Thirteen reasons why-ending

I recently finished reading Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. I had originally chosen this book because it was recommended by a friend, and I'm glad I chose to follow that recommendation. Though I had expected a different genre based on what I knew of the book, I thouroughly enjoyed this mystery novel. The book mostly centers around the life of Hannah Baker, a suicidal teen who died a few weeks previously to when the novel takes place. She makes a series of thirteen tapes, each mainly focusing on a specific person's impact on her life, or, as she likes to call them, her thirteen reasons for taking her own life. The narrator, Adam, is surprised when these tapes arrive on his forested, as he has no idea what he could have done to make it onto those tapes. Hannah's sadistic attitude in tormenting her "reasons" becomes clear when she refrains from telling each them where they occur in the tapes, forcing them to listen through until they reach their own story. Each, of course, hopes they are not reason thirteen, the person Hannah ultimately blames for her death. Hannah keeps Adam and the reader guessing throughout the novel, raising many chilling questions. Where does he appear in the tapes? What could he have done to lead Hannah to this? And who is "lucky number thirteen"? Though clues are included to help lead the reader toward the answers of these questions, the true ending will ultimately take you by surprise. I would recommend anyone who enjoys a good mystery to read this book, and engine else who just likes to read, as it is one of the most well-portrayed young adult novels out there.

In my semester reading book, The Cuckoos Calling by Robert Galbraith. The protagonist begins to interview people who claimed to be close with Lula Landry, the late model. He learns more about her struggles with drugs, depression, and sketchy on-again, off-again ex-boyfriend. While learning more about the late models life, Strike struggles to deal with his own. Death threats from an old client, being almost homeless, and his whole family thinking he is still engaged to the mysterious Charlotte who we don't know much about. Except for the fact that she is incredibly beautiful whereas Strike is decidedly not. Which makes most people wonder, even Strike himself, what he's doing (was doing) with a girl like Charlotte. Strike also has a partner in the investigation, Robin, who was just recently engaged and is currently interviewing for other jobs, but seems very content with being an assistant to Strike and helping solve cases. She seems to be struggling with her only problems at home as her fiancé disregards her job as silly feeling she should find a more stable job, whereas Robin is convinced she will make a difference and perhaps go on an adventure working with Strike.

The Cuckoos Calling

I chose the book the Cuckoos Calling by Robert Galbraith. A crime novel concerning the sudden suicide of infamous fashion model Lula Landry. However, Lula's brother, John Bristow, is convinced that foul play was involved and that his sister's death was not in fact a suicide. Strike is now on the case, although he is fully convinced that Lula did commit suicide, he continues to investigate to try and prove Bristow wrong. However, Strike begins to discover more than he originally thought as the investigation continues. I chose this book because I'm very interested in crime novels and mysteries and the protagonist is not your typical hero, he is a grey character feeling that he should investigate Lula's death not because of some sense of justice but more of a way to get back into the game and get away from the life he is struggling to deal with after losing his leg in Afghanistan and the sudden break up with his fiancee.

Lone Survivor Update pages 1-194

    So far in the book, Lone Survivor, we have been introduced to the struggles of being part of the US Navy and all that it intails.  Marcus takes us through his journey in training to be a Navy SEAL and it sounds nearly impossible to do the things that he did.  As a kid, marcus knew that he wanted to be part of the Navy Seals and was influenced by his father and a different man in his town, Billy Shelton.  Billy Shelton was previously a Navy Seal and now he spends his days training young boys in Texas to prepare for the Navy Seals camp.  Marcus and his brother spent a huge amount of time working out, running and going through hell in order to reach the physical shape that they had to for the Navy Seals.  After a while of training from the local, Billy Shelton, Marcus thought that it was time to really enter the Navy.  Marcus entered the Navy Seals training camps which are necessary in order to become a Seal. While at the Seals training in Michigan then Virginia, Marcus sees that his hard work and training has paid off.  While others were struggling, puking and hitting wall after wall of intimidation and thoughts of giving up, Marcus was able to stay focused and complete the tasks at hand.  Marcus is a fighter and continues to attack the rigerous training and problems that they face in the trainig camps.  The training that the Seals go through, both physical and educational, are almost inhumane in my opinion.  These men face problem after problem, and barely have any brakes inbetween thier intense training.  This inhumanity is made visible when the team enters Hell Week.  Hell Week in infamous for being the hardest and most vigerous training sequence in America and possible the wold.  The training Seals had to go a week, with less that 12 hours of sleep while facing terrible tasks.  Men were dropping out and quiting left and right.  The tasks that they faced were brutla and as it says in the name, resembles hell.  Marcus continued to fight and somehow managed to hold on and fight through it.  Marcus made it through and finally became a US Navy Seal.

