tight end records ( 17 TD's, 1,327 Yards ) which were never before seen by a player at his position. Unfortunately after his most productive season the Patriots did not win the super bowl amd Rob details the disappointment and emotional toll a loss like that takes on a player Rob said " guys were devatstaed, some crying, others in shock " that season for the Patriots tight emd Rob Gronkowski was historic he set records and broke precedents even shattered the norm of what an NFL tight end should be but it just wasn't enough.
Friday, February 10, 2017
Dictatorship?
Danny Miller
1984
By George Orwell
There is something eerily familiar about this story. While it does seem to be a bit exaggerated, this is a fully established government that seems to be well underway, while we, in the United States, are only less than a month into our new administration.
Since I began reading 1984 - only a few days ago - I have already become fascinated by the parallels it reveals to our world today. This book was recommended to me by a family member on the grounds that bears eye-opening similarities to America under our current administration, and also that it is, at this point, the top selling book in the country.
Some of the major connections I have made include ignorance towards the lack of free speech and free press, a leader that near resembles a dictator, the hatred of "political orthodoxy," (11) or political correctness, and constant war with specific regions (In the novel: Eurasia and East Asia – In reality: Afghanistan, Syria etc.).
The main character, Winston Smith, must be careful of what he says or does, because Big Brother – the leader – is watching him. Not figuratively, literally. In his home is a TV screen, which cannot be turned off, that both transmits and receives signals, allowing for the government to spy on what he is doing, forcing him to keep his hatred of the "Thought Police" (14) and Big Brother to himself.
He attends the "Two Minutes Hate" assembly, where images of government-disapproved people – specifically, Emmanuel Goldstein, a Jewish man who was deemed "the Enemy of the People" (11) – are displayed on a large screen for everyone to shout and throw things at. At the very end, a large picture of Big Brother appears on the screen, and that is when everyone calms down, including Winston, insinuating that this is some sort of brainwashing session.
Again, while claiming that this is reminiscent of our current government is quite a stretch, it has strong parallels to what we are beginning to experience across America. I am really looking forward to reading the rest of this book, and I believe that anyone who has any interest in politics whatsoever should read this book as well. Once I am finished, I will return to share my thoughts, so stay tuned!
1984
By George Orwell
There is something eerily familiar about this story. While it does seem to be a bit exaggerated, this is a fully established government that seems to be well underway, while we, in the United States, are only less than a month into our new administration.
Since I began reading 1984 - only a few days ago - I have already become fascinated by the parallels it reveals to our world today. This book was recommended to me by a family member on the grounds that bears eye-opening similarities to America under our current administration, and also that it is, at this point, the top selling book in the country.
Some of the major connections I have made include ignorance towards the lack of free speech and free press, a leader that near resembles a dictator, the hatred of "political orthodoxy," (11) or political correctness, and constant war with specific regions (In the novel: Eurasia and East Asia – In reality: Afghanistan, Syria etc.).
The main character, Winston Smith, must be careful of what he says or does, because Big Brother – the leader – is watching him. Not figuratively, literally. In his home is a TV screen, which cannot be turned off, that both transmits and receives signals, allowing for the government to spy on what he is doing, forcing him to keep his hatred of the "Thought Police" (14) and Big Brother to himself.
He attends the "Two Minutes Hate" assembly, where images of government-disapproved people – specifically, Emmanuel Goldstein, a Jewish man who was deemed "the Enemy of the People" (11) – are displayed on a large screen for everyone to shout and throw things at. At the very end, a large picture of Big Brother appears on the screen, and that is when everyone calms down, including Winston, insinuating that this is some sort of brainwashing session.
Again, while claiming that this is reminiscent of our current government is quite a stretch, it has strong parallels to what we are beginning to experience across America. I am really looking forward to reading the rest of this book, and I believe that anyone who has any interest in politics whatsoever should read this book as well. Once I am finished, I will return to share my thoughts, so stay tuned!
Friends to the end- but does the end have to come so soon?
