3rd Quarter Reading List

I read 4 books, the equivalent of 10 books.

• Before I Fall (470) 2 books
• Nineteen Minutes (464) 2 books
• Wuthering Heights (320) 3 books
• Tess of the d'Urbervilles (384) 3 books

Nineteen Minutes
The tiny town of Sterling seems tranquil enough, until a brutal school shooting, killing ten, occurs at the local high school. Josie goes to school on an apparently normal day, but ends up living a nightmare as she witnesses death and destruction around her. Not only is the day horrible, but the shooter is the least likely person she could have thought of: nerdy, former best friend Peter. Peter is quickly taken to trial to Josie's mother Judge Cormier, who is later removed from the case, and Josie should be the perfect witness; except for the fact that she can't remember anything about the shooting. Peter's parents Lewis and Lacey constantly antagonize over the past, trying to remember what they could have done to send Peter to such violence. They wonder endlessly about what they could have done differently. Jodi Picoult's novel is a truly touching story that explores the world of bullying, and the concept of truly knowing a person.
I enjoyed this book so much because it was written from so many different perspectives and allowed me to really get to know all of the characters well. Every person thought so differently and had their own opinions, and it was cool to be able to think from the shooter's point of view as well as the victims. Most books about a touchy subject like this shy away from the bad guy's thoughts, but this book delved right into the heart of the shooter. I also liked the book because so much research was put into it. Picoult always researches endlessly for her novels and the research always makes the book so much more accurate and heart-warming.

Where Do Your Loyatlies Lie?

After reading this article about a California woman who killed her sister-in-law, I began to think a lot about family ties and what being a family truly means. The article reminded me of a book I recently read, True Colors, about a family that becomes pitted against each other in the face of trial.

In this novel, the Grey sisters are a tightly bound unit that has always stood opposite of one person: their distant and hard-hearted father. They always loved each other more than they could express, took care of each other, and let nothing come in the way of their friendship. Then a stranger comes to town and threatens to ruin everything that the Grey sisters have with one another. When feelings are kept secret, secrets are revealed, and revelations of terrible consequence are unveiled, the three become hostile, and it seems possible that they may never be a united force again.

These two texts made me think about my family, and I began to ask myself many questions: what could lead me to separate from my family? What would they have to do for me to turn my back on them? Would I stand beside them, whatever the circumstance? Would they ever abandon me? Would we ever let any person get in the way of our relationships? And if we did become enemies, would we ever be able to forget and be a family again?

I am very glad that I came across these writings, because they got me to think about my loyalty to those I love and how far I would go to protect them. I am very grateful for my family and friends, and know that I would do almost anything in my power to keep them from danger or to help them, but at the same time I know that there are certain things that I would not be able to overlook. But until I have to face one of these events, I will just enjoy my relationships with those around me and stay fiercely loyal to them, and hope that they do the same for me.