ONE Sentence summary:
Thomas' story continues with the next phase of the trials where he must travel 100 miles across a scorching hot desert and overcome many other tests.
TWO Things I would have done differently:
I would have made getting information from the characters a little bit easier.
I would have explained more about the origin of the jargon used at the glade.
THREE Titles that if you liked...you will like this:
Breakdown of Maze Runner
FOUR Reasons to care:
1.) If the first one is going to be a movie, the second one will be too.
2.) This plot is kind of the "opposite" of the last book.
3.) This book is also written well.
4.) Spoiler alert, it leaves you on cliff hanger so get the third one at the same time as the second, if you can.
FIVE Facts about the author:
Breakdown of Maze Runner
SIX Emotions I felt while reading:
Nervous, excited, stressed, mad, hopeful, frustrated, pissed
SEVEN Thoughts:
1.) Why would they put kids through this?
2.) How scary can a past possibly be?
3.) What role do memories play in who you are, as a person?
4.) At what point do you forgive a betrayal?
5.) How can you not trust your senses?
6.) When is it okay to give up?
7.) Are the lives of many worth the human race?
EIGHT Buzzwords:
quest, adventure, tension, brain, trust, tests, subjects, scientists
NINE Plot device/writing techniques/tools/tricks:
1.) Third person limited point of view
2.) Information characters
3.) Clues, codes, breadcrumbs, trails
4.) Perception
5.) Memory (VERY limited, therefore more important)
6.) Females vs males
7.) Run-on sentences to represent the 100 miles they had to travel.
8.) Paragraphs of questions to make the reader feel as if the author had no answers either.
9.) Healthy descriptions of disaster.
TEN Point plot summary:
1.) Thomas and the Gladers wake up trapped in a facility with no food, only water, for several days. After food magically appears, a man in a white lab coat gives them their next trial, which is to travel 100 miles north to reach a safe haven. He also tells them that they have the disease they are trying to cure.
2.) The Gladers travel through a portal which brings them to a completely dark underground boobytrapped tunnel that they travel through for miles. They eventually reach some stairs, open the trapdoor, but are shocked at what they find.
3.) Once they adjust, they use what little supplies they have to prepare for their new surroundings and the quest ahead.
4.) The Gladers walk for miles and sometimes come to buildings where strange things happen. Thomas eventually meets Theresa, but they split up again.
5.) At one specific building, more people are added to their group.
6.) They continue on together to the safe Haven.
7.) Theresa’s group captures Thomas with the intention to kill him. They decide not to, after a couple of conversations.
8.) Once they arrive at the safe haven, there is a huge final battle.
9.) WICKED takes all them to their next trial.
10.) Read on to find out about the next trial!
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Breakdown of Fifty Shades Freed
ONE Sentence summary:
Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey, now married, wrestle with being newlyweds and the obstacles that come with being in the limelight.
TWO Things I would have done differently:As I have now read all three books, I would definitely have condensed the books down to one book. Also I would have altered the endless repetition and same conversations.
THREE Titles that if you liked...you will like this:Breakdown of Fifty Shades of GreyBreakdown of Fifty Shades Darker
FOUR Reasons to care:1.) It’s been the top bestseller for quite a few weeks.2.) The plot is significantly more complex than the first one.3.) If you have made it through the first two, I can guaranteed the ending is satisfying.
4.) The dynamics of a marriage are explored.
FIVE Facts about the author:Breakdown of Fifty Shades of Grey
SIX Emotions I felt while reading:Annoyed, frustrated, relieved, happy, amused, shocked.
SEVEN Thoughts:1.) What makes sex ‘taboo?’2.) If you are a bad communicator, are you bad at sex?3.) When is okay to be dishonest?4.) Is trust explicitly important in a relationship?5.) How thin is the line between pleasure and pain?6.) What role does time play in a relationship?7.) How do Dom/Sub relationships actually function?
EIGHT Buzzwords:relationships, love, passion, lust, trust, sex, pain, pleasure
NINE Plot device/writing techniques/tools/tricks:1.) Written in present tense2.) Emails/text as a way to reveal information3.) healthy descriptions4.) Repetition5.) Nicknames or monikers for other things6.) Past into present7.) Internal voices to add depth to first person8.) Color as metaphor9.) Witty dialogue as plot device
TEN Point plot summary:1.) While on their honeymoon, Ana reflects on the past couple of weeks with her new husband.2.) The Greys explore the power dynamic within their relationship.3.) The honeymoon ends and it’s back to work for them.4.) The power dynamic fights continue, but when there is a break-in at the Grey house, emotions run high.5.) Christian decides a getaway trip to Aspen will calm their nerves.6.) Ana’s dad gets into a car accident and is in a coma over her birthday weekend. Christian throws a party after they learn he’s going to be okay.7.) Ana’s doctor meets her at her office and demands she take a pregnancy test.8.) Christian’s reaction to the news is less than calm.9.) The person who broke into the Grey house contacts Ana and blackmails her.10.) Ana fights the person and ends up in the hospital. Read the final chapter in the Fifty Shades Series to make sure she’s okay!
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Breakdown of Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
ONE Sentence summary:
This is the classic tale of Peter Pan told from Tinkerbell's point of view as she watches Tiger Lily fall in love with Peter, starting from when the two first met, and ending shortly after Wendy's arrival.
TWO Things I would have done differently:I would have added more detail about the layout of Neverland. I also would have added more history about the pirates.
THREE Titles that if you liked...you will like this:
Beauty Sleep by Cameron Dokey (Read it, loved it)
Mermaid by Carolyn Turgeon (Read it, loved it)
Zel by Donna Jo Napoli (Read it, loved it)
FOUR Reasons to care:
1.) Reading a classic from a different point of view is always interesting.
2.) Themes of religion and sexuality come up in the story.
3.) The study of how societal expectations influence who we are is another prevalent theme.
4.) Nature vs. nuture is another great theme that is explored.
