Thrice the Books, Thrice the Fun!

Pho: Emma, what is the title of your book you're reading and what's it about?

Emma: The title of my book is The Hunger Games. It's about children being forced to kill each other. It's a society where the government instills fear in the people and then the children play a game to kill each other. Lizzie, what's your book about?

Lizzie: My book is called The Prince of Tides and its about a screwed up family. The book is about how the Wingo's children, now grown, begin to realize and experience the impact of being raised in a prejudice naïve family. Pho, whats your book about?

Pho: My book is called Second Glance and its about a ghost hunter (who has never seen any ghosts), whose fiancé died in a car accident. He's tried to kill himself many times, and now his whole purpose in life is to find spiritual meaning in his life and to reconnect with his loved one. Emma, what do you like about your book?

Emma: I like my book, there are a lot of unanswered questions, elements of surprise, and there are always new questions to solve. Lizzie, what about your book?

Lizzie: I don't really have a favorite aspect of the book, there is still more to find out, and a lot of questions haven't been answered. What about your book Pho?

Pho: I like how this book is written. It has a mysterious aura, and the author, Jodi Picoult does a great job of describing even the tiniest details that you wouldn't even think about. The mood is dark, and I'm excited to keep reading. So guys, do we have any similar or different reading experiences?

Emma: I read when its assigned.

Lizzie: Same, we are all really busy.

Pho: I agree, but I like my book, I think its interesting and fun to read.

Lizzie: Yeah, I have a feeling that I'm about to reach a point where I will be absolutely hooked on it.

Emma: So our difference is the level of "likeness" of our books. Some of us like the books more than others.

Pho: What has most surprised you about your book, Lizzie?

Lizzie: I think I definitely had to accept how messed up my character's life is. I had to come to accept all of the hardship Tom had to take on because of his family. Once you get passed the initial shock, its easier to accept when something new happens. How about you Emma?

Emma: I didn't think there would be much background information in the book. I just expected all action and suspense. But I realize that it does set up a frame story for each character, helping you to set the scene further along in the book. And you Pho?

Pho: I didn't realize how dark my novel will actually be. I also was surprised at how many side stories there will be. I also didn't realize how good of an author Jodi Picoult is. Her writing really helps you appreciate the book.

Cake Talk with Halle and Binoy

Halle and Binoy sit down for a chat

Halle:Hi Binoy!

Binoy: Hi.

Halle: So let’s talk about your book.

Binoy: Great!

Halle: What did you decide to read?

Binoy: I’m reading “The Westing Game” by Ellen Raskin. How about you?

Halle: I’m reading “Elsewhere” by Gabrielle Zevin. So what are your favorite aspects about reading “The Westing Game”?

Binoy: I like the suspense; every chapter ends with a cliffhanger and it really keeps me wanting to continue; plus, I love murder mysteries. The book also moves at a really fast pace, which is great. What are some good things about reading “Elsewhere”?

Halle: I really like that there is a sense of reality, but also fantasy. It pulls you in and makes the story relatable, but this book especially gives a new twist on life. It makes you wonder if you could really go to “Elsewhere” when you die. You know?

Binoy: Yeah! I get it.

Halle: So obviously, some major differences between are the genre. Mine is fantasy, yours is a murder mystery. My book is read in first person… what about you?

Binoy: Third person.

Halle: Got it. So, that’s another difference. But we seem to share one thing about our reading experience… we’re both really engaged in what we’re reading, and the love the genres of each of our books.

Binoy: Exactly. So, did anything surprise you when you were reading “Elsewhere”?

Halle: Actually, a lot surprised me. It was really interesting to learn more about the land that people go when they die in the book, called Elsewhere. I expected it to be something like heaven is in the Bible, however, in Elsewhere, people age backwards until infantry and then are sent back to Earth to be born again, and you can watch life on Earth from something called the observation deck. It’s definitely a cool spin on things. Since your book is so different from mine I’m really interested to know if anything surprised you about reading “The Westing Game”.

Binoy: The major aspect of the plot of “The Westing Game” surprised me, which was the fact that one of the people written into the millionaire’s will was the murderer of the millionaire himself.

Halle: Woah, that’s definitely an interesting twist.

Binoy: Yeah. Nice chatting with you!

Halle: For sure.

