Blog Reflection

The blog post that best exemplifies my ability to analyze what I'm reading is my post about the writing style, characters and themes in My Sister's Keeper. The link to this post is below:

http://annasreadingblog1127.blogspot.com/2015/04/my-sisters-keeper-writing-style-analysis.html

In this post, I included an analysis of how Jodi Picoult's writing style affects the reader's perception of each character. I used a quote from the book to demonstrate character development and theme. The quote I provided was just one example of the many instances where the reader's understanding is deepened and we can understand the perspectives and choices of certain characters. I was also able to identify and analyze a theme: how unexpected and seemingly coincidental the connections between people in our lives can be. These are a few quotes from my blog post that demonstrate thorough analysis:

"The reader can understand the reasoning behind each character’s actions, visualizing flashbacks and digging into similarly broken pasts. The following quote is just one example of the extraordinary writing style that gives us a glimpse into why each character acts as he/she does. We begin to understand that Jesse has become a lonely and reckless delinquent because of some insecurities and a lack of fulfillment during his childhood, always being overlooked in the presence of his sisters:"

"The author has perfectly crafted each individual storyline, ripping our hearts and minds in opposite directions, leaving us hopeful for an ending of happiness but also for one of justice. She has intertwined the lives of characters who might not otherwise be connected, if it weren’t for Anna. If it weren’t for Kate. In addition to posing ethical and legal questions, this book illustrates how great an impact one person can have on another person’s life. How connected we all are, even if only by one shared relationship or history."

A few goals I have for myself are to make reading more of a regular habit and to choose books that might be out of my comfort zone, or from a new genre or author. I'd also like to continue blogging and/or journaling about what I read and about topics I'm interested in. I think reflecting and analyzing what we read is very important, as it helps us understand and appreciate the message so much more. I'd like to keep track of how many minutes/pages/books I read per month, setting specific goals for myself in the coming year. Planning to read 2 hours a week, for example, will allow me to hold myself accountable for my reading. I want to work on how much I take away from my reading, what I learn. I think I can also improve my attention to vocabulary. If I make an effort to identify and define new words, I can tremendously widen my horizons, implementing strong word choices in my writing and speaking. I'm very excited for the future and I have a lot of books I'd love to begin reading and analyzing!

The Book Thief (about the author and brief summary)

I'm about 45 pages into The Book Thief, written by bestselling author Markus Zusak. In the novel, Markus intertwines real stories, passed down from his parents about things they witnessed in Austria and Germany during the Holocaust, with fictional writing. This young adult/historical fiction book received numerous awards and honors, including the following, to name a few:

 

National Jewish Book Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature

Book Sense Book of the Year Award for Children's Literature

Michael L. Printz Honor

Kathleen Mitchell Award (Australia)

Best Book by the School Library Journal and the Young Adult Library Services Association

Editors’ Choice in the Kirkus Review and Booklist

Markus Zusak was born in Sydney, Australia in 1975 and he still lives there today. His parents made education and literature priorities for their family, fueling Markus' interest in fictional writing, which began at an early age. The Book Thief was his fifth book, succeeding The Underdog, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, When Dogs Cry and The Messenger.

Sources for information about the author:

http://www.chipublib.org/markus-zusak-biography/

http://www.gradesaver.com/author/markus-zusak

So far in the book, we've been introduced to Liesel Meminger, a ten year-old girl living with foster parents in the outskirts of Munich, Germany. Her mother became too ill to care for Liesel and her brother, who died on the train ride to the foster home. The only thing she can cling to, the last momento of her deceased brother and of her mother who abandoned her, is a book. A book she spotted in the snow. A book that was dropped by the poor boy who was given the unfortunate job of digging her brother's grave. A book that will change her life.

