Island - Aldous Huxley
I will be the first to say that I hate reading books that have such long standing reputations, mostly because if the book doesn't start off with a bang I am instantly bored and can not understand why the book is so highly renowned. Island applies to this idea perfectly. Although, after completing it, I am still not sure I find it to be as amazing as I have heard. Don't get my wrong, I enjoyed the book. But, some of it just seemed so dry that I had to trudge through, and other parts I felt like I was sitting listening to someone preach to me about utopia. I guess the best way for me to summarize this book to me is that it was a good book to read once and I think it encompasses some great ideas, but it really wasn't "my cup of tea." I am unsure who I would recommend this book to, maybe people who enjoy science-like and/or human development novels. Even writing this, this book leaves me with mixed feelings. Something like a lack of plot, missing an conclusive ending, a not-so-good last chapter. I feel unfulfilled with this work, I think I will stick with Huxley's Brave New World.
Next (and sadly, last): Before We Were Free - Julia Alvarez
18 August 2008
13 August 2008
In The Time Of The Butterflies
In The Time Of The Butterflies - Julia Alvarez
I think after reading In The Name Of Salome and then reading this book, Alvarez has officially become one of my favorite authors. This book is very well written. The chapters are told through the perspective of the four sisters and proceed to tell the story of a family living under the dictatorship during the early/mid 1900's in the Dominican Republic. It is told in a way that makes you want to continue reading to see what happens next and manages to really pull together to the history of the nation during the dictatorship. I would highly recommend this book to, well, I think everyone. The book combines history with true fiction, something I think we all can enjoy escaping to during some point in our lives. Great book!
Next: Island - Aldous Huxley
I think after reading In The Name Of Salome and then reading this book, Alvarez has officially become one of my favorite authors. This book is very well written. The chapters are told through the perspective of the four sisters and proceed to tell the story of a family living under the dictatorship during the early/mid 1900's in the Dominican Republic. It is told in a way that makes you want to continue reading to see what happens next and manages to really pull together to the history of the nation during the dictatorship. I would highly recommend this book to, well, I think everyone. The book combines history with true fiction, something I think we all can enjoy escaping to during some point in our lives. Great book!
Next: Island - Aldous Huxley
05 August 2008
Chronicles Of A Death Foretold
Chronicles Of A Death Foretold - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
After reading One Hundred Years of Solitude a few years ago, this book was kind of interesting to read. Marquez has a very unique style of writing I have discovered, and a number of the characters from this book overlap into One Hundred Years of Solitude. All that said, it was a decent book. I wouldn't give it raving reviews, but I also wouldn't strike it down. It is only about 120 pages long, so if you are looking for a short read and flows pretty well and has an interesting plot through the entire novel, then take a shot at this book. If not, I think you may find it rather boring and leaving you with no fulfillment now that that you read it.
Next: In The Time Of The Butterflies - Julia Alvarez
After reading One Hundred Years of Solitude a few years ago, this book was kind of interesting to read. Marquez has a very unique style of writing I have discovered, and a number of the characters from this book overlap into One Hundred Years of Solitude. All that said, it was a decent book. I wouldn't give it raving reviews, but I also wouldn't strike it down. It is only about 120 pages long, so if you are looking for a short read and flows pretty well and has an interesting plot through the entire novel, then take a shot at this book. If not, I think you may find it rather boring and leaving you with no fulfillment now that that you read it.
Next: In The Time Of The Butterflies - Julia Alvarez
04 August 2008
In The Name of Salome
In The Name of Salome - Julia Alvarez
This book was far better than I had ever thought. I had read the first few pages a few times, but never really proceeded to continue reading. Well - I am very glad that I finally took the time to read the rest. The book is written in a very captivating way that makes you very interested in what happens next: starting with the daughter's present day life and telling the story backwards, and then alternating chapters with the mother's story from her birth through her death. Alongside the excellent story telling, the book also does a great job depicting the socio-political situation in the Dominican Republic and Cuba during the late 1800's. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Latin America or the Caribbean. This book rivals many of the other renowned novels by great Hispanic authors.
