2nd Quarter Reading

This nine weeks, I would like to read Vanishing Acts, The Kite Runner, and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Our classroom library has the two latter books I want to read, but the I have not found the first here. Luckily, my friend Hallie owns Vanishing Acts and she lent it to me. I actually am going to read it on her recommendation.

I decided that I wanted to read the The Kite Runner after I read A Thousand Splendid Suns. I loved the book so much and it greatly affected me, and immediately after finishing it, I knew that I would have to find the other famous book by Khaled Housseini and read it.

Referring to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, I had no desire to read the book until it was recommended to my English class by Mrs. Huff. Granted, I had no idea what the story was about, but after the brief synopsis of the novel, I discovered that I really want to read it.

2nd Quarter Annotated Reading List

Cook, Robin. Shock. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2001. Print. (336 pages)

Deborah Cochrane and Joanna Meissner have spent many years at Harvard, and the only thing left they have to do to gain their doctorates is to complete their thesis papers. The two long to have the money to travel to Venice for a year to work in tranquility,while also having a bit of fun, but they have no idea how to attain the funds. They soon learn that the Wingate Fertility Clinic is offering $45,000 for egg donation, and they convince themselves to donate for Italy money. When Joanna and Deborah return to the U.S., they become obsessed with finding out what happened to their eggs, but when they call the Wingate Clinic to ask, they are informed that all records are confidential and that they are not allowed the information they seek. Seeking answers, the two women assume new identities, change their looks and accept jobs working at the clinic. Their plan is to hack into the computer systems and get the information they want and then to disappear, but they soon find out that there are some strange things going on at the clinic. They decided to investigate what is actually going on, a decision that could put them in grave danger.
A huge theme of this book is human cloning, and while I knew that cloning is possible I never really thought about the technology behind it or the viability of human cloning. The book goes into great detail about the exact process of creating a clone, from the first step through the growth and development of the creature. I really did find myself truly astonished while reading of the human clones in the novel, and I thought back to research I did about cloning when I read Brave New World. I learned that human cloning is thought to be nearly inevitable, and that really the only thing holding it back is the debate of morals and ethics.



Hannah, Kristin. True Colors. New York: St. Martin's, 2009. Print. (491 pages)

The Grey sisters, after their mother's death, banded together, becoming the best of friends. Their cold father Henry cares not about his children, only for the land of his ancestors and his impeccable reputation. Winona, the oldest, is the smartest, a bookworm, who endlessly searches for her father's approval. She grows up to be the best lawyer in town, hoping that her reputation will spark a sense of pride in her father. Aurora is the middle sister and the family peacemaker. She tries to keep everyone happy, even when she is miserable and hides her own pain. Vivi Ann is the youngest and the jewel of the family. A naive dreamer, capable of immeasurable love, she is doted on by everyone she comes in contact with. Vivi Ann's life is perfect, at least until a stranger arrives in town. When Vivi Ann falls in love, the man Winona pines for is crushed, Aurora's marriage starts falling apart, and a horrible crime shatters their tiny town, the bonds that have held the sisters together for years become broken and threaten to never mend themselves. Everything changes as the sisters become pitted against one another in unimaginable ways. Their loyalties are tested and they learn all about having enemies, forgiveness, and what it means to really be a family.
Throughout the book I tried to decide which sister I was most like, but I ended up not being able to choose. Like Winona, I am a bookworm who studies hard in order to please my parents. Like Aurora, I try to keep the peace between my siblings. Whenever a fight breaks out, I am the one standing to the side trying to get everyone to calm down. I tend to try to make others happy even if I am feeling down or angry. I am a hopeless dreamer like Vivi Ann. I am constantly wishing for something more, for something to fulfill my life, for a future of happiness. But even though I have things in common with each, I am also unlike all of them. Unlike Winona, I am hard pressed to keep a secret. She never tells anyone anything, and my problem is keeping my mouth shut. Secrets are just too good to keep.(I can do it though, if I have to, if I'm asked to.) Aurora keeps everyone else happy but hides her own anger and misery. I am the complete opposite, because if I am mad EVERYONE knows it. Apparently, I have this angry face that I make when I am mad. Also, because I can't keep a secret, I end up telling everyone that I am mad and why. Vivi Ann, though big-hearted and lovable, is weak. Her joy and hope is easily crushed and she finds it hard to make a bounce back. I, on the contrary, am a fighter. I try hard to always stay strong, not just for myself, but for those around me.