Divya Arora
A Time For Dancing
By Davida Wills Hurwin
Two friends who spend more time with each other than with their own families, and if you find one the other can't be far behind. In their last year of high school, they are are certain that they will share the triumphs and face the tears together whether it's colleges or dance careers- whatever the future brings them. Unfortunately, an unknown pain with no cure takes over Juliana's life but it affects her "One and Only", her best friend, Samantha Jefferson Russell the First, dreadfully. In his piece of work, Hurwin introduces two narratives of inseparable best friends who share the love of dancing. One day in dance class, Julianna faints and is diagnosed with stage four of lymphoma, a type of cancer, and her illness is a major focus in this book. Since childhood, they have supported and leaned on each other emotionally and mentally but Julie finds that this is something she has to fight alone. The chemotherapy results in devastating effects: loss of hair nauseousness, isolation, depression and most unfortunate her gradual drift from Samantha. And even though she and Sam have supported each other for years, Juliana finds that this is something she must fight alone. Her life changes physically and mentally. For instance, after several chemo therapies, she begins to lose her hair and describes herself as "a demon- girl...face set and cold, clumps of hair sticking out from the patches of bald" (109). All of a sudden her life turns upside down and she is yet to prepare herself for the upcoming challenges. This book is beautifully written and highlights a living tragedy. The loyalty demonstrated in this book redefines what friendship is all about and as the reader switches perspective/narrative of Juliana with a struggling health but a perfect family to Sam with a perfect family but crumbling health, it makes them appreciate little moments in life.
Hurwin executes an outstanding job portraying characters through text and diction. The readers feel emotionally connected to the characters and their life. It is emotionally appealing and reminds you that friends are all about helping each other when one is in the midst of turmoil of life, and keeping up your hope when everything seems to be crumbling around you. This is a great young adult book and I would recommend it to teens who are into dramatic fiction. It has a bit of humor and at times it gets very emotional. It's definitely a tearjerker and readers feel involved and attached to the characters based on the characteristics and the plot. Through diction, the author leaves us feeling sentimental. For example, after discovering Juliana has cancer, to comfort herself, Sam asserts "The one important thing in the whole world was to have Jules be well. But how could she not be? She was my One and Only. We were together in this world, and nothing could change that, ever" (66). True friendship and compassion in the two girls for each other incite readers to keep reading the book and accentuate friends in their lives.
As I read the book, there were tears on my face as I admired the beauty of friendship and what happens when a loved one is dying in front of you. It made me appreciate my own friends and remind me that everyone is going through their own struggles and we should never judge anyone based on what you perceive of them without being in their shoes. I enjoyed reading it a lot and the main theme of this book especially intrigued me because everyone wonders how someone would react if a loved one became ill. Would it be a temporary concern? How would their lives be affected? However, it is a good reminder that illness and tragedies that affect one person also affect their family and friends.
A Time For Dancing
By Davida Wills Hurwin
Two friends who spend more time with each other than with their own families, and if you find one the other can't be far behind. In their last year of high school, they are are certain that they will share the triumphs and face the tears together whether it's colleges or dance careers- whatever the future brings them. Unfortunately, an unknown pain with no cure takes over Juliana's life but it affects her "One and Only", her best friend, Samantha Jefferson Russell the First, dreadfully. In his piece of work, Hurwin introduces two narratives of inseparable best friends who share the love of dancing. One day in dance class, Julianna faints and is diagnosed with stage four of lymphoma, a type of cancer, and her illness is a major focus in this book. Since childhood, they have supported and leaned on each other emotionally and mentally but Julie finds that this is something she has to fight alone. The chemotherapy results in devastating effects: loss of hair nauseousness, isolation, depression and most unfortunate her gradual drift from Samantha. And even though she and Sam have supported each other for years, Juliana finds that this is something she must fight alone. Her life changes physically and mentally. For instance, after several chemo therapies, she begins to lose her hair and describes herself as "a demon- girl...face set and cold, clumps of hair sticking out from the patches of bald" (109). All of a sudden her life turns upside down and she is yet to prepare herself for the upcoming challenges. This book is beautifully written and highlights a living tragedy. The loyalty demonstrated in this book redefines what friendship is all about and as the reader switches perspective/narrative of Juliana with a struggling health but a perfect family to Sam with a perfect family but crumbling health, it makes them appreciate little moments in life.