FIVE Facts about the author:
1.) She “reads like crazy.” Where I Found It
2.) Jodi Lynn Anderson takes in stray pets. Where I Found It
3.) She plays the banjo. Where I Found It
4.) She is more known for her Peaches series. Where I Found It
SIX Emotions I felt while reading:
Compassion, sad, sympathy, relief, frustration and impatience.
SEVEN Thoughts:
1.) How do sexuality and religion connect or disconnect?
2.) In what way does society influence who a person becomes?
3.) Without parental support, how do you learn right and wrong?
4.) How does abandonment affect children?
5.) Would you rather be around people you can’t stand or no people at all? How long could you last without human interaction?
6.) Do fairies exist?
7.) At what point does jealousy become destructive?
EIGHT Buzzwords:
magic, love, loneliness, abandonment, relationships, society
NINE Plot device/writing techniques/tools/tricks:
1.) Framed narrative as seemingly-omniscient-limited narrator. Tinkerbell tells us a story about all the characters from her point of view without being able to talk to them but they know she is there.
2.) Symbolism
3.) Flexible use of time.
4.) Location as vehicle to drive the plot
5.) flashbacks/memories
6.) dreams as foreshadowing
7.) Silence as communication
8.) Age unrelated to time.
9.) Weather as a measure of time.
TEN Point plot summary:
1.) Tinkerbell recalls the story about to be told, as one that needs to be told.
2.) Tinkerbell recognizes Tiger Lilly as part of the tribe that she is aware of and her curiosity is piqued because of what is going on around Tiger Lilly, so she tags along.
3.) A ship from England was spotted and a man washed up on shore. The tribe is forbidden to help the man, but Tiger Lilly helps him anyway.
4.) The tribe decides that Tiger Lilly should get married to a disgusting man because he is an influential member of the tribe’s son.
5.) Tiger Lilly accidentally meets Peter Pan and the lost boys. They start hanging out more and more often. Eventually the two fall in love. Tinkerbell falls in love with Peter too.
6.) The pirates start to track the lost boys to kill them.
7.) Tiger Lilly tells Peter she has to get married and breaks Peter’s heart after not meeting him to run away due to a personal tragedy.
8.) Wendy arrives at the island. Peter gradually gets over Tiger Lilly’s break up and falls for Wendy.
9.) Tiger Lily makes a plan with the pirates to get “caught” and trap Peter and Wendy.
10.) Peter leaves Neverland with Wendy. Tinkerbell discovered a letter from Peter that Tiger Lily had hidden under her mattress (read with tissues).
This is the classic tale of Peter Pan told from Tinkerbell's point of view as she watches Tiger Lily fall in love with Peter, starting from when the two first met, and ending shortly after Wendy's arrival.
TWO Things I would have done differently:I would have added more detail about the layout of Neverland. I also would have added more history about the pirates.
THREE Titles that if you liked...you will like this:
Beauty Sleep by Cameron Dokey (Read it, loved it)
Mermaid by Carolyn Turgeon (Read it, loved it)
Zel by Donna Jo Napoli (Read it, loved it)
FOUR Reasons to care:
1.) Reading a classic from a different point of view is always interesting.
2.) Themes of religion and sexuality come up in the story.
3.) The study of how societal expectations influence who we are is another prevalent theme.
4.) Nature vs. nuture is another great theme that is explored.
FIVE Facts about the author:
1.) She “reads like crazy.” Where I Found It
2.) Jodi Lynn Anderson takes in stray pets. Where I Found It
3.) She plays the banjo. Where I Found It
4.) She is more known for her Peaches series. Where I Found It
SIX Emotions I felt while reading:
Compassion, sad, sympathy, relief, frustration and impatience.
SEVEN Thoughts:
1.) How do sexuality and religion connect or disconnect?
2.) In what way does society influence who a person becomes?
3.) Without parental support, how do you learn right and wrong?
4.) How does abandonment affect children?
5.) Would you rather be around people you can’t stand or no people at all? How long could you last without human interaction?
6.) Do fairies exist?
7.) At what point does jealousy become destructive?
EIGHT Buzzwords:
magic, love, loneliness, abandonment, relationships, society
NINE Plot device/writing techniques/tools/tricks:
1.) Framed narrative as seemingly-omniscient-limited narrator. Tinkerbell tells us a story about all the characters from her point of view without being able to talk to them but they know she is there.
2.) Symbolism
3.) Flexible use of time.
4.) Location as vehicle to drive the plot
5.) flashbacks/memories
6.) dreams as foreshadowing
7.) Silence as communication
8.) Age unrelated to time.
9.) Weather as a measure of time.
TEN Point plot summary:
1.) Tinkerbell recalls the story about to be told, as one that needs to be told.
2.) Tinkerbell recognizes Tiger Lilly as part of the tribe that she is aware of and her curiosity is piqued because of what is going on around Tiger Lilly, so she tags along.
3.) A ship from England was spotted and a man washed up on shore. The tribe is forbidden to help the man, but Tiger Lilly helps him anyway.
4.) The tribe decides that Tiger Lilly should get married to a disgusting man because he is an influential member of the tribe’s son.
5.) Tiger Lilly accidentally meets Peter Pan and the lost boys. They start hanging out more and more often. Eventually the two fall in love. Tinkerbell falls in love with Peter too.
6.) The pirates start to track the lost boys to kill them.
7.) Tiger Lilly tells Peter she has to get married and breaks Peter’s heart after not meeting him to run away due to a personal tragedy.
8.) Wendy arrives at the island. Peter gradually gets over Tiger Lilly’s break up and falls for Wendy.
9.) Tiger Lily makes a plan with the pirates to get “caught” and trap Peter and Wendy.
10.) Peter leaves Neverland with Wendy. Tinkerbell discovered a letter from Peter that Tiger Lily had hidden under her mattress (read with tissues).
