Well, some stuff went down...yes I'm ashamed of myself as well. I officially am like done with The Book Thief. The beginning is just way too slow. My mom finished it in like a month, and has promised me it will get better but I just refuse! Every time I pick it up again and try to read it, I zone out and do something else. Haha, I know that's really bad but I can't help it.
For Christmas I had gotten a book I have been wanting to read for the longest time; probably as soon as it was released by John Greene. It's The Fault in Our Stars(: So far (unlike the stupid Book Thief) it has caught my attention instantly. The way John describes the characters make it seem as if i actually know them. Like, as if I'm living their lives with them. The author's voice is really distinct as well. I feel like I could learn a few things from him actually(:
Continuing to read at this very moment!!
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Sunday, February 2, 2014
About the Author: Markus Zusak
Zusak was born to his Australian father and German mother, both of whom had experienced WWII. He says that is what inspired him to write about it. He also says The Book Thief is unlike anything he has ever written before, which is unusual because it's his most read.
The Angel Of Death...
Even though his personality is less shown more and more as the story progresses, I decided to do a little description of the narrator; The Angel Of Death.
Like I mentioned earlier in one of my previous blogs, his opinion tends to be very dark and pessimistic about almost everything. "A final, soaking farewell was let go of, and they turned and left the cemetery, looking back several times. As for me, I remained a few moments longer. I waved. No one waved back." (Pg. 24) This quote shows that he's mindless to the fact that someone has just died, and he chooses to 'wave' at Leisel and her mom, expecting them to wave back. Seriously?? No one can even see him in the first place.
I don't feel as if I'm spoiling his character. It's more like common sense to assume he isn't human. "How could that woman walk? How could she move? That's the sort of thing I'll never know, or comprehend-what humans are capable of." (Pg. 25) The reader may realize this even sooner in this quote by Zusak: "Twenty-three minutes later, when the train was stopped, I climbed out with them. A small soul was in my arms." (Pg. 8)
As the story is continuing, I'm noticing the point of view changing slightly. In the beginning I could only see from The Angel Of Death's eyes, but now I'm seeing it through Leisel's poor, innocent, sparkling brown eyes. I'm noticing the mood change from bitter and spiteful, to a more positive feeling of hope; very optimistic in a sense.
Like I mentioned earlier in one of my previous blogs, his opinion tends to be very dark and pessimistic about almost everything. "A final, soaking farewell was let go of, and they turned and left the cemetery, looking back several times. As for me, I remained a few moments longer. I waved. No one waved back." (Pg. 24) This quote shows that he's mindless to the fact that someone has just died, and he chooses to 'wave' at Leisel and her mom, expecting them to wave back. Seriously?? No one can even see him in the first place.
I don't feel as if I'm spoiling his character. It's more like common sense to assume he isn't human. "How could that woman walk? How could she move? That's the sort of thing I'll never know, or comprehend-what humans are capable of." (Pg. 25) The reader may realize this even sooner in this quote by Zusak: "Twenty-three minutes later, when the train was stopped, I climbed out with them. A small soul was in my arms." (Pg. 8)
As the story is continuing, I'm noticing the point of view changing slightly. In the beginning I could only see from The Angel Of Death's eyes, but now I'm seeing it through Leisel's poor, innocent, sparkling brown eyes. I'm noticing the mood change from bitter and spiteful, to a more positive feeling of hope; very optimistic in a sense.
Update On: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
So now I've come to realize that Liesel, the awkward, skinny, quiet, German girl is the book thief.
As most people who have heard of holocaust and the terrible events that occurred in Nazi, Germany in the 1900's, it is a fact that many people were extremely poor and couldn't afford to eat, let alone support their children. That's why Leisel and her brother were being shipped to a foster home away from their very ill mother.
On the way there, Leisel's brother had gotten poised by the food he ate on the train and immediately died. It was a shock to me as a reader, and Leisel as well. The train was then stopped for them to bury her brother, while Leisel and her mother stood aside weeping in agony. "Somewhere in all the snow, she could see her broken heart, in two pieces. Each half was glowing, and beating under all that white. She realized her mother had come back for her only when she felt the boniness of a hand on her shoulder. She was being dragged away. A warm scream filled her throat." (Pg. 24)
Just then, Leisel spotted a book lodged in the snow with shiny silver lighting next to her brother's grave. It was like she was the only one who could see it. She silently snatched the book; the first one of her collection.