Hurwin executes an outstanding job portraying characters through text and diction. The readers feel emotionally connected to the characters and their life. It is emotionally appealing and reminds you that friends are all about helping each other when one is in the midst of turmoil of life, and keeping up your hope when everything seems to be crumbling around you. This is a great young adult book and I would recommend it to teens who are into dramatic fiction. It has a bit of humor and at times it gets very emotional. It's definitely a tearjerker and readers feel involved and attached to the characters based on the characteristics and the plot. Through diction, the author leaves us feeling sentimental. For example, after discovering Juliana has cancer, to comfort herself, Sam asserts "The one important thing in the whole world was to have Jules be well. But how could she not be? She was my One and Only. We were together in this world, and nothing could change that, ever" (66). True friendship and compassion in the two girls for each other incite readers to keep reading the book and accentuate friends in their lives.
As I read the book, there were tears on my face as I admired the beauty of friendship and what happens when a loved one is dying in front of you. It made me appreciate my own friends and remind me that everyone is going through their own struggles and we should never judge anyone based on what you perceive of them without being in their shoes. I enjoyed reading it a lot and the main theme of this book especially intrigued me because everyone wonders how someone would react if a loved one became ill. Would it be a temporary concern? How would their lives be affected? However, it is a good reminder that illness and tragedies that affect one person also affect their family and friends.
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Loss of innocence
Loss of Innocence
Cameron Egan
Night by Elie Wiesel
From an enjoyable life to complete terror; the life of a young teenage Jew Elie Wiesel during World War II. Elie had been living a relatively normal life in Sighet, Transylvania with his mother, father, and sister up until the war. Things began to change as the discrimination of Jews began with the expulsion of all foreign Jews in Sighet. A man named Moshe the Beadle was one of these Jews that were taken away by the German Gestapo, but he was able to escape and to come back to Sighet to warn all other Jews of the extermination of his foreign Jewish comrades and that all those in Sighet could be next. Elie tried to believe the warnings, but his belief was changed at the hands of the Jewish adults that claimed Moshe was crazy and couldn't be believed. Moshe warned them of what was coming, and little did they all know Moshe the Beadle was speaking of the truth; in 1944 German military cars containing soldiers and officers arrived in the Jewish neighborhoods of Sighet and changed everyone's lives for the worst.
Elie was forced to leave his normalcy in Sighet, and had to do what ever it took to beat the odds and make in through the German concentration camp of Auschwitz. He could not just keep pushing through for himself, he had to do it for his mother, sister, and father because with out them he was nothing. His father would set this example for him as they struggled through the custody of the concentration camp.
Overall this book contains a great story. Night contains themes of resilience and portrays Elie's loss on innocence as he had to react to the tragic situation around him. As someone who is very interested in WWII, I find it very intriguing to read about a different part of the war in the perspective of a victim of the holocaust.
The day Elie and his fellow Jewish people of Sighet were forced into train cars by the Gestapo was the day that all freedom was lost by these Jewish individuals. "...The cars were sealed...If anyone escaped, he would be shot."(20). After arriving at Auschwitz and already having seen so much, Elie though to himself "Never shall iforget that night... the little faces of the children... those flames which consumed my faith forever."(32). Elie was no longer a young teenage boy in sighet living happily with his family. Elie's innocence was gone in a blink of an eye because of Adolf Hitler's hatred for jews. Elie could no longer enjoy his young life because he and his family became prisoners of the Nazi Regime. Elie and his father could only continue to survive by the thoughts that Elie's mother and sister were still alive as well in another part of Auschwitz. "Your mother is still a young woman... She must be in a labor camp. And Tzipora's a big girl now, isn't she? She must be in a camp too."(43). These thoughts of Elie's mother and sister continued to motivate him and his father through the toughest of times, even if they didn't really believe whether or not those thoughts were really true.
What makes this story so compelling is the way Elie is so resilient even after his quick loss of innocence. Even though he had his entire life ripped away from him, he still continues to work and survive without too much complaint. Hope keeps Elie and his father moving. Although this is not a war novel involving the front line battle aspects of World War II, it does bring a whole different point of view of the war. I would recommend this book to fans of the movie Defiance and other fans interested in reading about WWII or the Holocaust in the perspective of a victim. This book is more of a quick read, so if you are looking for a more developed and detailed story, then this book may not be for you.
