I’m now reading Three Days by Donna Jo Napoli. It’s about a girl whose father gets killed by a heart attack during their father/daughter vacation in Italy. Jackie (the daughter) doesn’t have a cell phone and doesn’t know what to do. She is left stranded on the Italian highway with a dead father and rental car.
Unfortunately, two men in a truck pick her up. She is VERY scared (and who wouldn’t be??) She has no choice but to go with them. They take her to their home and give her very nice things. They give her a beautiful room that is made just for a girl her age. Also, at the home is an older woman.
Since Jackie speaks little to no English, she has to piece together the family’s life. During all of this, all she can think about is how badly she wants to go home. The family’s marinara smells delicious, but it’s not the same as her mother’s. She can only imagine what is going on in the world. The home she is at is in a very secluded area and all of the neighbors speak…you guessed it, ITALIAN!
I’m only into the very beginning of the book, so I don’t know too much about the plot, but I have been getting to know Jackie. She seems to be a very considerate and brilliant young girl. It is obvious that she will find a way to get herself out of the situation no matter what. Surprisingly, she doesn’t seem too phased by the whole “being helpless” thing. Of course, this strange, yet very kind family does help with that little fact…
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Final Remember Me?
The End
Oh my word!!!! This was such a funny story!!!!! There is a section of the book where Lexi is trying to help her husband Eric impress his customers at an open house of one of his beautiful houses. Lexi and Jon (a man she apparently was having an affair with, though she can’t remember him…..) were in charge of putting Italian stones into the exotic fish tank. However, Lexi throws the rocks in and ends up killing one of the fish. When she scoops the fish out (yes, with her hands!) she puts it in the “loo” but can’t find a flush button. She asks Jon how to flush the toilet, and Jon responds by giving her a remote control. When she tries to figure out the control, she looses patience and just jabs at all the buttons. NOT A GOOD IDEA! All of a sudden the read lights start flashing and an alarm rings out. While cages start coming down on the guests Lexi realizes she really got herself in trouble. But thank goodness for Lexi, Jon saves her by disguising her mistake as a “test of the alarm system’s state of the art qualities”.
This is just an example of the crazy things that happen in this book. It’s just hilarious.
Unfortunately, I have this habit of reacting to books out loud when I’m reading, and I really had to try to not laugh (for fear of strange looks from classmates)
I would recommend this book if you like a good laugh and a light read. However, I wouldn’t really recommend it to the males…. It’s a feminine type book. Though if you WANT to read it, go ahead!
Oh my word!!!! This was such a funny story!!!!! There is a section of the book where Lexi is trying to help her husband Eric impress his customers at an open house of one of his beautiful houses. Lexi and Jon (a man she apparently was having an affair with, though she can’t remember him…..) were in charge of putting Italian stones into the exotic fish tank. However, Lexi throws the rocks in and ends up killing one of the fish. When she scoops the fish out (yes, with her hands!) she puts it in the “loo” but can’t find a flush button. She asks Jon how to flush the toilet, and Jon responds by giving her a remote control. When she tries to figure out the control, she looses patience and just jabs at all the buttons. NOT A GOOD IDEA! All of a sudden the read lights start flashing and an alarm rings out. While cages start coming down on the guests Lexi realizes she really got herself in trouble. But thank goodness for Lexi, Jon saves her by disguising her mistake as a “test of the alarm system’s state of the art qualities”.
This is just an example of the crazy things that happen in this book. It’s just hilarious.
Unfortunately, I have this habit of reacting to books out loud when I’m reading, and I really had to try to not laugh (for fear of strange looks from classmates)
I would recommend this book if you like a good laugh and a light read. However, I wouldn’t really recommend it to the males…. It’s a feminine type book. Though if you WANT to read it, go ahead!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Remember Me?
Amnesia….
I changed the book I will be reading for this quarter. Thanks to Julie, I’ve started one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read in awhile. It’s really funny, and a nice light read.
Lexi (the main character) gets into a car crash and looses her memory. She can remember everything up to three years before the crash. Unfortunately this means she can’t remember her husband, friends, job specifics, or who she is… Also, it doesn’t exactly help that she was a very ambitious woman when the accident happened, but three years before she was a low self-esteem, low totem pole worker who thought tight purple shirts were attractive.