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Breakdown of Fifty Shades Darker by E. L. James
ONE Sentence summary:
The sexcapades of twenty-one-year-old Anastasia Steele and perceived-sexual deviant-billionaire Christian Grey (27 years old) continue, with more plot twists and conflicts than expected.
TWO Things I would have done differently:Having not yet read the third book, I think I would have had her condense the three books into one book. This would avoid all of the repetition.
THREE Titles that if you liked...you will like this:
Breakdown of Fifty Shades of Grey
FOUR Reasons to care:1.) It’s been the top bestseller for quite a few weeks.2.) The plot is significantly more complex than the first one.3.) It’s rare that the second in series is SO MUCH BETTER than the first.4.) The dynamics of a real relationship are explored between the characters.
FIVE Facts about the author:
Breakdown of Fifty Shades of Grey
FIVE Facts about the author:
SIX Emotions I felt while reading:Surprised, frustrated, shocked, amused, compassionate, sympathetic.
SEVEN Thoughts:1.) What makes sex ‘taboo?’2.) If you are a bad communicator, are you bad at sex?3.) Is jealousy bad?4.) Is trust explicitly important in a relationship?5.) How thin is the line between pleasure and pain?6.) What role does time play in a relationship?7.) How do Dom/Sub relationships actually function?
EIGHT Buzzwords:
relationships, love, passion, lust, trust, sex, pain, pleasure
NINE Plot device/writing techniques/tools/tricks:1.) Written in present tense2.) Emails/text as a way to reveal information3.) healthy descriptions4.) Repetition5.) Nicknames or monikers for other things6.) Past into present7.) Internal voices to add depth to first person8.) Color as metaphor9.) Witty dialogue as plot device
TEN Point plot summary:
1.) Their physical relationship escalates too quickly and suddenly, then Ana walks out.
2.) After five days of misery for both characters, an excuse arises for them to see each other.
3.) Ana decides to give Christian a second chance, as a boyfriend, not Dom. Ana’s boss starts to raise alarm bells.
4.) Christians ex, Leila accosts Ana as she is walking out of her job. Ana’s boss invites her to New York, under work pretenses.
5.) Christian increases security, making Ana feel suffocated.
6.) Ana accidentally bumps into a second ex, the notorious Ms. Robinson. Christian makes his feelings of hate toward her boss known.
7.) Ana and Christian actually talk through some of their issues while attending different events. Christian warns her that her boss is a bad man.
8.) Ana’s boss touches her, blackmails her and starts to attack her. She defends herself; Christian has him fired.
9.) Christian’s helicopter goes missing. Ana and his family think the worst. (Is this a spoiler alert? There’s a third book).
10.) He ends up coming back on his birthday. Ana answers his earlier proposition.
The sexcapades of twenty-one-year-old Anastasia Steele and perceived-sexual deviant-billionaire Christian Grey (27 years old) continue, with more plot twists and conflicts than expected.
TWO Things I would have done differently:Having not yet read the third book, I think I would have had her condense the three books into one book. This would avoid all of the repetition.
THREE Titles that if you liked...you will like this:
Breakdown of Fifty Shades of Grey
FOUR Reasons to care:1.) It’s been the top bestseller for quite a few weeks.2.) The plot is significantly more complex than the first one.3.) It’s rare that the second in series is SO MUCH BETTER than the first.4.) The dynamics of a real relationship are explored between the characters.
FIVE Facts about the author:
Breakdown of Fifty Shades of Grey
FIVE Facts about the author:
SIX Emotions I felt while reading:Surprised, frustrated, shocked, amused, compassionate, sympathetic.
SEVEN Thoughts:1.) What makes sex ‘taboo?’2.) If you are a bad communicator, are you bad at sex?3.) Is jealousy bad?4.) Is trust explicitly important in a relationship?5.) How thin is the line between pleasure and pain?6.) What role does time play in a relationship?7.) How do Dom/Sub relationships actually function?
EIGHT Buzzwords:
relationships, love, passion, lust, trust, sex, pain, pleasure
NINE Plot device/writing techniques/tools/tricks:1.) Written in present tense2.) Emails/text as a way to reveal information3.) healthy descriptions4.) Repetition5.) Nicknames or monikers for other things6.) Past into present7.) Internal voices to add depth to first person8.) Color as metaphor9.) Witty dialogue as plot device
TEN Point plot summary:
1.) Their physical relationship escalates too quickly and suddenly, then Ana walks out.
2.) After five days of misery for both characters, an excuse arises for them to see each other.
3.) Ana decides to give Christian a second chance, as a boyfriend, not Dom. Ana’s boss starts to raise alarm bells.
4.) Christians ex, Leila accosts Ana as she is walking out of her job. Ana’s boss invites her to New York, under work pretenses.
5.) Christian increases security, making Ana feel suffocated.
6.) Ana accidentally bumps into a second ex, the notorious Ms. Robinson. Christian makes his feelings of hate toward her boss known.
7.) Ana and Christian actually talk through some of their issues while attending different events. Christian warns her that her boss is a bad man.
8.) Ana’s boss touches her, blackmails her and starts to attack her. She defends herself; Christian has him fired.
9.) Christian’s helicopter goes missing. Ana and his family think the worst. (Is this a spoiler alert? There’s a third book).
10.) He ends up coming back on his birthday. Ana answers his earlier proposition.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Breakdown of Lady Chatterley's Lover by D. H. Lawrence
ONE Sentence summary:
Lady Chatterley, a woman from the upper class and married to a man who is numb from the waist down, has an affair with the Gamekeeper, a working class man.
TWO Things I would have done differently:
Keeping in mind the era this was written, I’m not sure what I would have done differently. Perhaps added more detail and add more flowery language?
THREE Titles that if you liked...you will like this:
Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë.
FOUR Reasons to care:
1.) It was referenced that this was the most scandalous book of its time (published in 1928).
2.) Compare this with Fifty Shades of Grey, its interesting to see how far society has come with what is accepted in print.