Cameron Egan
Night by Elie Wiesel
From an enjoyable life to complete terror; the life of a young teenage Jew Elie Wiesel during World War II. Elie had been living a relatively normal life in Sighet, Transylvania with his mother, father, and sister up until the war. Things began to change as the discrimination of Jews began with the expulsion of all foreign Jews in Sighet. A man named Moshe the Beadle was one of these Jews that were taken away by the German Gestapo, but he was able to escape and to come back to Sighet to warn all other Jews of the extermination of his foreign Jewish comrades and that all those in Sighet could be next. Elie tried to believe the warnings, but his belief was changed at the hands of the Jewish adults that claimed Moshe was crazy and couldn't be believed. Moshe warned them of what was coming, and little did they all know Moshe the Beadle was speaking of the truth; in 1944 German military cars containing soldiers and officers arrived in the Jewish neighborhoods of Sighet and changed everyone's lives for the worst.
Elie was forced to leave his normalcy in Sighet, and had to do what ever it took to beat the odds and make in through the German concentration camp of Auschwitz. He could not just keep pushing through for himself, he had to do it for his mother, sister, and father because with out them he was nothing. His father would set this example for him as they struggled through the custody of the concentration camp.
Overall this book contains a great story. Night contains themes of resilience and portrays Elie's loss on innocence as he had to react to the tragic situation around him. As someone who is very interested in WWII, I find it very intriguing to read about a different part of the war in the perspective of a victim of the holocaust.
The day Elie and his fellow Jewish people of Sighet were forced into train cars by the Gestapo was the day that all freedom was lost by these Jewish individuals. "...The cars were sealed...If anyone escaped, he would be shot."(20). After arriving at Auschwitz and already having seen so much, Elie though to himself "Never shall iforget that night... the little faces of the children... those flames which consumed my faith forever."(32). Elie was no longer a young teenage boy in sighet living happily with his family. Elie's innocence was gone in a blink of an eye because of Adolf Hitler's hatred for jews. Elie could no longer enjoy his young life because he and his family became prisoners of the Nazi Regime. Elie and his father could only continue to survive by the thoughts that Elie's mother and sister were still alive as well in another part of Auschwitz. "Your mother is still a young woman... She must be in a labor camp. And Tzipora's a big girl now, isn't she? She must be in a camp too."(43). These thoughts of Elie's mother and sister continued to motivate him and his father through the toughest of times, even if they didn't really believe whether or not those thoughts were really true.
What makes this story so compelling is the way Elie is so resilient even after his quick loss of innocence. Even though he had his entire life ripped away from him, he still continues to work and survive without too much complaint. Hope keeps Elie and his father moving. Although this is not a war novel involving the front line battle aspects of World War II, it does bring a whole different point of view of the war. I would recommend this book to fans of the movie Defiance and other fans interested in reading about WWII or the Holocaust in the perspective of a victim. This book is more of a quick read, so if you are looking for a more developed and detailed story, then this book may not be for you.
One Man's Answer to Life's Questions
Hallie Melville
Tuesdays with Morrie
by Mitch Albom
There are so many beautiful sentences in this book that hold important meaning. Something that Morrie said that really stuck out to me was "dying is only one thing to be sad over. Living unhappily is something else" (8). My interpretation of this is that you shouldn't let fear restrict you from being yourself or having new experiences because these are the things that will make you happy. Another quote that I found inspiring was, "So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things" (43). This reminds me to focus on things like relationships with friends and family and being grateful for what I have, rather than focusing on material things.
Albom's writing style is interesting because he manages to add humor to depressing situations in an appropriate way. He takes a meaningful and personal story, transforming it into a beautiful work of literature that one can sympathize with. Tuesdays with Morrie his book is an extremely moving tear-jerker, inspirational to say the least. It has important lessons that will teach you to live life without fear, meant for someone looking to have their eyes opened.
