A Jewel of a Story

    Once upon a time, I read The Selection, quickly followed by The Elite and The One, captivated by this royal fairy tale set in Illea, a country founded in the future. America's and Maxon's story was told as if it was written in the stars- meant to be- leaving readers and I swooning over the pages, uncovering more and more of their tale. Sadly, The Selection came to an end, as all good series do. However , Kiera Cass has reignited the tale with The Heir, the fourth book in the series about Princess Eadlyn, Maxon and America's daughter, who in order to allow time for her royal parents to fix the uprisings in the country, distracts the public with a selection of her own. 35 guys, none of which Eadlyn truly believes will become her fiance, but throughout the tale comes to learn more about herself and these men than she ever thought possible.

     One weekend, a good friend who lent me her copy and almost 400 pages later... I report back with my thoughts on the newest book. The Heir was just as magical as any of The Selection books. The ballgowns and dates and situations that are only ever bestowed upon royalty and blooming relationships and realizations; Eadlyn's story is just as intriguing as Maxon's and America's. I fell in love with her character, her independence, and her reluctance to be tied down. Her confusion was portrayed perfectly during the rocky Selection. Her emotions and feelings were battling logic for her heart-and her inevitable role as Queen. As Eadlyn admits, "... I didn't think I'd be able to ignore the way these boys were affecting me much longer," (Cass 219 ). The story is the most relatable of them all, with the dilemma of 'who to love, or even love at all?' Even with problems deeply rooted in high school territory the book brought a level of maturity and critical thinking that would never grace the minds of typical students. I promise to all Selection fans, give the new era in the books a chance, because it might not be Maxon and America this time but you will fall in love with Eadlyn all the same. 

Kiera Cass talks about the book herself, in this interview reported by USA Today.

Where Has all my Money Gone?

Oh yeah, that place called the bookstore. Book, book, and book later, I am 50 dollars poorer and ready for PARCC testing. Let's talk about the books I'll blow through by the end of the week.

So I bought City Love by Susane Colasanti, I Remember You by Cathleen Davitt Bell, and What I Thought Was True by Huntly Fitzpatrick. I am also currently re-reading The Nightmare Dilemma by Mindee Arnett.

The Nightmare Dilemma: 
Synopsis-
Dusty Everhart might be able to predict the future through the dreams of her crush, Eli Booker, but that doesn’t make her life even remotely easy. When one of her mermaid friends is viciously assaulted and left for dead, and the school’s jokester, Lance Rathbone, is accused of the crime, Dusty’s as shocked as everybody else. Lance needs Dusty to prove his innocence by finding the real attacker, but that’s easier asked than done. Eli’s dreams are no help, more nightmares than prophecies. 

To make matters worse, Dusty’s ex-boyfriend has just been acquitted of conspiracy and is now back at school, reminding Dusty of why she fell for him in the first place. The Magi Senate needs Dusty to get close to him, to discover his real motives. But this order infuriates Eli, who has started his own campaign for Dusty’s heart.

As Dusty takes on both cases, she begins to suspect they’re connected to something bigger. And there’s something very wrong with Eli’s dreams, signs that point to a darker plot than they could have ever imagined.

I loved this book the first time around and I'm falling back in love while re-reading it. Dusty, is such an interesting character, she's smart, clumsy and too snarky for her own good. With Eli in the mix the book is dangerously taunting in their could-be relationship, a moment-of many- described by Dusty, "I wanted to run over and kiss him again. If only I could be certain he would welcome it, not back away and tell me he was sorry. But his swings from hot to cold left me too confused for such courage," (143). It's magical-literally-, unique, and filled with mystery and I recommend every single page.

What I Thought Was True:
Synopsis-
Gwen Castle has never so badly wanted to say good-bye to her island home till now: the summer her Biggest Mistake Ever, Cassidy Somers, takes a job there as the local yard boy. He's a rich kid from across the bridge in Stony Bay, and she hails from a family of fishermen and housecleaners who keep the island's summer people happy. Gwen worries a life of cleaning houses will be her fate too, but just when it looks like she'll never escape her past—or the island—Gwen's dad gives her some shocking advice. Sparks fly and secret histories unspool as Gwen spends a gorgeous, restless summer struggling to resolve what she thought was true—about the place she lives, the people she loves, and even herself—with what really is.

I've heard great reviews about My Life Next Door also written by Fitzpatrick and I can't wait to get started on this book. The summary seems to give the book a lively, light aura that is screaming to be read. I want to explore the relationship between Gwen and Cassidy . This book is high on my to-be-read pile.