3.) This was not required reading in high school and I understand why, now.
4.) The sexuality of women as written by a man is fascinating.
FIVE Facts about the author:
1.) Full name: David Herbert Richards Lawrence.
2.) His opinions earned him enemies, but he kept them anyway.
3.) He has a boarding school in the UK named after him.
4.) After the war he went into a period of voluntary exile.
5.) He also wrote poems, stories, novels, plays, essays and painted.
SIX Emotions I felt while reading:
Amused, bored, frustrated, interested, happy, sad.
SEVEN Thoughts:
1.) What makes sex ‘taboo?’
2.) If you are a bad communicator, are you bad at sex?
3.) Is it ever okay to say ‘yes’ to an affair?
4.) What effect does the class system have on love?
5.) Does sneaking around make for more or less intimacy?
6.) At what point is marriage no longer a “bond?”
7.) Which is more important: Wealth or happiness?
EIGHT Buzzwords:
class, love, passion, lust, society, sex, intimacy, money
NINE Plot device/writing techniques/tools/tricks:
1.) Multiple points of view (sometimes for only a paragraph at a time)
2.) Letters as a way to reveal information/plot
3.) descriptions
4.) Repetition with a sentence to create emphasis
5.) Inner dialogue as plot
6.) Secrets and intrigue
7.) Chekov Gun Rule (affair)
8.) location and scene
9.) dialect for emphasis
TEN Point plot summary:
1.) Lady Chatterley has an affair with a man she is not in love with since her husband is wheelchair bound and numb below the waist.
2.) Lady Chatterley breaks it off with this man and continues her boring life with a man who she is married to, but also not in love with.
3.) She spends her time walking through the woods and comes across the Gamekeeper’s cottage. She becomes taken with the serene quiet of the cottage. The Gamekeeper wants nothing to with her.
4.) She continues to visit the cottage on a regular basis and eventually starts an affair with the Gamekeeper.
5.) As their relationship blossoms and they become closer, it is revealed that the Gamekeeper is married but estranged from his wife. He expresses his concerns of the gap between their statuses him being a servent and her being a Lady.
6.) Lady Chatterley wants a child, and her husband expresses that he wouldn’t mind if she had a child by another man as long as it was discreet.
7.) She becomes pregnant by the Gamekeeper and conspires a plan to go away to Venice and claim a Venice man as the father of the baby.
8.) The Gamekeeper’s wife comes back and wreaks havoc when she finds evidence of their affair.
9.) Lady Chatterley writes to her husband to get a divorce, which he refuses to give her and fires the Gamekeeper.
10.) Lady Chatterley leaves her husband anyway, but the Gamekeeper and her can’t be together until both divorces are final, now that everyone knows about the affair.
Lady Chatterley, a woman from the upper class and married to a man who is numb from the waist down, has an affair with the Gamekeeper, a working class man.
TWO Things I would have done differently:
Keeping in mind the era this was written, I’m not sure what I would have done differently. Perhaps added more detail and add more flowery language?
THREE Titles that if you liked...you will like this:
Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë.
FOUR Reasons to care:
1.) It was referenced that this was the most scandalous book of its time (published in 1928).
2.) Compare this with Fifty Shades of Grey, its interesting to see how far society has come with what is accepted in print.
3.) This was not required reading in high school and I understand why, now.
4.) The sexuality of women as written by a man is fascinating.
FIVE Facts about the author:
1.) Full name: David Herbert Richards Lawrence.
2.) His opinions earned him enemies, but he kept them anyway.
3.) He has a boarding school in the UK named after him.
4.) After the war he went into a period of voluntary exile.
5.) He also wrote poems, stories, novels, plays, essays and painted.
SIX Emotions I felt while reading:
Amused, bored, frustrated, interested, happy, sad.
SEVEN Thoughts:
1.) What makes sex ‘taboo?’
2.) If you are a bad communicator, are you bad at sex?
3.) Is it ever okay to say ‘yes’ to an affair?
4.) What effect does the class system have on love?
5.) Does sneaking around make for more or less intimacy?
6.) At what point is marriage no longer a “bond?”
7.) Which is more important: Wealth or happiness?
EIGHT Buzzwords:
class, love, passion, lust, society, sex, intimacy, money
NINE Plot device/writing techniques/tools/tricks:
1.) Multiple points of view (sometimes for only a paragraph at a time)
2.) Letters as a way to reveal information/plot
3.) descriptions
4.) Repetition with a sentence to create emphasis
5.) Inner dialogue as plot
6.) Secrets and intrigue
7.) Chekov Gun Rule (affair)
8.) location and scene
9.) dialect for emphasis
TEN Point plot summary:
1.) Lady Chatterley has an affair with a man she is not in love with since her husband is wheelchair bound and numb below the waist.
2.) Lady Chatterley breaks it off with this man and continues her boring life with a man who she is married to, but also not in love with.
3.) She spends her time walking through the woods and comes across the Gamekeeper’s cottage. She becomes taken with the serene quiet of the cottage. The Gamekeeper wants nothing to with her.
4.) She continues to visit the cottage on a regular basis and eventually starts an affair with the Gamekeeper.
5.) As their relationship blossoms and they become closer, it is revealed that the Gamekeeper is married but estranged from his wife. He expresses his concerns of the gap between their statuses him being a servent and her being a Lady.
6.) Lady Chatterley wants a child, and her husband expresses that he wouldn’t mind if she had a child by another man as long as it was discreet.
7.) She becomes pregnant by the Gamekeeper and conspires a plan to go away to Venice and claim a Venice man as the father of the baby.
8.) The Gamekeeper’s wife comes back and wreaks havoc when she finds evidence of their affair.
9.) Lady Chatterley writes to her husband to get a divorce, which he refuses to give her and fires the Gamekeeper.