So far, Lexi has been let out of the hospital and brought back home to her beautiful, remote control home. To her dismay, she finds herself constantly screwing up while trying to be the professional she once was. It’s absolutely shocking how she has transformed from her tacky old self into such a polished businesswoman.
Her husband, Eric writes a book that gives her details on everything she used to do. (Like, what she normally eats for breakfast). Some of the things she used to do come naturally to her, like complicated yoga moves and how to walk in heels. It’s all in the muscle memory. (how ever, she can’t remember how to drive a car…which might be a good thing)
When Lexi goes back to work, she discovers that she can’t remember her assistants, or even what she is supposed to be doing in her position. The company relies on her as the head of her department, but she is completely useless. It takes the workers a while to realize that she can’t be depended on for all the answers anymore. I wonder how long Lexi will be able to keep up with their demands before collapsing under the confusion and pressure? Is the old Lexi up to handling the modern Lexi’s life?
I changed the book I will be reading for this quarter. Thanks to Julie, I’ve started one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read in awhile. It’s really funny, and a nice light read.
Lexi (the main character) gets into a car crash and looses her memory. She can remember everything up to three years before the crash. Unfortunately this means she can’t remember her husband, friends, job specifics, or who she is… Also, it doesn’t exactly help that she was a very ambitious woman when the accident happened, but three years before she was a low self-esteem, low totem pole worker who thought tight purple shirts were attractive.
So far, Lexi has been let out of the hospital and brought back home to her beautiful, remote control home. To her dismay, she finds herself constantly screwing up while trying to be the professional she once was. It’s absolutely shocking how she has transformed from her tacky old self into such a polished businesswoman.
Her husband, Eric writes a book that gives her details on everything she used to do. (Like, what she normally eats for breakfast). Some of the things she used to do come naturally to her, like complicated yoga moves and how to walk in heels. It’s all in the muscle memory. (how ever, she can’t remember how to drive a car…which might be a good thing)
When Lexi goes back to work, she discovers that she can’t remember her assistants, or even what she is supposed to be doing in her position. The company relies on her as the head of her department, but she is completely useless. It takes the workers a while to realize that she can’t be depended on for all the answers anymore. I wonder how long Lexi will be able to keep up with their demands before collapsing under the confusion and pressure? Is the old Lexi up to handling the modern Lexi’s life?
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
The Misfits (part 1)
Hmmm…. Names, Ties, and Adolescence
I’m starting the book, “The Misfits” by James Howe. I’m not too far into it yet, but the some of the obvious main characters have been introduced. Bobby, a twelve year old boy, also known as Fluff by fellow classmates works in a tie store. He is called Fluff because he loved Marshmallow and peanut butter sandwiches when he was young.
His boss is named Mr. Kellerman (or Killer Man), and so far, this man has come off to be quite strict as to how his tie shop is run. He wears suits and whips around his silken handkerchief.
Squeeze Tookis is one of Bobby’s friends. He is a greasy, dirty, slimy boy who is very concerned about a Forum that Bobby and his friends have (Skeezie included). Other members of this Forum include Addie, a tall girl who is very smart and Joe. Joe scares other boys because of his feminine characteristics. Joe is also incredibly creative, and according to Bobby….possibly too creative.
It is apparent that Bobby isn’t a fan of names or tags. I can definitely understand this due to the fact that he is called Fluff. He thinks it’s silly to call someone by a name that only encompasses a small part, or individual characteristic of a person. He believes that there is so much more to a person than a name, and to judge a person through their label is shameful and disappointing. By doing this, you aren’t giving the person in question a chance to be themselves and you are missing out on enjoying what that person has to offer.
I’m starting the book, “The Misfits” by James Howe. I’m not too far into it yet, but the some of the obvious main characters have been introduced. Bobby, a twelve year old boy, also known as Fluff by fellow classmates works in a tie store. He is called Fluff because he loved Marshmallow and peanut butter sandwiches when he was young.
His boss is named Mr. Kellerman (or Killer Man), and so far, this man has come off to be quite strict as to how his tie shop is run. He wears suits and whips around his silken handkerchief.
Squeeze Tookis is one of Bobby’s friends. He is a greasy, dirty, slimy boy who is very concerned about a Forum that Bobby and his friends have (Skeezie included). Other members of this Forum include Addie, a tall girl who is very smart and Joe. Joe scares other boys because of his feminine characteristics. Joe is also incredibly creative, and according to Bobby….possibly too creative.
