summer reading post 1

          I have chosen the book 'Looking for Alaska' by John Green. So far this book has been very thought provoking which is a good sign, for me at least, when reading a good novel.  The main character for this book is Miles Halter, also known as 'Pudge' not because he has a few extra pounds, but because he is so skinny. The book begins with him telling his parents that he would like to go to a boarding school, and not for the usual obvious reasons to get away from something, but to get into something. Pudge's life was boring and uneventful. He wanted to change that so he had his parents enroll him in a boarding school so that he could hopefully start the adventure also known as life. He was in search of 'the great perhaps'. Culver Creek boarding school was where it would all begin. Pudge makes friends like Chip also known as 'The colonel' and Alaska. At first sight Pudge is mesmerized by Alaska. I have a feeling that later on in the story she will be the main event in Pudge's head. And what I really want to know is, does he find the great perhaps? This book reminds me of 'Paper towns' also by John Green because of the way the book starts. It begins centered on one boy who feels his life is boring and then, BOOM, this mysterious girl takes him on a whirlwind adventure that he couldn't forget if he wanted too. I feel like the ending won't be the ending that we want, just like how 'paper towns' ended.

Put a Dime in the Jukebox

First things first, I would like to give a virtual high-five to anyone who got the song reference in the title. I am back to reading Rock Chicks by Alison Stieven-Taylor and I am still in love with this book. When you read this book you feel very empowered. It doesn't matter if you're a girl or a guy, it makes you feel like you are stronger than you think. A lot of these iconic women of rock 'n roll came from the same place as everybody else and carried their weight to the top. If that doesn't make you feel invincible, I have no idea what would.

 

I recently finished a chapter of the book which was about Stevie Nicks. Fleetwood Mac's best known band member is Stevie Nicks. Fleetwood Mac is very well known. You have most definitely heard of her. She is so original, and her voice is hauntingly beautiful. I was trying to think of someone she reminds me of, but that's the thing, she doesn't remind me of anybody but her. She is unlike any other, and she  worked her way to the top. "Ninety per cent of the people who went to Fleetwood Mac concerts wanted to see Stevie." (pg 124) She has this magnetism that couldn't be bought. She is an idol of mine because she did her own thing, and didn't care what other people thought of her.

 (Stevie Nicks on stage)

I have been reading 'A work in progress' by Connor Franta. This book is also by a youtuber, just like the last one but these books are very different. This book is more about the life lessons he wants to share with us and have us learn from. He states "As you get older, sometimes your goals will take you away from your closest friends." (pg 52) I love this book so far because he brings a new perspective on a small town kid rising to fame while still remembering where he came from. I remember meeting him at his book signing and it was like a dream. I never thought that I would ever get to meet him, let alone hug him and talk to him. He was just like he was since the beginning of his wild adventure to internet stardom. He was so thankful for everyone supporting him and that really reflects in his book. He is a wonderful writer and I really sugest picking up his book and reading it, even if you aren't completely aware of what he does because he puts his heart and soul into this book and you can really tell. 

I have been reading 'I hate my selfie' by Shane Dawson. This book is very different from the books that I usually read. I usually like to read fiction or realistic fiction but this book is about the writers life. It is sort of a an autobiography. And usually I wouldn't feel any interest in that except for the fact that the writer is someone that I have been watching for years. And I realize without any incite to what the writer is involved in that what I said would be a pretty creepy thing to say. But Shane Dawson is a youtuber. Yes it is a real profession and yes that is his full time job. And it may seem ridiculous  that some one could make a decent living by just making video of them self but it is a completely tangible idea for people with more knowledge about the youtube community.  It is like being a celebrity but still being able to go outside without some crazed fan trying to steal your shoes. I believe that in this day and age it is very possible to make a profession out of anything. If you think about it there are professional eaters, poker players. video game players, even people just famous for being pretty. I think that anything is really possible.

(I would like to put a quote in this but there are no quotes in this book that are school appropriate. So I would rather not)

        I really enjoy rock 'n roll. So does my dad. I think it is one of the only things we have in common. My dad periodically surprises me with a CD of a band he wants me to check out, which I always enjoy, but this time he got me a book. I absolutely love this book. No doubt in my mind. My dad bought me a book on the history of women who ruled the rock 'n roll world. I am currently reading  'Rock Chicks' by Alison Stieven-Taylor. This book is amazing because it is a mini biography for each woman mentioned in the book and how they influenced music. When writing about the artists she doesn't just stay to their impact in music, but also music's impact on the Artist.        " The Janis Joplin camp is split on to two factions. She's a misunderstood genius who broke down rock barriers for women, Or a vulgar drug-addicted exhibitionist who's excesses were greater than her talents" It is a book about not only the way they lived, and for a few died, but also a way to explain how they were as human beings.    

Theme Handout

Why Individual Self Expression Is Important

Olivia Popovich, Kayla Blumberg, Jenna Caimano, Andrew Hahn, Aaron Goetz

Bell 4

Timeline

• After meeting Clarisse, Montag starts to question his life and if what he’s doing, with burning the books is actually the right thing to do for society.
• During the situation with Ms. Blake, and her showing Montag all of the books she owned, and telling Montag her true feelings and thoughts on being able to have books, changed the way Montag  looked at himself and his actions.
• Meeting Faber and showing him a want to go see the books, and not turning him in. Obviously being a person that starts fires for a living for people that have books, it doesn’t seem like a usual thing to do to not start a fire for someone with books. This shows Montag’s change in character ever since realizing that books may actually be a key party to the way society works
• When Montag reads the poem, Dover Beach to Mrs. Phelps and Mrs. Bowles, he is trying to get them to see how important self expression is to individual people and to society.
• After burning down his house, Montag kills Beatty because he is willing to do anything to save the books.
• After the bombs hit the city, Montag starts remembering the book of Ecclesiastes,  Montag gets time to reflect on his life, and he thinks about everything he has done and all that had just happened to him, through the actions of him showing his true self.

Montag grows as a person in the book, and shows more self expression as it goes on.

Textual Evidence

• “Of course I’m happy.  What does she think?  I’m not? he asked the quiet rooms.” (Bradbury 8)
• “Then the old man grew even more courageous and said something else and that was a poem, too.  Faber held his hand over his left coat pocket and spoke these words man’s coat.  But he did not reach out.” (Bradbury 71)
• “He twitched the safety catch on the flame thrower.  . . . And then he was a shrieking blaze, a jumping, sprawling gibbering manikin, no longer human or known, all writhing lame on the lawn as Montag shot one continuous pulse of liquid fire on him.” (Bradbury 112-113)

Why Is this Theme Important to the story?

This theme is important to the story because without it nothing would’ve happened, Montag would never feel the same way towards books if he would have never showed his true feelings about how books can really change the way someone views society and life in general.

How does this theme connect to modern society today?

This theme connects to modern society today because in our country we are able to show who we are through the clothes we wear, our religion and many other things that we can turn to to express our own self expression, which shows up in Fahrenheit 451 multiple times. It’s very important to be aware of this because without it, everyone would be and act in the same manner.

     I finished the book 'Hate List' a few days ago. I found this book extremely interesting. I have never read a book so out of my element before and it really opened my eyes to all of the other genres I hadn't  been reading. I really enjoyed this book because it was about a harsh situation that is very realistic. I never thought that I would feel so interested about a sad topic. This book is about a girl who is a survivor of a school shooting, where the shooter was her boyfriend. Her life is unraveling and it sounds unbearable. It makes you think that even if you are having a bad day that you still have an overall good life and that you should think about the big picture. 

    

    You know those books that when you finish you don't even know what to do with yourself? This is without a doubt one of those books.