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/

Looking for Alaska by John Green

I'm about halfway through this book, and it's been very intriguing so far. Miles Halter, nicknamed "Pudge" by one of his new friends, Alaska, has recently embarked on a journey to Culver Creek Boarding School in Alabama. He left his home in Florida on a mission to find a better life. Pudge's obsession with reading biographies and collecting people's famous last words led him to his desire for another beginning, "He was this poet. And his last words were 'I go to seek a Great Perhaps.' That's why I'm going. So I don't have to wait until I die to start seeking a Great Perhaps'" (Green 5). So far, the book has consisted of Pudge learning who his enemies are, enjoying Religion class and socializing with his roommate, Chip 'Colonel' Martin, Alaska Young and some of their friends. Within the campus, as Pudge soon learns, there are two distinct groups of students, the Weekday Warriors and the regular boarding school students. He finds himself following the path of making not-so rule abiding choices, as seems the standard for most students at this school. 

Along with the interesting connections between the characters, John Green has created a lot of suspense in his book. I have many questions about what will happen. Will Pudge and Alaska become more than friends? What will come of the pranks between the Weekday Warriors and the regular boarders? And what is the mysterious climax that the whole book seems to revolve around? Looking for Alaska isn't set up with chapters, but rather with a new heading for each new day. For example, "one-hundred thirty-six days before" on page one and counting down with every day. After page 133, the heading shifts to "after". This makes me wonder how important an event must be in order for the narrator, Pudge, to focus all of his writing around one day. 

The above quote represents very well not only the great imagery in the book, but the symbolism too. I think that rain is an accurate portrayal of Alaska's personality, sometimes positive and beneficial, sometimes a hinderance, fluctuating but necessary, and not afraid to be bold. Rain could also be a great symbol for Pudge, following the footsteps of others but still having his own thoughts and opinions. Rain doesn't choose where to fall, the clouds do, but the rain chooses how to fall, right? Will it snow? Will it pour? How will Pudge react?

I'm really looking forward to continuing to read this book. It seems like it has many surprises in store, and lots of suspense! The following link is to quotes from the book on goodreads.

https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/919292-looking-for-alaska

John Green

I've just started reading Looking for Alaska by John Green. I decided to write about the author and his other works and accomplishments as I read further into the book. John Green was born on August 24, 1977 and, at only 37 years old, he is already a New York Times Bestselling author and a successful YouTuber and blogger. He was born in Indianapolis, IN and raised in Orlando, FL. He attended Indian Springs boarding school, which is the foundation for the setting in Looking for Alaska. I'm interested to see how his personal experience with the setting influences the story! John Green has written numerous books in addition to Looking for Alaska, including The Fault in Our Stars, Paper Towns and An Abundance of Katherines. 

Green's various literary works have won many awards, including the following:

-2006 Michael L. Printz Award presented by the ALA (Looking for Alaska)
-2007 Michael L. Printz Honor Award Book (An Abundance of Katherines)
-2009 Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Novel (Paper Towns)
-2010 Corine Literature Prize (Paper Towns)

John Green also shares a YouTube channel with his brother, Hank. The channel started out as a fun idea for the two siblings to communicate with each other only through these videos. Their channel, vlogbrothers, became a wild success, now with over 200 million total views, and served as additional publicity for John Green with the release of his first two books. John and Hank have resumed textual communication since the start of the channel but continue to upload videos for their many "Nerdfighter" fans to enjoy.

John Green also helped initiate the Foundation to Decrease World Suck and its main charity event, Project for Awesome. The organization utilizes YouTube to promote and raise money for countless charities around the world. More information is provided in the link below:

http://www.projectforawesome.com/about

Also, here is a link to John and Hank's YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/user/vlogbrothers/featured

Websites Used (MLA Format):

"Fault in Our Stars (Green) - Author Bio." The Fault in Our Stars. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2014. <http://www.litlovers.com/reading-guides/15-young-adult-fiction/8711-fault-in-our-stars-green?start=1>.

"John Green’s Biography." John Green RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2014. <http://johngreenbooks.com/bio-contact/>.

