Final Exam:Book Review

It’s been on the best seller list for quite some time now; it’s even been made into a movie. That’s right, The Help, written by Kathryn Stockett. It’s a historical fiction book taking place in 1962, Mississippi. The fresh out of college writer, Skeeter, wants to write a book that will hopefully change everything. Her idea is to write a book on the view point of the help. The help are the black maids who work for these rich white women, some of which are Skeeter’s friends. It starts off slowly because it’s very risky for a maid to open up to a white woman, especially if anyone found out who the maid was. Aibileen is the first maid to step up to the challenge.  She is very intelligent, and understands the consequences that could be given. She soon gets her best friend, Minny, to help with the book too. She is a short, fat, sassy maid who can’t hold her tongue. But she is known as one of the best cooks in all of Mississippi. To make the book possible they need at least twelve interviews with different maids. Throughout the book crazy things happen that could wreak the entire project. Hilley is on to Skeeter and will stop at nothing to find out what she’s doing and Minny did the most senseless thing that a maid could ever do.  Get more information about the book at her website.

The Help is full of comedy, and suspense, that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Setting down the book was impossible. Kathryn Stockett keeps things interesting by making switching between Skeeter, Aibileen, and Minny. This shows you their thoughts on the book and makes you closer to every single one of the characters and what they have been through. Another thing that is outstanding about The Help is the creativity that was used to write the plot. Once something dies down another crazy thing happens. For example, when Minny’s new boss, Celia, is up in her room all day. When Minny goes to check on her in the bathroom she realizes that there is blood everywhere because Celia is having a stillbirth. Minny has to take charge, call the doctor and find out what to do with this situation. Minny says “It’s alright, you gone be fine’, I say and I sound real soothing, real confident, but inside my heart is pounding” You can find more quotes from the book here.

The Help was Kathryn Stockett’s first book, and she’s quite lucky considering this book was such a success.  Just like Skeeter, Kathryn had just gotten out of college and wanted to be a writer. She based Skeeter off of her in a way. The Help is a relaxing book, not an adventurous book. This book is a five star book out of five stars. The Help is phenomenal book that you must read. Now. Go ahead, start reading. I’ll even end this review right now so you can start reading. 

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Blog Post #5

Book Project #2 on Prezi

Blog Post #4

Blog Post 4

                When a filmmaker is making a movie that is based off of a book, there are a lot of complications. The number one thing a filmmaker has to make happen is picking out actors that really understand their character and actually transform into that character. The next thing filmmakers have to understand the book and decide what is needed and what isn’t needed. This is difficult because if you cut out a certain part of the book, the audience will either be okay with it or get infuriated.

In the book “Fight Club” this is very difficult because there are so many small sections that play a big part in the book and it is also quite confusing at times. So the filmmaker has to keep the plot the same but also make sure it isn’t confusing.  It’s a difficult task. They also have to remember they can’t make it 3 hours long (Gone with the Wind), no one wants to sit through a movie that is that incredibly long.

Blog Post #7

A non-fiction book has to be true but it can be bent depending on the persons experience during the event or the aftermath of the event. Some people see things differently. But if the truth is bent too much then it shouldn’t be considered a non-fiction genre. By telling the half-truth, it won’t be considered a true story. But it does make a better book sometimes unless the audience is reading it for pure information and understanding. When Frey and Mortenson switched around their true stories, they did it to make it more exciting and overall more intriguing to read.

I don’t think we should label genres. I feel that it is somewhat pointless. It might help someone understand what the book contains, but that’s all. It’s technically stereotyping for book. For example, Nicholas Sparks dislikes when people refer to his books as “romance” he likes to believe that his stories are “love stories”. Is there a difference between the two? Not really. It doesn’t matter what we label books. I think David Shields is right when he says that. People read books because they are entertaining, if the book isn’t entertaining, stop reading it and find a different book.  Simple as that. And if spicing up the story makes it more fascinating, then there is nothing wrong with that.

Blog Post #6

No one person gets to decide what good writing is or what bad writing is. Every person has their own idea of good writing. Everyone is different and prefers different types of books and genres. I think everyone has their own idea of a good book. My idea of a good book is about something that either relates to me or is non-fiction. If it is non-fiction then it must have a reliable source for instance someone who was there and experienced the event. Other people may consider those books containing bad writing. We also need to understand that we can’t influence our opinion of books onto children because they are at an age where they copy the adult and telling them about bad books will probably make them have a small hatred for books. Then when they go to school, school will gradually ruin books even more for them. If children start reading at a young age then they are prone to having creativity and imagination. They also will have a better understanding of pronunciation and word choice. This will greatly impact them when they are in grade school. I also believe that there is no point in reading in school. It’s just recalling facts and taking quizzes and skimming chapter after chapter. It’s pointless and practically teaches you nothing. What is a good idea is to teach more literary devices that enhances reading and finding examples in certain books. There is no need to rush reading and try to understand the little detail. Instead of reading the whole book, people could just read spark notes. We need to focus on the stuff that will help us later in life. Knowing what “Fahrenheit 451” is about isn’t going to be helpful unless you’re on a game show like jeopardy.