I'm intrigued as to where to book will go from here. Characterization and imagery have already proven to be phenomenal, creating crystal clear images for the reader of the setting and of who the characters are. I've already developed adorations and dislikes for certain characters in the story. The author utilizes side notes -- bolded, separated and spontaneous, but also relevant, thoughts -- to catch the reader's attention. He addresses certain terms that may be uncommon or unfamiliar as well as his personal beliefs about life, spoken through the narrator of the story. I can already begin to relate this book to others I've read, such as Night and Fahrenheit 451. I have no doubt that this book will be filled with many emotional, historical truths and outstanding writing techniques.

Here's a link to the trailer for the movie "The Book Thief" (based on the book)...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92EBSmxinus

My Sister's Keeper (writing style & analysis)

With less than 60 pages left of My Sister’s Keeper, I’ve been swept right into the book’s captivating plot and I’m intrigued to find out how Jodi Picoult chooses to conclude this marvelous story. The book spans a time frame of eleven days – the time leading up to and including the trial. The book is broken up between Anna’s perspective and the views of her lawyer, brother and parents for each day. Each of the central, dynamic characters is extremely well developed through the use of these alternating narrative chapters. The reader can understand the reasoning behind each character’s actions, visualizing flashbacks and digging into similarly broken pasts. The following quote is just one example of the extraordinary writing style that gives us a glimpse into why each character acts as he/she does. We begin to understand that Jesse has become a lonely and reckless delinquent because of some insecurities and a lack of fulfillment during his childhood, always being overlooked in the presence of his sisters:

When I was eleven years old I got a skateboard. I never asked for one; it was a guilt gift. Over the years I got quite a few of these big ticket items, usually in conjunction with one of Kate's episodes. My parents would shower her with all kinds of cool s*** whenever she had to have something done to her; and since Anna was usually involved, she got some amazing presents, too, and then a week later my parents would feel bad about the inequality and would buy me some toy to make sure I didn't feel left out (Picoult 244). 

The author has perfectly crafted each individual storyline, ripping our hearts and minds in opposite directions, leaving us hopeful for an ending of happiness but also for one of justice. She has intertwined the lives of characters who might not otherwise be connected, if it weren’t for Anna. If it weren’t for Kate. In addition to posing ethical and legal questions, this book illustrates how great an impact one person can have on another person’s life. How connected we all are, even if only by one shared relationship or history. How complicated the intersection of paths can be. Jodi Picoult brilliantly connected a collection of seemingly random stories to form a tangled web of people, lives and histories. Brian: the loyal father, the firefighter, and his son: the boy who felt invisible, the lost cause, the arsonist. Anna: the girl seeking freedom, the daughter born to save her sister, the shadow, and her mother: the lawyer, the woman being sued by her own daughter, the mom who never meant any harm. Campbell: the attorney fighting for Anna’s rights, the witty, love-struck college kid, and his ex-girlfriend, Julia: Anna’s guardian ad-litem, the insightful and heartbroken outcast, the girl who’s willing to take the risk of giving second chances.

This ending of this book appears that it will go one of two ways: Anna wins or Anna loses. Kate dies with one of her sister’s kidneys or she dies with her own. Anna is miserable in sacrificing her health without a choice or she’s miserable in not saving her sister’s life. Heartbreak seems inevitable, and I have no doubt that the resolution will leave some problems unresolved. That it won’t be a fairytale ending, and it shouldn’t be. The outcome of the book should follow suit with the seriousness of the real-world topics introduced. I’m hoping and counting on a realistic ending, one that stays true to each character and how they’ve all been presented. But I don’t know what that ending consists of. I don’t know which way I want the jurisdiction to be swayed. I hope, for Anna’s sake, that she and Campbell win; I hope that Anna finally feels independent, like she has a purpose outside of feeding her sister’s life. But for the sake of Kate and her mother, I hope Anna loses; I hope Kate doesn’t feel like she’s being abandoned, I hope Sara doesn’t regret the choices she’s made to help her daughter. I'm very excited to finish this book and I look forward to reading more books by Jodi Picoult.