Awesome Book Talk

Jon Logan-Rung & Christian Dalvano
Ms. Darling
English 2
December 16, 2011

Book Talk

Christian: “My book is the Hunger Games. It is about a girl, who takes part in a tournament called the hunger games in order survive. Her adventure is vast and constantly changing, which is what keeps me interested.
Jon: “Oh wow! That actually does sound cool. Mine is interesting because it is multiple stories, happening at the same time, which I believe will intertwine at some point or another. The main character, Sam, stumbles upon some sort of alien light in his closet. It’s peculiar and impossible but that is part of the allure.”
Christian: “Nice dude. Well aside from plot, one of the aspects of the book that intrigued me was the constant action pact adventure. Being the guy I am, violence and gore are interesting.”
Jon: “Yea understandable, that could be cool if it was written in a strong voice.”
Christian: “Well it’s written in the first person, which I like.”
Jon: “Oh then yea you’d be right there in the action! It sounds awesome.”
Christian: “Yea it is but what do you like about your book?”
Jon: “I like that there is a constant air of mystery and involvement in the book. Sam is a heroic figure, which connects with me on many levels. This is especially relatable to my childhood because I always had my nose in a comic book trying to figure out the villain’s evil scheme and how superman would save the day.”
Christian: “I feel like if I had that kind of a connection to a book I would be more eager to read, however, I do not frequently enjoy reading for personal pleasure.”
Jon: “I was the same way until I read this book, Ender’s Game, over the summer. It sparked a reader in me. Maybe you’ll find a book that will do the same for you someday.”
Christian: “I didn’t really pick up on any similarities between our reading experiences, did you?”
Jon: “Well actually I did. I noticed that we both enjoyed the intense action of our books and because of that, we kept reading.”
Christian: ”Yea I suppose so but I was surprised that, even though I am not a enthusiastic reader generally speaking, I enjoyed reading the Hunger Games.”
Jon: “That’s awesome! Keep up the good reading!”
Christian: “Happy holidays!”

John and Déja's second slice

As John and Déja sat back in their block 4 English class desk, they enjoyed coffee cakes and wished they had milk. For John, his book is a confusing, violent, ridiculous novel that Déja surprising paid attention to while he spoke. Déja does not enjoy books at all but the mix of mystery and coffee cake set the mood. Déja cut John off because she finally finished her coffee cake and told him about her book. Déja at first did not like the book because she found it confusing and she had other homework to finish that is always on her mind. She told John that her story was like a fairy tale, about finding the meaning of identity and reinventing a new life. Déja than asked John, “What are your favorite aspects of reading this book?” John responds, “The font is really big and the pages are really small!” They laughed as they swallowed their second slice of coffee cake. Then John responds, “But seriously, it gives off an adventurous vive.” Déja then describes what her favorite aspect of reading her book was: “The entire book is a huge lie.” The book is a lie because it is based off of Princess Diana’s life if she had survived the crash. John’s reading experience and Déja’s experience are similar. They both never want to pick up the book, especially when they had the French Revolution paper due. They both agreed to pick up the book during winter break. What has surprised Déja about her book is that the author has such a wild imagination. Déja does not enjoy reading but the fact that Monica Ali makes up this story is impressive. Lack of emotion in John’s book is what surprises him. It’s a lot of murders through out the story. As John and Déja finished discussing their book, they sat back and realized they are done for the year!

Bridget And David's Book Talk

Bridget: “What book are you reading?”

David: “I’m reading the non-fiction book Manhunt by James L. Swanson.”

Bridget: “Wow that sounds interesting. I’ve always been interested of our past presidents, especially Lincoln who abolished slavery for our Nation! I’m reading the Blind Side by Michael Lewis”

David: “That was a great movie! I loved how a family could be so generous and kind and give up so much of his or her own to help a person in need who ups up achieving so much. What are your favorite aspects of the Blind Side”

Bridget: “My favorite aspect about the book is that it’s about football and I’m a big football fan. It’s entertaining to learn the possible backgrounds foot ballplayers can have. Also, I have been a Raven’s fan and have always been interested in Michael’s story.”

David: “Yeah, I like football too, great sport. In my book, Manhunt, I find it interesting about the reasons why John Wilkes-booth killed Abe Lincoln. How a man with a driving force who succeeds in ending slavery saving so many people can be brought down by a killer from the south.”

Bridget: “Seems like our books are very different, one about football and sports. Mine is about sports and yours is about history. But, I would like to know more about Manhunt.”

David: “It’s a great book, I would recommend it to anyone especially history fans. I’d like to read the Blind Side because that is one of my favorite movies”

Bridget: “Well, both our books are non-fiction. Yours is from the 18^th century, and mine is from the 21^st century”

David: “Yes but there are certainly more differences than similarities.”

Bridget: “Yeah, I think you’re right. Have you found anything surprising that you didn’t know about your book?”