The River that Divides Truth
Maxwell Waters
A Separate Peace
By John Knowles
“Quick jump!”, said Phineas as Gene plummeted to his possible demise in the river. The novel itself is a piece of historical fiction that begins as a reflection, Gene the main character returns to his former high school, Devon Academy in New Hampshire. While there, he describes how he felt fearful, and how the war even though took place he felt no string to it. As a form of a flashback the reader is immersed in Gene’s world in 1942. In my opinion this book would be highly recommended to teens and young adults because it is a story of coming of age. Style and by the way the book is written, reminds me of a similar American classic, Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger, where the main character discovers himself and develops into an adult by all the experiences he undergoes.
Competition is a common theme regarding the way Gene views Phineas. Reason being is that Phineas, an outgoing and athletic character, seems to always find a way to make situations go they way he wants them to. For example the Academy hosted a brunch, and the attire was formal. Phineas met up with Gene at the brunch, and at first glance Gene noticed Phineas was missing a belt, so in place for the missing belt he had his school tie wrapped around his waist. Gene, embarrassed for Phineas told him he was going to get yelled out. But clever Phineas, when approached by his teacher created an elaborate story about how his tie related to the war. Gene always felt threatened by the way Phineas held himself. According to the novel the narrator points out their differences, “You and Phineas are even already. You are even in enmity” (53). Enmity is “ the state of feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something”. In reference to the definition, their relationship as friends is in enmity only by the view of Gene. Phineas on the other hand reveals he feels the complete opposite, where he feels they are not in competition. In my opinion they both are in denial for possibly liking each other more than just friends.
During the final moment for the book takes a turn for the worst, Phineas tells Gene he felt a certain feeling towards him. This indescribable feeling could possibly represent his love for Gene. They both live in the same dorm and basically go out all the time together. There are not many moments as far as I have read when they are apart. Gene and Phineas seldom speak of anyone they might be interested in.
As mentioned earlier there is a major negative turning point, that helps Gene realize reality. His reality check is that he took Phineas for granted, all along he believed he was competitor, but the horrific event altered his idea of their relationship. According to the novel as Phineas is at his parents house in Boston, Gene jokingly remarks, “ You aren’t going to start living by the rules, are you? I grinned at him. Oh no, I wouldn’t do that” (71). After soon realizing his best friend Phineas is in a tough predicament, he begins blaming himself for what had happened. He begins to look differently at his friend, it’s almost as if he looks at life in a new light. Mood and tone really support this idea of realization because, Gene has all of these new emotions that before he never knew existed.
The City and the Pillar Book Review
Maxwell Waters
11/3/16
The City and the Pillar
A teenage getaway during one weekend goes for an unexpected turn when Jim realizes he is in love with his teammate Bob. Weeks of awkwardness have gone by and set in this early twentieth-century setting, tensions are high. Soon after in the novel The City and The Pillar by Gore Vidal, accounts a young man’s experience after he meets and loses the love of his life. Jim, the main character meets movie stars, directors, travels to south America, falls in love with a writer, and ends up in the military. Throughout this thrilling fiction, the reader gets an opportunity to read about this adventurous character.
In my opinion, I recommend this book to anyone who wants to get lost in a romance book with all sorts of drama, and obstacles both the reader and the character have to go through. According to the novel I can relate to the idea of wanting someone that in return they might not like you back. The author uses awkward situations throughout the book to express the difficulty of finding a partner. For example in the novel one night, one of the Shipyard men and Jim were going to go out one night into town because they docked ahead of time. After weeks of talking to the shipyard man, Jim believed that they could maybe have some form of a relationship. Unfortunately for Jim that was not the case. At the bar, they both get really drunk and rowdy. Once Jim makes some moves with the guy he soon is shut down in front of him. What made this scene so interesting was the fact that although they both were drunk and they seemed to be having a good time, but it is not realistic for a gay relationship to be so easy, especially in such plain view of people.
According to the novel as Jim is trying to make a career as a tennis instructor he encounters Ronald Shaw, a renowned movie actor in Hollywood, who falls in love with Jim. In order for Jim to jumpstart his life financially he reasons with Shaw a relationship. Their relationship highlights an idea known as, “ for those mainly youth who offered themselves for seduction while proclaiming their heterosexuality, they were known as trade, since they usually wanted money” (164). Labeling amongst the community itself is interesting to point out the different forms of gay present in society. Shaw's and his followers perspective on Jim is false, however they fall for the trap of labeling. Stereotypes are present everywhere it does not matter from what background someone is from.