It is apparent that Bobby isn’t a fan of names or tags. I can definitely understand this due to the fact that he is called Fluff. He thinks it’s silly to call someone by a name that only encompasses a small part, or individual characteristic of a person. He believes that there is so much more to a person than a name, and to judge a person through their label is shameful and disappointing. By doing this, you aren’t giving the person in question a chance to be themselves and you are missing out on enjoying what that person has to offer.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Last of The Book Thief (from me)
Last on The Book Thief
I finished the Book Thief and I can honestly say that the WHOLE book is fantastic! Really! It’s a great way to remember history, and look at how the Holocaust affected not only Jews, and Gypsies, but also every single German person. Also, it affected humans all around the world. You just simply can’t escape the drama of the terrible event.
As sad as I know it sounds, everyone but Liesel dies at the end of the book. The thing is, it is important to express the devastation of the time. How else would a book narrated by death end? Honestly, if you don’t expect the story ending in his work, I can’t imagine what you were thinking.
Near the end of the story, Liesel happens upon a group of captive Jews that goes through her town. She sees Max, and it kills her inside. To keep herself and family alive, she can’t do anything. Can you imagine how many children during this horrific even must have faced the same problem?
Often, I think it is a common misconception that only Jews were hurt during the holocaust, but as Markus Zusak points, that is VERY wrong. I wonder, "where would my family be if they were in Europe during the time?" I can’t imagine how devastating it would have been to say goodbye to my father who was called to war, and to have to pretend to conform to Hitler’s ideas. (Assuming I didn’t fit into the category of people who were so scared for themselves that they supported Hitler).
I truly admire the people like Liesel’s family, who stretched everything they had to bring some justice to the world. Their sacrificed their own protection for someone else who was being tortured. These acts are HONEST forms of courage that many wouldn’t be able to accomplish. Though this is a very sad piece, Markus Zusak inspired me through it.
I finished the Book Thief and I can honestly say that the WHOLE book is fantastic! Really! It’s a great way to remember history, and look at how the Holocaust affected not only Jews, and Gypsies, but also every single German person. Also, it affected humans all around the world. You just simply can’t escape the drama of the terrible event.
As sad as I know it sounds, everyone but Liesel dies at the end of the book. The thing is, it is important to express the devastation of the time. How else would a book narrated by death end? Honestly, if you don’t expect the story ending in his work, I can’t imagine what you were thinking.
Near the end of the story, Liesel happens upon a group of captive Jews that goes through her town. She sees Max, and it kills her inside. To keep herself and family alive, she can’t do anything. Can you imagine how many children during this horrific even must have faced the same problem?
Often, I think it is a common misconception that only Jews were hurt during the holocaust, but as Markus Zusak points, that is VERY wrong. I wonder, "where would my family be if they were in Europe during the time?" I can’t imagine how devastating it would have been to say goodbye to my father who was called to war, and to have to pretend to conform to Hitler’s ideas. (Assuming I didn’t fit into the category of people who were so scared for themselves that they supported Hitler).
I truly admire the people like Liesel’s family, who stretched everything they had to bring some justice to the world. Their sacrificed their own protection for someone else who was being tortured. These acts are HONEST forms of courage that many wouldn’t be able to accomplish. Though this is a very sad piece, Markus Zusak inspired me through it.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The Book Thief Continued....
More on The Book Thief
As MEA has just passed, I’ve had some extra time and therefore I have gotten quite a bit farther in The Book Thief. So, far I REALLY recommend this book!
From the last post, we are aware of Max, Liesel, Papa and Mama (the foster mother). Also, you have been introduced to Liesel’s light fingers and desire for books.
Another very important character in this story is Rudy. Rudy is Liesel’s best friend and the boy obsesses over Jessie Owens. The two make for quite a strange pair, but nonetheless they really have a “story book” relationship. Rudy follows Liesel on her trips to the mayor’s house. He lifts her through the open window on the side of the large house; she sneaks in and picks a book that she thinks wouldn’t be missed too badly. After she picks her piece and hops back out the window they take off down the dusty road.
Rudy’s father was sent to fight in the war, along side Papa. Both children and their families suffer from the war and loss of a father figure. Eventually, the children get so hungry that they start stealing from local farms. To them, a handful of apples looks just as appealing as a birthday cake.
