Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Summer Reading

Over the summer, you were asked to read at least two novels of your choice.

1) Briefly tell me what you read, including the titles and authors.
2) I want to know what you liked about the books, what you learned and, more importantly, what matters to you about the book's content? How does it resonate with you?
Please do not give me a summary; I care more about what you took away from the book.

*Make sure to adhere to proper conventions and proofread your response. If, for some reason, you did not read two novels, tell me about two novels you have read and enjoyed and answer the above.

25 comments:

  1. Human.4 and 1.4; both by Mike A. Lancaster. I liked the futuristic theme with the dystopian theme as well. I learned that life is short, and everything may suddenly change someday without anyone having a say in it. It says something deep about the human quest for knowledge and control, and that is my thoughts about the series.

    ReplyDelete
  2. 1. Over the summer I read The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal and Only Everything by Kieran Scott.
    2. The False Princess had a plot that changed very quickly from one part of the story to another and it was almost a challenge to follow but I like a challenging book and this definitely fit the category of challenging. Only Everything changed characters every chapter and I like that because you get to know and connect with more characters and have a deeper connection with the book than with just one character. What I learned from Only Everything was to cherish what you have while you have it because you never know when it all can be everything away from you. What mattered to most from the content of Only Everything was to stand up for yourself and if you don't want to do something anymore to tall somebody and stop doing it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I didn't mean to post that, that was my rough draft, please read this one instead.

    1. Over the summer I read The False Princess by Eilis O’Neal and Only Everything by Kieran Scott.
    2. The False Princess had a plot that changed very quickly from one part of the story to another and it was a challenge to follow but I like a challenging book and this definitely fit into the category of challenging. Only Everything changed characters every chapter and I like that because you get to know and connect with more characters and have a deeper relationship with the book than with just one character. What I learned from Only Everything was to cherish what you have while you have it because you never know when it all can be taken away from you. What mattered most to me from the content of Only Everything was to stand up for yourself and if you don’t want to do something anymore tell somebody and stop doing it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was going to read the False Prince last year but time wasn't on my side. The information you gave me was helpful!

      Delete
  4. 1. What I read about was that A Walk to Remember by Nickolas Sparks is that a guy loves this girl. In The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom is that a guy travels back to his past..
    2. What I liked about the books were that they had some realistic things going on. They had real things from the real world. I made connections to them as I was reading.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Connecting with your book always makes the bond tighter and you understanding the book better.

      Delete
  5. 1. The Finisher by David Baldacci intrigued me from the moment I saw it on the shelf. What was so interesting about the book was the fact the moral is something we seek in the present. This book introduces us to a girl who found out The Council lied to the entire village so that they can stay in control. As the story goes on she becomes more rebellious. What really matters to me is the fact I question the government all the time, too. Sometimes I truly wonder who should really be the one making the decisions. The book was appealing to me because it has elements of fantasy, like unicorns and nine-headed dogs. I liked this book because the author is putting out a message similar to the motto of the Science Channel:
    "Question EVERYTHING!"

    2. Over the summer I also read Tremor by Patrick Carman. This book tells the tale of two "invincible" teens who knew nothing of their past and more or less got shoved into a fierce battle which will determine the fate of the planet Earth. What I like about this book is all the action and explosions and insane stunts. People move trucks and fire guns with their minds, futuristic vehicles fly across the lands, and teens who could crush your skull without moving a single muscle... It was fun to read yet educational at the same time. I learned that you must fight for what you believe is right, no matter how high the odds of success. The book also taught me life is always changing, and its key to adapt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry, I guess I wrote a little bit too much.

      Delete
  6. 1) I read The Maze Runner and The Scorch Trials both by James Dashner
    2) When reading The Maze Runner series, I feel like I really enjoyed the books because of the fact that they're fast paced, action books. I have found over the years that I generally enjoy dystopian books because I like to read about new societies and how people envision our possible future world. As well as just enjoying the book, I believe I learned some too. I learned how when a group of people who don't know each other or have any memories are put tother to reach a common goal it's amazing how they can reach that objective with hard work and determination. Also, I learned how in a short time we can become so caring and dependent on one another, especially the people who we spend the most time with. In the end, what I really took away from this book is how lucky we are that we live where we do. In The Maze Runner books these kids are taken, they have their memories wiped, and they are then used as lab rats in trying to find a cure to a lethal disease. Luckily, that is something that wouldn't happen in our modern day society.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really liked how you described your connection with the books and what you learned. It's great that you were able to relate these books to the real world and to your life and that you were able to take away from them.

      Delete
  7. Over the summer, I read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roal Dahl, and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory taught me a lot. How people can come out of the worst situation and turn out very successful, how to always take a chance and never give up, and many more important lessons. The one that stuck in my mind, though is to not be greedy. Throughout the book, characters are expressed as extremely greedy and spoiled. Those people didn't succeed in the factory. However, Charlie won the factory for not being greedy and taking the candy. This connects to my real life a lot with people being dishonest, greedy, and spoiled. I try my best not to be like these people. The second book I read was The Hunger Games. Some lessons I learned from this book are trust, perseverance, and not conforming just scratches the surface of lessons learned. I think it is important to remember not to always go with what everyone else is doing and do what you feel is right. Exactly like Katniss. Those are some lessons I have learned from my summer reading.