10.) Lady Chatterley leaves her husband anyway, but the Gamekeeper and her can’t be together until both divorces are final, now that everyone knows about the affair.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Breakdown of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson
ONE Sentence summary:
Lisbeth Salandar’s story continues right where the previous book left off, with her lying with an open wound, bleeding out after attempting to murder her father in self defense (who is a protected source deep within the government).
TWO Things I would have done differently:I would have double checked some of the translations and cut out a lot of the history. (I ended up doing a lot of skimming for this one.)
THREE Titles that if you liked...you will like this:1.) The previous two Steig Larsson books.(Side note: The Hennepin County Library Website is an excellent source for book ideas.)2.) Girl Who Played With Fire post3.) The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo post
FOUR Reasons to care:1.) It’s the epic conclusion of a fascinating series.2.) It was a bestseller for several weeks.3.) It’s going to be a movie, since the first one was. Ahh, sequels.4.) The violence on women in this book is fought back against BY women. It’s interesting to read about women coming to the defense for other women...and sometimes the men.
FIVE Facts about the author:Girl Who Played With Fire postThe Girl With the Dragon Tattoo post
SIX Emotions I felt while reading:Amused, entertained, a little bored, anxious, worried, relieved
SEVEN Thoughts:1.) How corrupt is the government, really?2.) At what point do media outlets determine the outcome of specific trials?3.) Should prostitution be illegal in all countries?4.) If a woman is physical stronger than a man, how are the gender roles reconciled?5.) At what point does it matter if something is illegal? (If no one reports it, presses charges, complains etc.)6.) What would you do if you had ridiculous sums of money, after you had done everything you ever dreamed of doing?7.) If a friendship exists solely online, is it real? EIGHT Buzzwords:Violence, abuse, journalism, espionage, corruption, government, crime, money.
NINE Plot device/writing techniques/tools/tricks:1.) Weather as metaphor2.) Email as plot device3.) Perspective and multiple points of view4.) Flashbacks, memories, thought processes5.) Gradual development as a means to an end6.) Flexibility with time tags7.) In medius res. Continuing a story from the middle of things.8.) Travel as metaphor9.) Suspense
TEN Point plot summary:
1.) Salandar is rushed to the hospital with multiple injuries.2.) A secret group of individuals plans to lock her away in a psychiatric hospital...just like last time. 3.) Blomkvist cooks up a new story detailing Salandar’s innocence.4.) The police investigation continues, changes angles and expands.5.) A new investigation in a different unit, but same organization as the secret group of individuals begins a fresh investigation. 6.) Salandar gets a lawyer... Blomkvist’s sister. 7.) Salandar helps out a friend, from the hospital bed using only a hand held computer that was smuggled into her.8.) Salandar goes to trial. 9.) Salandar hears the result of the trial.
10.) The series wraps up in a somewhat satisfying manner.
Lisbeth Salandar’s story continues right where the previous book left off, with her lying with an open wound, bleeding out after attempting to murder her father in self defense (who is a protected source deep within the government).
TWO Things I would have done differently:I would have double checked some of the translations and cut out a lot of the history. (I ended up doing a lot of skimming for this one.)
THREE Titles that if you liked...you will like this:1.) The previous two Steig Larsson books.(Side note: The Hennepin County Library Website is an excellent source for book ideas.)2.) Girl Who Played With Fire post3.) The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo post
FOUR Reasons to care:1.) It’s the epic conclusion of a fascinating series.2.) It was a bestseller for several weeks.3.) It’s going to be a movie, since the first one was. Ahh, sequels.4.) The violence on women in this book is fought back against BY women. It’s interesting to read about women coming to the defense for other women...and sometimes the men.
FIVE Facts about the author:Girl Who Played With Fire postThe Girl With the Dragon Tattoo post
SIX Emotions I felt while reading:Amused, entertained, a little bored, anxious, worried, relieved
SEVEN Thoughts:1.) How corrupt is the government, really?2.) At what point do media outlets determine the outcome of specific trials?3.) Should prostitution be illegal in all countries?4.) If a woman is physical stronger than a man, how are the gender roles reconciled?5.) At what point does it matter if something is illegal? (If no one reports it, presses charges, complains etc.)6.) What would you do if you had ridiculous sums of money, after you had done everything you ever dreamed of doing?7.) If a friendship exists solely online, is it real? EIGHT Buzzwords:Violence, abuse, journalism, espionage, corruption, government, crime, money.
NINE Plot device/writing techniques/tools/tricks:1.) Weather as metaphor2.) Email as plot device3.) Perspective and multiple points of view4.) Flashbacks, memories, thought processes5.) Gradual development as a means to an end6.) Flexibility with time tags7.) In medius res. Continuing a story from the middle of things.8.) Travel as metaphor9.) Suspense
TEN Point plot summary:
1.) Salandar is rushed to the hospital with multiple injuries.2.) A secret group of individuals plans to lock her away in a psychiatric hospital...just like last time. 3.) Blomkvist cooks up a new story detailing Salandar’s innocence.4.) The police investigation continues, changes angles and expands.5.) A new investigation in a different unit, but same organization as the secret group of individuals begins a fresh investigation. 6.) Salandar gets a lawyer... Blomkvist’s sister. 7.) Salandar helps out a friend, from the hospital bed using only a hand held computer that was smuggled into her.8.) Salandar goes to trial. 9.) Salandar hears the result of the trial.
10.) The series wraps up in a somewhat satisfying manner.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Breakdown of Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James
ONE Sentence summary:
Recently graduated with a degree, twenty-one-year-old Anastasia Steele explores her sexuality with perceived-sexual-deviant-successful-billionaire Christian Grey (27 years old).
TWO Things I would have done differently:
I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN A DECENT EDITOR. This novel would have been much more respected if it had been tweaked, tightened and generally cleaned up grammatically. (Which is not to say that the writing is bad. The characters are surprisingly well developed and consistent within their own characteristics; she does a good job of describing scenes and place. It's simply fixing the grammar and mechanical errors that would have made for better writing overall.)