Hosseini, Khaled. The Kite Runner. New York: Riverhead, 2003. Print. (372 pages)

Amir has a happy childhood in Afghanistan, always having fun and playing with his closest childhood friend, Hassan, whose face makes up the entirety of Amir's first memory and who also happens to be the son of Amir's father's servant. Hassan always protects Amir, warning him of danger, accepting blame, and taking hits from the neighborhood bullies. But even though Hassan is subjected to much insult and injury on Amir's behalf, his loyalty never wavers. That is until he is hurt in the most unimaginable way: rape, witnessed, yet not stopped by Amir himself. Though Amir can never be certain, he suspects that Hassan knew he saw what happened, because after that awful day their relationship is never quite the same, and eventually Hassan and his father leave Amir's household and the two boys never meet again. Amir grows up, moves to America and marries, and is one day called by an old, dying friend from his homeland. This friend tells him of Hassan's death and the capture of his young son Sohrab by the Taliban, and as a last request of Amir, he asks that Amir do all he can to save the boy. So as a final apology to Hassan's memory, Amir veers away from playing the role of the saved to paying tribute to the one who used to constantly save him.
The setting of the story was slightly shocking to me. Set in Afghanistan, the difference between the way I live and the way Amir lived was huge. People there used sticks with notches carved into them as credit cards, the children were out of school for months during the cold,snowy season, and the culture was unlike anything I've ever experienced. Later in the novel, after the Taliban took over rule of the country, Amir's old hometown was almost in ruins. People were executed in the street every day, and women had virtually no rights. Knowing that people actually had to live in conditions like that, that a person could walk out of their house at night to see someone being shot, that a woman had to wear a burqa that covered her from head to toe if she wished to leave her house was foreign to me, and as I read the book I became very thankful for the environment I live in. I realized how fortunate I am to live in a pretty safe country, how fortunate I am to not have to worry daily about death and terror. Above all, I was thankful that I live in a country where, as a woman, I have equal opportunity to the men around me, and that I am given all the same rights.

Independent Reading Reflection

I will not lie, this class did not do much to improve my reading habit, because I have had a regular reading habit for a long time. For several years now I have set aside time right before I go to bed to read. I enjoy reading very much, and have always valued it, so I always find time to fit in a chapter or two.

Overall, I would say that my reading selections are pretty balanced. Some texts I read lightly and for fun, but other times I really think about the meaning of the story, or the connections it has to my life or world. I find myself trying to analyze different ideas and themes, and I must admit that I kind of enjoy it(it makes me feel smart). I indulge in a "candy" read every once in a while, but lately my choices have been more advanced. A mix of classics, adult novels, and even some nonfiction have found their way to me. I have also become proud of myself for keeping up with the news via online papers or the Daily Guard. As I have gotten older, I have also become more interested in current events, world news, or even just random subjects, and have found myself searching them online to read about them and create a knowledge basis for them.

I have to say that I do not really enjoy inking my thinking. I never have, so I commonly forget to write something down when I think it. I will stop reading for several minutes a time to think through something about the text, but I hardly ever think "hey I should write that down." I do see the advantage of recording thoughts though, because it allows one to go back and look at what he or she was thinking, instead of forgetting quickly.

For next quarter I would like to improve my think-inking. I would like to be able to read something, make a connection, and immediately write it down. I think it would be lovely to have a journal to revert to weeks after I have read a book and to make connections from that book to another text. I know that I will definitely work harder at that next nine weeks, and I already have several books that I want to read that I can journal: The Kite Runner, Vanishing Acts, and Nineteen Minutes, among others.