This is a link to some very powerful quotes in the book My Sister's Keeper:

http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1639903-my-sister-s-keeper?page=1

My Sister's Keeper

I've recently begun reading My Sister's Keeper, by Jodi Picoult. Although I'm only a quarter of the way through the book, I was intrigued after reading the first few pages. This fictional novel encapsulates so many compelling topics, woven into a very complex plot. Kate has had leukemia since she was a mere two years old. When her parents, Sara and Brian Fitzgerald, found out that their only son, Jesse, wasn't a match for a bone marrow transplant, Anna became their last hope for saving their only daughter. Thirteen year-old Anna Fitzgerald was born for the sole purpose of saving her sister's life. With each hospital visit, treatment, dialysis session and surgery Kate goes through, Anna comes along, endlessly giving for her sister without being given the freedom to make the choice herself. 

The tides turn when Anna takes a stand. When she makes the choice to sue her parents. She knows that Kate's cancer will never stop taking, sucking the life out of both her and her sister. Eventually, she'll have to supply Kate with a kidney and she's not ready to make that step. Anna knows the risks that come with what she's expected to do. And whether her rebellion comes from a place of fear or from her craving for freedom and purpose, Anna's decision is one that her family will not see coming. This book wraps around the legal, medical and emotional aspects of Anna and Kate's story. Each chapter is written in a different perspective, jumping back and forth between each member of the Fitzgerald family and Campbell Alexander, Anna's lawyer.

Anna has grown up with a storm cloud looming over her head. She knows that without Kate's illness, she wouldn't have been born. She's spent her whole life contemplating that fact, and every time she comes up with the same conclusions. She feels invisible in the shadow of her beloved sister. She's never been able to be her own person, using all of her energy to fuel Kate's life. She places her identity on a very unstable platform, constantly feeling alone as she realizes that the only purpose she's ever known could be stripped of her at any moment. Anna's thoughts and fears are verbalized in these lines:

It made me wonder, though, what would have happened if Kate had been healthy. Chances are, I'd still be floating up in Heaven or wherever, waiting to be attached to a body to spend some time on Earth. Certainly I would not be a part of this family. See, unlike the rest of the free world, I didn't get here by accident. And if your parents have you for a reason, then that reason better exist. Because if it's gone, so are you. (Picoult 8).

http://www.jodipicoult.com/my-sisters-keeper.html

The above link displays additional information about Jodi Picoult and My Sister's Keeper as well as an excerpt from the book. 

Satire

The above cartoon is an example of contemporary, Horatian satire. The picture portrays a recently hatched chick using Facebook on a laptop and the surprised reaction from its parent. It mocks how, today, technology is becoming increasingly present in the lives of children. In Horatian satire, the tone is more witty and accepting than in the angry, pessimistic Juvenalian satire.This cartoon is simply making fun of the new generation for its involvement with technology, not deeply scolding or criticizing it. Clearly, because this topic is fairly new and technology with the youth has not been an overarching, timeless problem for humanity, this cartoon is considered contemporary. This example of satire intends to ridicule the youngest members of society, as well as the generation who raised them, for the prominence of social media and technology in their lives. The author wants his or her work to be a call to action. How can children grow and experience the world around them, observing and exploring like the chicks in the background of the cartoon, if they're constantly staring at a computer screen?

Krista Ramsey Column

In Krista Ramsey's column, Song writer helps kids summon courage to stop bullies, she discusses the impact that local songwriter Keenan West is making on countless students across the country. West focuses on inspirational stories, deep messages and fun, interactive demonstrations to get his point across.

The link to the column is provided here:

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/columnists/krista-ramsey/2014/11/29/krista-ramsey-keenan-west/19673489/

The following line from Krista Ramsey's column provides strong examples of syntax and diction, with its effective use of imagery and punctation:

"It's an exercise in risk and public vulnerability that adolescents, used to trying to fit in and not make themselves a target for ridicule or rejection, understand all too well" (Ramsey).

