Blog Post #1

Blog Post #1
Current Book: The Selection by Kiera Cass

After a long break from blogging, I have read 3 books. Reading is always best when you are on the beach! I read Paper Towns by John Green, Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver. All of these books were really good, but my favorite was Don't Look Back.

Paper Towns: This book is about a boy, Q, who goes on an adventure to find the girl he loves, after she goes missing. This book is really good, it made me laugh out loud and think about life. You will like this book if you like other John Green books! Also, they are coming out with a movie for Paper Towns, and Nat Wolff (who played Isac in TFIOS) is playing Q.

Don't Look Back: This book is about Sam, who wakes up with no memory of herself or others around her. Her best friend Cassie, is missing. She discovers the person who she was before, discovers the person she really is, and struggles to find out what happened in the accident and find out where Cassie is. This book is realistic fiction, mixed with mystery, thriller and a little bit of romance. This book was really good and impossible to put down! I was hesitant at first to read it, but it was definitely worth reading!

Before I Fall: This book is about Sam, (same name different character ^)  who has the "perfect life." But then she dies coming home from a party one night. She relives her last day 7 times. Through this, she sees the effects of the smallest decisions and learns how to make things right. At first this book really annoyed me because I didn't like the way the characters acted and the way they treated others. But, as the story goes on, we watch Sam discover what is important in life, and it makes for a really good story.
Now I am reading The Selection, by Kiera Cass... for the second time. I guess after watching the Bachelor come back on TV, I really wanted to read it. Plus, it has been a year, and you always miss things the first time you read a book! This book is the perfect mixture of the Bachelor and The Hunger Games. But, unlike The Bachelor on TV, the girls are much less annoying and I actually like the "bachelor," in this case it is Prince Maxon. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in The Bachelor in a Hunger Games type society!

  

 

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.