End of Quarter 2 Blog

I am very happy with my independent reading accomplishments this quarter. I would have to say that my favorite moment of independent reading is when I completed Carrie. This book was quite challenging for me, but when I finished the book I felt very accomplished. The reason I felt that way was because there were points were I came very close to dropping the book due to it's vocabulary and complex plot. Despite these negative feelings, I decided to stay with the book and actually, I was very happy that I stayed with the book because it actually turned out to be a good book. Also, it was a great challenge for me. When I finished the book, I was proud that I finished it and without a doubt, it was the highlight of independent reading for me second quarter.

Even though I feel like my blogs have gotten a lot better this quarter, there's still room for improvement. As a blogger, I would like to pay more attention to the details in the story because they would really improve my blogs. I would also like to write a blog that makes someone want to read the book I blogged about. I think that my blogs are relatively clear, but as I said before, I would like to include more detail in my blogs. Truthfully, I'm not very interested in what I have to say. I like to read, but I feel like going into so much detail takes away from the book. I am happy that we didn't need to blog as much this quarter because the few blogs that I did this quarter were a lot better. To get more excited about blogging, I think there should be some sort of competition with the blogs because that motivates me even more to do well.

Book Review- Carrie

The review is found here: http://www.sfreader.com/read_review.asp?book=460

I really agree with this book review. In a nut shell, the author of the review talks about how brilliant Stephen King is and how dark the book is. Carrie's life is miserable for her because her mom is extremely religious, even to the point where she is crazy. Her whole life Carrie has grown up believing that only bad girls get older and develop breasts, and she truly believes that she is dying when she has her first period at 16 years old. When that happens in the locker room, she gets made fun of and that reawakens her telekinetic ability. I agree that King's word choice illustrates a very clear picture. I find it very interesting that Carrie comes from the personalities of two girls that King went to high school with. As you read the book, you feel sorry for Carrie, and how hard it is for her being a confused teenager with a crazy mom. Also, you really start to to take sides as the book progresses. This was a very good book review.

Abandond Book-The Million Dollar Throw

The Million Dollar Throw
by Mike Lupica

I was recommended this book by a friend, but as soon as I saw the title I immediately had doubts about it. I've read at least two book called "The Million Dollar" something, and they all have the same theme. The first time I read a book like this I enjoyed it, but I'm tired of these books. To sum up every single book with this title, a kid who has a huge passion for sports gets the opportunity to win one million dollars by making a throw, shot, etc.... The family always has trouble paying bills and this could save them. The story is inspiring and exciting if you have never read a book like this, but if you have, I would put it down and try something else.

I am the Messenger

So far, Ed's life is going nowhere. He's a nineteen year old cab driver who lives alone. He's in love with his best friend Audrey, but he has given up hope. For once, something exciting happened in his life: he stops a bank robbery from happening. Even though he thinks of it as now big deal, he has no idea how much of an impact it has made on his life. Shortly after the robbery, he recieves a peculiar package in the mail. An ace of diamonds. In addition to the card, it tells him where to go and when to go. He doesn't know what it's for though. Ed doesn;'t realize it, but he has a lot ahead of him in the near future.

Final Blog of 1st quarter

In my blogs I tend to focus on the conflicts in a book and how it affects the plot and actions of the character. I have an interest of the reactions and thoughts of the characters. Being completely honest, I think that the book blogging experience is quite tedious. I don't feel like it helps me, but I am the kind of reader that likes to read a book without any interruptions

For next quarter, I would like to go into more detail in my blogs, and spend some more time on them. Also, I should pick different aspects to go into detail about. I would like to accomplish the feeling that I made some very good inferences and observations. I'm not very interested in blogging, but hopefully by the end of the year, I will enjoy it more. To get more involved, I would like to do a blog every other week because I feel like it would benefit how detailed my blogs are, and I would have more to contribute to the blog.

The Rag and Bone Shop

Jason is a very quiet kid who typically doesn't socialize. Although he isn't happy, he is not unhappy. When his neighbors younger sister dies he is mentally and emotionally in pain. He sought friendship in younger kids because older kids and kids his age made fun of him. One day, when the police showed up at his house to interview him, his life completely changed. He realized how serious the case was, and because he was the last person to see her alive, he is a suspect. Instead of continuing life the way it was, Jason is brought on a thrilling journey to find out who committed the crime.

The Glass Castle Final Review

Jeanette only finds happiness when she is away from home. After she left her house and moved to New York, she was finally enjoying herself. I felt bad because when her parents eventually moved, they were getting in the way of her life and you could tell that he was getting angry and annoyed. Despite that she decided to help them because they're family. I would rate this book a 9 out of 10 because it was really enjoyable, without being thrilling. Also, it was the kind of book that was really interesting, but didn't really pull you in most of the time. Otherwise, the book was excellent and I would highly recommend it to anyone over 10.