The above excerpt from Krista's column illustrates the theme of Keenan's assemblies -- self expression without worry of exclusion -- by using great diction. Her excellent word choices such as risk, vulnerability, target, ridicule and rejection (bolded and italicized above) demonstrate the prominent idea that students sometimes sacrifice being themselves in order to avoid being bullied. In addition to her word choice being relevant to the column's theme, Ramsey's syntax allowed for further description in the sentence and, therefore, higher understanding. The information separated by the commas would be adequate for a sentence on its own. We would still comprehend the idea that adolescents are familiar with the concept of public vulnerability. However, the details inside the commas provide explanation for the rest of the sentence. With just a few extra details, we're able to understand WHY the statement is true. We know that students understand outside influence because of their insistence on conforming. Clearly, Krista Ramsey is entirely capable of creating excellent diction and syntax in her writing.

In general, Krista Ramsey's writing style uses short, detached paragraphs to display a mix of factual information and opinions. This paragraph, from Ramsey's column on the impact of electronics on vision, incorporates facts provided by a UC professor to support the theme, "'When you use less and less of the peripheral retinal cells, less and less signal gets to the brain from that area and it gets less strong or goes away. So there may be more brain processing power dedicated to a task like watching a computer screen - but it may come at the cost of peripheral vision,' he says" (Ramsey). Additionally, a paragraph from her column on the topic of appropriate dress attire, and a few athletes in particular, illustrates the format Ramsey's writing tends to assume: "The amazing thing isn't that two super jocks know how to dress well, but that they actually seem to want to" (Ramsey). This paragraph is a mere sentence in length and, in contrast to the aspect of her writing style that focuses on facts, it includes Krista's personal opinion. As one last piece of evidence regarding Ramsey's writing style, this paragraph from her column on Keenan West's message (described above) shows her use of facts and short paragraphs: "A statistic he shares with every group: in 57 percent of cases, the bullying ends within 10 seconds of a bystander speaking up" (Ramsey). In reading these three columns, I've come to the following conclusion regarding Ramsey's writing style:

Using separate paragraphs, sometimes comprised of just a sentence or two, Krista Ramsey blends factual and opinionated writing to create the optimal column.

If I were to ask Krista Ramsey a few questions, they would be:

1. What sparked your interest in becoming a columnist?

2. How do you find such unique and fascinating topics? Do you look to other writers for inspiration?

3. Would you ever consider writing a book? If so, what would it be about?

Specials (theme and review)

I finally finished Specials and the Uglies series! I very much liked the ending and it was surprisingly fitting. It perfectly tied all the books together and the futures written for each character were great reflections of his or her traits and choices. Tally's adoration of the wild and her yearning to be free of restrictions and authority were demonstrated superbly in the resolution of Specials. Unlike The Giver and Matched, two books that I've compared this series to, the ending was very satisfactory. There were some unexpected twists and turns in terms of difficulties Tally faced and the actions of characters like Dr. Cable, leader of Special Circumstances and Tally's old city. Surprising acts of bravery and kindness on Dr. Cable's part illustrated her as a dynamic character, becoming more compassionate  by the end of the series, even if some of her choices were lined with selfish ulterior motives. I would definitely say that by the end of the book, the action and suspense picked back up compared to my reading last week.

A few themes and corresponding quote I have uncovered from this series include:

-Getting to know a person will reveal his or her true beauty; outward appearances can be deceitful.

"He peered into her eyes for a longer moment, then sighed and shook his head. 'You just look like Tally to me.' ... 'You just took on five million years of evolution again' (Westerfeld 366-367).

-It can be a mistake to underestimate a person's ability to change who they are.

"Tally blinked, unable to believe her eyes. It was Dr. Cable...'So that's why you're here, Dr. Cable? To blame me for everything?' 'No. I'm here to let you go'" (Westerfeld 354 & 357).

-Letting rules and false standards define you can prove to be a discouraging, uphill battle.

"She was finally free of her cell, of the operating tank, of Dr. Cable. No one would change her against her will, not ever again. There would be no more Special Circumstances" (Westerfeld 359).

I created this collage to represent some important quotes from the trilogy.