On the way there, Leisel's brother had gotten poised by the food he ate on the train and immediately died. It was a shock to me as a reader, and Leisel as well. The train was then stopped for them to bury her brother, while Leisel and her mother stood aside weeping in agony. "Somewhere in all the snow, she could see her broken heart, in two pieces. Each half was glowing, and beating under all that white. She realized her mother had come back for her only when she felt the boniness of a hand on her shoulder. She was being dragged away. A warm scream filled her throat." (Pg. 24)
Just then, Leisel spotted a book lodged in the snow with shiny silver lighting next to her brother's grave. It was like she was the only one who could see it. She silently snatched the book; the first one of her collection.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
The Start of The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Well, I just started this book a few days ago. I'm not necessarily confused, I'm just a little overwhelmed I guess. So, right now it's being told in the point of view of "The Angel Of Death", which is really interesting. His point of view is really dark and ominous. But in a way, I sort of like it. His view on his surroundings creates a very vivid picture in my mind; including many similes and metaphors. The author did a really great job in doing so!
Lines for example: "Within minutes, mounds of concrete and earth were sacked and piled. The streets were ruptured veins. Blood streamed till it was dried on the road, and the bodies were stuck there, like driftwood after the flood. They were glued down, every last one of them. A packet of souls. Was it fate?" Pg. 12
Or: "Earlier, kids had been playing hopscotch there,on the street that looked like oil-stained pages. When I arrived, I could still hear the echoes. The feet tapping the road. The children-voices laughing, and the smiles like salt, but decaying fast. Then, bombs." Pg. 12
So far, the author hasn't lost my attention. The syntax and diction is written in a way that is very intriguing. Excited to read more!(:
Lines for example: "Within minutes, mounds of concrete and earth were sacked and piled. The streets were ruptured veins. Blood streamed till it was dried on the road, and the bodies were stuck there, like driftwood after the flood. They were glued down, every last one of them. A packet of souls. Was it fate?" Pg. 12Or: "Earlier, kids had been playing hopscotch there,on the street that looked like oil-stained pages. When I arrived, I could still hear the echoes. The feet tapping the road. The children-voices laughing, and the smiles like salt, but decaying fast. Then, bombs." Pg. 12
So far, the author hasn't lost my attention. The syntax and diction is written in a way that is very intriguing. Excited to read more!(:
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Review of Silver is for Secrets by Laurie Faria Stolarz
Reading the end of this book was such a rush! The plot twists (yes,there were multiple) were utterly breath-taking. Still 3 days after finishing, I am still in awe with what I had read. I cannot believe what happened at the end! When I had begun this book, I had not expected much out of it but I was completely wrong. The author isn't very popular and it's been a while since this book was released as well.
I was literally on page 113 and read all the way till the end, which is page 277. In ONE day. In the beginning I was so dreading reading it. It started off really slow and I wanted to quit immediately. But the author caught my attention with the many conflicts that were involved, and made me want to read more and find out how the conflicts would be resolved(:
It starts with a group of friends going to a beach house after they graduate high school. Then the main character Stacy gets nightmares that a girl about her age is going to die, so she tries to prevent it. Of course: the typical "vacation goes wrong" scheme, right? Ha! Same thing I was thinking, but nope.
I really don't want to give any spoilers, just in case you want to read this yourself. But there's a really big twist in the end! The epilogue really makes you believe that it's a true story. It's really interesting. Astonishing, actually. I guess I shouldn't really say that it's the book that was thought provoking; it was the story behind it that was. I enjoyed how the author did this. At the end of the book there are news clippings, transcripts from mental therapy sessions, diary entries, secret notes, and letters. If reading those doesn't creep you out or make you wonder, then I don't know what will! If you don't plan on ever reading this book, I definitely recommend clicking the link below to read this jaw-dropping epilogue(:
http://www.wattpad.com/20796688-silver-is-for-secrets-epilogue
I was literally on page 113 and read all the way till the end, which is page 277. In ONE day. In the beginning I was so dreading reading it. It started off really slow and I wanted to quit immediately. But the author caught my attention with the many conflicts that were involved, and made me want to read more and find out how the conflicts would be resolved(:
It starts with a group of friends going to a beach house after they graduate high school. Then the main character Stacy gets nightmares that a girl about her age is going to die, so she tries to prevent it. Of course: the typical "vacation goes wrong" scheme, right? Ha! Same thing I was thinking, but nope.
I really don't want to give any spoilers, just in case you want to read this yourself. But there's a really big twist in the end! The epilogue really makes you believe that it's a true story. It's really interesting. Astonishing, actually. I guess I shouldn't really say that it's the book that was thought provoking; it was the story behind it that was. I enjoyed how the author did this. At the end of the book there are news clippings, transcripts from mental therapy sessions, diary entries, secret notes, and letters. If reading those doesn't creep you out or make you wonder, then I don't know what will! If you don't plan on ever reading this book, I definitely recommend clicking the link below to read this jaw-dropping epilogue(:
http://www.wattpad.com/20796688-silver-is-for-secrets-epilogue
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