The power of Discipline
The power of Discipline
Grit; the power of passion and perseverance
By Angela Duckworth
Most people strive to avoid pain, and discipline tends to be painful. Angela Duckworth explains the idea of grit and perseverance throughout her novel. She explains the ideas of hard work being the ultimate determinant of success.
Her point of focus towards the end of the book, is centered on the idea of effort. She explains the power of passion, and how passion is the main driving factor of how people discipline themselves, and how much effort people will put into accomplishing something. As she says "80 percent of success in life, is showing up"(49) this idea is explained through how effort is the main determinant in one's tenacity, and in effect, leads to success.
In her research of the tendencies of consistent effort stemming from one's passion, I find that her ideas really relate to my life in many ways. "The reason why it works... is because I've been doing it consistently and persistently"(48); this is a key reason for why I am successful with the things that I put my mind to. My passions for wrestling, and weightlifting translate into the hard work and rigorous lifestyle I pursue, and also the discipline I develop leading to my ultimate success.
The link between my passion and my success in those passions, are not directly linked. There is a bridge that connects those two, and it is grit and discipline. Many people have passions, however not many are prepared to do what it takes to make success out of them. This is what Angela Duckworth's book has ultimately taught me, and I would 100% recommend it to anyone of any age or type. Whether you like sports or musical instruments, fixing cars, or teaching, this book does an exemplary job of portraying the importance of a lifestyle consisting of hard work and discipline, because no matter what it is you do in life, if you do not pursue it with assertiveness, passion, and grit, there will be no bridge between your passions, and your success.
Grit; the power of passion and perseverance
By Angela Duckworth
Most people strive to avoid pain, and discipline tends to be painful. Angela Duckworth explains the idea of grit and perseverance throughout her novel. She explains the ideas of hard work being the ultimate determinant of success.
Her point of focus towards the end of the book, is centered on the idea of effort. She explains the power of passion, and how passion is the main driving factor of how people discipline themselves, and how much effort people will put into accomplishing something. As she says "80 percent of success in life, is showing up"(49) this idea is explained through how effort is the main determinant in one's tenacity, and in effect, leads to success.
In her research of the tendencies of consistent effort stemming from one's passion, I find that her ideas really relate to my life in many ways. "The reason why it works... is because I've been doing it consistently and persistently"(48); this is a key reason for why I am successful with the things that I put my mind to. My passions for wrestling, and weightlifting translate into the hard work and rigorous lifestyle I pursue, and also the discipline I develop leading to my ultimate success.
The link between my passion and my success in those passions, are not directly linked. There is a bridge that connects those two, and it is grit and discipline. Many people have passions, however not many are prepared to do what it takes to make success out of them. This is what Angela Duckworth's book has ultimately taught me, and I would 100% recommend it to anyone of any age or type. Whether you like sports or musical instruments, fixing cars, or teaching, this book does an exemplary job of portraying the importance of a lifestyle consisting of hard work and discipline, because no matter what it is you do in life, if you do not pursue it with assertiveness, passion, and grit, there will be no bridge between your passions, and your success.
Monday, February 6, 2017
Fighting the Cliche: The Mara Dyer Series
Fighting the Cliche: The Mara Dyer Series
Nicolas Léger
The Unbecoming of Mara DyerThe Evolution of Mara DyerThe Retribution of Mara Dyerby Michelle Hodkin
"It has been said that there must be a villain for every hero, a demon for every angel, a monster for every god" (The Retribution of Mara Dyer, 284).
Mara is the villain for Noah's hero. She is the demon for Noah's angel, the monster complementing Noah, complementing god.
Mara Dyer, the survivor of a building collapse in spite of the death of her two best friends and boyfriend, moves to Miami, Florida in hopes of returning a sense of normality to her life. At her new school, Mara meets Noah Shaw -- a mysterious boy with an equally as mysterious attraction to Mara. However, not everything is as it seems to be, and when Mara's delusions, which are thought to be a byproduct of PTSD from the accident, start becoming real, Noah becomes more important than a high school romance.