Will Conley
10/23/14
The Young World

        So far in my book, there has been a virus that has caused all the people who are 18 years old or older to die out. Kids run wild for a little while, then starts to group up and create clans. This is about the Washington Square clan and their adventure. The genuis of the group, Brainbox, feels that if the clan goes to a National Museam of History, he will be able to figure out a cure. So, Jefferson, the leader of the clan, and a group of the clan members venture of to the library. On the way, the encounter a rival gang, and get into a shoutout in the street. To take cover, they take refuge in the library. They split up into two groups. One to protect their stuff and their car from the rival gang, and one to go into the library to help Brainbox. As they venture deeper into the library, they are attacked by the gang that lives in the library. This gang has created their own religion that values knowledge, so, becuase Jefferson doesn't care for knoledge that much, he isn't welcomed. But, because Brainbox was with them, they were released and sent back out into the world. Now, at this point, they are in the trading grounds of Manhatten. They are trying to buy more bullets and food to survive, but real money isnt accepted here. They have created their own currency, and that is all they can use. To get money fast, Jefferson and a member of the group, Seethrough, have to fight.

The Third Rail October Update

10-23-14

This is my first update while reading the book the third rail And we are just being introduced to the main character harkness who seems to be an old cop who failed at his job a while back which resulted   In the failed attempt at solving a murder. Even a year later he is still very messed by his past failures and they continue to haunt him in the beginning of the story. I hope to continue this book and will keep you updated in the next entry.

Shutter Island

In my semester reading book, Shutter Island, U.S. marshal Teddy Daniels and his partner, Chuck Aule, are assigned a mission to go to Ashecliffe Hospital and find a missing patient, a murderess named Rachel Solando. Rachel is at Ashecliffe because months prior to her arrival, she took her children outside to the pond near their house and drowned them. She believes that her children are still alive and waiting for her- one of the possible reasons she escaped. As of right now, Teddy and Chuck are in a meeting to see if a young doctor will be allowed to be funded to test the patients.

Update one

I deicded to change to the book "Butter" by Erin Jade Lange. I did this because after doing some resarch into Butter the story seemed more intresting to me. Anyways, I started reading the book and got to page twenty. The story starts off with a morbidly obese teenager, Butter, trying to impress a girl through an anymous messaging sitr. They have been talking for several months now, but Butter fears meeting her will ruin their relationship. Butter also has to deal with the pressures of his mom and dad. His dad does not talk to Butter anymore and his mom tries to discretly change his diet, so Butter will lose weight. Because of all his social pressures, Butter is planning on videotaping his suicide on New Years Eve. He will attempt to kill himself by eating himself to death. The book has been very intresting thusfar and has opened my eyes on the pressures he faces. I am intrested to see if Butter actually goes through with his plan to kill himself. Personally, I do not think he will seeing how much he has to lose like a loving family and a girl of his dreams.  I plan on continuing reading this book and look forward to the adventure!

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand- 10/23/14

I am currently at the end of part one of this book. It is very captivating so far. I like how the author goes into detailed description of Louie Zamperini's childhood because it creates a better understanding of the book. So far, Louie has discovered his talent for running and qualified for the 1636 Olympics in Germany. It is also interesting that the writer describes every second of Louie's races like she was there in person. When Louie arrives in Germany, Hillenbrand mentions German's attitude towards Hitler. I think she does this to foreshadow Louie's role in World War II. Overall, the book is great and I can't wait to keep reading.

