The Last Lecture

This book was different than many of the others I've read. This is one of the few that doesn't seem to match Ms. O'Brien's model for student's independant reading -- that is, it doesn't feature any rape or mental problems. That being said it is still a great book. Randy Pausch reflects on his life, which despite the lack of conflict, is still realitively interesting. Pausch offers his prospective on just about everything from raising children, to teaching students, to success with a career. Pausch focuses on 2 major ideas: working to acheive your goals and being easy to work with. He's come up with unique lesson plans to instill this idea in his students minds.

I personally find him very easy to agree with. He focuses a lot on not letting "brick walls" get in your way, which, although I would never phrase it like that, I do agree with that philosophy. It's a shame that Pausch couldn't have been around later to instill these ideas in his kids too.

The Alchemist

As the quarter winds down, I find myself in the best spot I've been in all year in terms of Independent reading. The story of Pat Tillman is done, and that was a good book, and I'm almost done with The Last Lecture.

I have to say, in the words of Ms. O'Brien, The Alchemist was "El Sucko". I felt that there was absolutely nothing about it that I liked. The plot was boring, a boy in search of his "personal legend" or treasure, who cares! There is absolutely nothing unique about this book except for how poorly it was written. Normally authors slip casual messages about human nature in through the actions of their characters, here Paulo Cohelo simply stated his ideas in dry boring statements, that were hard to relate to. Long story short, I would not recommend The Alchemist to anyone who looks to enjoy reading a book.

Where Men Win Glory

A little behind schedule, still I'm done with my first book.

Pat Tillman. It's nearly impossible to describe him in words that due him justice but I'll do my best. From Krakauer's description, Pat is nearly impossible not to like. He gave everyone he encountered a fair shot. He was known for challenging people to advanced discussion in which he challenged their religious and intellectual beliefs, making them really think. I bet you can't name too many football players that do that. Furthermore, he was incredibly passionate about his sport. From a young age, Tillman was told he would not make it very far in football due to his size. Because of this, Tillman worked his hardest to advance in football and it only drove him to success.

Tillman is an inspiration to, and the thought that the Government manipulated his story enrages me. If he were here, Pat would also be disgusted by the Government's propaganda.

A Million Little Peices

A lot to be said about this book. Well first off I wish I had planned my reading better (I know I say that every quarter) and I would have had more time to enjoy this book. That said, I still enjoyed A Million Little Pieces by James Frey. Like kite runner, it has a captivating story, one that immediately has the reader sympathizing with the strife of the main character -- I would say protagonist, except James can also be his own enemy here. As cliched as it is, after reading this book I will not do drugs. Not that I had really considered it before, but after reading someone's (claims of a) firsthand experience about substance abuse, I have a much better understanding for how strong these substances are. This book was much stronger than any lesson we had in health. One scene in particular stands out in my mind, it occurs when James receives 2 root canals without an anesthetic. After reading that vivid description its hard for anyone to find cause to use drugs. Despite the controversy accompanying this story, A Million Little Pieces, is a very powerful story.

Hunger Game

The first book I read this quarter was Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Overall I thought it was interesting, but not very exciting to read. I didn't feel as challenged with vocab as I had been in many other books that I read. Not to say it was too easy, but it was one of the less challenging books I've read. With that said, it was still a very captivating story, one that I think pokes fun at the American way of life. All though we don't host a "hunger games", it ridicules the rule of television, showing what people will do for money, recognition, and fame -- in games like Survivor and The Amazing Race. The portrayal of Katniss and Peeta (yes the names are kind of odd) as star-crossed lovers continues to mock the ideals of american society; much of present day entertainment is advertised by the romantic connections between characters. All said and done, I would recommend it, but not to someone looking for a challenge.

Five People Book Review

Found on Amazon

Albom takes a big risk with the novel; such a story can easily veer into the saccharine and preachy, and this one does in moments. But, for the most part, Albom's telling remains poignant and is occasionally profound. Even with its flaws, The Five People You Meet in Heaven is a small, pure, and simple book that will find good company on a shelf next to It's A Wonderful Life. --Patrick O'Kelley

In response to this review:

I agree that a story of this nature -- a book about death-- can easily come across as saccharine (overly sentimental) yet Albom keeps this book from doing so. I do find however that I must disagree with Patrick O'Kelly describing this story as poignant. I felt as thought, rather than focusing on the sad part about the fact that Eddie died, Albom was able to depict Eddie's journey through heaven. Additionally I disagree with O'Kelly's description of this book as simple. Although the plot focuses mainly on his journey, it occasionally meanders into a more sophisticated plot about living your life to the fullest (though a little cliched, still the theme of the book).

Overall, I disagree with O'Kelly's views on this book, because I did not perceive this book to be, in any way, poignant or simple; I also would not say there are flaws substantial enough that they need to be addressed in a 4 line summary of the story.