David: “Not really, I already had some prior knowledge on Abe Lincoln and John Wilkes-Booth’s story, so I just wanted to learn the deeper detail you can only find in a book.”

Bridget: “There wasn’t much surprising about my book either, considering I’ve already seen the movie. But at the end of every chapter I want to keep reading and find out more about Michael Oher, the true story, considering there were some changes made by the director.”

David: “Yes! I know exactly what you mean.”

Bridget: “I’m looking forward to reading my book even more.”

David: “Same!”

I Got 99 Problems, But Reading Ain't One!

John- As the holidays approach, we have been dealing with papers, tests and stress, but it's nice to wind down with a good book. Sav?

Sav- Agreed, John! My book is I'd Know You Anywhere by Laura Lippman. It is about a fifteen year old girl, who was kidnapped and released, but then years later in her adult life, the kidnapper reaches out to her from death row. He was caught because he killed another girl he kidnapped, and the police found out. She wants to know why she was the special one? Why was she the one person who wasn't killed, out of all the girls he kidnapped.

John- Wow. My book is completely different than that! I read Decoded by Jay-Z (Shawn Carter). He decodes his songs and writes essays about sections of his life.

Sav- Pretty different scenarios, huh?!

John- Yeah, you could say that!

Sav- What are your favorite parts of the book?

John- Well, I am one of the biggest Jay-Z fans, and I actually went to his "Watch the Throne" concert on November 5th. I watch his interviews and listen to his songs almost everyday after school. My favorite parts of the book are when he decodes the lyrics in each of his songs. Lyrics at face value only offer so much, so to hear what Jay was trying to say, made me truly appreciate his songs even more.

Sav- Awesome. Does he talk about Beyonce in it? I know that they are married but I don't hear about their relationship much.

John- That's a great part of the book, because Jay-Z seems like a real person, instead of just some rap god. He keeps his relationship and personal life kept secret from the paparazzi and interviews, and just talks about it through his songs. It's crazy how much of a writer he truly is.

Sav- Yeah just from hearing about that, I already am more interested. My book was also interesting because it was a physiological mystery.

John- Yeah it sounds really interesting.

Sav- A big difference between our books is the fact that we have different opinions on the characters. You love Jay-Z, so you can feel a strong connection to the book. But I have never been in a position of being kidnapped or having contact with someone on death row. So it's basically like you're getting an inside view, and i'm getting an aerial view of my story.

John- Yeah you're totally right. Jay-Z is talking directly to his audience and letting the audience connect to his life, lyrics and music. But in you're story, you just watch the story unfold, without feeling greatly connected.

Sav- Yeah, i agree. I think the major similarity between our reading is that we are both so interested in our books and that we both are offered a chance to be involved with our characters psyche. Even though I don't have a connection with my character as you do, we both are still in our character's minds as we continue to read.

Alex and Katherine's Book Talk

Alex: “So what book did you read?”

Katherine: “I read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It was about a woman, Juliet, who is looking for her next topic for her book right after World War Two. She’s on her current book tour in Europe. Sydney is her publisher and Juliet and Sidney exchange a lot of letters. A man from Guernsey writes her a letter after reading Juliet’s book, and asks for recommendations of other similar novels. She ends up talking to him a lot about Guernsey during WW2. Eventually he convinces some of his friends from the Literary and Potato Peal Pie Society to write her also about their story. She starts to compile different letters and stories about Guernsey during the Nazi invasion and how they coped. What book did you read?”

Alex: “I read Money Ball, which is about the Oakland Athletics in the early 2000’s, and they were one of the poorest teams in baseball. They were trying to figure out how to win games as much as wealthy teams such as the Yankees because they could not afford to pay all the really good players. By hiring statistical analysts to look for patterns in baseball, they tried to figure out how games are won. They decided baseball was being done completely wrong, and looking at it in the wrong way to win games. So what did you like about your book?”

Katherine: “It’s opinionated. I enjoy getting different people’s opinions and views on what happened. I also think it’s interesting to learn about WW2 because I have family who fought there. What did you like in your book?”

Alex: “It’s inspirational to see how the underdog can win. I also like baseball so it’s interesting to see how a team really operates. So, what were the main differences between our books?”

Katherine: “It seems like some of the differences between our books is the time period, the use of epistolary form versus normal writing, and fiction instead of non-fiction.”

Alex: “Yeah and a similarity between our books is that they have a similar theme of overcoming obstacles.”

Alex: “I found it surprising that it’s not really a story and more of a collection of different analyses.”