I would give the book Specials, and the entire trilogy, a 4 out of 5 stars. The first book, in my opinion, was the best. In Uglies, the setting, plot and characters were new to the reader and were all very well developed. It was fascinating to read about such an abstract society with new technology and corrupted philosophy. But as the books continued, the set-up gradually lost its captivating appeal. Familiarity with the characters gave way to predictability of the events. Sure, there were some unexpected scenes. But overall, the setting and outcome were anticipated. The last book followed the traditional layout of this series but I will give Scott Westerfeld credit for great closure and some brilliant additions to this book. For example, the setting of the New Smoke was revealed, admittedly a surprise. I would recommend this book and this trilogy to anyone who enjoys fiction, particularly science fiction, or reading about dystopian societies. This isn't a series you can quit reading halfway through, simply because there are so many facets to one particular conflict that must be solved, so many questions at any given point. 

The next book I plan to read is The Diary of A Young Girl by Anne Frank. In this book, Anne Frank depicts the circumstances of her life as a young Jewish girl during the Holocaust. She writes about frightening experiences and her thoughts, hopes and fears. Although this book fits into the category of a genre I wouldn't typically read, it seems very moving, interesting and inspirational. I can't wait to move on to this book as well as others on my "to-read" list soon!

This is a link to the GoodReads page for my next book:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48855.The_Diary_of_a_Young_Girl

Specials (theme and connections)

As I continued reading Specials this week, I have already witnessed many of my predictions come true. I continue to see Tally Youngblood, the protagonist in this series, characterized much in the same way as she was in the first book. Although she has undergone major changes in attitude and perspective, some qualities that Tally possesses are consistent, regardless of her circumstances. For example, she continues to demonstrate defiance towards authority, showcasing her strong sense of individuality and will to reach a state of justice. Along with this unwavering strength, she holds a steady weakness. Tally can never seem to maintain a relationship without carrying out an act of betrayal. Not even when she recognizes how much damage she has done, does she make an effort to change her approach towards confrontation. The stable portrayal of Tally Youngblood emphasizes the theme that even in the most extreme circumstances, a person's true character usually remains.

In many ways, I've been able to connect Specials to The Giver, a book written by Lois Lowry. In The Giver, the societal foundation of "sameness" strips people of color eyesight, memory and emotion. This is similar to the standard surgical operation performed in the Uglies series to make everyone Pretty, or equal in beauty. Both books are set in dystopian societies harboring twisted, even unethical, perspectives. Additionally, in both books, the protagonist becomes a nonconformist and an exception, unique compared to the rest of the "bland" members of the city/community. In a closer evaluation and comparison of these two publications, I'm sure many more similarities would be discovered.

Although I'm nearly finished with this book and I've definitely enjoyed this series, there are a few flaws worth mentioning. By the end of this series, I just wanted to know the final outcome. I didn't really need to read more about how Tally, once again, has a disagreement with Shay, about how she manages to break so many promises and relationships, or about how the same characters embark on another escape from the city. I thought the characters were developed extremely well but that there wasn't enough internal change throughout the books. The setting, however, offered some variety as it shifted from Uglyville and New Pretty Town to the Smoke and the wild and the Special Circumstances Headquarters. By the third book, the suspense wasn't nearly as high as it was in the first two books, partly because it became much easier to predict future events and how the characters would react. Science fiction isn't a genre I typically read, but these books interested me enough to read the whole series. But overall, the third book hasn't been up to par next to its predecessors. 

The above photo represents how Tally is constantly depicted as being different, and special, compared to the other members of society and even compared to her friends. These traits are also true for Jonas, from The Giver. This picture heavily relates to The Giver, not only with the theme of divergence, but also with minor details from the book such as the red apple and the black and white effect.