One Thousand Gifts (summary and book review)

I just finished reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. The second half of the book further explored the idea of unlimited graces and thanksgiving. Ann talked about her initial struggle with the practice of eucharisteo and how being grateful for everything, whether miniscule or cosmic, has allowed her to live a fuller life. In one chapter, she describes her journey with being a blessing. A trip she took as a chaperone for a youth group provided her with a very moving experience and showed her that being a blessing for others, serving, is a blessing in itself, a great gift. 

She also described how thanksgiving must be a conscious action. In the midst of her chaotic life, six kids, endless laundry, dishes and work to be done on the farm, Ann must work to replace her fear, stress and complaining with trust and gratefulness to God. The following quotes from the book express the main points from a few chapters,

"The real problem of life is never a lack of time. The real problem of life - in my life - is lack of thanksgiving" (Voskamp 72).

"Who would ever know the greater graces of comfort and perseverance, mercy and forgiveness, patience and courage, if no shadows fell over a life?" (Voskamp 90).

Overall, I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. It's filled with inspiration and definitely makes you think. The theme, thanksgiving providing life rich with joy, is one that can be appreciated by anybody. No matter what age or life experience, we all have moments where our stresses and complaints cause unhappiness. This book will inspire you to truly appreciate each moment. You don't have to agree with everything the author says to enjoy One Thousand Gifts. I would definitely recommend this book!

The following link is to a book summary/review about One Thousand Gifts.

http://www.upliftingwordsonline.com/2012/08/06/one-thousand-gifts-what-happens-when-you-count-gifts/

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

I've just recently started reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. It's a non-fiction, religious book written about Ann's experience and growth with the idea of eternal thanksgiving. The book begins with describing how Ann's sister was killed as a child and how afterwards, she and her family had a hard time accepting God's grace. But as she gets older, Ann realizes she has a desire to live a fuller, more meaningful life. Reading her Bible, she comes across the concept of eucharisteo and traces the word back to its Greek origins, grace, joy and thanksgiving. In attempt to live fully with abundant thanks, Ann begins a continuous list of things she loves. Her friend dared her to write a thousand things she's thankful for. She adds to the list several times per day, with little things she's grateful for, such as "118. Crackle in fireplace" and "119. Still warm cookies" (Voskamp 53).

Each chapter focuses on a different facet of thanksgiving, of eucharisteo. She describes how joy can be attained anywhere, as long as there is thanks. Ann talks about how truly living in the moment and thanking God can slow time down. How the only way out of the hurry and chaos and stress of our everyday lives is to take a deep breath and appreciate it all. She's learning, through naming the infinite number of gifts God has given her, how to fully live. One of my favorite parts of the book, so far, illustrates that beauty and wonder can be found everywhere, anywhere. That God's miraculous power is not seen only in mountains and jungles and exotic, foreign places, but that it encompasses our lives.

Although Ann writes with a very poetic style that some people wouldn't enjoy, I love this book so far. I started reading a copy from the library but had to buy my own so I could highlight all the things that really speak to me. Emily, one of my counselors from a camp I went to this summer, Camp Crestridge, recommended this book to me. She'd read it and talked about how it inspired her to begin a running list of her blessings as well. I'll end this post with a fantastic excerpt, filled with imagery, from One Thousand Gifts.

"I know there is poor and hideous suffering, and I've seen the hungry and the guns that go to war. I have lived pain, and my life can tell: I only deepen the wound of the world when I neglect to give thanks for early light dappled through leaves and heavy perfume of wild roses in early July and the song of crickets on humid nights and the rivers that run and the stars that rise and the rain that falls and all the good things that a good God gives. Why would the world need more anger, more outrage? Rejecting joy to stand in solidarity with the suffering doesn't rescue the suffering. The converse does. The brave who focus on all things good and all things beautiful and all things true, even in the small, who give thanks for it and discover joy even in the here and now, they are the change agents who bring fullest Light to all the world" (Voskamp 58).

Attached is a link to Ann Voskamp's website with information about herself and her book.

http://onethousandgifts.com/about