Book One Project

        In the book Room by Emma Donoghue, you get mixed emotions. At certain parts you get a warm feeling when you see how much Ma cares about Jack. You get nervous when Old Nick comes into room. You also get fairly excited when you figure out what Jack’s talking about. This book was an eye opening to what our world is actually like. Imagine going outside for the first time ever, at the age of 5. Experiencing everything, knowing that everything you saw on TV was actually real. Also put yourself in Ma’s position. She had to take care of her 5 year old son and deal with the fact that they might never make it out of the room. She kept her spirits up when she was around Jack, but some days she couldn’t handle it and just lay in the bed. When that happened Jack said Ma was gone that day. He never liked when Ma was gone.

        This book is about a college student who was kidnapped by a man who made the excuse "have you seen my dog?" Anyone would help if they had the time, and she did. You never learn her real name throughout the book, she is just known as Ma. After the man kidnaps Ma, he forces her to live in a shack in his backyard. Its sound proof and is very small. There is only one window which is on the ceiling that you can’t see out of. The whole book is about the relationship between a mother and a son. Also about how they got through it all and once they got out they took small steps to a real, average life. This book really has a meaningful plot that is a complete eye opener which really changes your opinion.

        My idea is to make an event. It’s an extravagant event that brings people, who have been abused in any way or even young mothers, to meet together. It’s all dedicated to Room, talking about experiences and understanding what they went though. They could talk with Emma Donoghue about her book to see how she came up with a story such as this. It brings people closer together. So, when all of the young mothers and other people who have been in a position somewhat like Ma’s will see that the event happened because of the book Room by Emma Donoghue.

        This is a sensational idea that will really make Emma Donoghue and all of her books popular. It will even make books relating to this situation popular. At the event you can show the books on sale and other merchandise. Such as Tee-shirts, book covers, kindles, book lights, if people buy a book they will want the accessories that would make reading more comforting and calming. You could even sell kindle accessories. This will help get money, make products more popular and even help people. It’s a win-win. Also let’s not forget that this will make the book much more popular making other people who love reading, read that book. The book already has a large audience so just imagine how much popular this book will get if there is an event over it!

        This book has a lot to it. Every time something good happens, something else has to go wrong. It’s confusing at times because it’s from the perspective of Jack. The things he talks about and plays with are explained in a childish way, but when you finally understand what he is talking about you feel great and accomplished. Overall this book can really change people and tell people that they are never alone. And never will be.

        

Blog Post #2

What is a book?

A book is just a book. On the outside it has a creative cover, with a spine, and a couple of words on the front, with an explanation on the back. The cover says a variety of things, but then again it’s just a cover. What really matters is what is in between the pages. There are so many books is the word all with different stories, shapes, and sizes. The inside of a book is where the imagination and creativity happens. Where people can just create their own world full of monsters, movie stars, fame, unexplored territory, treasures, family, friends, wild adventures, weirdo twist, the earth, animals, school, college, jobs, life in general, and all kinds of things. I could go on forever. But I won’t.

That is why I don’t care if it is an Ipad, Kindle, hardback, phone or anything like that, just as long as the story is there. People are getting crazy about the fact that technology is taking over. Get over it, that’s just how this generation is. Think logically, if you already have a smart phone then why not get the kindle app? You aren’t killing Mother Nature.  I think that “Don’t Judge a book by its cover” shows you exactly what I’m trying to say. The cover doesn’t matter, what matters is what’s on the inside. That’s why it’s okay to use technology instead of a hardback book.

So, a book is just a book. If you would prefer a hardback book from a kindle then that’s perfectly reasonable, just don’t talk about how technology is taking over our world. Be happy that we still have books; we could have completely transferred to the electrical version of the book.  I’m happy with either version, just as long as I get to read the book peacefully.

Blog Post #1

Why do I read? Well, I read because it is a wonderful getaway tactic. Whenever I get irritated at my sisters or brothers, I just pick up a book and read. It doesn’t even matter what kind of book, sometimes it’s a children’s book such as the giving tree, or any Shel Silverstein book or it’s a book someone requested to me.

 Another reason I read is usually because I am forced to either by school or by my mom. The reason I actually started reading was because of my mother. She reads all the time and every book she likes; she makes me read it, mainly so she can talk about it with someone else.

 I used to read all the time, especially for the entertainment.  My new goal is to get back into that mindset, reading because I want too, not because I’m forced too. Reading is good for your mind, and it makes people more creative and to get a bigger imagination. I also believe it can give people hope when in times of need. Reading brings back good memories. I’ve already said this but it’s just so true. Reading is for getting away, becoming something new. Also you’ll never run out of things to read. Reading is everything.