The DaVinci Code

I switched my other book out for The DaVinci Code, by Dan Brown. I switched books because this book is about some of the same things the other one is, but not as complex. It's a book about conspiracies and how a lot of so-called coinsidences seem to eventually connect to something in the world. I've already seen the movie for this book, which I loved! So far I'm on the fourth chapter of this book. The main character, Professor Langdon, is asked by the police to help investigate the murder of Jacques Sauniere, because the murder has to do with symbolsim, an area that Langdon excels in. He's also asked to help because he was supposed to meet with Jacques Sauniere before he was murdered. I already know what happens, but I'm excited to see how it plays out in the book!

Weston Shanley
10/23/14

I choose "lone survivor",  we start to see some intreating events unfolding.  During the firts 3 chapters he talks about his home life and what its like.  He also talks about him self who he really is and how he got to where he is.  He also has some intreating quotes.  He uses repition alot to show what he wants to say but hes then says just kidding.  I plan on reading this book because it has captured my intrest since the first page.

So far third rail by Rory Flynn is one of the greatest novels operate in human history it's an Eddie Harkness novel so good and I love it so good and I can't even tell you right now I mean like as I read the book it's a book and it's like it's nothing like breaking bad like she said but I still made him so so far I'm really enjoying the novel

Paper Towns Update Leila Koochek

I am about 10 chapters into my book Paper Towns and it has gotten very intense. Margo and Q spend the night together, sending revenge towards every person that was involved with Margo and her now ex boyfriend. Quentin ends up falling deeper in love with Margo by the end of the night. Once the tasks had been completed, Margo says to Q, "I will miss hanging out with you." (62). Q is confused as to why she will miss him, he thinks that they will be friends at school after this. The next day at school, Margo doesn't show up. Q doesn't think much about why she wasn't there, but she doesn't show up the next day either. It turns out, Margo has ran away. Her parents say that she has done this before and that she 'leaves clues' around their house as to where she is. Q decides to find her with his friends, and a new adventure begins.

matthew de palo

I am still on the first few chapters of  Gone Girl and nothing has really happened yet other than a very long introduction to the main character's life. It is a little bit sad and gives you a glimpse of the bland world that Nick has taken his Manhattan wife to and forced her to adjust too. I can predict that the wife is going to do something drastic soon in the book because she is very unhappy living in a world she did not chose to live in. The most recent thing that happened was Nick arrived home and his wife was missing, all the furniture in his house upside down. While I debated changing my book, this made me want to keep reading and see what happens. So far I sort of like my book but I think that it is going to get better.

Liam Blair Book review

Liam Blair

I choose the book Chasing Lincoln's Killer because I thought it would be something I am interested in. This book is a story about how JWBooth killed the president. It is a very good book. I am up to the part where Booth is planing to kill the president. For the part I have read (ch1-ch6) it is a very good book.

Lone survivor update - graham Jameson

So far in the lone survivor, I have learned a lot about Marcus and his five members of his unit. He describes what it is like to be a Navy SEAL and the mentality of a Navy SEAL. Marcus had a lot of interesting things to say about never giving up and always believing that you are still in the fight. Right now, he and his unit are in a C-130 Hercules going to Afganistan. The beginning of the book has really hooked me and I am eager to read more of the book. Usually when I am really interested in a book only after the first chapter, the book turns out to be really good. I have heard from other people that have read lone survivor that it is a great book. Marcus and Mikey have a strong bond are like brothers. They crack each other up and share the feeling of not being able to sleep if under the slightest amount of pressure. I plan on to continue reading this book and hope it will be a great book.

If I Stay

Cuurently I am almost half way through this book. At first it moved along slowly but it is starting to get better as Mia shares more and more of her life and what's going on with her being in the ICU. Adam has finally gotten to the hospital and is refusing to not be allowed to see her since as her boyfriend he isn't immediate family, so Mia's friend Kim and him are trying to dress up as interns or doctors to get away with seeing her. Mia has relized that staying is completely on her decision. It ll depends on her which is a decision she can't make anytime soon with the thought of no parents and family drama now going on throughout the hospital. I wonder what decision she is going to make and how it will impact her family.

