Quote of the Week

Again, this week's quote is from It's Kind of a Funny Story. I just think all of the quotes from the book are so inspirational and optimistic. It's surely a good idea to read some of them or even the novel in general to start of the new year. (:

“Some of the most profound truths about us are things that we stop saying in the middle.”
― Ned Vizzini, It's Kind of a Funny Story

Quote of the Week

This week's quote is a little late, but I thought I would choose one from It's Kind of a Funny Story, in order to honor Ned Vizzini:

“I didn't want to wake up. I was having a much better time asleep. And that's really sad. It was almost like a reverse nightmare, like when you wake up from a nightmare you're so relieved. I woke up into a nightmare.”
― Ned Vizzini, It's Kind of a Funny Story
 

Merry Christmas!

I know I'm a day late, but I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! I hope you're enjoying your free time and that your spending it surrounded by family and friends. Let me know some of the gifts you guys received. Any new books? Leave a comment below! Happy Holidays everyone!

Ned Vizzini: 1981-2013

      I don't know if any of you heard, but writer Ned Vizzini died last week after committing suicide. He was only 32 years old, which makes it more tragic, as he had so much life left to live. This was really sad to hear, as It's Kind of a Funny Story is one of my favorite books. I know that the book is inspired by his real life and the problems that he faced, like depression and mental illness. It's heartbreaking to see that his life didn't end the way that the novel did. He wasn't able to overcome his demons and he lost the battle he was fighting for almost all of his life. 
      There is a silver lining to this story though. Despite him not being with us anymore, his presence and spirit will still shine bright in his work that he has left behind. I've only ever read Funny Story, but I know I'll be reading more of his books soon. I hope this devastating event will cause more people to become aware of the severities of depression and how damaging it can be to one's life. Also, maybe more people will know of Vizzini now, and want to read his his novels and other writings. 
      I would definitely recommend reading It's Kind of a Funny Story. Obviously it's funny and humorous, but it also provides a serious and realistic take on what it's like to be a teenager and to have feelings of doubt, loneliness, and hopelessness. I could definitely relate to some of the things the main character, Craig, was going through, and I'm sure others readers will be able to also. The book concludes on a positive note, and I hope people can see the positive attributions in Vizzini's life and work. May he rest in peace. 

Review: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling 

    

      Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is another great installment in the series. Published in 2005, the story picks up after the revelation of the prophecy. Throughout the novel, Harry deals with being named "The Chosen One," all while going through the everyday motions of schoolwork, friendships, and love. This book differs from the rest, as it's a little bit darker. Rowling delves deep into Voldemort's past, which is very intriguing as readers are able to discover who and why he is the way he is. There's even some mischief that occurs with a certain student named Malfoy, and by the end of the book, Harry realizes who his true allies are.
     I really enjoyed this book in general. It was fun and enticing. Some of the best parts in my opinion are scenes with Harry just at Hogwarts. There's something so magical and mystical about this environment. I just love how it's the place Harry feels most at home. All of the situations Harry goes through this year are very entertaining, from love potions gone wrong, to finding real love with someone who was always right in front of him. I even like how Hermione seems to show her true feelings for Ron when faced with a threat named Lavender Brown. Some of these passages are sad, but very rewarding towards the end.
     Additionally, throughout the book, we find out more about Voldemort's childhood and his rise to power. These descriptions are essential in knowing who he really is and why he would ever choose a path of destruction in the first place. I also like the whole theme of destiny. Harry has heard the prophecy or his so-called fate. He learns that he is the only person that can destroy Voldemort. What's interesting though is the conversation Dumbledore shares with Harry. He basically tells him that it's his choice whether to fulfill this prophecy and that it is up to him. Harry can do what he wants and his future is not set in stone. After all, our lives can significantly change with one rash decision. This is a great message to send to readers. Rowling tells us that we can choose what to do with our lives and we always have a choice or a say. This fact really inspires me and I'm sure it provides tremendous inspiration to others too. Harry's "choice" is surely made by the end of the novel, after he and almost everyone else experiences a painful but perhaps necessary loss that solidifies Harry's destiny and changes his life forever. The ending definitely sets up for an exciting and suspenseful final novel, which I can't wait to read.
     Overall, I give this book 4 stars and would recommend it to anyone who wants to read something with a little adventure, but also something with heart. I would also urge you to see the movie adaptation that was released in 2009. It's very good and is faithful to the source material. Check out the trailer below:

Quote of the Week

I'm still thinking about Harry Potter, so this week's quote is from the second book in the series:

“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 

Review: Beloved

Beloved by Toni Morrison 

 

     Let me start off by saying, I didn't really enjoy this book. I know it's a classic, as it won the Pulitzer Prize, but it never fully captured my attention or intrigued me. Beloved tells the story of Sethe,  a recently freed slave, who's dealing with the repercussions and aftermath of slavery. Her and her daughter, Denver, are not alone in this new life of theirs. No, their house is haunted by a ghost, the ghost of one of Sethe's previous daughters. Everything changes when a friend from the past comes back into Sethe's life and chases the spirit out of the house. By doing this, they think they are all free from the past, but they are wrong. When a woman, who so happens to be named Beloved, arrives into town, the family is again forced to confront past choices and to relive everything they have tried so hard and so desperately to push out of their minds.
     I had to read this book for school, so perhaps that is why I didn't like it as much as others have. Being forced to read something you don't enjoy is never fun. This novel just felt like a pain to read, and it was hard to get through and finish it. It made me uncomfortable, as some parts are very disturbing and horrific to read. Beloved does detail the events of slavery, and certain scenes felt very realistic, but maybe too much so. Also, it was just too confusing. It seemed like particular chapters were left unfinished and just jumped into the next. The book additionally switched back between the past and present narratives, and it was hard to decipher what was actually taking place. 
     On the bright side though, since I did have to read it for one of my classes, I was given the opportunity to divulge further into the source material and explore some of the novel's main themes. After going through the book in detail, it did make me appreciate it more. I realized Beloved is meant to make you feel uncomfortable and confused. It's supposed to be disturbing and horrific to read. These emotions and feelings were intended by the author. It surely reflects the time period in which it is based, as it was a time of coming to terms with the past and learning how to rebuild, even though many did not how or where to begin. Certainly, it was interesting to realize that slavery left people feeling haunted, and that can be seen in the baby ghost haunting Sethe. I won't spoil anything for you if you haven't read it yet. Essentially though, the novel is about accepting the past and moving forward. Sethe isn't able to do this in the beginning. She feels like she has done this, but really she has just ignored her problems and believed that they were already solved. However, she learns how to do this is the end. I think this is a great message to send to readers. Truly, you can't let go of something, unless you have already acknowledged it to be gone. I definitely liked the book a lot more after analyzing it in class, but if you're on you're own and reading it, you absolutely will have hard time making it to the end. Overall, I give this book 2 stars and would recommend it, but only at your own risk.

Quote of the Week

Since I'm really into Harry Potter right now, this week's quote is from the first book in the series:

“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 

Review: The Great Gatsby

 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald 

 

 Here's my review of The Great Gatsby: 

    When I first read this book in high school, I was blown away. I just thought everything about this book was so beautiful, from the setting, to it's and characters and poignant themes. Even though the novel was published in 1925, the story seemed so relevant, so relatable. Yes, there are topics about money, social class, and obviously The American Dream. The one that impacted me the most was the latter. It can be heavily seen in Jay Gatsby in his dream for love and the green light that symbolized it. Of course everyone thinks about their past and wonders what if? What if they made a different choice or turned right instead of left, would their lives be changed? These are some of the questions people ponder from time to time. However it's certain individuals, like Gatsby, who are lost in their past and can't move on to their future. They believe they can recreate their past into what they always imagined, but this is just a fantastical mirage they have dreamt in their minds. In the book, Gatsby says, “Can’t repeat the past?…Why of course you can!” This is just the perfect example of his hopefulness or shall I say hoplessness? It's impossible to change your past, because it's irreversible and you can't go back. Perhaps this idealistic quality is what makes Gatsby so admirable. He has hopes and he has dreams, even though they may never come true, he never stops believing in them. This sets him apart from others, and I believe it's what makes him real and human. He's unique in this way, and very much unlike his counterparts in the novel. Daisy and Tom, well they're true colors definitely are seen at the end of the novel. Careless, snobbish, and fake, they are never able to redeem their actions, but they don't need to. This is how Fitzgerald portrays them and this is who they are. Nick, on the other hand, appears to be better than these two but is he really? He calls himself the most honest person he knows. However, who actually says this about themselves? It's almost as if Nick is trying to convince himself he is honest and reliable, even though he may not be. Maybe Nick's account of Gatsby isn't all true and authentic then, but I hope it is. I really do. Gatsby is man who I wish was real. He's a person I would want to meet. I'm envious I'll never be able to witness one of those rare smiles. You know, the ones that make you feel like you belong, that you're understood, and that someone believes in you. Yeah that's the kind of smile I wish to receive one day. It's the one I dream about, and if Gatsby has taught me anything, I'll never stop dreaming either.

 

     I would also recommend seeing the film version that was just released this year, directed by Baz Luhrmann and starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Luhrmann's previous work includes Moulin Rouge! and Romeo + Juliet. If you've seen these films, then you know they are very bold, extravegant, and filled with style. So you should definitely expect all of these qualities in this version of Gatsby. Some people were turned off by the modern music used in the film, but I actually enjoyed it. After all, isn't The Great Gatsby about blending the old with the new? There is surely a conflict of interest between old money and new money. I see this "new" music as a perfect addition to the movie. It clearly demonstrates these themes in a unique way, and they're actually good too! Lana Del Rey's "Young And Beautiful" is chilling and haunting. The emotions perfectly capture the romance between Gatsby and Daisy. If you listen to one song from the film's soundtrack, this would be it. I've heard it could even gain some awards for Best Original Song. I can't wait to see if it will get nominated! Most of the award nominations, like the Golden Globes, get announced next week! I'll definitely make a post if it does, to let all of you know. Anyways here's the trailer for those who haven't seen the film yet. I really enjoyed it. It was a little different from the book, but I think it embodies the predominant themes and symbols. Also, it expands from the novel, and lifts the story to new heights. You surely haven't see Gatsby like this before. 

Also, here's Lana Del Rey's "Young and Beautiful":

Author of the Month: December

Sara Shepard

     This month's author that everyone should check out is Sara Shepard. She is the author of the hit Pretty Little Liars and The Lying Game series. These might sound familiar, as both are and were hit shows on ABC Family, (The Lying Game, starring Alexandra Chando, was recently cancelled after it's second season.)  However, Pretty Little Liars has become one of the most popular shows for the network. It's currently in it's fourth season and new episodes begin airing on January 7th. Recently, it's even been renewed for a fifth season, which should premiere in summer of 2014. While I know the show drifts and expands from it's source material, I would still recommend reading this series, especially before the new episodes start to air. The latest novel in the series is titled, Deadly, and was just released on December 3. This is the 14th book in the series, so it may be hard to catch up if you haven't read any of the novels yet. However, I wouldn't let that fact discourage you. I have heard they are extremely addicting, and that they are a fast read. Personally, I haven't had a chance to read the books yet, but I am looking forward to starting them. Additionally, I would also look into Shepard's other books. Like I said before, there's The Lying Game series, which I have been wanting to start ever since the show premiered. She also has two adult novels entitled The Visibles and Everything We Ever Wanted, which both sound very intriguing. I just found out that she has a new young-adult series coming out this February, called Heiresses. I can't wait to know more about this book, and what it's all about! If I were you, I would definitely start reading more by Shepard, and even check out the hit TV shows inspired by her books!

My Pick to Read: December

 The Wolf of Wall Street by Jordan Belfort

 

 Every month, I'll be picking a book that you must read. This month's pick to read is The Wolf of Wall Street by Jordan Belfort. The film version, directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, and Matthew McConaughey is coming out Christmas Day. I can't wait to see this movie, as Leo is my all-time favorite actor. Martin and him make a great team, as their movie collaborations are some of my favorite. Such films include, Shutter Island, The Departed, and The Aviator. The film is even garnering a lot of Oscar buzz, which makes me very excited. Leo has been snubbed for many years, and to see him obtain a nomination would be wonderful to see. Anyways, the plot and story of this film and book really intrigues me to no end. Crime and corruption seem to be the main themes by the look of the trailer, but it's also funny, as it's a dark comedy. I would definitely recommend reading the novel this month. You can read it before the movie comes out, or after if you don't want to get spoiled and if you want to be surprised. I know I am going to do my best to read it this month and you should too! 

-Here's the the trailer for the movie, in case you haven't seen it yet. Check it out!

Currently Reading

 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

I just thought I would update with what book I'm currently reading. Right now, I'm reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. It's the 6th novel in the Harry Potter series. I don't know why it's taking me so long to finish these books, but I hope to read this and Deathly Hallows by the end of the year. Once I'm finished, I'll be writing a review of my thoughts of this book, so come back to see what I think. Let me know in the comments what's your favorite installment in the series! Did you enjoy Harry's earlier years? Or did you like reading about Harry later in his life, where danger loomed in the air as Voldemort returned? I would love to hear your thoughts!

Quote of the Week

This week's quote is from The Great Gatsby. I recently just finished reading the novel for my second time, and the experience was even better than the first. I noticed more things about the story and the characters this time around. Is Nick truly innocent and reliable? Is Daisy really stupid, or is it all an act? These were just a few of the thoughts that popped into my mind while reading. I should be posting a review of this book soon, so check back whenever you can. Anyways, here's this week's quote:

“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby 

Song of the Month

 "Underneath the Tree" by Kelly Clarkson

 

Since it's December, I updated the music that you can listen to while reading my blog. This month's song is "Underneath the Tree" by Kelly Clarkson. The song is off her new Christmas album, Wrapped in Red. If you like all the holiday classics, I would definitely recommend checking this out! It's the holiday season now, so I thought this was the perfect song to choose. It's very festive and fitting for this time of year. If you haven't heard it, it's very sweet. I'm sure all you will enjoy listening to it!