Not So Happy with Independent Reading

Another quarter approaches its end, and I find myself saying the same things I said last quarter: I am not satisfied with my lack of Independent reading. Although I know this quarter (due to the inhuman amounts of swimming I had to do) I would face more challenges finishing my reading, I could not help but hope I would still manage to finish three books. Sadly, I can only say I've finished two (Kite Runner, 5 People you meet in heaven). On the bright side, I do look at the books I've read this quarter and remember how great they were (especially Kite Runner) and I find myself inspired to read more next quarter. With that said, I look forward to independent reading tomorrow where I will begin this challenge by reading Hunger Games by Suzane Collins.

Kite Runner....WOW!

Hands down, The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hossieni was by far the greatest book I have read in a long time. Second only to the Harry Potter series I cannot find the right words to describe how perfect of a book this was. The novel kept the reader on the edge of their seat as they cogitate on Amir's different options for dealing with each of the many problems that arose during the book. In addition to boasting one of the greatest stories I've ever read, I also learned a lot of life lessons from The Kite Runner. The first of which, is the most cliched over-taught life lesson, yet I do not think I understood it that well until I read Kite Runner: don't take things for granted. As I learned of Amir's different struggles -- or even worse, Hassan's -- I began to see how even in the most difficult of times the boys made themselves happy with simple pleasures (flying kites, Amir's marriage to Soraya, writing stories) instead of relying on the fancy luxurious lifestyle Baba provided. Additionally I learned how difficult it is to understand a person unless you know them well. For example, Baba, who in America would have been looked down on as the poor immigrant working in a gas station, was hailed as a hero in his country for acts that extend beyond selflessness.

If I haven't made it clear enough as is, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. This was one of the greatest books I have ever read.

Week 2: Maybe it was good being sick

Waking up on Monday with a 102 fever didn't seem like it had any bright side. After feeling a little better, and exhausting everything on my Tivo, I figured I might as well read. I finally got a book done in a reasonable time. So far I've enjoyed most of the books I read this year. Five people you meet in heaven, Extremely loud and Incredibly close, and the Da Vinci Code. Of these, five people you meet in heaven was probably the most thought provoking. This book really got you thinking, especially while reading the inferno. It's very interesting to consider Albom's theory that Heaven is a reflection point, and people can look back on their lives. It's also interesting to see how much the main character, Eddie, grew in his (although never defined) relatively short time in heaven. He managed to forgive his Dad for mistakes made over a 30+ year period, re- fall in love with his wife, validate his thinking from while he was at war, and learn what happened to him in the Philippines causing his permanent leg injury. This book is a must-read classic, one that I feel I will not soon forget!

Quarter 2: New Goals, New Books. Week 1: Heaven V Hell

In retrospect, last quarter I messed up in the beginning, and made it too hard to come back in the end. This quarter I'm trying not to do that. In doing so I've made great headway in the Mitch Albom Book, The Five People You Meet in Heaven. I thought reading this was interestingly timed considering we are also reading The Inferno, in which Dante recounts the details of a trip through Hell. So far in the 115 pages I've read, I learned a lot about the life of the repairman at an amusement park who dies in an unfortunate accident, saving a little girl from a falling ride. Once reaching heaven, the reader learns that rather than being everything soft and perfect (as heaven had been described to me -- bear in mind I'm not religious at all), heaven is a stage in which one can reflect on his or her life. Interestingly enough, this is very different from what we read in The Inferno, in which people are pettily punished for their sins, in heaven people are not (according to Albom) rewarded in the same sense. Additionally, Albom seems far more forgiving the Dante. In Dante's world, someone who takes the life of another is deemed at minimum violent against thy neighbor and condemmed to a life soaked in a pool of blood. In Albom's world, a former militant can apparently still make it to heaven.

Week 6: A busy week of reading

As the end of the quarter was approaching even more rapidly, I knew I had a lot of work to do to get anywhere in independent reading. Last week (Sunday, so maybe that counts as this week) I finished the Da Vinci Code. It was a great book, other than the ending which had a little too much about religion for my liking. That was the end of 1.5 books. Great only 1.5 more (since this is online you can't tell, but I mean this very sarcastically). To try to get one book in I asked my parents to get me, from the library, Five People You Meet in Heaven (a book that I'd assumed was rather short). When it came in, I took a look at it and realized that it wasn't as short as I'd assumed (actually 200 pages). So... I chose a book that I'd actually contemplated reading over the summer, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon. The lucky placement of Tuesday's day off gave me the chance to get a great deal of the way through it, and by Wednesday I had finished. It was a pretty good read, but not as exciting as the Da Vinci Code. The story was told through the eyes of an autistic boy, framed for a crime he didn't commit. The story has some surprises (like the fact that instead of dying, his mom just divorced his dad), but definitely none comparable to that of the identity of the teacher in the Da Vinci Code. Although I only got 2.5 books done, I'm satisfied with the reading I got in (being more than I've done in a while), and I will work to get the full three in next quarter.