I would have studied up on the ACTUAL dynamics of a Dom/Sub relationship. It's important to know the facts, ma'am.
THREE Titles that if you liked...you will like this:
The Lords of the Underworld series by Gena Showalter (read them, love them)
The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice (Not read, on hold, look for my breakdown soon-ish!) Where I Found It
Over the Knee by Fiona Locke (Never read) Where I Found It
FOUR Reasons to care:
1.) It’s been the top bestseller for quite a few weeks.
2.) The plot explores sexual identity and sexual deviancy.
3.) People typically either LOVE it or HATE it. That doesn’t happen too often.
4.) I smell a movie coming... (up about 36 spots on movie meter on imdb) Where I Found It Where I Also Found It
FIVE Facts about the author:
1.) Fifty Shades is her first novel. Where I Found It
2.) Mother of two teenage boys and they are mortified. Where I Found It
3.) She’s English, living in the US. Where I Found It
4.) She ORIGINALLY started out writing Twilight fanfiction, but her writing EVOLVED. Where I Found It
5.) She has a ‘very cooperative’ husband. Where I Found It
SIX Emotions I felt while reading:
Annoyed, frustrated, shocked, amused, bemused, confused.
SEVEN Thoughts:
1.) What makes sex ‘taboo?’
2.) If you are a bad communicator, are you bad at sex?
3.) When is it okay to say ‘yes’ to physical abuse/violence?
4.) How do YOU determine your own boundaries without the help of someone else?
5.) How does humiliation tie in with feelings of arousal?
6.) What is the connection between being restrained and feeling emotionally free at the same time?
7.) How do Dom/Sub relationships actually function?
EIGHT Buzzwords:
abuse, love, passion, lust, pornography, sex, pain, money
NINE Plot device/writing techniques/tools/tricks:
1.) Written in present tense
2.) Emails/text/paperwork as a way to reveal information
3.) healthy descriptions
4.) Repetition
5.) Nicknames or monikers for other things
6.) Contract as plot device
7.) Internal voices to add depth to first person
8.) Color as metaphor
9.) Witty dialogue as plot device
TEN Point plot summary:
1.) Ana and Christian meet while Ana is doing an interview for the school paper on behalf of her roommate, Kate.
2.) Christian makes excuses to see Ana again while she prepares for graduation.
3.) Ana keeps her distance, but then after indulging in alcohol, calls Christian to rescue her from a dangerous) encounter.
4.) Christian whisks her away to his private room at the hotel where he is staying.
5.) Christian verbally introduces Ana to the Dom/Sub world.
6.) Christian provides written paperwork detailing his expectations for her as a submissive, and also asks her to do research on terminology and other definitions.
7.) They “practice” role playing and their relationship continues to escalate.
8.) Ana realizes her feelings for Christian are getting stronger.
9.) Christian returns her feelings, without admitting “love.”
10.) Their physical relationship escalates too quickly and suddenly, then Ana walks out.
(It’s assumed she returns, what with there being two sequels, however. More breakdowns to come!)
Recently graduated with a degree, twenty-one-year-old Anastasia Steele explores her sexuality with perceived-sexual-deviant-successful-billionaire Christian Grey (27 years old).
TWO Things I would have done differently:
I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN A DECENT EDITOR. This novel would have been much more respected if it had been tweaked, tightened and generally cleaned up grammatically. (Which is not to say that the writing is bad. The characters are surprisingly well developed and consistent within their own characteristics; she does a good job of describing scenes and place. It's simply fixing the grammar and mechanical errors that would have made for better writing overall.)
I would have studied up on the ACTUAL dynamics of a Dom/Sub relationship. It's important to know the facts, ma'am.
THREE Titles that if you liked...you will like this:
The Lords of the Underworld series by Gena Showalter (read them, love them)
The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice (Not read, on hold, look for my breakdown soon-ish!) Where I Found It
Over the Knee by Fiona Locke (Never read) Where I Found It
FOUR Reasons to care:
1.) It’s been the top bestseller for quite a few weeks.
2.) The plot explores sexual identity and sexual deviancy.
3.) People typically either LOVE it or HATE it. That doesn’t happen too often.
4.) I smell a movie coming... (up about 36 spots on movie meter on imdb) Where I Found It Where I Also Found It
FIVE Facts about the author:
1.) Fifty Shades is her first novel. Where I Found It
2.) Mother of two teenage boys and they are mortified. Where I Found It
3.) She’s English, living in the US. Where I Found It
4.) She ORIGINALLY started out writing Twilight fanfiction, but her writing EVOLVED. Where I Found It
5.) She has a ‘very cooperative’ husband. Where I Found It
SIX Emotions I felt while reading:
Annoyed, frustrated, shocked, amused, bemused, confused.
SEVEN Thoughts:
1.) What makes sex ‘taboo?’
2.) If you are a bad communicator, are you bad at sex?
3.) When is it okay to say ‘yes’ to physical abuse/violence?
4.) How do YOU determine your own boundaries without the help of someone else?
5.) How does humiliation tie in with feelings of arousal?
6.) What is the connection between being restrained and feeling emotionally free at the same time?
7.) How do Dom/Sub relationships actually function?
EIGHT Buzzwords:
abuse, love, passion, lust, pornography, sex, pain, money
NINE Plot device/writing techniques/tools/tricks:
1.) Written in present tense
2.) Emails/text/paperwork as a way to reveal information
3.) healthy descriptions
4.) Repetition
5.) Nicknames or monikers for other things
6.) Contract as plot device
7.) Internal voices to add depth to first person
8.) Color as metaphor
9.) Witty dialogue as plot device
TEN Point plot summary:
1.) Ana and Christian meet while Ana is doing an interview for the school paper on behalf of her roommate, Kate.
2.) Christian makes excuses to see Ana again while she prepares for graduation.