Falling under the genres of science fiction, mystery, and romance, the Mara Dyer trilogy is an addicting series for readers of varying tastes. Throughout the three novels, Mara and Noah's relationship faces trial again and again, however not at their choosing. The concept of "soulmates" becomes more than a cliche attraction between the two teenagers. It is genetic. They are linked together by a mutation that complements one another's, yet also has the ability to ruin the other.
Mara, who narrates a significant portion of the series is unreliable, or at least appears to be. The theme of reality versus unreality keeps the mystery of the trilogy going, for the doctors and influential adult figures in Mara's life hold a stronger ethological appeal than Mara herself, who is reasonably deemed unstable. She acknowledges her instability to the reader, explaining that there is, "An angel sat on one shoulder, a devil on the other. Both of them wore my face" (The Retribution of Mara Dyer, 182). Yet, corruption follows Mara everywhere she goes, making her darker side useful. No one can be trusted, and for those who can be, Hodkin writes extremely likable characters, despite not always having relevance to the progression of the plot. An example of this is the involvement of Mara's family, which is (unrealistically) not always present in most young adult novels.
This touches upon a final of many qualities that the book holds, making it a recommended read -- Mara as a character is strong despite situations breaking her down. Whilst most novels are narrated by a weak female who values misogynistic patriarchal figures in their lives, Noah is supportive, even when he, perhaps, shouldn't be. For lack of a better term, Mara is a badass and doesn't need Noah to defend herself, as proven throughout the literary work. She is strong with and without him. Mara becomes stronger upon meeting more people like herself and Noah who resemble superheroes (or, perhaps, super villains).
For readers who couldn't care less about the patriarch, appreciate banter for comic relief in spite of terrible situations, and wish for a fictional boy to fall in love with. The Mara Dyer trilogy presents a series of YA novels that, surprisingly, don't suck.
My Month of Madness
Ty Campana
Brain On Fire
By Susannah Cahalan
What would you think if you woke up one morning and you were suddenly paranoid by everything that happened. Susannah Cahalan had the perfect life falling into her lap. She had her dream job at the New York Post as a news reporter and had her dream boyfriend. One day she woke with a sharp, painful migraine that would not go away, the next day her left arm had gone completely numb, that had then travelled to the whole left side of her body. After getting multiple exams done to try and figure out what was wrong with her, nothing was found. This soon all goes downhill when she one day woke up alone in a hospital room, strapped to her bed and unable to speak, with no memory of how she had gotten there. just two days earlier she had the perfect life and now she was labeled as violent, psychotic and a flight risk? how did this happen?
Within the first 5 chapters of this book the story is extremely intriguing and although it is a memoir I find myself very into the story. So far they have not given us a specific diagnosis as to what Susannah has, but the fact that she is slowly losing her mind and losing her identity is very interesting and is always keeping wondering what is going to happen next.
I would recommend this book this book to anybody who is mature enough to handle the mature words and intense story lines that are in this book. There is a lot of heavy things that happen to Susannah throughout the story and I feel like you have to be mature enough to understand it.
Brain On Fire
By Susannah Cahalan
What would you think if you woke up one morning and you were suddenly paranoid by everything that happened. Susannah Cahalan had the perfect life falling into her lap. She had her dream job at the New York Post as a news reporter and had her dream boyfriend. One day she woke with a sharp, painful migraine that would not go away, the next day her left arm had gone completely numb, that had then travelled to the whole left side of her body. After getting multiple exams done to try and figure out what was wrong with her, nothing was found. This soon all goes downhill when she one day woke up alone in a hospital room, strapped to her bed and unable to speak, with no memory of how she had gotten there. just two days earlier she had the perfect life and now she was labeled as violent, psychotic and a flight risk? how did this happen?
Within the first 5 chapters of this book the story is extremely intriguing and although it is a memoir I find myself very into the story. So far they have not given us a specific diagnosis as to what Susannah has, but the fact that she is slowly losing her mind and losing her identity is very interesting and is always keeping wondering what is going to happen next.
