Semester 1 Reflection

Semester 1 Reflection

This semester I have completed my goal of reading 5 books. I read 3 independent reading books. They were Where She Went, Crown of Midnight and Heir of Fire. I chose to read Where She Went in the beginning of the semester because I had just seen the movie and I was curious to see what happened in the next book. I chose to read Crown of Midnight and Heir of Fire because I had read Throne of Glass (the first book in the series) over the summer. I normally don't read fantasy books, and I was surprised to find myself really liking them. I enjoyed all of the books I read this semester. My favorite was Heir of Fire, the book I just finished. It was very hard to put down and it had great character development. The only thing I don't like is that the series is unfinished and they left me on a cliff hanger! Now I have to wait for the next book to come out.
My blog posts definitely got better as the semester went on. As we got further into the semester, I got
better at using my voice in my blog posts rather than just summarizing what I read. I think I was able to make them more interesting as time went on. I did a good job of including specific textual details and incorporating pictures in my posts. By using them, I was able to more clearly get my point across to the reader. I also think my ideas were focused and engaging. My posts were detailed and shared my thoughts to the reader.
My first goal for blogging over the second semester is to go on Good Reads more.  I only went on this semester after I finished a book, and I could have done a better job at updating more frequently. My second goal is to read more of a variety of books. I think I should try to read books that are not a part of a series, because all the books I read this semester were. Lastly I would like to try and incorporate more links and videos in my blog. I could do a better job of tying in a different sources into my blog posts and comparing my books to other sources. By doing this, I will be able to make my posts more diverse and see other sides to the books I read.

Book: Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Good News! My book is getting less depressing! The characters are slowly coming out of the darkness and letting go of the depression of the previous events. So for this book, I'm going to talk to you about the set up of this book.

Heir of Fire is set up so that we follow 3 different groups of people, all in different settings. But, these stories all tie together. It alternates stories each chapter.Following three different groups makes the book very interesting. Personally, I like Celaena's chapters better than the others.

One of the stories we follow is Celaena's. We follow her and Rowan as she trains to control her powers, solve a mystery and fulfill the vow she made to Nehemia. We also meet new people like Luca and Emrys as she adjusts to living in a new world with a different lifestyle and different people than she was used to in the castle.
We also follow Chaol and Dorian in the castle. Chaol struggles to get more information from Aideon, a rebel leader, and stall from going back to his home country with his dad. Dorian, starts working with Scorscha, the healer, to gain control of his magic.
Lastly, we follow the 3 witch clans, as they learn to ride the wyverns(dragon/bulls). We mainly follow Manon, the blackbeak clan heir. We see how the king has a very dangerous plan in store, and I am curious to see what happens

Book: Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Well here I am again, reading yet another book from the Throne of Glass series. The books are so entertaining and I find my self attached to the characters and I'm in need of knowing where they end up. I'm currently on page 83 of this 565 page book. It is very big and it adds a lot of weight to my already heavy backpack. But I can't stop reading- even though I find Celaena's constant problems and depression quite frustrating. Is it just me, or are third books just always more depressing then the rest?
This book starts out with Celaena all alone in a new setting we haven't been introduced to in the previous books. Her loneliness and depression are taking over and I'm wondering when it will end, and how she will get over it. To give you a little feel of the negativeness here is a quote from page 65. It says, "So Celaena turned away from the stars, nestling under the threadbare blanket against the frigid cold, and closed her eyes, trying to dream of a different world. A world where she was no one at all."
Sarah J. Maas is a very descriptive and creative writer, but I just want something good to happen. Or something happy would be nice for just a little bit. I feel similar to how Mrs. Bross feels about the Maze Runner. It currently doesn't have much relief. But maybe more will come, I am only on page 83 after all.
But now that I am on the final book of this series, I have no idea what I am going to read next! Any suggestions?

Multicultural Memoir: I'm Down by Mishna Wolff

Determination can take you a long way... When growing up surrounded by a different race, divorced parents, crazy family and almost no money, it takes a lot to fit in. Mishna had to move to a new school where she was surrounded by preppy, rich white kids. The obvious differences, made it a struggle to fit in. But with Mishna's determination to be popular, have friends, and to be rich, she works hard to meet her goals. Eventually she makes many new friends, joins the orchestra, and makes a competitive swim team. Mishan's will power is very strong and she refuses to let anything to get in her way. Even if that means moving out of her dads house, Mishna pushes hard to make a better life for herself.
The front cover of this book really stands out and draws you in. It makes you laugh and shows you that the book is going to be a little crazy, interesting and funny.

In the article, "Discipline and talent take a dancer from poverty to success" it talks about Uri Sands. He grew up in poverty and in a very dangerous neighborhood. His single mother worked very long hours and he had a huge role in taking care of his siblings. He found something he loved and really excelled at: dancing. He "danced" his way out of poverty. With strong determination, he was able to make a better life for himself and become a very successful person. He now owns a successful dancing school with his wife. 
Both Mishna and Uri started out with a hard childhood. Both of them experienced poverty, violence and had a big role in their family. But they both had great determination, which got them out of their situations and go on to greater things. These pieces of writing teach you how determination and perseverance can take you a long way.

Post #7
Book: Crown of Midnight

Well, I am slowly but surely making my way through this book. Unfortunately with reading TCOW and getting through all my other work and activities, it has been a struggle. As much as I love this world and characters, it's just not enough to keep me up at night! The prompt that I am responding to is: The best or worst thing about my book is... Since something bad just happened and I am a little frustrated, I'm going to take the worst route.