This is the link for The Giver movie trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJNNugNe0Wo

Specials by Scott Westerfeld

This week, I've been reading Specials by scott Westerfeld. So far, the plot hasn't really taken off from the exposition. The characters and setting have been introduced but the level of suspense present in the previous books hasn't kicked in yet. I have definitely seen character changes since the first book, however. Tally Youngblood has gone from a hopeful Ugly to a deceived Smokie to a rebellious Pretty to a programmed Special. She is working against the people she once worked with. Her desire for freedom from the confining restrictions of the city has been transformed into a desire to get revenge and take down anyone in the way of the city and its goals. Her mind has been manipulated just as much as her appearance, molded into a twisted view of beauty. I really wonder if she will ever be the same person she used to be, or if she fell into a permanent trap of obedience to Special Circumstances. 

Predictions:

I'm not very far into the book but I have a few predictions. I think Tally will find Zane and realize how the Special Circumstances has manipulated her and how wrong she is about the Smokies. (Just as a refresher, Special Circumstances is a "secret" organization within the city devoted to stopping rebels and the Smokies are people, mostly 'Uglies', who have escaped the city along with its corrupt values.) I also predict that, along with Tally's search for Zane and potential encounters she may have with the Smokies, Tally will face some tough decisions and make more than a few mistakes. This has been the trend in the other books in the series, too; just as guilt from one betrayal is released, another mistake is made and settles in Tally's conscience. I think it's also safe to say that alongside Tally's internal conflict, some problems may arise between Shay and Tally again, or maybe Tally and David. With these predictions come many questions for what will happen in the rest of the book.

About the Author:

Scott Westerfeld was born in 1963 in Dallas, Texas. With his B.A. in Philosophy, Westerfeld is a composer of modern dance music in addition to a popular author. He has written nearly 20 books and received many awards. His most recent novel is titled Afterworlds and was released just this year. Scott Westerfeld rotates between living in New York City and Australia. His book tours, blogs and videos have added to the success of his books and his career as an author. He writes mostly science fiction and young adult novels. Here are some reviews of a few of his books:

Uglies...

“Highly readable with a convincing plot that incorporates futuristic techonologies and a disturbing commentary on our current public policies. Fortunately, the cliff-hanger ending promises a sequel.”
-School Library Journal (starred)

Extras...

“Just as thrilling as its predecessors, but it’s also a thoughtful novel of ideas, a brilliant parody of the modern obsession with fame.”
-New York Times

Leviathan...

“When a book pursues you into your dreams, you can’t ignore it."                                            -Sunday Telegraph

Afterworlds...

“Afterworlds is a wonderful book for any young person with an interest in growing up to be a writer.”
-New York Times

The following link contains more information about Scott Westerfeld and his books:

http://scottwesterfeld.com/books/

Pretties by Scott Westerfeld (summary and review)

I just finished reading Pretties, by Scott Westerfeld. This is the second book in the Uglies series. This book proved to be just as captivating as its prequel, answering many of my questions but posing new ones as well. When Tally Youngblood turns herself into Special Circumstances and becomes Pretty, she forgets the real reason for her sacrifice - until she meets Zane. This book explores Tally's journey: testing the cure, escaping the confines of the city and developing relationships. The city realizes the danger that Tally might bring. Privacy is restricted, conversations are constantly monitored and locations are tracked. Obstacles such as these, as well as Shay's stubbornness and Zane's negative reaction to the cure, produce a lot of suspense and conflict. The following quote demonstrates the fact that the city doesn't tell its citizens the whole story, or give them a choice to stay ugly and keep their brain in tact:

"'Their reasons don't mean anything unless I have a choice, Peris. And they don't give anyone a choice'" (Westerfeld 232).

In this book, Tally, on her way to find David and Zane and the New Smoke society, finds herself trapped in a barbaric culture that is only in existence as a sociological experiment for Special Circumstances. She witnesses the terrible results of a powerful society that's based on cruel, corrupt ideas of beauty and perfection. As Tally slowly regains her memories, which were originally stripped from her during the operation, she remembers why she truly back came to the city and the one who helped her in the process, David. 