Katherine: “I was surprised that it took so long to get to the main story. There were many random letters from different people about the lives of Juliet and Sydney before the actually story of what happened in Guernsey started.

Second Glance

I would describe myself as a former reader because I always enjoyed reading for fun. In elementary school, it was my favorite thing to do. I always read multiple series in every moment of free time. I used to read practically every night in middle school, but because of my busy schedule, I currently don't have the time to sit down and read, just for the love of reading.
The book I’m reading entitled Second Glance is basically about multiple people’s stories of their encounters with ghosts. Some plots include a story about a young boy with xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) which is a disease that gives you skin extremely sensitive to UV light. There is also a story about an old man attempting to build a strip mall on top of an Indian burial ground. The main plot is about a man named Ross who has attempted suicide multiple times and has even legally killed himself (for 7 minutes). He is a ghosthunter who has never seen a ghost, but he has been haunted by the loss of his fiancée Aimee, who died in a car accident. So far the book has been introducing all of these story plots as well as piecing together many of the characters’ background histories.

1. I chose this book because I like supernatural and fantasy novels. I most enjoy reading this genre because of each book’s uniqueness, with each story different from everyday life.
2. I always like to read every night right before I go to sleep, usually a small amount, like one or two chapters.
3. This book has reminded me of one of my favorite books Gone by Michael Grant, because they are both fantasy novels, but also because of the similar formatting. Both books have multiple subplots that switch on and off within each of the chapters. I am anticipating that all of these stories will eventually come together to circle one main plot.

The Prince of Tides

I would describe myself as an enthusiastic reader. Often I don’t have time to read but I can always make time. Recently I have been reading a lot. I love books and I make time by staying up till 1 in the morning reading. Its not particular healthy but what the heck.

For the personal choice reading project, I choose the book The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy. I had no idea what it was about, but it had been highly recommended to me by a friend. I had putting off starting to read the book, but since I eventually had to start it, I for some reason decided to wake up at five in the morning to start it. Why? I have no idea. So when my alarm clock went off at 5 the next day I started the book. My first impression of Tome Wingo, the main character, is not a great one. His life is a mess; he hates is parents (mostly his mother), his wife is having an affair, he has been unemployed for a over a year, his sister just tried to commit suicide, and his brother Luke has done something terrible to him. All that, in the first chapter of the book. Yet, despite all the sympathy I feel for him, I just don’t like him. I think it is the way he talks. I find it annoying. It’s probably all the self-pity that he exudes. Don’t get me wrong, he has a right to pity himself, it just isn’t attractive. There’s still time for him to grow on me though.

I'd Know You Anywhere

Back in middle school when I had more time, I was definitely a more avid reader. I would make sure I finished my homework early so I could have as much time as possible to read my current book. I would read sitting by the fireplace, after I did my homework, or right before I went to bed. Reading took me to another world and really got my mind off of things. That's why I loved it then, and why i still love it now, but i just don't have the time. So I would consider myself a former reader because I did use to read a lot. I never have time to read anymore with my busy lifestyle, even though I want to. Thats why this project is so great; it's getting us to get back into reading the books that WE want to and are not the books we HAVE to.

The current book that I chose to read for this project was I'd Know You Anywhere by Laura Lippman. I initially chose this book because the cover was very cool. I also like mysteries, and Mrs. Maza told me that this was a physiological mystery. Books that are different from anything I would ever think of really pull me in. By reading the back cover, i could tell that this book was not like anything i've ever read. To explain the plot briefly, a women who was kidnapped at the age of 15, but was not killed (unlike the kidnapper's other victims), gets a letter as an adult from the kidnapper on death row asking for her help. Very different right? When I first started reading the book, it took only a chapter to get incorporated with the story and what was going on. I like books similar to these in that it doesn't take long to get into what's happening in the story. The best part about reading this story is that it's a physiological mystery so there is so much to learn about why a women's kidnapper expects her to help him escape death. It's a great book so far that is keeping me on the the edge of my seat continuously wanting more.

bookchase.blogspot.com

Hunger Games

Readers identity:

I have never been much of a reader, and I think this is because of lack of time. Whenever I do get into a good book, I always stay interested and engaged, but I am always so busy. The concept of this book also interested me, I love books about utopias; they always seem so cool. I think I could be a reader addict if I was given the opportunity. I would label myself as a summer reader because that is when I do the majority of my pleasure reading, instead of school reading.


Why did you choose this book?

I chose The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins because I had gotten numerous recommendations form my friends to read it. I also saw the trailer for the movie on T.V and I wanted to read it before the movie came out so I could enjoy the book. I also knew it was about a utopia and I am very interested in utopian books.