Ender's Game

I chose the book Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. I chose this book because it was recommended to me by a teacher. I told her I enjoyed reading The Hunger Games and I liked the movie Mazerunner.  She recommended this because Ender's game is similar to those and usually the same people that enjoyed the Hunger Games like Ender's Game.

Choosing the Third Rail

I am very excited to read the book the third rail by rory flynn. While going over the selection Mrs. Luhtala said that this book was similar to the tv show breaking bad which I watched constantly and enjoyed thoroughly. I look forward to trying to draw connections to the tv show in this blog.

Semester Reading

Jason Kurtzman
I chose the book divergent because it looked intriguing, and I saw the movie for it and decided I wanted to read the book so I could compare the movie to the book.

Ship of Theseus

I am beyond excited to start reading the book, Ship of Theseus, because I am very interested in conspiracy theories and the illuminati. This book seems a little challenging, but I love the fact that it consists of different conspiracies on different topics. Another really cool thing about this book is that besides the text on each page, there are different readers’ annotations about different views on the story and different conspiracies. It is different than any other book I've read because you read the text, and then the opinions connecting the text to different scenarios. I have never in the past found a book that I've been so interested in reading until this one! I can already tell that this book will keep me inquiring and sitting on the edge of my seat.

   

I chose the book The Young World because I read the description, and I was intrigued. Jefferson, the leader of his tribe, sounds like an interesting character in the way he leads his tribe. Also, I was fascinated by the part where an illness swept through the U.S, and the tribe goes on an epic quest to find the cure, all while dodging bullets from rival gangs and fighting of the illness.

Shutter Island By Dennis Lehane

I chose Shutter Island, by Dennis Lehane, as my reading book because of its genre and reviews. I love reading mystery and suspense novels, so when I heard about Shutter Island, I immediately wanted to read it. Also, the year the book takes place in appeals to me, as well as the location of the book-an insane asylum. All of these aspects compiled into one make this a book I am sure to remember.

I chose the book If I Stay by Gayle Forman to read as my outside reading book. I have been recommended this book by multiple friends and was told it's a type of story that's my style. I hear that its a nice uplifting book, and it has a movie to it as well which I've wanted to see. I can't wait to start reading and learn more about Mia.

http://www.mrroryflynn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ThirdRail_cover_277x419.jpgI chose “Third Rail” by Rory Flynn, because of its connections to the TV series, “Breaking Bad.” Among other reasons, I really like the show “Breaking Bad,” and since I finished the series, I have really wanted to watch something similar to it.

“Third Rail” by Rory Flynn is probably going to be a remarkable rendition of Breaking Bad, but in book form, so that is cool. I will be able to enjoy the entertaining saga of its original and legendary character on paper, through tear and smiles, I will live through this book like I live through my cells and stuff. I really look forward to this, because its a cool crime show, but its a book. It has an interesting point of view, using drugs as the new addition. This is why it is like Breaking Bad, which is one of the best TV shows ever. That is why I want to read, “Third Rail,” by Rory Flynn.

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

I choose this book because I have heard that it was a moving and inspiring story. The book is set during World War II and I am interested in learning more about this time period since I know little about the subject. The survival story the character goes through during World War II that is summarized on the back cover persuaded me to read it because it sounded so intriguing. I am excited to begin what seems like a gripping novel.

Thirteen Reasons Why

I chose the book Thirteen Reasons Why, by Jay Asher, as my outside reading book because multiple friends have reccomended it for me. I really enjoyed The Fault in Our Stars and I heard that they possessed similar emotional themes, so I thought I would enjoy reading it. I also want to read the book before the movie comes out, which started production in 2011.I look forward to reading this book and I hope I enjoy it.

Lone Survivor

By Marcus Luttrell

I chose this book because I have heard from many people that it is an outstanding book and tells the true story of a hero.  I have always been interested in military books and stories, especially since my grandfather is a war veteran.  Another deciding factor of this book was the movie.  I saw the movie with my friends before even knowing that it was a book and it was very good.  

I chose the book, Mexican White boy, by Matt De La Pena because, I love sport books and when I read the back cover of the book I thought that it sounded interesting enough for me to read. I also chose this book because the cover of it caught my attention due to the picture.