Overall, this book did an amazing job building off of the first book and creating suspense for the rest of the series. The foundation of this series is very interesting and the characters continue to develop and surprise. I'm left with some questions, however. What do Zane and Tally have in store for them with their return? Will the 'New Smokies' escape to safety? Will Tally join Shay and the Specials? I cannot wait to read the third book, Specials. I would definitely give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes fictional books centered around futuristic, dystopian societies, with some action and romance mixed in as well. In this trilogy, the characters are developed very well and they're individualistic in personalities. Brave and shy. Guilty and ignorant. Courageous and sentimental. Ugly and Pretty.

The following link displays various symbolic quotes from the book:

https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1568076-pretties

Uglies (summary and book review)

I just finished the book Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. I loved this book and would definitely recommend it! I still have some questions but I'm sure they will be answered in the rest of the books in this series. Through more mistakes and adventures, Tally ends up accidentally betraying the Smoke. She is forced to travel across rough terrain in order to rescue her friends. She learns about the history of the fallen civilization, the "Rusties", and what caused their destruction. Tally, David, Maddy (David's Mom) and Croy work together to make a new home in the rubble of the Smoke. Special Circumstances ensures that Shay falls victim to the operation and its mind-altering effects. Maddy, a former doctor for the city and passionate about her work, works to find a cure. The ending of the book is very suspenseful and very abrupt. Tally demonstrates massive amount of courage in order to protect her friends. 

I noticed a significant character change in Tally throughout the book, making her a dynamic character. She went from a lonely Ugly, counting down the days until she could call herself a care-free Pretty, to a rebel, plotting against the morals of the operation and leading a new generation of Uglies to the Smoke. Staying true to my prediction, Tally's beliefs and values shifted by the end of the book. Tally's character change is similar to the change Cassia undergoes in Matched. Both characters go from feeling pride towards their society to feeling rebellious and experiencing the need to escape.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about futuristic dystopian societies and suspenseful books. As a warning, the poor decisions made by some characters, specifically Tally, will annoy you throughout the book. There are so many points where I wished she would've acted or spoken differently. But without mistakes and conflict, the book wouldn't contain the same incredible amount of suspense within the plot. I cannot wait to read Pretties, the sequel to Uglies and the second book in this series. I have many predictions and questions that I hope will be answered!

This is a link from to Good Reads with some of the best and most popular quotes from Uglies:

https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/2895388-uglies

Uglies (plot and connections)

This book has significantly developed in the past week I've been reading it. Tally runs into trouble when she must decide whether to betray her friend in order to become Pretty or give up her future and keep her promise to Shay. She uses Shay's coded directions to embark on a journey to the Smoke, a secret civilization far away from the city and one with a very different lifestyle and set of values. But Shay doesn't know Tally's true intentions for fleeing the city. As Tally meets new people in the Smoke, like David and his family, she notices how different they are compared to most Pretties she'd ever known. Along the way, Tally makes some poor choices regarding her friendships and the safety of everyone she just met. With many secrets kept, feelings hurt and promises broken, Tally realizes she may have made some mistakes. The following quote shows her attitude towards the Smoke and how her hopes for her future have changed,

"Still, she wouldn't have traded anything for this moment, standing there and looking down at the plains spread out below. Tally had spent the last four years staring at the skyline of New Pretty Town, thinking it was the most beautiful sight in the world, but she didn't think so anymore" (Westerfeld 209).

One prominent text-to-text connection I've made is the similarity of this book to Matched by Ally Condie. Both books are set in futuristic dystopian societies where authoritative control and scientific advancement are major elements. The protagonists in each book explore the outside world after realizing the home they've known for so long isn't as perfect as they thought. In Uglies, the authorities use the operation to alter the way people view each other, physically and mentally. In Matched, the government uses tablets to manipulate the minds of its citizens and their views on society as well.

I only have about 140 more pages in this book but I cannot wait to find out what happens next. I still have many unanswered questions. Will Tally fight for Shay and stick with her in the Smoke? Or will she break her newly developed trust and countless more promises? Will Shay forgive Tally for what happened with David? Will "Special Circumstances" find out about the Smoke? Will Tally ever see Peris, an old friend who turned Pretty a few months prior to Tally's departure, again? Even though I haven't finished this book yet, I can already say that I would definitely recommend it!