I Remember You:
Synopsis-
Lucas and Juliet couldn’t be more different from each other. But from the moment Lucas sees Juliet, he swears he remembers their first kiss. Their first dance. Their first fight. He even knows what’s going to happen between them—not because he can predict the future, but because he claims to have already lived it.

Juliet doesn’t know whether to be afraid for herself or for Lucas. As Lucas’s memories occur more frequently, they also grow more ominous. All Juliet wants is to keep Lucas safe with her. But how do you hold on to someone you love in the present when they’ve begun slipping away from you in the future? 

I have been dying to get my hands on a book about a bittersweet romance, a twinge of loss painting the pages. I thought this book would be perfect to fix that desire. With the added bite of mystery and frustration to what is going on, I have a feeling I won't be able to put this book down. Addictive, this too is ranking high on what I want to read. 

City Love:
Synopsis-
Sadie, Darcy, and Rosanna are living together in New York City the summer before their freshman year of college begins. With no parents, no rules, and an entire city to explore, these three girls are on the verge of the best summer of their lives.

Sadie is a native New Yorker. She is hopeful, romantic, and an eternal optimist who is ready to find her soul mate. Then she meets her dream boy: cute, funny, and quirky in all the right ways. The chemistry between them is unreal. Could he be the one?

Darcy is a free spirit from SoCal with rebellious tendencies and unlimited financial resources. Moving to New York City is just another adventure for her. Darcy wants this summer to be all about boy adventures—nothing serious. But how much fun is too much?

Rosanna leaves Chicago for NYC so she can put her past behind her and reinvent herself. The only thing standing in her way is the grand total of seventy-three cents she has saved. Then she meets a guy who wants to show her the glamorous side of New York—a side that she would never get to experience on her own. If Rosanna doesn't resist, she may find herself in city love.

Fluffy? Yes. Girly? Yes. Distraction? Yes. Perfect waste of time? Yes but worth it. This book looks like your typical beach read. Hot guys, girlish drama, and a story to ruin your expectations of your next boyfriend. Still all of these never fail to reel me into the unrealistic but complete fun world of these girls and their meant-to-bes. I've got no shame and I will enjoy every last bit of this sugar coated book. 

Have  you guys read any of these books? If so let me know what you thought of them in the comments. Until next week!

Let Me Show You

Have you ever finished a book that was so beautifully written that you still thought about it days after? Have you ever zoned out of class to think about the brilliant plot, characters, and scenes. Ignoring the lecture on atoms to play through the unexpected event you had completely missed the foreshadowing leading up to it? Have you ever wished you could find other books that were like that one, whether the voice, style, characters, or plot was similar you just wanted a book that had a tie between them? Have you ever been disappointed when you couldn't do that because you couldn't find a tool to help? I have, and I hope you have to. I'm notorious for spending weekends skipping through pages of a book, absorbing all the wonderful details and then moping the rest of the week when I don't want to move on and I just can't find books similar with my own restricted knowledge of the books out there. But, now I can find just what I'm-and hopefully you're- looking for...

A screenshot of the results to searching a book.

Amazon has a tool that they define as, "... a visual recommendation service that helps people find the right product from Amazon's catalog." It relates millions of books to the one you loved in a tumbling web of stories. And I have every intention on using it. All you have to do is write the title of the book in the search bar, click go and it will pull of tons of options connecting to that book, books that are similar, books similar to the similar and so on and so forth. But it doesn't just stop at books. You can use the tool to search through all of amazon departments, such as music or videos.  I absolutely love this nerdy invention because I'm always searching for new treasures to adorn my shelves. 

I used it recently to look up matches to Berry Lyga's I Hunt Killers, a charmingly chilling serial killer mystery. I fell in love with this book and Lyga's writing style and wanted to find books that were similar. The site gave me 123 results, some of which I had already read, that I could browse through and investigate. 

I loved this gadget and I hope you will too. Just click the link below to go to the site. 

Book Finder

Column Discussion

Out of all the articles in the packet I chose one of the most serious, inspiring and moving columns in there. I chose "On Christmas, we cheer heroes who run into chaos at the Boston Marathon" by Mike Lupica. Why? Because I read so many columns and many had great points but this one? This had a resounding impact.