Socratic Seminar Reflection

I must admit I was apprehensive about the Socratic Seminars my class participated in, mainly because I was positive I would be able to come up with nothing to talk about. Thankfully, I actually found talking quite easy; I seemed to have more ideas than time to discuss.

Preparing for this seminar allowed me to think deeper about the text, and therefore understand it better. I had discussed the novel some with my friends, but knowing that I actually had to come up with ideas, questions, and opinions forced me to really think hard on what I had read. Analyzing the novel really opened my eyes to so many thoughts I had never considered before, such as: Can someone truly be happy without having what makes them unique?

I found it odd at first to have people challenge my thoughts or opinions without being able to turn the discussion into a debate. In one of the seminars, my group talked about the lack of individualism in the Brave New World civilization. I thought it was disturbing because I find it hard to believe that all on Earth would ever sacrifice their uniqueness for the happiness of mankind. My idea was challenged though by classmate Sadie Duke, with her saying that the people would not have had to sacrifice their individualism, just that of the future generations.

I felt as though I communicated pretty effectively in the seminar, in conveying my ideas and listening to others opinions and considering them. My biggest fault may have actually been talking to much. I talked with some classmates later about it, and apparently in my first discussion I was talking for a about half of the allotted time. I guess I just came over prepared. Staying quiet when I had so much to say was definitely a difficulty for me. The aspect I most enjoyed about the seminar was being able to loosen up in a classroom setting, which are usually very controlled and ordered, and to simply have a discussion with my friends about mine and their personal views. The pressure of school work seemed to lift off my shoulders when I was in the circle, and I did not even feel like I was in a class; I felt as though I was just having a conversation with people around me.

My communication skills, I learned, while not perfect, are not bad at all. I have always known that I can talk well. I seem to get across my point, explaining myself well, while not dilly-dallying around the subject. I strive to be concise. My listening skills, I feel, are better than many, though once again, not perfect. My mind is almost always open to hearing others' ideas, because I know that I want others to listen to mine. The biggest fault of my communication skills would probably be my desire to turn a discussion into a debate: In fact, when Sadie challenged my idea, our discussion was actually on the brink of turning from dialogue to debate. If someone disagrees with me, I love giving examples, data, all kinds of support for my argument, although I do always respect the other's opinion. I have never, for instance, told anyone that their opinion is stupid or invalid.

I generally really liked the seminar, though a few aspects seemed to be a bit awkward. Sitting in the middle of the room surrounded by classmates, for example, puts a great deal of pressure on the people in the center. I felt as though we were cornered and being stared at. Which I suppose, we were being stared at. The only real problem I had was how we collected everyone's score sheets at the end. By giving them to the actual person scored, they could look and see what everyone rated them. That was definitely awkward! I pretty much shoved their sheets in their hands and ran away really fast, even if the scores were really good.

A Socratic Seminar, in my opinion, benefited the class more than a unit test would have, because we had a chance to discuss the book and share our own interpretations of the text. By receiving many different views, we were able to modify our own opinions and allow them to grow and mature into a multi-angled assessment. I, personally, would not object to another seminar, especially if it is in the place of a test!

1st Quarter Annotated Reading List

Brown, Dan. Deception Point. New York: Pocket, 2001. Print. (556)

In the presidential race, two true candidates remain: The current President Zach Herney and Senator Sedgewick Sexton. Sexton has built his whole campaign on the absurdity of the massive overspending of NASA, and is supported by their constant mess-ups and failures, but Herney stands behind the organization. So when a NASA satellite discovers a priceless treasure buried in the Milne Ice Shelf in the Arctic Circle, Herney is ecstatic. To verify the authenticity of NASA's discovery and to play a role in boosting Herney's campaign, intelligence analyst Rachel Sexton, who happens to be the estranged daughter of Senator Sexton, is called to the Arctic. Along with two civilian scientists Michael Tolland and Corky Marlinson, Rachel finds that the discovery may not be valid at all, but a clever deception. But before she and her friends can report the find, the three are ambushed by a force of assassins. Running for their lives, Rachel, Michael, and Corky desperately try to uncover the full truth and get the information to someone who can reveal the truth to the president. But when the president suddenly finds himself on the list of possible conspirators, who can the three trust?