Next: Chronicles of a Death Foretold - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
This book was far better than I had ever thought. I had read the first few pages a few times, but never really proceeded to continue reading. Well - I am very glad that I finally took the time to read the rest. The book is written in a very captivating way that makes you very interested in what happens next: starting with the daughter's present day life and telling the story backwards, and then alternating chapters with the mother's story from her birth through her death. Alongside the excellent story telling, the book also does a great job depicting the socio-political situation in the Dominican Republic and Cuba during the late 1800's. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Latin America or the Caribbean. This book rivals many of the other renowned novels by great Hispanic authors.
Next: Chronicles of a Death Foretold - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
02 August 2008
The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
I will begin this by saying I don't think I fully understand that idea of the 'Great American Novel' if this book fits into that catagory. This book seemed to take about 150 pages of setting in order to actaully get to the plot. And then everything else happened in 30 pages and the novel was over. However, with that said, I will say that I think part of my problem with this novel is that it is the plot of so many different Hollywood movies, which are in fact based on the novel, not vice versa. I think the book should be read by many because it is often 'name-dropped' and referenced, and with only 180 pages or so, I don't think it will pain anyone too much. I highly recommend this as a light summer reading or 'beach book' as it does not require intense concentration.
Next: In The Name of Salome by Julia Alvarez
I will begin this by saying I don't think I fully understand that idea of the 'Great American Novel' if this book fits into that catagory. This book seemed to take about 150 pages of setting in order to actaully get to the plot. And then everything else happened in 30 pages and the novel was over. However, with that said, I will say that I think part of my problem with this novel is that it is the plot of so many different Hollywood movies, which are in fact based on the novel, not vice versa. I think the book should be read by many because it is often 'name-dropped' and referenced, and with only 180 pages or so, I don't think it will pain anyone too much. I highly recommend this as a light summer reading or 'beach book' as it does not require intense concentration.
Next: In The Name of Salome by Julia Alvarez
26 July 2008
Dreaming in Cuban
Dreaming In Cuban - Christina Garcia
The first chapter to this book I think I have read probably ten times and then put the book down because it was rather dry. However, after the first chapter it really picks up, which makes me glad that I finally read the entire book. The book, while I didn't find it as "well-written" as many of the reviews of it, was very good. The history overall social setting in 1950's and -60's Cuba was very interesting. It is written in that familiar Hispanic-literature fashion of following one family for a while. And the chapters are divided up and then told through the perspectives of different family members which helps keep the story flowing, and it also advances the plot in a very interesting way. I would recommend this book for anyone interested in the Cuban revolution or Hispanic literature. As one of her first novels - I think Garcia has firmly established herself in the world of Hispanic writers.
Next: The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
The first chapter to this book I think I have read probably ten times and then put the book down because it was rather dry. However, after the first chapter it really picks up, which makes me glad that I finally read the entire book. The book, while I didn't find it as "well-written" as many of the reviews of it, was very good. The history overall social setting in 1950's and -60's Cuba was very interesting. It is written in that familiar Hispanic-literature fashion of following one family for a while. And the chapters are divided up and then told through the perspectives of different family members which helps keep the story flowing, and it also advances the plot in a very interesting way. I would recommend this book for anyone interested in the Cuban revolution or Hispanic literature. As one of her first novels - I think Garcia has firmly established herself in the world of Hispanic writers.
Next: The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
14 July 2008
The Alchemist
The Alchemist - Paolo Cohleo
I found this book to be very weird. I liked the plot, and I thought it was written pretty well. But - I felt as though when I was reading it I was having life's 'ideal lessons' forced down my throat, such as how to be the happiest person and never to stop striving for what you want most in life. The whole book seemed more than centered around that - more like it was written for people who are looking back on their lives and can now read this book and either think they did everything they wanted or read the book and regret many many of their life decisions. However - the life lesson bit aside, I think it had an overall good message. I think it was quite well written. I really enjoyed the plot, which I think is the only reason I continued to read it. I think I would recommend it to high school junior/seniors and college students who are about to go on their way into the world. I think people in this age bracket can usually use a good forced dose of life's lessons, especially the idea of doing what you love instead of what will make you the most money.