3.) Ana keeps her distance, but then after indulging in alcohol, calls Christian to rescue her from a dangerous) encounter.
4.) Christian whisks her away to his private room at the hotel where he is staying.
5.) Christian verbally introduces Ana to the Dom/Sub world.
6.) Christian provides written paperwork detailing his expectations for her as a submissive, and also asks her to do research on terminology and other definitions.
7.) They “practice” role playing and their relationship continues to escalate.
8.) Ana realizes her feelings for Christian are getting stronger.
9.) Christian returns her feelings, without admitting “love.”
10.) Their physical relationship escalates too quickly and suddenly, then Ana walks out.
(It’s assumed she returns, what with there being two sequels, however. More breakdowns to come!)
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Breakdown of Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (Possible spoiler alert)
ONE Sentence summary : Gone Girl is the story of Nick and Amy whose marriage, like many, is full of lies, malice, sex, betrayl, love and two bedazzingly different sides of a story. Where I Found It (I couldn't even come up with a decent one sentence summary on my own for this one.)
TWO Things I would have done differently:
I would have added more details...if possible.
I also would have added more depth...if possible.
THREE Titles that if you liked...you will like this:
Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk (read it, loved it)
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon (read it, loved it)
Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon (Never read) Where I Found It
FOUR Reasons to care:
1.) Gillian Flynn likes to write about people with special personality disorders.
2.) Her book has been on USA Today’s Bestseller List for WEEKS now. You know it HAS to be good. (It is.)
3.) The plot is about a relationship, the nittiest grittiest most detailed aspects of a relationship and covers five years. Fascinating!
4.) Another movie coming out...Where I Found It Who Should Star in Gone Girl?
FIVE Facts about the author:
1.) Stephen King praises her work. Does it GET more legit than that?
2.) Flynn has a master’s degree in journalism. Where I Found It
3.) She used to write for Entertainment magazine. Where I Found It
4.) Her other books have won awards (Gone Girl hasn’t been out long enough is my guess). Where I Found It
5.) She likes analyzing the dark side that women have. Where I Found It
SIX Emotions I felt while reading:Sympathetic, frustrated, scared, thrilled, surprised, shocked.
SEVEN Thoughts:
1.) How similar are the concepts of “love” and “madness?”
2.) In what ways are men and women similarly violent/manipulative?
3.) What role do parents play in creating madness in their children?
4.) At what point does a relationship consume a person?
5.) If someone wants you to be the best person you can be, does that make them a bad person?
6.) How do YOU get what you want?
7.) How does the media influence people’s perception?
EIGHT Buzzwords:
insanity, narcissism, manipulation, passive aggression, relationships, media, family, revenge
NINE Plot device/writing techniques/tools/tricks:
1.) Journal entries
2.) Memories, flashbacks, thought processes
3.) First person omniscient point of view
4.) Using “place” as isolation
5.) Weather as metaphor
6.) “Pointed” questions
7.) Returning/repeating certain issues/questions
8.) Clues as breadcrumbs
9.) TWISTS, TURNS, SURPRISES
TEN Point plot summary:I am deeply sorry, anyone who reads this. It would not be possible to write a summary without ruining surprises. Read this book so we can talk about it!
TWO Things I would have done differently:
I would have added more details...if possible.
I also would have added more depth...if possible.
THREE Titles that if you liked...you will like this:
Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk (read it, loved it)
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon (read it, loved it)
Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon (Never read) Where I Found It
FOUR Reasons to care:
1.) Gillian Flynn likes to write about people with special personality disorders.
2.) Her book has been on USA Today’s Bestseller List for WEEKS now. You know it HAS to be good. (It is.)
3.) The plot is about a relationship, the nittiest grittiest most detailed aspects of a relationship and covers five years. Fascinating!
4.) Another movie coming out...Where I Found It Who Should Star in Gone Girl?
FIVE Facts about the author:
1.) Stephen King praises her work. Does it GET more legit than that?
2.) Flynn has a master’s degree in journalism. Where I Found It
3.) She used to write for Entertainment magazine. Where I Found It
4.) Her other books have won awards (Gone Girl hasn’t been out long enough is my guess). Where I Found It
5.) She likes analyzing the dark side that women have. Where I Found It
SIX Emotions I felt while reading:Sympathetic, frustrated, scared, thrilled, surprised, shocked.
SEVEN Thoughts:
1.) How similar are the concepts of “love” and “madness?”
2.) In what ways are men and women similarly violent/manipulative?
3.) What role do parents play in creating madness in their children?
4.) At what point does a relationship consume a person?
5.) If someone wants you to be the best person you can be, does that make them a bad person?
6.) How do YOU get what you want?
7.) How does the media influence people’s perception?
EIGHT Buzzwords:
insanity, narcissism, manipulation, passive aggression, relationships, media, family, revenge
NINE Plot device/writing techniques/tools/tricks:
1.) Journal entries
2.) Memories, flashbacks, thought processes
3.) First person omniscient point of view
4.) Using “place” as isolation
5.) Weather as metaphor
6.) “Pointed” questions
7.) Returning/repeating certain issues/questions
8.) Clues as breadcrumbs
9.) TWISTS, TURNS, SURPRISES
TEN Point plot summary:I am deeply sorry, anyone who reads this. It would not be possible to write a summary without ruining surprises. Read this book so we can talk about it!
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Breakdown of Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
ONE Sentence summary: Seventeen-year-old Karou is an apprentice to a sorcerer chimaera but falls in love with an angel seraph even though the two races are enemies of a war that began a thousand years ago.
TWO Things I would have done differently: I would have made a clearer connection between Karou and Madrigal (anagram maybe? Or the meaning of Madrigal be explained) and more details about the hasmas tattoos (origin, how to make them etc). Although both of these may be explained in later novels.
THREE Titles that if you liked...you will like this:
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (read it, loved it)
Paradise Lost by John Milton (read parts of it, loved it)
Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause (read it, loved it)
FOUR Reasons to care:
1.) It has an a-linear plot, so it tests your memory and your attention span.