I would recommend this book this book to anybody who is mature enough to handle the mature words and intense story lines that are in this book. There is a lot of heavy things that happen to Susannah throughout the story and I feel like you have to be mature enough to understand it.
Do you believe in destiny?
Beatle Meets Destiny
Gabrielle Williams
Do you believe in destiny? In the 46 pages I've read In Beatle Meets Destiny, Beatle, which is a nickname for John Lennon, meets Destiny randomly at the tram stop. He has no clue who she is, but he still decides to say something to her. They hang out for the rest of the night and they both seem very interested in each other. Her friends, however, are concerned because Destiny does not really know Beatle as well as she says she does, so they are mainly concerned for her safety.
After reading 46 pages I've seen a lot of each character. Destiny seems to be really interested in Beatle because he's not like most guys she has been with, "'Finally I've met my Destiny.' 'I feel like you're my Destiny.' 'Does this mean we're destined to be together?' Most of the crap lines in the world, she'd heard. So it was refreshing to meet a guy who didn't spin some cliche as soon as he heard her name"(21). And for the rest of that chapter Destiny talked a lot about Beatle. However, this is surprising because they have just met each other so one wouldn't think that Destiny would be so interested in Beatle. Beatle has not really talked about Destiny yet, I think he will later in the story. Cleary there is a connection with the two main characters and their names and I feel like I will find out later in the story and see the connection. I know they already explained the connection between both of their names, however, I feel as if it was not a consequence that they both met.
I'm interested to see what will happen later in the story because Destiny seems to care a lot about what her friends think, "Destiny had a vague feeling that is was wrong to dump her friends for a boy/ But when Beatle asked if she wanted to go and do something after he'd finished his shift at the coffee shop, well what's a girl supposed to do? 'That's brilliant,' she said" (31). Even though she still has been hanging out with Beatle I think she will end up breaking up with him for her friends. I honestly think this because being a teenage girl a lot of girls value their friendship with their friends over a boy. Even though they had a really good connection at first I think that her friends will get too involved in the relationship. Meaning that they will try to informally break up the relationship for Destiny's own safety because of the way they met. Destiny thinks she knows Beatle really well, but they really only have known each other for about a week.
If I had to recommend this book to a certain age group it would most likely be to teenagers, especially because the main characters are 18 years old. Also, the book so far has a great romantic setting that teenage girls seem to like when they are reading a book. The way they met so randomly and atomically connected, is what a lot of teenage girls I would think are interested in reading about.
After reading 46 pages I've seen a lot of each character. Destiny seems to be really interested in Beatle because he's not like most guys she has been with, "'Finally I've met my Destiny.' 'I feel like you're my Destiny.' 'Does this mean we're destined to be together?' Most of the crap lines in the world, she'd heard. So it was refreshing to meet a guy who didn't spin some cliche as soon as he heard her name"(21). And for the rest of that chapter Destiny talked a lot about Beatle. However, this is surprising because they have just met each other so one wouldn't think that Destiny would be so interested in Beatle. Beatle has not really talked about Destiny yet, I think he will later in the story. Cleary there is a connection with the two main characters and their names and I feel like I will find out later in the story and see the connection. I know they already explained the connection between both of their names, however, I feel as if it was not a consequence that they both met.
I'm interested to see what will happen later in the story because Destiny seems to care a lot about what her friends think, "Destiny had a vague feeling that is was wrong to dump her friends for a boy/ But when Beatle asked if she wanted to go and do something after he'd finished his shift at the coffee shop, well what's a girl supposed to do? 'That's brilliant,' she said" (31). Even though she still has been hanging out with Beatle I think she will end up breaking up with him for her friends. I honestly think this because being a teenage girl a lot of girls value their friendship with their friends over a boy. Even though they had a really good connection at first I think that her friends will get too involved in the relationship. Meaning that they will try to informally break up the relationship for Destiny's own safety because of the way they met. Destiny thinks she knows Beatle really well, but they really only have known each other for about a week.
If I had to recommend this book to a certain age group it would most likely be to teenagers, especially because the main characters are 18 years old. Also, the book so far has a great romantic setting that teenage girls seem to like when they are reading a book. The way they met so randomly and atomically connected, is what a lot of teenage girls I would think are interested in reading about.
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