Another developing character is Max Vandenburg. Liesel starts spending quite a bit of time with the man in hiding. She realizes that he needs some outside stimulation. She gives him weather reports, which he enjoys quite a bit. We learn that Max was quite a fighter when he wasn’t in hiding and we also see that he is quite educated. He starts painting with Papa’s paint. The walls get covered with his inner frustrations.
As MEA has just passed, I’ve had some extra time and therefore I have gotten quite a bit farther in The Book Thief. So, far I REALLY recommend this book!
From the last post, we are aware of Max, Liesel, Papa and Mama (the foster mother). Also, you have been introduced to Liesel’s light fingers and desire for books.
Another very important character in this story is Rudy. Rudy is Liesel’s best friend and the boy obsesses over Jessie Owens. The two make for quite a strange pair, but nonetheless they really have a “story book” relationship. Rudy follows Liesel on her trips to the mayor’s house. He lifts her through the open window on the side of the large house; she sneaks in and picks a book that she thinks wouldn’t be missed too badly. After she picks her piece and hops back out the window they take off down the dusty road.
Rudy’s father was sent to fight in the war, along side Papa. Both children and their families suffer from the war and loss of a father figure. Eventually, the children get so hungry that they start stealing from local farms. To them, a handful of apples looks just as appealing as a birthday cake.
Another developing character is Max Vandenburg. Liesel starts spending quite a bit of time with the man in hiding. She realizes that he needs some outside stimulation. She gives him weather reports, which he enjoys quite a bit. We learn that Max was quite a fighter when he wasn’t in hiding and we also see that he is quite educated. He starts painting with Papa’s paint. The walls get covered with his inner frustrations.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Book Thief cont.
Book Thief Cont.
Last post, I gave an overview of what I remembered of the story, because I wasn’t very far into the book and didn’t have too much to say. Now I’m about ¼ of the way done, and have a little more insight.
One of the main aspects of this story is how Liesel “steals” books. This desire took hold of her when her brother died. At the funeral, the grave-digger had a manual that explained the proper way to bury a corpse. He dropped it, and Liesel picked it up. Since the family was on a train to the Liesel’s foster parents, they boy was buried in a remote place that would never be visited by Liesel again. She had nothing to remember her brother by, except a silly manual (that she couldn’t even read!)
So all in all, the theft began because Liesel was trying to hold on to her brother.
The first few nights that Liesel spent at her foster parents’ home were terrible. She would wake up in the middle of the night, screaming for her mom and brother. Papa (the new parent) would come in and sit by her bed, reading to her. Eventually, during these episodes of extreme awakedness, Papa would start teaching Liesel to read. She really wanted to read the digger’s manual, and in a strange way, Papa thought it would help her to say goodbye to her brother, and end these nightmares.
Along with Liesel’s story is the story of Mr. Max Vandenburg. Max is a Jew, and is fleeing. His father faught with Papa in the last war, so Papa agrees to let the boy come to the house on Himmel Street. The family takes in the Jew. Max hides in the basement.
We’ll have to wait to see what happens next….
Last post, I gave an overview of what I remembered of the story, because I wasn’t very far into the book and didn’t have too much to say. Now I’m about ¼ of the way done, and have a little more insight.
One of the main aspects of this story is how Liesel “steals” books. This desire took hold of her when her brother died. At the funeral, the grave-digger had a manual that explained the proper way to bury a corpse. He dropped it, and Liesel picked it up. Since the family was on a train to the Liesel’s foster parents, they boy was buried in a remote place that would never be visited by Liesel again. She had nothing to remember her brother by, except a silly manual (that she couldn’t even read!)
So all in all, the theft began because Liesel was trying to hold on to her brother.
The first few nights that Liesel spent at her foster parents’ home were terrible. She would wake up in the middle of the night, screaming for her mom and brother. Papa (the new parent) would come in and sit by her bed, reading to her. Eventually, during these episodes of extreme awakedness, Papa would start teaching Liesel to read. She really wanted to read the digger’s manual, and in a strange way, Papa thought it would help her to say goodbye to her brother, and end these nightmares.
Along with Liesel’s story is the story of Mr. Max Vandenburg. Max is a Jew, and is fleeing. His father faught with Papa in the last war, so Papa agrees to let the boy come to the house on Himmel Street. The family takes in the Jew. Max hides in the basement.
We’ll have to wait to see what happens next….
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