Weston Shanley,

I chose Lone Survivor, for two main reasons.  I recently watched Restrepo about a military group of men that were in northern Iraq in the mountians.  It was a documentary about there struggles and what they went through as a group fighting the Taliban.  Also, I have been very interested in war since a young age and want to read about it now.

Leila Koochek: Paper Towns by John Green

I chose Paper Towns by John Green for several reasons. One reason is because I love John Greens work, I have read almost everything that he has created besides Paper Towns. Also, I have had this book for quite some time now and have yet to read it, plus its Matthew's copy and I think its time to give it back to him now (he gave it to me at the beginning of summer). Many of my friends have told me to read it, saying it is a great plot with a lot of witty jokes, plus it is a John Green book and what could go wrong with that? I am very excited to read this book!

Gone Girl

I chose Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn because many people I know have read it and said it was really good. Also, I like books about crazy people/psychopaths and this book is in that category. On vacation my mom and my sister had two bookmarks in this book and were fighting over who got to read it when because it was so suspenseful. I also like to see movies after I have read the book but usually do not have time to read so now I will get to see the movie having read the book. Also, I like murders.

Semester Reading

Lone Survivor by Marcus Lutteral
I chose this book because I had seen the movie and was very interested in it. I wanted to get a more in depth description of the events that took place during the mission.

I chose the book, Lone Survivor, because I have seen the movie and I am interested on seeing a first person account on what happened, and to see what it was like to be a marine in that situation.

Semester Reading Assignment

In addition to the books we read in class, you will have the opportunity to read books of your own choosing this semester.  For some of you this may mean only one book, while for others it could mean ten books.  You are required to read at least one full additional book.  We will have time in class for reading in addition to the reading you will do outside of class, so there is plenty of time to have that first book read by December vacation.

You will keep track of the books you’re reading and submit “One Pagers” and posts on the blog.  You’ll receive more details about this, but the point is to keep reading!  Try out new genres, find some new books and authors that you like.  Some of you mentioned that you never read a book that made you laugh.  For those of you who haven’t laughed while reading a book, it’s time to find one!

So today, find your book.

Accept the invitation I sent you to blogger.com for our class book site.

• Login using your school google account
• Create a post with your book title, picture of the book, and why you chose that book

Tips for using blogger.com

• Type your response out in an email, word doc, google doc or copy and paste before you click submit in case the website times out as you write
• After you click ‘publish,’ go onto the site and make sure you’re post is there
• If it’s not there you have the text you wrote saved in another doc or have copied it so you can paste it back in
• If it’s still not working for some reason, email me your post so I can see you did it, and we can always post together to work out any of the kinks

Jenni Fagan's Panopticon

I chose Jenni Fagan's Panopticon as one of my semester reads for several reasons.  First I am familiar with Jeremy Bentham's panopticon design from Foucault's Discipline and Punish and was interested to see how/if Foucault's work was brought into this novel of a teenage girl.  Second, I saw the blurb from one of my favorite writers, Irvine Welsh, touting Fagan as a new voice in Scottish literature using the vernacular. 

So far I've read about 70 pages, and the main character, Anais, certainly has my attention!  When the book starts, she is just entering the new facility, the panopticon and trying to navigate her way through.  As the story continues, she begins to reveal portions of her life, some of it vividly distorted from the opiates she takes as an escape from her world.  One is never quite sure what is actually taking place and what is a hallucination on her part.  What is vague, however, is exactly what transpires to get her to the facility, although it appears she has killed a police officer.

Anais seems to have a few people in her life that she could count on and is beginning to acquaint herself with her fellow inmates.  There's Brian, who has killed a dog in a most disturbing way, which she considers a worse, more horrific offense than her crime.   However, she does seem to wonder about this, asking herself if it is indeed worse. 

I'm anticipating that Anais will continue to reveal more as she trusts her reader more, just as she begins to open up to the other inmates.  While I'm not quite sure that I like her as a character, there are certainly moments of empathy.  Is she a kid who has found herself in difficult situations because she is on the search for a family/loved ones or is she truly distrubed and unsaveable is question still to be determined.