The Boston Marathon was a tragedy that impacted every American out there. It spread fear into every women, man and child that could truly understand what this attack meant: 9/11 wasn't the end, and neither will the Boston Marathon bombing. This article addresses this fact. Lupica, starts the article off with history, talking about the reasons people are attracted to sports. For the memories, they want to see a second morph into a moment that will be burned onto their minds forever. As the piece moves towards the heart of the article, it hits a more melancholy note. Lupica puts it into perfect terms, "That was all about memory too, because of what happened at the finish line, on the day when Boston always feel as if the world has come to the most famous road race in the world: when all you hear, from Hopkinton to the finish line on Boylston St., are cheers, like that is the soundtrack of not just the city but its suburbs, the cheers that only stopped when the bombs went off and lives were lost and others were altered forever because those bombs blew off arms and legs as if people who had come to watch the finish of the Marathon had been blown up by the roadside bombs in Iraq." He ties in the memories of sport to another meaning. An emotional tie to loss and tragedy, emphasized by the last simile in which he relates America, a place thought of as free, safe, full of opportunities, to Iraq where Americans are fighting a war.

Using this initial point Lupica puts the men and women that ran into the streets to help into their deserved roles; heroes. They ran in to help without knowing how many bombs were left, they had no guarantee that when they rushed out to help they wouldn't also be injured. Its a great thing Lupica did, painting these people as true heroes because they sacrificed as much as any police officer, firefighter and soldier out there.

I chose this article because Lupica made a point that should have been made. The men and women that chose strangers' lives over their own were heroes and that this terrifying moment will be remember in history as the day Americans showed the best of themselves.

Timeline:

1. Montag is a normal member of society, and comments on how Clarisse thinks too much in this censored society.
2. Beatty talks about how everything is shortened and censored so there is no room or need for thought
3. Montag realizes there is something to books, that possibly makes people happier, trying to break through the censorship.
4. Beatty attempts to rebut Montag’s realization by saying books can be used for people as well as against people.
5. Montag joins up with Faber to try and stop this censorship, but Beatty keeps trying to stop them.
6. After killing Beatty, Montag runs away where he meets a group of men, who open his mind to the world of books, thoughts and literacy.

Textual Evidence:

Part 1:

• “‘You think too many things,’ said Montag uneasily,” (Bradbury 6).
• “‘School is shortened, discipline relaxed, philosophers, histories, languages dropped, English and spelling gradually gradually neglected, finally almost completely ignored. Life is immediate, the job counts, pleasure lies all about the work. Why learn anything save pressing buttons, pulling switches, fitting nuts and bolts?’”(Bradbury 53).

Part 2:

• “‘We have everything we need to be happy, but we aren’t happy. Something’s missing. I look around. The only thing I positively knew was gone was the books I’d burned in ten or twelve years,’”(Bradbury 78).
• “‘Oh, you were scared silly,’ said Beatty, ‘for I was doing a terrible thing in using the very books you clung to, to rebut you on every hand, on every point! What traitors books can be,”(Bradbury 104).

Part 3:

• “It's strange, I don’t miss her, it’s strange I don’t feel much of anything,’ said Montag. ‘Even if she dies, I realized a moment ago, I don’t think I’ll feel sad. It isn’t right. Something must be wrong with me,’” (Bradbury 148).
• “The chase is still running.”...”They’re faking. You threw them off at the river. They can’t admit it. They know they can hold their audience only so long. The show’s got to have a snap ending, quick! If they started searching the whole d*** river it might take all night. So they’re sniffing a scapegoat to end things with a bang,”(Bradbury 141).

This theme contributes to the progression of the story because it shows how Montag changes his views of the society, also how he wants to change himself.

In today’s society, this theme could be seen as people trying to stop others from making their own decisions, North Korea being an example. People are forced to think as one country, not individuals when a dictator takes absolute authority.

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Okay so today I'm going to be talking about my favorite parts of Shatter Me's sequel, Unravel Me. 

WARNING SPOILERS FOR SHATTER ME IN THE SYNOPSIS!

Synopsis:
Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

Okay so I had 3 favorite aspects of the book:

1. The super-hero-esque characters.
I love a good superhero tale, Iron man, Spider man, The Avengers, Thor. Name a movie and I've probable seen it. So it's no surprise that I loved the introduction of more characters with 'gifts'. Juliette, the main character of the series has a touch that is fatal. That is her gift which the reader is introduced to in the first book. But in Unravel Me, we get to meet more people and see their abilities. Kenji has the power to become invisible, there is a pair of healing twins and Castle, the leader of Omega Point has a strong ability of telekinesis. (Darn it Castle I've always wanted that ability). From the interesting powers to the intriguing training facilities I loved the part of the book that explored Omega Point and all the 'freaks' that resided there. 