I found myself unable to put this book down, it was so intense! I was on the edge of my seat for the majority of the novel. I particularly enjoyed one of Dan Brown's stylistic elements: He threw twists and turns at the reader very often. This strategy added much color and excitement to the book, giving outcomes that were very unexpected and changed my view on the whole story. I feel as though Mr. Brown knows me personally, because I have a particular weakness for books that end chapters with cliffhangers, that hurl surprises at the reader, that present an outcome so wild that it causes the reader to almost gasp aloud. It was definitely the fast pace of the novel that drew me in, and I look forward to the next time I pick up a Dan Brown novel.

Johansen, Iris. Deadlock. 1st ed. New York: St. Martin's, 2009. Print. (374)

When artifacts expert Emily Hudson and her partner Joel Levy travel to war-torn Afghanistan for a U.N. mission, the two and their crew fall under brutal attack. Emily and Joel and held hostage for weeks by a man who is out to find the key to a legendary treasure. After multiple failed attempts by the CIA to find Emily and Joel, Jon Garrett is hired to retrieve them. Garrett's services have been called upon in the past, by a multitude of agencies. His orders are always the same: Complete the mission, no matter what. Garrett is too late for Joel, but he rescues Emily and soon finds himself helping Emily on her own personal mission: Revenge. Seeking her captor and the answers to the puzzle of the legend treasure, Emily accompanies Garrett on the most dangerous journey of her life.

The book was great regardless of relatability, but I found myself thinking about the book very frequently because of the connection I felt to Emily. Of course, I have never been attacked and held captive, but Emily's toughness resonated deeply with me. I have always had a tendency to shove aside feelings or memories, and to just determinedly push through a trying time or situation. Also, Emily's concentration and determination to get revenge remind me of the same qualities I see in myself when I set myself to a task, such as doing a huge pile of homework, or finishing a personal project. I always love when I am able to relate so closely to a book, and I can definitely imagine reading this book a second time.

Picoult, Jodi. The Tenth Circle. New York: Atria, 2006. Print. (416)

When Trixie Stone falls in love for the first time, she is ecstatic. Her life is perfect. She is dating Jason, a boy that every girl wants, she is the highlight of her father's life, she has perfect grades, and is popular. Then, suddenly, her universe is shattered by a single night. The fourteen-year old Trixie beings to accuse her first love of rape, of ruining her life. Jason, of course, denies the accusation, and goes head to head with Trixie in a case of he-said-she-said. Trixie's father Daniel, who is always so nice and calm, who never gets mad, suddenly turns wild with anger, and vows to do anything to protect Trixie. Trixie, once so popular in school, turns into a social pariah because everyone believes she is lying, and even her best friend will have nothing to do with her. Trixie goes on a whirlwind journey as she tries to escape the boy that broke her soul and heart and tries to find a way to reinvent herself after a traumatizing event, while her father desperately tries to keep his strong and ever-present bond to her and solve his own problems with anger.

The Tenth Circle was a very unique book, unlike anything I have ever read before. The novel tells a story in the traditional way of words, but incorporates a graphic novel as well. At the end of every chapter a segment of the comic is presented, with each chunk collaborating with the occurences of the story in the previous chapter. When I first picked up the book I was confused, wondering what in the world a comic was doing in a book, but after starting reading, I came to love not only the story, but also the format in which it was presented. I also enjoyed the author Jodi Picoult's trademark of ending every story with an unanticipated and baffling twist. Whenever I read one of her books, I spend the whole novel trying to think of the most bizarre ways she could end the book, trying to guess the twist. I have hardly ever been right. This book did manage to really get me thinking deeply about crime and varying viewpoints of an action, and the ties of family that can hardly ever be broken