Next up: Dreaming in Cuban by Christina Garcia
I found this book to be very weird. I liked the plot, and I thought it was written pretty well. But - I felt as though when I was reading it I was having life's 'ideal lessons' forced down my throat, such as how to be the happiest person and never to stop striving for what you want most in life. The whole book seemed more than centered around that - more like it was written for people who are looking back on their lives and can now read this book and either think they did everything they wanted or read the book and regret many many of their life decisions. However - the life lesson bit aside, I think it had an overall good message. I think it was quite well written. I really enjoyed the plot, which I think is the only reason I continued to read it. I think I would recommend it to high school junior/seniors and college students who are about to go on their way into the world. I think people in this age bracket can usually use a good forced dose of life's lessons, especially the idea of doing what you love instead of what will make you the most money.
Next up: Dreaming in Cuban by Christina Garcia
13 July 2008
Brave New World
Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
When I first started reading this book, I felt like it went on forever with no plot. But then after the first 50 or so pages I began to understand the plot of the book. Now that I have finished it, I can definitely see why it is a classic. I really liked the idea of the book, and especially that it requires the reader to really think and consider different "life-y" things while reading it. I think everyone should read this book because it is a classic, but most definitely everyone who is college-bound should read it; I have heard it referenced in many different classes.
Next: The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo
When I first started reading this book, I felt like it went on forever with no plot. But then after the first 50 or so pages I began to understand the plot of the book. Now that I have finished it, I can definitely see why it is a classic. I really liked the idea of the book, and especially that it requires the reader to really think and consider different "life-y" things while reading it. I think everyone should read this book because it is a classic, but most definitely everyone who is college-bound should read it; I have heard it referenced in many different classes.
Next: The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo
04 July 2008
Summer Postings & The House on Mango Street
For this summer (Summer 2008 that is) I am the head lifeguard at the local town beach. Being a lifeguard means monitoring people swim, ect. However, when people aren't swimming that leaves a lot of time for reading. So - I have decided to dedicate my blog to my own book reviews/interpretations for any readers who may be interested in any of the books I decide to read (I have also decided this summer shall be dedicated to the 'classics' and mostly Hispanic literature).
For the first two entries:
Teacher Man – Frank McCourt
This book I think is unofficially part of a trilogy linked with his other books. But, either way, as someone with a passion for education I really liked this book. Although I am not a teacher, therefore I cannot even begin to imagine the hardships faced on those first days in the classroom, the author really makes out a good illustration for someone to be in that place. I would really recommend this book for teachers and future teachers, and anyone who is interested in realizing the hardships people in education face.
The House on Mango Street - Sandra Cisneros
I really liked this book once I got into it. It is very short and is made up of a number of short stories that work to tell the story of a girl growing up on a place where she did not want to. The reviews all call it poetic, but I don't think that is the word I would use (though don't get me wrong, it is very nicely written). But - I think the book speaks to more than hispanic culture. I think it has a message and lesson about loving and appreciating where you come from - despite all the little weird quirks that may anger and upset you. And that is a message that, as a second year college student, I am quickly learning. I would highly recommend this book to everyone - avid readers, people who don't particularly enjoy reading, and all those in between. It is very short and offers a good message about life.
Next up: Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
30 April 2008
Another blog
I know I told everyone to check here - but I am going to re-direct everyone to a blog that was set up for our entire class. We will all be posting on the site as we travel through Poland. So, definitely follow us through our adventure :).
The new blog is: www.ecpoland2008.blogspot.com
The new blog is: www.ecpoland2008.blogspot.com
28 April 2008
Map of Poland
I will officially be departing from Elmira on Saturday (3 May) to head for Poland until 21 May. Here is a rough idea of where we will be traveling. We will be seeing quite a portion of the country :)
And, here is our itinerary:
3 May - Depart EC
4 May - Arrive in Warsaw
5-7 May - Warsaw
7-8 May - Mragowo
8 May - Frombork/Gdynia
9-11 May - Gdynia
11 May - Malbork/Torun
12-13 May - Torun
13 May - Biskupin/Uniejow
14 May - Czestochowa/Zakopane
15-17 May - Zakopane
17-19 May - Krakow
19 May - Wieliczka/Auschwitz
20 May - Krakow
21 May - Home
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