    ReplyDelete
  8. 1. I read the book The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater over the summer.
    2. I liked that the author told the story from two different character's point of view. I learned that it's better to think things through before you act so you don't make as many mistakes. I also learned that things are not always as bad as they seem. One character was very smart and had solutions for the problems because he learned from his father. Another character thought only about what she wanted for a while before she thought about how the other people feel.

    1. Another book I read was All-American Girl by Meg Cabot.
    2. What I liked about this book was that I could relate to the main character. I also liked that the story line had a lot of unexpected turns. I learned to pay attention to the little details in life because they could mean something and they might help you later on with something.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Over the summer, I read 2 novels. Although this was hard to get away from the pool, spending summer hours reading these books was worth it. I have enjoyed both books that I read. The first book that I read was written by John Green. The book, Looking for Alaska captured my attention with it’s great story and strong writing style. Something that I found interesting about this book was the way John Green brought the characters to life. I felt like I knew them. Over the course of the book, I could predict what the main characters would do because I had seen the way they reacted to different events over the story. Emotions were racing when I read this book because it seemed so real that whenever a plot twist occured, it shocked me. One of the main messages and themes that I gathered from this story is that even someone beautiful can be broken on the inside. Another theme that I identified was everyone has their bad side, and everyone has their good side. It was interesting how the character saw each other and how each of them had different view of how life should be lived. The second book that I read was called TMI by Patty Blount. It was a great story and it seemed so real that I couldn’t put it down. I took many things away from the book with me. The two things that were the most important that I learned was that no matter what happens, you should not take your negative feelings out on anyone. This became a pattern in the story when people would take their feelings out on another person just because they were upset. The main character Meg would take her pain out on the guy that loved her. Fortunately, I needed this lesson to be taught to me and now I am more aware of how I treat people. Both Looking for Alaska and TMI were great stories, and something even better is that they taught me important life lessons.

    ReplyDelete
  10. 1. The first book I read was The Help by Katheryn Stockett. I adored this book. It has very witty clever undertones, while telling the depressing story of what it was like to live in a time of seggregation. The author takes her time with the story which lets the reader connect with each character. I connected most with Mrs Hilly she is spunky and always speaks her mind.She reminded me of myself. This connection helped me to put myself in her shoes.Not only did this make the book more of a page turner but the message was better communnicated to me. What I got from this book is to do whats right no matter what cost and everyone deserves to have a voice.
    2. The next book I read was The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. I couldnt resist a summer romance. I really liked the story line and twists and turns through out the book. (SPOILER ALERT; THEY FALL IN LOVE.) although this is a bit of a cheesy love story, reading about their life made me remember that it doesnt matter what tangible pleasures I have. I need to surround myslef with love in all shapes and forms. I need to recipricate love to everyone I meet. I believe doing this will bring me happiness.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Over the summer I read D.J. Machale's black water and reality bug both of these book intrigued by it because at every turn there was a new twist or revaluation that tied into something.I think that I most relate to pendragon because we're both brave and willing to do what needs to be done.

    ReplyDelete
  12. 1. Over the summer I read Rivals by Tim Green, and Apart with Him by Harry R. Smith. 2. The first book was honestly not that meaningful for me, but it was a baseball book so I enjoyed it. The second one is the one that left a lasting impact. My favorite place on earth is a place called Mount Hermon, it is a christian camp in the Redwood tree's and this place has been the most influential place in my life. On top of that it has breathtaking beauty that would make a crying baby become speechless. This book was written 50 years after Mount Hermon was introduced but is 56 years old now since the camp is 106 years old. The best part is that I read this book at Mount Hermon this summer. This book was special to me because it made me feel as if I was living out the legacy of this amazing place by just attending it. The name Mount Hermon means Apart with Him and that's why this book is called that. I hold this book very close to my heart because of the place itself.

    ReplyDelete
  13. The first book I read was Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls. This was a great true life novel that has so many life lessons. One great lesson I learned is that sometimes when you want to achieve success or a goal you have to take some bumps and bruises along the road to success. In this book, a young girl works really hard to have a successful life by that I mean a husband, kids, and a comfortable life. However the road was not easy for her, she was discriminated and made fun of because she was not rich and was a girl and at that time girls were not respected especially if the did not make a lot of money. When she did not get a job or was laid off that did not stop her it actually motivated her to be better and learn more. This book inspired me to work hard and let nothing in the way of my road to success.
    The second book I read was The Big Field by Mike Lupica. This book taught me that even though some things do not work as planed you should make the best of it and everything will shape up. Also I learned that if a relation ship with a teammate or family member is bad you should try to make it better not wait until things get worse. In conclusion, both these books were great to read but I got more lessons out of the first book because it was more about reality and real life steps that us teenagers will soon take as grown ups and this book taught me that hard work and commitment is the road to success.