So in my book there is a slight love triangle. And for the first time ever, the girl chooses the guy I like! So they have a "magical" week in love and then... Celeana tries to kill him the next day! Yay. But that isn't what really bothers me. Its the fact for two pages, Celeana is happy and loving life and then the next two chapters, Celeana is depressed and angry at the whole world. It is very up and down with good and bad and sometimes it gets old. Currently, it has been very depressing and a little hard to read! Hopefully things will lighten up!
 Example of depressing quote that makes me cry: “But death was her curse and her gift, and death had been her good friend these long, long years.”   (Maas)

But don't get me wrong. I love these books and the characters and I am very interested to see what happens. There are a lot of exciting twists and action. Hopefully I will speed up and finally finish this book by the next blog post! Have a good weekend!

Book: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas

I'm not going to lie, sometimes it can be a little embarrassing pulling out this book and reading in class. The cover does get some judgement with the flames and swords and stuff. Not exactly my usual type of book. But it's super good and makes me wan't to keep on reading.

When I was reading my book, a description stood out to me and I think it is example of really good writing. I struggle with/do not understand how to describe sound in a good way to let the reader hear what you want them to hear. But, in this description Maas did it in a way that stood out to me and made me mark the page.

"After a few notes the rhythm established itself, followed by the slow, sad sweep of the violin. They wove together, blending, lifting up, up, up until Rena opened her mouth. And when she sang, the whole world faded. Her voice was soft, ethereal, the sound of a lullaby half remembered."(Maas 117)

I think this does a good job of setting the mood and helps you feel the stillness and the held breaths of the people listening to the beautiful music. It goes on describing in really good detail the songs and the ball. Sarah J. Maas does a really good job of creating imagery and makes you feel like you are watching a movie when you are reading.

Book: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Important line from a chapter: "Though she kept telling herself that she'd imagined it all, that it was some hallucination from too many hours awake, Celaena couldn't stop hearing that cursed word again and again. Plans." (pg. 44)

This quote was a very important line in the text. It foreshadows how the "plans" are very dangerous and that they are going to turn into the main conflict of the story. It shows how there is going to be a change in the plot. It also tells you that the problems Celaena thought she had escaped, in the first book, where just the beginning  and that there is much more to come. I like how the author placed this line at the very end of the chapter. It leaves you hanging and adds more of a dramatic effect that makes you want to read on. I am interested to find out what the plans are and how the characters will deal with them.

Book: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

This week I started reading Crown of Midnight. This is the sequel to my summer reading book, Throne of Glass. These books are different from what I usually read, but they are super interesting and exciting. It is cool how the books take place in a fantasy world.

I like how in the beginning of these books, they have maps of the fantasy world in the front pages. This way, you get a good picture of the setting, and if you are confused you can look at the front of the book.

In the beginning of this book it hooks you right away. It says, "No one had noticed her scaling the garden wall of the darkened manor house, and with the thunder and gusting winds off the nearby sea, no one had heard her as she shimmied up the drainpipe, swung onto the windowsill, and slithered into the the second floor hallway."(pg. 1) It creates really good imagery and makes you want to continue reading. It starts right away with action rather than a  long boring explanation. Sarah J. Maas does a very good job of showing not telling in her books.

Finished Book: Where She Went

Over the weekend I finished Where She Went. I thought it was a very good book and I enjoyed it a lot. I'm hoping they will make another movie!

This is the sequel to If I Stay. It takes place 3 years since the last book. Thats about all I can say without spoiling it for anyone who wants to read these books.

I would recommend this to anyone who has read or seen the movie of the first book. It is or people who like realistic fiction, romantic stories, books that are dramatic and popular young adult books.

I give this book a 3.7/5. It was a really good book and page turner that was really easy to get through. The only thing I didn't like was how a lot of the book gave off a negative mood.

The author did a really good job of making you feel what the characters feel and put you in there footsteps. She makes you feel like you are part of the story and you really connect with the characters.

Post #2: Were She Went by Gayle Forman

I saw the movie If I Stay and I thought they did a pretty good job. Like almost all movies based off of books, I think the book was much better. Either way,I still enjoyed the movie. I read the book a few years ago so it made the movie better because I didn't remember all the little details. I think the guy who played Adam was a good person to play the part. I just liked the movie, but I loved the book. But it was good enough to make me want to read Where She Went.

I am now reading Where She Went, the second book. The setting takes place 3 years later since the last book and I think it is a very interesting way of setting things up. It hooks the reader right away because you want to know everything about their current lives and what happened it between. I think the beginning is a little bit slow, just because the author has to catch you up, but I still have trouble putting the book down. It is also interesting to see how transformed Adam is since the last book. He is irritable, angry, lonely, anxious and nothing like before. I hope it becomes a little less depressing, but that's okay because it is still good.I am excited to see what happens!

Summer Reading Book: Throne of Glass


In my book the main character was Celeana. At first she is very cold, mean, arrogant and is a closed book. As the text goes on she slowly starts to open up to the reader and other characters. You can see how she is compassionate and caring. You see how her talent as one of the most skilled assassins was her last chance at survival. She becomes the "good guy" when in the beginning of the book you think she is the "bad guy." Celeana shows you how your past doesn't define you and how you can get over bad experiences and not let them take you down.

Another character is Prince Dorian. In the beginning you see him as just another snobby, selfish, handsome prince. But as he talks more to Celeana and gets to know her better you see him loosen up and see that he too is compassionate and caring. He has good plans to help people but his father, the king, won't let him. You see how troubled he is and how he has an evil father. He falls in love with Celeana and does so much for her. You can see how even with an evil he doesn't let him hold him down, he is able to good and overcome the darkness in his life.

The article I read was a book review for Throne of Glass. The writer thought it was a pleasant read, a page turner and liked the strong female protagonist. But they thought it was predictable and for a younger audience.
T.O.G. review