Does this book remind you of any other book you have read in the past? How so?

I remember when we read The Giver in 6th grade. This was the first book I had ever read about utopias and I loved every minute of it. It reminds me of the Hunger Games because it is also about a utopia. In both books something in the utopia goes terribly wrong and it never works out. These types of books really strike an interest in me.

What is the best part of reading this book?

I love to read this book because the author is amazingly descriptive. I love the way she describes each character and what is going through their head. It almost appears like a movie in my head. I think that the movie will be amazing because of all the amazing descriptions the author has put into the book. The book almost comes to life.

The Blind Side

I have never really enjoyed reading, but I think it’s because it’s always been forced on me. In school, it used to be so annoying to me that we had a certain amount of time to read a book. I like to read on my own time. I think that’s why I consider myself a vacation or summer reader. When I’m on the beach there’s nothing more I want to do then sit, while tanning, reading a nice novel. I find it much more relaxing to read on my own time because I’m not required to do anything. Especially on a beach I find myself reading and getting much more into the book.

I decided to read the Blind Side by Michael Lewis for two reasons. One, the movie the Blind Side, featuring Sandra Bullock, is one of my favorite movies of all time. The story and the background to the story is so intriguing. The Blind Side quickly became one of my all time favorite movies. Second, football is one of my favorite sports to watch, so when we had the opportunity to pick a book, I knew I’d be interested in the Blind Side. When I first opened the book, I assumed that it would be just like the movie. I was wrong. The Blindside opened with a play from a New York Giants and the Redskins, where quarterback Joe Theismann gets injured from Lawrence Taylor. I was kind of confused at the beginning because I swore the book was all about Michael Oher. I have only gotten through the first chapter, but I’m sure the first chapter will soon relate to the rest of the book. I can’t wait to read the rest of the book to see the relation between the movie and the book. This book reminds me of another book I have read called Miracle. I also decided to read Miracle after seeing the movie Miracle about the USA hockey Olympics. Both the Blind Side and Miracle are about real sporting events that were important to the evolution of sports.

Untold Story: A Novel

I would probably describe myself as a reluctant reader. When I do read, it is for school, never for enjoyment. I truly do not have the time to sit down to read and feel as though I have other work to be getting done. I just never found pleasure in reading after school enforced it so much. I think the last time I did was when I was reading Dr. Seuss. For example, I will try to start a book but then will probably never finish it. If I ever do pick up a book, it is over the summer. The only book series I have ever gotten through and loved was the Twilight Series.

For my personal choice reading project, I am reading Untold Story by Monica Ali. I choice the book because when I read the description, it was compared to a fairy tale which drew my attention. Not exactly a princess and the frog type of fairly tale but a fairy tale that makes up a Princess’s untold story. I was at first hesitant to pick up the book and have not read more than the first chapter. I was a little confused already by the first chapter. What I found challenging when I first began was all of the characters that were speaking which causes it to have a lot going on. I was pretty confused but hopefully as I continue reading, I will understand what is going on.

You know you want to read this

What was your first encounter with the book like?

The book I’m reading is The Book of Lies by Brad Meltzer, and so far it is an amazing book. Thinking back, I haven’t picked up a book that wasn’t for school in the past year, so it is nice to finally not have to dread reading a book, and being forced to read a certain amount each night. Book of Lies opens up half way through a chase for a mythical book, and it gives no hints as to what has happened in the past. The author leaves it to the reader to figure it out. Though some readers may find this annoying or hard, I love it. It keeps me interested in the novel and lets my imagination roam. A few pages in and already someone is being tortured for information then killed slowly, I have read 75 pages and almost every page has been filled with energy. And this is not just physical, some of it is mental, which brings a whole new aspect to the novel and its characters. This may not be appealing for all readers but I think its fun trying to make sense of the conflicts while backfilling for what happened before the book started. All in all, Book of Lies keeps the reader locked in and flipping the pages a mile a minute.

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=book+of+lies+meltzer&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1207&bih=632&tbm=isch&tbnid=WZxCFXjsVwI1ZM:&imgrefurl=http://articles.sfgate.com/2008-09-25/entertainment/17158391_1_homeland-security-superman-latest-book&docid=_erQvU2ecTkQ8M&imgurl=http://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2008/09/22/ns-outloud25_cov_0499186489.jpg&w=331&h=512&ei=rdbYTrKfCary0gGahPSFDg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=329&sig=111809307146702970246&page=1&tbnh=141&tbnw=91&start=0&ndsp=23&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0&tx=53&ty=52