    ReplyDelete
  14. My first book was Miss Peregrine's home for peculiar children by Ransom Riggs. I liked how the story was very confusing for a while but whenever the truth is revealed it is shocking. I learned from this book that you have to cherish the time you have with your family. I also learned that sometime the truth is shocking and unbelievable. My second book was Splintered by A.G. Howard. I liked how this story is about a girl who goes on an adventure and finds out the truth on the way. I learned from this book that sometimes you have to fight for someone else or yourself. I also learned that listening is the best medicine for someone else.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Over the summer, I read the books Paper Towns and An Abundance of Katherines both by John Green. The book Paper Towns is about a boy, Quentin Jacobsen, who goes out on an adventure to find Margo Roth Speigleman, a girl who he desperately in love with, when she goes missing after an eventful night the two spend together. The book An Abundance of Katherine’s follows the life of Colin Singleton who has a habit of dating girls named Katherine, 19 to be exact. After an unfortunate breakup, he sets out a road trip and ends up in a small southern town where he finds happiness, serenity, and new love. What I liked about the books is that they were both very relatable. These novels are about having love at some point, then losing it. This relates to the outside world because we have all had a lost love at some point and most are now desperately searching for someone who can fill that void. They also teach us to be out going and to not be afraid to take risks, which is what both Quentin and Colin both do at some point I the book. The characters break out of their shells and something satisfying happens to them, which tells me that I need to go out of my comfort zone in order to live a good life.

    ReplyDelete
  16. 1. Over the summer, I read Black Hawk Down by Mark Bowden, and Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose. 2. Both of my books are about leaving no one behind and sticking together. Black Hawk Down taught throughout the book to never leave anyone behind, and although some were left behind, someone would always come back and get them. Band of Brothers was also similar in the sense of sticking together and never leaving anyone behind. It also taught that friends are like family and you should take care of them no matter what.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Over the summer I read Queen of Babble, by Meg Cabot. I really liked the content of the book and how the author showed very good details. She was very visual about all the words, I also liked how many details she puts in each chapter, there are always such good details. From the book I learned not to waste all my money over a stupid guy who just uses you for money that you should find someone who won't use you and is a really good guy who cares about you that really loves you and shows his love for you. What matters most to be about this books content is to really love your family and friends not ditch them all to go see your boyfriend especially if he isn't the right guy that you need to find the right but always put your friends and family before your boyfriend/girlfriend, what matters most to me is my family and I will never ever leave my family for a guy who may just leave you for someone in the end. Friends and family are the greatest gift of life you will ever get and you always take them for granite but sooner or later they'll be gone and you'll have no one so always love your family while you have them and care for them like they care for you no matter what they say or do because they''ll always love you in the end. In the end of the book the main character surrounds her with people she loves and I always try to do the same.

    ReplyDelete
  18. This summer I read The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. I liked how the book blended greek mythology with a twist that made it appeal to younger readers. I learned more about the greek mythology topic from this book. The content that matters the most to me is just all of the action in it.
    Even though I did not read two books another book I enjoyed was hunger games because it was a science fiction mixed with action type of book which made it easy to read.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Over the summer I read Flush by Carl Hiaasen and The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger. What I liked about Flush was the message I thought it was trying to get across which always be persistent. Noah could have given up when it got hard trying to prove that Dusty Muelman was dumping sewage into the water, but he kept trying and soon enough it worked out for him. The other book i read was The Perfect Storm which i was already interested in by the title. It was an intense and sad book that got me thinking about that that could be my dad going out there fishing trying to bring a check home and he could never come back. I was very pleased with the two selections I read over the summer.

    ReplyDelete
  20. 1) Over the summer I read “Mockingjay” by Suzanne Collins, and “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury.

    2a) While reading mockingjay, I really disliked how Suzanne Collins killed off a lot of the characters. Many of the main characters, such as Finnick, Cinna, Prim, etc. were killed off, and the rest of the story would have been fuller, and happier if they were still alive. This would have given the reader a little bit of relief that Katniss Everdeen actually got reward for having so much determination and stive. What I learned about this book is that you cannot just sit back and what what is happening in the world around you. Like Katniss Everdeen, you need to be determined and make your voice be heard.

    2b) As I was reading Fahrenheit 451 over the summer, I really enjoyed how many motifs Ray Bradbury put in his work. This made me think of our world today in a different perspective. These motifs also made me realize how import ant knowledge is and why we need to think for ourselves more. The main message I got from this book is to be different. If Guy did not stand up and try to change peoples perspectives on books, the whole society wouldn't have changed, and the people would still be under the ignorant rule of the government.

    ReplyDelete
  21. 1st novel
    The Warriors by Tom Young

    I liked how it went into detail about the results of the Bosnian War and the Kosovo War. I learned about how the Balkan wars effected the population of the former republic of Yugoslavia and how the world reacted to the brutal conflict. what matters to me about it is how it gives people a clearer picture into the turmoil of the Balkans in that era.

    2nd novel
    D-Day by Stephen Ambrose

    I like this novel for its in-depth look at the D-Day Normandy invasion. The book went into very fine details such as the resources involved in the operation, the commanders of certain units, and the logistics of the overall plan. I learned a great deal of information about the battle and the feelings of the men involved. I know books on the D-Day landings are kind of common this one definitely stands out.

    ReplyDelete