2.) It has some interesting biblical parallels, but nothing preachy.
3.) It’s going to become a movie. I know! Shocking! I swear I don’t look for books that will soon become movies...
IMDB Smoke and Bone
4.) Part of a Trilogy, which means just because the book is finished, doesn’t mean the plot ends.
FIVE Facts about the author:
1.) Laini Taylor has pink hair. Where I Found It
2.) She’s educated and is a reader. Where I Found It
3.) She’s funny, values art, and likes traveling. Where I Found It
4.) Taylor has a pretty cool blog, which makes her accessible as an author - always a plus to be able to connect with authors. Laini Taylor's Blog
5.) Taylor also made ornaments and greeting cards, but she set this aside in favor of writing. Where I Found It
SIX Emotions I felt while reading:
Curious, baffled, amused, worried, inspired, passionate
SEVEN Thoughts:
1.) Is resurrection possible?
2.) Where does magic come from? How much does it cost?
3.) Is pain more powerful than hope or love?
4.) To what point is a love an element or an emotion
5.) When does the soul end and a body begin? (Or how does one influence the other?)
6.) Are peace or total destruction the only ways to end a war?
7.) What is the difference between wishing and hoping?
EIGHT Buzzwords:
love, life, hope, wish, war, peace, death, hate
NINE Plot device/writing techniques/tools/tricks:
1.) Delayed release of information
2.) Flashbacks, memories, thought processes
3.) A-linear plot
4.) Changing points of view
5.) Chekhov's Gun Rule (Wishbone)
6.) Returning to memories from a different point of view to release different information
7.) Name meanings
8.) Sentence structure, repetition, diction used to creative emphasis
9.) Animals as symbolism
TEN Point plot summary:
1.) We meet Karou’s normal teenage life and watch it intertwine with her apprenticeship for Brimstone.
2.) We see Karou’s interest in art, her affection for her best friend, and her exasperation with her ex-boyfriend.
3.) Karou makes a few wishes.
4.) Karou goes on a few errands and wonders about her past and the mysteries in Brimstone’s house.
5.) Meanwhile, portals all around the world are being marked for destruction by Akiva (angel/seraph) who takes a liking to Karou.
6.) Karou wanders into another world and Brimstone kicks her out.
7.) Akiva searches for her while thinking about his past, eventually finds her and they spend some time together to explore their feelings even though they are enemies.
8.) Akiva realizes who Karou is, but his angel buddies are not happy to see him fraternizing with the enemy.
9.) Akiva and Karou determine a meeting spot and meet up several days later.
10.) Akiva reveals Karou’s true self and makes a confession regarding the marked portals. The plot leaves off here with “to be continued...
TWO Things I would have done differently: I would have made a clearer connection between Karou and Madrigal (anagram maybe? Or the meaning of Madrigal be explained) and more details about the hasmas tattoos (origin, how to make them etc). Although both of these may be explained in later novels.
THREE Titles that if you liked...you will like this:
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (read it, loved it)
Paradise Lost by John Milton (read parts of it, loved it)
Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause (read it, loved it)
FOUR Reasons to care:
1.) It has an a-linear plot, so it tests your memory and your attention span.
2.) It has some interesting biblical parallels, but nothing preachy.
3.) It’s going to become a movie. I know! Shocking! I swear I don’t look for books that will soon become movies...
IMDB Smoke and Bone
4.) Part of a Trilogy, which means just because the book is finished, doesn’t mean the plot ends.
FIVE Facts about the author:
1.) Laini Taylor has pink hair. Where I Found It
2.) She’s educated and is a reader. Where I Found It
3.) She’s funny, values art, and likes traveling. Where I Found It
4.) Taylor has a pretty cool blog, which makes her accessible as an author - always a plus to be able to connect with authors. Laini Taylor's Blog
5.) Taylor also made ornaments and greeting cards, but she set this aside in favor of writing. Where I Found It
SIX Emotions I felt while reading:
Curious, baffled, amused, worried, inspired, passionate
SEVEN Thoughts:
1.) Is resurrection possible?
2.) Where does magic come from? How much does it cost?
3.) Is pain more powerful than hope or love?
4.) To what point is a love an element or an emotion
5.) When does the soul end and a body begin? (Or how does one influence the other?)
6.) Are peace or total destruction the only ways to end a war?
7.) What is the difference between wishing and hoping?
EIGHT Buzzwords:
love, life, hope, wish, war, peace, death, hate
NINE Plot device/writing techniques/tools/tricks:
1.) Delayed release of information
2.) Flashbacks, memories, thought processes
3.) A-linear plot
4.) Changing points of view
5.) Chekhov's Gun Rule (Wishbone)
6.) Returning to memories from a different point of view to release different information
7.) Name meanings
8.) Sentence structure, repetition, diction used to creative emphasis
9.) Animals as symbolism
TEN Point plot summary:
1.) We meet Karou’s normal teenage life and watch it intertwine with her apprenticeship for Brimstone.
2.) We see Karou’s interest in art, her affection for her best friend, and her exasperation with her ex-boyfriend.
3.) Karou makes a few wishes.
4.) Karou goes on a few errands and wonders about her past and the mysteries in Brimstone’s house.
5.) Meanwhile, portals all around the world are being marked for destruction by Akiva (angel/seraph) who takes a liking to Karou.
6.) Karou wanders into another world and Brimstone kicks her out.
7.) Akiva searches for her while thinking about his past, eventually finds her and they spend some time together to explore their feelings even though they are enemies.
8.) Akiva realizes who Karou is, but his angel buddies are not happy to see him fraternizing with the enemy.
9.) Akiva and Karou determine a meeting spot and meet up several days later.
10.) Akiva reveals Karou’s true self and makes a confession regarding the marked portals. The plot leaves off here with “to be continued...
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