Week 5: Not Where I Want to be

As the quarter comes to an end (only one week after this one), this post is a little more about me as a reader than the book. As I thought about independent reading, more than anything, I felt disappointed. I thought about what I'd gotten done this quarter and must say I'm not pleased. I have worked much harder this year in English (and all my other classes too), yet I still fell behind in a critical area, independent reading. With a requirement of 3 books, I only managed to read 1 this quarter. I started Da Vinci Code knowing it counted as 1 and a half books. I am definitely far enough along to consider it one book, but to my standards, ms. O'Brian's standards and my parents standards that is not enough. I am nearly finished with The Da Vinci Code, and plan to finish it during the weekend (I have also been reading during the weeks too, just apparently not enough). I plan to then finish one book (The Five People You meet in Heaven) by Wednesday (we have Tuesday off, it's doable). Then, I'll do my best to get somewhere in Kite Runner (if possible). One thing's for sure though. As we roll into next quarter, I will do my best to not let this happen again.

Week 4: A secret Civilization

My fourth week of Independent reading (going strong, so far I've read more this year than all of 7th 8th or 9th grade, I'm impressed), took me to a new world of an ancient mystery. In these chapters, Robert Langdon -- a harvard professor who works with symbology and renaissance art -- learned from french police cryptologist, Sophie Neveu that Sanuiere (if you recall he is the murdered curator of the Llouve) belonged to a secret organization. This secret organization was started in the 11th century and greatly impacted by the work of Leonardo Da Vinci. Carrying a well kept secret, crucial in the catholic religion, members of this organization kept its presence little known. Langdon explained a history involving the secret they protect which includes a great deal of violence and blood shed. As the story progresses, the reader is left curious what this could possibly have to do with a murder 500 years later of a prominenant man in the world of art. Additionaly while all this happens, a meeting takes place between the Pope and the archbishop of Opus Dei. I am anxious for independent reading in class tomorrow where I will get the chance to see how this all unfolds.

3rd Weekly Post

Now this book is really starting to get good. Much of the last passage I read took me to the world of the mystery's antagonist, Sillas. Sillas is part of a small branch of the catholic church known as Opus Dei. Opus Dei members believe that people have sinned to a great extent; so to make up for the mistakes of mankind they condemn themselves to a life of pain. Much like clergy in a catholic church, they may not marry, but worse than that they wear a swaddle (or band) around their backs which will cause a great deal of pain to remind members of this sect of sins committed by mankind. Sillas adopt catholicism to this extent after escaping jail (he was imprisoned for stealing food that he needed to survive). During the chapters I read, Sillas was admitted into saint-sulpice, a grand catholic church in France, and he was last seen breaking open the floorboard to obtain a keystone. Expected to tell Sillas what to do next (following his murder of Sanuiere). These chapters are truly spine chilling as the reader learns of the villain in action, committing a crime for reasons beyond the readers knowledge.

2nd Weekly Reading Post

Oops. Just realized my last post was only saved as a draft and never published. Let's hope this one works. Other than that my reading experience has been pretty good. Continuing in The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, I found that I actually really like mysteries. When I left off, Robert Langdon had just left Sophie Neveu in his attempt to escape to the embassy. Yet much more happened to lead up to that. Langdon had just cracked the code left by the murdered curator of the Lourve, Jacquess Sanuiere. This code states the phrase "Leonardo Davinci/ The Mona Lisa". This only sparked my curiosity and interest in the book. What could artwork from about 500 years have to do with the murder of such an important figure in the world of art? While that problem emerges, the book returns to the main problem: Langdon must get to the embassy! I hope that during independent reading tomorrow some of these mysteries get solved, and of course this store continues to be as intriguing as it is now.

First Weekly Post

So far, actively reading an independent book is going significantly better than I thought it would. Since independent reading in class on Friday, I've managed to also get through another twenty or thirty pages. The book I'm reading is The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown. It is a truly captivating story. Since the third page I felt like I was just watching another episode of 24 -- which happens to be the best show on TV. This book has it all: just 80 pages into it, there's already a murder, a suspect, and a major conflict for the main character. Another really cool thing that sets The DaVinci code apart from other books is the fact that (at least so far) it takes place in the llourve. The reason that the setting makes this book stand out is the fact that during the course of the story, the reader gets a brief look into the artistic world. Lacking all talent in art possible, I had no reason to want to learn more about art. Yet finding out more while reading the course of this book only makes it more interesting.

Summer Reading

I had not actively read an independent reading book since sixth grade and I was not very excited to start reading this summer. My parents didn't really care about that when they told me I had to finish two books this summer, then they told me about a book they both read, and suggested (well, forced me to) read. The book was Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, a novel written by Jonathan Safran Foer. The book dives immediately into the plot, in which the reader learns of the main character's love for his father, Thomas. But like any good story, something has to go wrong; and just as the reader gets to know Thomas and his parenting, he tragically dies in the attacks of 9/11. The story then follows Oskar, as he finds a key belonging to his father, that he believes will help him learn more about his dad, and even his death. But of course no story can be complete without a strange romance: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close follows the love life of Oskar's grandparents, who were separated before the birth of Thomas. To follow Oskar's journey, fatherless, young, and naive, to understand more about his deceased father check out Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer.