http://agranditsreadingblog.blogspot.com/
I nominate Anouk for the All Star Mentor. Every Wednesday when i comment, the first blog i go to is Anouks. I love how she takes such a simple sentence and goes deep into the meaning. Last Wednesday she did a post on the book You Have To Stop This. Cass was given a daily, " To get to the other side joke," and Anouk didn't just see it as a joke, she imagined people as the thing crossing the Nile, which in reality is life. When i read that, i realized Anouk really puts in effort to make sure her thoughts are well put and deep. Anouk always puts in effort and it makes me look at the simple things in my books and try deciphering them on a deeper note. She doesn't make up this obvious theory and drag it out. I love Anouk's posts because they are thought-provoking and logical, she didn't just write down the first thing that came to mind. I read Anouk's posts EVERY Wednesday because we don't always think the same way about something or have the same idea, so it's intruiging to see what Anouk thinks like or about in her books. I choose Anouk as my mentor because she makes it a point to go deep and deep and keeps thinking about the idea, it's not just whatever comes to mind first, bad or good. I choose Anouk because i feel i can learn from her posts.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
FINAL HUNGER GAMES POST-Owing People
How many times to repay someone for a favor they did for you? When are you even? Will you contstnaly keep owing them because nothing is enough? In The Hunger Games, I realized that Suzanne Collins brought up favors or just owing people a lot. So i think, that is book definetly had to do with always owing someone something. Like, no matter what you do, you'll never stop owing the person or people. Katniss seems to have owed or still owes some of the characters through out the book.
I first noticed this whole owing thing in the begginning of the book. On page 42, its mentions about jistory class and always learning about the Capitol. It states, " Except for the weekly lecture on teh history of Panem. It's mostly a lot of blather about what we owe the Capitol." I thinkn Suzanne collins makes a good point. Tome, it really speaks out about how some people just don't let go of things, and no matter what you do to fix things or at least make them better, it doesn't work. No matter what you do, nothing will ever stop you from owing them. Especially, Katniss brings up owing Peeta forever for that bread he gave her when she was starving when she was younger. On page 293, Katniss says to Peeta, "It"s like the bread. How I never seem to get over owing you for that." Katniss mentions this in the begginning of the book at the reaping when his name was called. And after all she has done for him during these last 50 pages or so, she still feels that she can never repay him. And Thresh, when he killed Clove and let Katniss go because she gave Rue the best final moments of her life. He said "You and me, we're even. No more owed. You understand?" He didn't want to have that dark cloud of owing something to her later on. Plus, if he died before he didn't repay her, that wouldn't be a calm and a peaceful final moments for him.
I think what this means to some people is pretty obvious. This book was about how people are constantly owing others. But, what if it doesn't just mean that? What if it has to do with giving and taking. You bend a little for someone, they bend back. You sacrifice for them, you sacrifice right back. It's an honor code. You are truly being honest if you give back , instead of always asking for something in return. If someone does something for you, don't hold them up to that for their whole life, don't make them your servant. If someone owes you something, let them do that one act of kindness and even the playing field. Let it go.
I first noticed this whole owing thing in the begginning of the book. On page 42, its mentions about jistory class and always learning about the Capitol. It states, " Except for the weekly lecture on teh history of Panem. It's mostly a lot of blather about what we owe the Capitol." I thinkn Suzanne collins makes a good point. Tome, it really speaks out about how some people just don't let go of things, and no matter what you do to fix things or at least make them better, it doesn't work. No matter what you do, nothing will ever stop you from owing them. Especially, Katniss brings up owing Peeta forever for that bread he gave her when she was starving when she was younger. On page 293, Katniss says to Peeta, "It"s like the bread. How I never seem to get over owing you for that." Katniss mentions this in the begginning of the book at the reaping when his name was called. And after all she has done for him during these last 50 pages or so, she still feels that she can never repay him. And Thresh, when he killed Clove and let Katniss go because she gave Rue the best final moments of her life. He said "You and me, we're even. No more owed. You understand?" He didn't want to have that dark cloud of owing something to her later on. Plus, if he died before he didn't repay her, that wouldn't be a calm and a peaceful final moments for him.
I think what this means to some people is pretty obvious. This book was about how people are constantly owing others. But, what if it doesn't just mean that? What if it has to do with giving and taking. You bend a little for someone, they bend back. You sacrifice for them, you sacrifice right back. It's an honor code. You are truly being honest if you give back , instead of always asking for something in return. If someone does something for you, don't hold them up to that for their whole life, don't make them your servant. If someone owes you something, let them do that one act of kindness and even the playing field. Let it go.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Kind-hearted Katniss (Catching Fire) !!!!! SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!
"Because obviously I can't tell a friend from an enemy." Page 270 Catching Fire
In the second book of The Hunger Games Series, Katniss and Peeta are chosen to be tributes again in the Quarter Quell, (a mini Hunger game). Them two and 22 other victors from the past Games are chosen to participate. Obviously since Peeta protected her in the last games, Katniss has taken on the responsibility of protecting him. She hits a few rough patches, but he is alive and surviving by the end of the book, as well her too. But what is interesting is this whole knew curveball Suzanne Collins throws at the readers when they get to the end of book.
What also seems to be interesting is that the topic of enemies has been slowly climbed through out the two books. Choose the right allies, remember the enemy is you opponent, the capital, your fellow tribute from the district. With more tributes thrown into these games, Haymitch informed Peeta and Katniss to "Remember who the enemy was." I think Katniss keeps that in mind more than Peeta does. But it doesn't really get brought back up until the very end where Katniss is thinking about Haymitch and his directions. It's more like Katniss pictured the other tributes as the real enemy then what he truly meant. She didn't really catch on until she was in a very tough situation. When Haymitch says that, he means the Capital. The head of authority, the ruler of the districts, the gamemakers.
To me, the Capital has always been put as the enemy. They are contrllig, invasive and manipulative. Yet they are the alllies to very few districts while the others are on the bad list. The enemy who seemed so obvious in the very beginning of this whole series got lost inside all the drama and pain inflicted upon Katniss, and Peeta. But yet Katniss assumes th etributes. She temporaly looses herself caught up in all this fighting with others.
This quote i took was after she discovered the biggest secret of all times. Of realizing why Haymitch truly said what he said. She discovered the truth and herself again.
In the second book of The Hunger Games Series, Katniss and Peeta are chosen to be tributes again in the Quarter Quell, (a mini Hunger game). Them two and 22 other victors from the past Games are chosen to participate. Obviously since Peeta protected her in the last games, Katniss has taken on the responsibility of protecting him. She hits a few rough patches, but he is alive and surviving by the end of the book, as well her too. But what is interesting is this whole knew curveball Suzanne Collins throws at the readers when they get to the end of book.
What also seems to be interesting is that the topic of enemies has been slowly climbed through out the two books. Choose the right allies, remember the enemy is you opponent, the capital, your fellow tribute from the district. With more tributes thrown into these games, Haymitch informed Peeta and Katniss to "Remember who the enemy was." I think Katniss keeps that in mind more than Peeta does. But it doesn't really get brought back up until the very end where Katniss is thinking about Haymitch and his directions. It's more like Katniss pictured the other tributes as the real enemy then what he truly meant. She didn't really catch on until she was in a very tough situation. When Haymitch says that, he means the Capital. The head of authority, the ruler of the districts, the gamemakers.
To me, the Capital has always been put as the enemy. They are contrllig, invasive and manipulative. Yet they are the alllies to very few districts while the others are on the bad list. The enemy who seemed so obvious in the very beginning of this whole series got lost inside all the drama and pain inflicted upon Katniss, and Peeta. But yet Katniss assumes th etributes. She temporaly looses herself caught up in all this fighting with others.
This quote i took was after she discovered the biggest secret of all times. Of realizing why Haymitch truly said what he said. She discovered the truth and herself again.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
When is the final goodbye?
Page 374-"I take his hand, holding on tightly, preparing for the cameras, and dreading the moment when I will finally have to let go."
SPOILER ALERT! So Katniss and Peeta have both won the Hunger Games! Well, thanks to the little "stunt" Katniss pulled with getting Peeta to kill himself and trying to kill herself with the berries. All throughout the games and during the arena, Peeta has played (or truly been) the star-crossed lover boy from district twelve. Katniss, has not. Not until she found out that both tributes can win. Once she knew that, she found Peeta, nursed him back to health and kept the romance up between the two. But the Gamemakers didn't like that stunt they pulled so they have had a watchful eye on them. So the romance "act" between them has continued. Only Peeta didn't know it was an act till they were back on the train and Hyamitch said something.
This is the last line from the book. It really makes me think about how Peeta and Katniss have grown so fond of each other on camera. But will this love-fest or friendship last off screen? Peeta is angry at Katniss and only offered his hand for the cameras, much like he did when they were upset at each other and only being affectionate in fron of people or camera. But how many times has Katniss worried she would say goodbye but turn out that she wouldn't have to truly say goodbye. Now, she mentions that she will have to finally let go. Let go of what? The feelings for Peeta she thinks doesn't exist? The "love" she shared with him? Or truly himself, and have it go back to the way it was, as if they didn't even know each other?
How many times can you say goodbye to someone for them to only come back into you life? Or if you keep thinking every goodbye will be your last? But Katniss really means something here. She knows that things that happened on camera were for camera, or almost entirely for it. And she can't stop thinking about Gale. She knows that Gale will unintentioanlly drive a wedge between her and Peeta. But letting go of him? Of the bond they have aquirred together or the romance-fake or real- will be left at the doors of the train or even was left back at the capital.
Even being with someone who you once cared about doesn't mean you arent "dead" to them. Especially when you are in a relationship, no matter how long you keep up the act, the final goodbye was when the words that left your/other persons mouth saying we shoudln't/can't be together. No matter how much time you spend with them. The final godbye should have been when your feelings crumbled for the person. But does that happen. Can you just keep saying goodbye, and not wanting anything to re-occur? Katniss has said goodbye to life and Peeta many times before-or tried- but will this be her final goodbye. Will district twelve tear the tributes apart when it should have brought them closer? Will this be the end for Katniss and Peeta, stepping off this train for a final time in fron tof cameras?
SPOILER ALERT! So Katniss and Peeta have both won the Hunger Games! Well, thanks to the little "stunt" Katniss pulled with getting Peeta to kill himself and trying to kill herself with the berries. All throughout the games and during the arena, Peeta has played (or truly been) the star-crossed lover boy from district twelve. Katniss, has not. Not until she found out that both tributes can win. Once she knew that, she found Peeta, nursed him back to health and kept the romance up between the two. But the Gamemakers didn't like that stunt they pulled so they have had a watchful eye on them. So the romance "act" between them has continued. Only Peeta didn't know it was an act till they were back on the train and Hyamitch said something.
This is the last line from the book. It really makes me think about how Peeta and Katniss have grown so fond of each other on camera. But will this love-fest or friendship last off screen? Peeta is angry at Katniss and only offered his hand for the cameras, much like he did when they were upset at each other and only being affectionate in fron of people or camera. But how many times has Katniss worried she would say goodbye but turn out that she wouldn't have to truly say goodbye. Now, she mentions that she will have to finally let go. Let go of what? The feelings for Peeta she thinks doesn't exist? The "love" she shared with him? Or truly himself, and have it go back to the way it was, as if they didn't even know each other?
How many times can you say goodbye to someone for them to only come back into you life? Or if you keep thinking every goodbye will be your last? But Katniss really means something here. She knows that things that happened on camera were for camera, or almost entirely for it. And she can't stop thinking about Gale. She knows that Gale will unintentioanlly drive a wedge between her and Peeta. But letting go of him? Of the bond they have aquirred together or the romance-fake or real- will be left at the doors of the train or even was left back at the capital.
Even being with someone who you once cared about doesn't mean you arent "dead" to them. Especially when you are in a relationship, no matter how long you keep up the act, the final goodbye was when the words that left your/other persons mouth saying we shoudln't/can't be together. No matter how much time you spend with them. The final godbye should have been when your feelings crumbled for the person. But does that happen. Can you just keep saying goodbye, and not wanting anything to re-occur? Katniss has said goodbye to life and Peeta many times before-or tried- but will this be her final goodbye. Will district twelve tear the tributes apart when it should have brought them closer? Will this be the end for Katniss and Peeta, stepping off this train for a final time in fron tof cameras?
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Love- The death of People
What is it about love that draws people together? A bond between friends and family? Something more? What happens when you truly love someone? Will you fight to the end of the world for them? Care and treasure the special bond you have? Indulge yourselves with each others care and love forever? Be true to them? What if you do all the possible things to make your relationship and partnership work, but something still goes wrong? What if you lose the other half of your cookie, your oreo, the love of your life? What happens then?
SPOILER ALERT! FOR ALL PARAGRAPHS! Katniss, the main character in my book The Hunger Games (Book #1), lost her father when she was eleven years old in a mine explosion. Her mother was so devastated, it was like Katniss and her sister primrose lost their mother too. Their mother's spirit was like sucked into a black hole of emptiness and there was no way to escape. Well, it wasn't like she tried. Their mother sat back and watched as her kids starved. It was like she forgot how to live.
It's understandable to go into depression or denial when someone so very dear to you is lost forever. But it's so easy to go so deep, you can't get out. Like a maze or a labyrinth, it's hard to get out, but so very easy to get lost. Their mother was lost, for a very very long time, but she finally found her way out. She escaped and came back. But while she was "gone" Katniss became the "parent". I understand what it feels like to lose someone dear, but i promise you won't be the only one grieving and you can't let the depressiona dn denial maze and come and take you away from everyone else that loves you!
When Katniss volunteered to go to the hunger games instead of Prim it was loving and thoughtful. Prim's name was put in the ball just ONCE but she was picked at random. Katniss jumped in front of her little sister before Prim reached the steps to stop her and volunteer. Prim wouldn't let her go but Katniss's friend Gale pulled her away and let Katniss go the the podium. Gale didn't want it either, but he knew that there was no other choice unless he wanted to let Prim go to the hunger games.
Love will make you do strange things. Thoughtful things. Caring things. Crazy things. But all are rooted in compassion and love for the other person(s). When Katniss was saying her goodbyes to Prim and her mother, Katniss repremanded her mother about the "leaving" thing years ago. She told her that she can't leave Prim alone now because there is no Katniss to step up. When the baker said his goodbye, he told Katniss he woul watch out for Prim, and Gale promised too. It's not like they were saying "well, this is it, i'll never see youo again" but when it comes to the hungergames, i guess you have to keep that in mind. Don't let love (whether for a friend, family, or something more) blind you for the negativity of life. Just because you think there is only happiness in the world, doesn't make the bad go away. Love just prevents you from seeing it. And if you're taken by suprise, much like Katnisss' mother was, you might be sucked into the maze of depression and denial, don't let that happen
SPOILER ALERT! FOR ALL PARAGRAPHS! Katniss, the main character in my book The Hunger Games (Book #1), lost her father when she was eleven years old in a mine explosion. Her mother was so devastated, it was like Katniss and her sister primrose lost their mother too. Their mother's spirit was like sucked into a black hole of emptiness and there was no way to escape. Well, it wasn't like she tried. Their mother sat back and watched as her kids starved. It was like she forgot how to live.
It's understandable to go into depression or denial when someone so very dear to you is lost forever. But it's so easy to go so deep, you can't get out. Like a maze or a labyrinth, it's hard to get out, but so very easy to get lost. Their mother was lost, for a very very long time, but she finally found her way out. She escaped and came back. But while she was "gone" Katniss became the "parent". I understand what it feels like to lose someone dear, but i promise you won't be the only one grieving and you can't let the depressiona dn denial maze and come and take you away from everyone else that loves you!
When Katniss volunteered to go to the hunger games instead of Prim it was loving and thoughtful. Prim's name was put in the ball just ONCE but she was picked at random. Katniss jumped in front of her little sister before Prim reached the steps to stop her and volunteer. Prim wouldn't let her go but Katniss's friend Gale pulled her away and let Katniss go the the podium. Gale didn't want it either, but he knew that there was no other choice unless he wanted to let Prim go to the hunger games.
Love will make you do strange things. Thoughtful things. Caring things. Crazy things. But all are rooted in compassion and love for the other person(s). When Katniss was saying her goodbyes to Prim and her mother, Katniss repremanded her mother about the "leaving" thing years ago. She told her that she can't leave Prim alone now because there is no Katniss to step up. When the baker said his goodbye, he told Katniss he woul watch out for Prim, and Gale promised too. It's not like they were saying "well, this is it, i'll never see youo again" but when it comes to the hungergames, i guess you have to keep that in mind. Don't let love (whether for a friend, family, or something more) blind you for the negativity of life. Just because you think there is only happiness in the world, doesn't make the bad go away. Love just prevents you from seeing it. And if you're taken by suprise, much like Katnisss' mother was, you might be sucked into the maze of depression and denial, don't let that happen
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
"You're going to treat me, Doc. Cure me. Fix it so I don't have to kill anymore. You're going to set me free."
SPOILER ALERT. When Harold Gund impersonatated Erin's sister and then abducted Erinfrom her home late one night , first thoughts always lead to, What does he want? Why impersonate Annie, and then drive around with me in the back duct taped and tied? Erin is a pychologist who specifically speacilizes in patients with fire fears or problems because of her ongoing fear of the flame itself because of an incident when she was younger. Now held captive in somesort of basement in an empty house, Erin talks with the abductor and finds out the heart of the problem. Harold has a compulsion disorder of some sort where he kills only women. He has killed three so far, all by setting them on fire. He doesn't even realize when he goes out to buy the equipment that he starts to get this compulsive feeling to kill. He doesn't want but he won't tunr himself in. He told Erin she has to cure him or she will become the fourth.
This quote kind of reminds of what a four year old might say to their mother or father. "Fix it Daddy." "I need help Mommy." It's kind of like showing Harold's weak side. He's ths strong and vicious abductor but when he says this, it's like a cry for help. It is a cry for help. He's showing himself as a person and not cold-blooded. There's something about this quote that just got me. like, when he says "You're going to set me free". When he says that, it makes me think that he is bipolar. That he is being trapped much like the victims he kills and then instead of burning he just suffers. He suffers everytime he kills a woman and finally realizes what he does. Let's say for a minute that he is bipolar. That he is a victim and yet a murderer in one. But most murderers are victims in someway so what makes Harold so different. To me, it's his cry for help. It's like he's eing controlled. He definetly has a disorder, i think. And Harold is also different because he doesn't realize what he bys until it's to late. That he kind of puts himself in a trance and is a puupet to it's master. Except the master of Harold, is his brain. The brain is gentle and loving but yet deceitful and cunning. It can play tricks, much like a magician. But the brain isn't magic.
"Fix it so I don't have to kill anymore". That's Harolds cry for help. That's him making his SOS. He's just a puppet in the show. But he's a puppet and puppet master all tryin gto be the victim and the killer. Many people have hidden SOSs' or ries for help. But many people even thought the signs may be clear, they ignore it. If they don't know the person, who gives what goes on in that persons life, as long as it doesn't affect theirs. But people with that attitude, tend to in the end, are the ones that need help. That need someone to lean. Most people should just look the other way like they did to them, but some are different. They see help and help. They don't walk by it. When opportunity knocks, people take it, but when people are in troubel and need help, they jut walk away, not giving a second glance back. Erin is different. She helps others, so i have a strong feeling. Erin will survive and get help form those who got helped by her. Returning the favor is what it's called. Returning the favor is what more people need to do , be like Erin
SPOILER ALERT. When Harold Gund impersonatated Erin's sister and then abducted Erinfrom her home late one night , first thoughts always lead to, What does he want? Why impersonate Annie, and then drive around with me in the back duct taped and tied? Erin is a pychologist who specifically speacilizes in patients with fire fears or problems because of her ongoing fear of the flame itself because of an incident when she was younger. Now held captive in somesort of basement in an empty house, Erin talks with the abductor and finds out the heart of the problem. Harold has a compulsion disorder of some sort where he kills only women. He has killed three so far, all by setting them on fire. He doesn't even realize when he goes out to buy the equipment that he starts to get this compulsive feeling to kill. He doesn't want but he won't tunr himself in. He told Erin she has to cure him or she will become the fourth.
This quote kind of reminds of what a four year old might say to their mother or father. "Fix it Daddy." "I need help Mommy." It's kind of like showing Harold's weak side. He's ths strong and vicious abductor but when he says this, it's like a cry for help. It is a cry for help. He's showing himself as a person and not cold-blooded. There's something about this quote that just got me. like, when he says "You're going to set me free". When he says that, it makes me think that he is bipolar. That he is being trapped much like the victims he kills and then instead of burning he just suffers. He suffers everytime he kills a woman and finally realizes what he does. Let's say for a minute that he is bipolar. That he is a victim and yet a murderer in one. But most murderers are victims in someway so what makes Harold so different. To me, it's his cry for help. It's like he's eing controlled. He definetly has a disorder, i think. And Harold is also different because he doesn't realize what he bys until it's to late. That he kind of puts himself in a trance and is a puupet to it's master. Except the master of Harold, is his brain. The brain is gentle and loving but yet deceitful and cunning. It can play tricks, much like a magician. But the brain isn't magic.
"Fix it so I don't have to kill anymore". That's Harolds cry for help. That's him making his SOS. He's just a puppet in the show. But he's a puppet and puppet master all tryin gto be the victim and the killer. Many people have hidden SOSs' or ries for help. But many people even thought the signs may be clear, they ignore it. If they don't know the person, who gives what goes on in that persons life, as long as it doesn't affect theirs. But people with that attitude, tend to in the end, are the ones that need help. That need someone to lean. Most people should just look the other way like they did to them, but some are different. They see help and help. They don't walk by it. When opportunity knocks, people take it, but when people are in troubel and need help, they jut walk away, not giving a second glance back. Erin is different. She helps others, so i have a strong feeling. Erin will survive and get help form those who got helped by her. Returning the favor is what it's called. Returning the favor is what more people need to do , be like Erin
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Memories
I noticed memories have been coming up now a lot in the mystery/serial killer books i've been reading. All of Michael Prescott books and now other authors have female main characters that have a past dealing with the person they are after or have ties to a person that is extremely similiar to their childhood horror. In On the Edge of Darkness, Laura to go back to the home of the and from where i am in the book, the man (Mr. ) was shot and is different in someway. Not just emotionally but also physically. And it affected Lara dramatically because she remembers little bits of the conversatiion and details from what happened.
It makes me realize how much memories impact us in a negative or positive way. I have been looking at this memory idea for a while now and at different angles. With The Giver, i was just saying how we need choices because then we can't lead our own lives if we don't have one. In class my classmates and i did projects on socal action and some projects had choices in them and i commented on them. And now, in this book about how it affects us. Especially with cops and agents, it either motivates them to get the case solved and help whoever needed it or scared because they have already gone down this dark path and something happened to them. But it's not just cops that memories affect, it's regular citizens to. If you have an abusive past, sometimes people become aggresive or see it and get flashbacks of their childghood.
No matter how deep we may bury a memory, we only need one thought, one action to make the memory resurface. And most of th etime, when it's a memory that gives us fear, once we face it and find the cause of why the memory has come back and fixed it, we bury the memory again and sometimes even though it's in our head, we don't remember it again. If it's not remebered rigth away, it's soemhow resurfaced. Not all always but most of the time with our memories that's what happens. And then all these officers and agnets then have these fearing memories that puch and movtivate them to find out th ekiller or abductor or this or that and face 'em,stop them.
It makes me realize how much memories impact us in a negative or positive way. I have been looking at this memory idea for a while now and at different angles. With The Giver, i was just saying how we need choices because then we can't lead our own lives if we don't have one. In class my classmates and i did projects on socal action and some projects had choices in them and i commented on them. And now, in this book about how it affects us. Especially with cops and agents, it either motivates them to get the case solved and help whoever needed it or scared because they have already gone down this dark path and something happened to them. But it's not just cops that memories affect, it's regular citizens to. If you have an abusive past, sometimes people become aggresive or see it and get flashbacks of their childghood.
No matter how deep we may bury a memory, we only need one thought, one action to make the memory resurface. And most of th etime, when it's a memory that gives us fear, once we face it and find the cause of why the memory has come back and fixed it, we bury the memory again and sometimes even though it's in our head, we don't remember it again. If it's not remebered rigth away, it's soemhow resurfaced. Not all always but most of the time with our memories that's what happens. And then all these officers and agnets then have these fearing memories that puch and movtivate them to find out th ekiller or abductor or this or that and face 'em,stop them.
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