The following picture and links relate to my connection between Uglies and Matched.



Uglies GoodReads Link:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24770.Uglies?from_search=true

Matched GoodReads Link:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7735333-matched?from_search=true

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

I recently started reading Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. Although I'm only on page 110, the plot has developed significantly. The protagonist, Tally Youngblood, is a 15 year old girl who lives in a society that prioritizes "biological correctness". According to authorities and most members of society, people are born ugly and must undergo an operation at the age of 16 in order to appeal to the natural human sense of beauty. Tally has been waiting her whole life to finally become "Pretty", to experience the lifelong joy of partying and being surrounded by beautiful people. The following quote from the book demonstrates Tally's longing to leave 'Uglyville' and begin her new life as a Pretty:

"She'd spent the last four years looking out at New Pretty Town, wanting nothing more than to cross the river and not coming back. That's probably what had tempted her through the window so many times, learning every trick she could to sneak closer to the new pretties, to spy on the life she would eventually have" (Westerfeld 85).

The setting of this book is very intriguing, a futuristic society that hides information about the past and the outside world, and tricks its members into thinking that a good life comes from external beauty. But as Tally begins to explore beyond the river and as she gains information from her new friend, Shay, she slowly starts to question the principles of the world she's known and admired her whole life. 

I've really enjoyed this book so far. The rising action has begun to build up, with some major events taking place. For example, without giving too much away, Shay tells Tally about her bold, unexpected plan and Tally is brought to the "Special Circumstances" organization and given important information, right before she is about to have her Pretty operation. I predict that by the end of the series, if not the book, Tally will have a change of mind about the concept of Pretties and Uglies. I believe that she will become a dynamic character and will eventually rebel against society. I'm excited to continue reading this book and I can't wait to find out what happens to Tally and Shay.

This link contains book reviews, Q&A, discussion questions and more information about the book, Uglies:

http://scottwesterfeld.com/books/uglies/

Looking for Alaska (summary and book review)

I just finished reading Looking for Alaska by John Green. As mentioned in my last post, this book contained a lot of suspense. Many of the questions I encountered as I read the book were answered in some way. However, the author left the resolution open-ended in order to satisfy the reader's need for answers and leave some room for interpretation. The characterization increased throughout the book, with numerous additions to emotional, social, intellectual and physical descriptions to many of the characters. The book explored more of Alaska's past, Pudge's thoughts and beliefs, and Colonel's determination. I really enjoyed the deep analysis and various perspectives in the last half of the book, mainly the climax and falling action.

One of the underlying topics in the book is 'the labyrinth of suffering' in relation to religion and philosophy. In the beginning of the book, Alaska posed a question to Pudge about Simón Bolívar's last words and about 'escaping the labyrinth', 

"'That's the mystery, isn't it? Is the labyrinth living or dying? Which is he trying to escape - the world or the end of it?'" (Green 19). 

Throughout the book, Pudge reflects on these questions, relating them to his own experiences. Pudge writes,

"[We] had to forgive to survive in the labyrinth" (Green 218).

"We need never be hopeless, because we can never be irreparably broken. We think that we are invincible because we are. We cannot be born and we cannot die. Like all energy, we can only change shapes and sizes and manifestations...But that part of us greater than the sum of our parts cannot begin and cannot end, and so it cannot fail" (Green 220). 

I would give Looking for Alaska 4.5 out of 5 stars. The conflict, emotion, suspense and characterization in this book were sensational! Once the rising action began building, the book was very exciting. It got off to a slow start but John Green did a great job making sure the reader was engaged and curious as to where the story was headed. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys emotional romance books that really make you think. This book has many strong themes and messages and I definitely enjoyed it!

This is a link from John Green's website about his book, Looking for Alaska:

http://johngreenbooks.com/looking-for-alaska/