2. The love triangle. Okay before you groan and stop reading, trust me on this. I hate love triangles, I hate the main character's struggles, I hate falling in love with both guys or even worse rooting for one but the other getting chosen. However, Mafi, the author of the books, wrote the scenes with Warner beautifully. The chemistry between Juliette and Warner was tangible, and the beginning of their story together was just as explosive as the story between Adam and Juliette. While I am torn between the two, I actually enjoyed venturing with Juliette into another romantic option. 

3. Characterization. Juliette grows so much in Unravel Me, she turns from this terrified little girl dependent on Adam to protect her into a strong, fearless women. It sounds cliche but it's not. Juliette's back story is heartbreaking, pity floods your thoughts as soon as you are introduced to her. But as the books and the series putters on, you want to see a fire in her, you want to see her grow into her skin. And that is exactly what happens in this book. Juliette finds herself, finds what she wants and what she will sacrifice for the greater good.  Juliette proves this by narrating, "I'm done being nice. I'm done being nervous. I'm not afraid of anything anymore.  Mass chaos is in my future. And I'm leaving my gloves behind." (Mafi 461).

If you have read The Shatter Me Series, tell me what you thought about it. Until next time!
                                                             

If you want to hear more about Unravel Me, there is a book talk above. 

Narrative. Mrs. Phelps/ Clara's POV

I slammed the front door, shimming out of my coat. I plopped down on the beautiful leather couch in my living room. I turned on the family and shut my eyes, thinking back to this afternoon.

Montag rushed into the kitchen, waving a book around as if it were a loaded gun. To me it was and it was going to shoot me down. His voice floated in and out, words entering my ears as music notes, silence on the other side. I couldn't follow the words, the meaning slipped out from my fingers, slick in oil. Flames erupted through the house, shouting and smoke filling the air. I was screaming, choking on the deep breaths I needed for empty words. I was burning, flames licking my clothing, enclosing around me. 

I startled awake. The remnant of the dream already washed away. My brow crinkled, What had I dreamt? I slipped off the couch and opened the fridge. A hand landed on my shoulder and I screamed, thinking it was a fireman about to burn the house down, burn me down for what I saw.

"You are jumpy Clara what's wrong?" My husband's deep voice entered my ears .

Sighing I turned around, "Nothing, I was just thinking that's all."

"Thinking? Honey nobody does that anymore," Mr. Phelps chuckled.

"Yes you are right. How was work?" I asked, daily routine moving my body, "War," I corrected.

He shrugged, an answer itself, he reached over my shoulder and bumped the door shut, the cold ended instantly. I shivered and Peter turned me around. He whispered in my ear, asked if I was okay. I nodded, I was okay wasn't I? The poem couldn't have affected me that much right?

"Let's get you to bed." He concluded and I curled on the bed.
 I pulled the sheets over me. I whined, my forehead burned, sweat beaded on my forehead, my stomach churned. What did Montag's poem mean? Why can't I remember the words, the meaning? Also, why did I want more, I craved more poetry, more words, more books. I shook my head, I was going crazy. I murmured a goodnight to Pete and fell asleep.

I blinked open my eyes, morning light pierced my eyes. I turned over, nudging Pete awake, his bright blue eyes greeted me.

"Breakfast?" I asked, he nodded his approval.

Once again I turned on the wall, familiar dialogue welcomed my ears. I needed to forget Montag, forget the poem, forget Dover Beach and it's hidden meaning. I gasped when a cousin spoke, the words were familiar. Watching the scene unfold, I realized I had seen this family before, I had heard these words before. I heard screaming and it took me a moment to notice it came from me.

"What's wrong?" Pete shouted and I cried into his shoulder, his arms wrapped around me, protective,"You have to tell me, Clara?" Pete pleaded, I stood there shaking in his arms.
..................................................................................................................................................................
I felt like someone had cleaned my glasses, striking clarity bombarded me from all sides. The lines from Dover Beach repeated my head, lines of poetry flowing as smooth as butter. Tranquility a cover for sadness, for darkness.  How? How long? Our government, how did they condition us? Paranoia lived in my heart, the family was the same every day, I had never noticed before. How could I not have noticed? How could I not have cared? I pushed down panic, after Pete had found me screaming he wanted to drop me off at an asylum. I pretended to be normal, feigned amnesia. I didn't remember the incident, that was all. That was all I could tell him because Pete, Pete was how I used to be.

I needed answers about all this, I needed to converse with Montag. He was wise, he knew all this, he tried to show Mildred, he did show me. All I needed to do was locate him and then I could know, Then I could be better, know better. Today is the day I will think, question, know, and change.