De Niro's Game-by Rawi Hage

Brave New World-by Aldous Huxley

Everything Bad is Good for You-by Steven Johnson

The Pearl-by John Steinbeck

The Picture of Dorian Gray-by Oscar Wilde--SUMMER READING BOOK 4

Picked up this book in 10th grade: was uninterested.  Picked up this book now (after reading challenging 11th grade English books):  liked it so much more!!!  I now appreciated the themes of beauty, desire, rash emotions, and human nature tremendously after I read The Great Gastsby.  In fact, I enjoyed this book because of its subtle suspense leading up to the dramatic, tragic ending.  This book has helped me to begin a quest to read ever-more mind-provoking books (my next book: This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald).  In The Picture of Dorian Gray, I was captivated and drawn into the tranquil, carefree, innocent backdrop of London in the 1890s, the setting of the story, by Oscar Wilde's magnificent poetic descriptions of the natural world and beauty.  This book was full of paradoxes describing the stark, almost gloomy nature of beauty.  In all, this was a great book to start off a challenging year in 12th grade English.

American Buffalo-by David Mamet-SUMMER READING #3

This was my first experience with reading drama on my own.  I felt this play was the best book to begin my exposure to drama.  Despite its short length, the play stressed ideas of the American Dream, innocence, and deception.  This play was perfectly suited to my reading level because I enjoyed interpreting the deeper meanings of these quintessential themes that repeat so much throughout American literature (e.g. The Great Gatsby).  One challenge I had with this play was that some parts were a little vague/ambiguous.  However, I soon found out the information sooner or later (unlike in prose where it is easier to explain an idea right then and there).  I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in reading drama for the first time as part of independent reading.

A Hope in the Unseen-by Ron Suskind: SUMMER READING BOOK 2

I finally have a better picture of what it feels like for kids to attend poor functioning schools.  I was especially amazed by the determination and bravery of Cedric Jennings, the protagonist, when he took a course at MIT and then attended college at Brown University.  I realize now that I have so many more advantages and a lot more sheltering than Cedric did.  He had to brave drug dealers and gun threats in the dangerous pockets of Washington D.C.  Throughout this book, I was truly enlightened by all of Cedric's experiences, including visiting his incarcerated father, a peek into Ivy League life, and the troubles at his house.  With a tough childhood, for Cedric to get into a top school is unbelievable.  I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in a story about challenge and achievement (by the way, this shockingly was nonfiction!!).

Nickel and Dimed (On (Not) Getting by in America)-by Barbara Ehrenreich: SUMMER READING BOOK 1

I was horrified when I read this book. I never truly understood how degrading and miserable the lives of the working class were. Now, however, I finally understand clearly why working class members are so miserable on the job; wages are the problem. Yet they do not rebel against their managers because they are so desperate for money. Also, I cannot begin to imagine how I could enjoy my life living on $6 an hour wages (below the minimum wage). This means that I must eat only very simple foods, such as grains, and cannot eat much meat. I also will not be able to support a family or take vacations because I will have to spend all my money on necessities. I would hate living from paycheck to paycheck because I would not like to be dependent solely on my job. If for some reason I lose my job, I could easily go bankrupt. Due to this plain, mundane, impoverished lifestyle, I am motivated even more (I am already!) to excel in school, enter college, and find a job that pays well so I can continue to live the affluent, relaxing life I live now.

In addition, one profession mentioned in this book that provoked sympathy from me was maid service. Maids have always been busy executing chores, but not in the way Ehrenreich witnessed. One cleaning procedure most appalling to me was when they had to get down on their hands and knees and scrub the carpet/floor. This is such a dehumanizing action that I cannot stand for this.

I would highly recommend this book to any fascinated reader with an interest in the workings of America's socioeconomic system. The reader can learn so many fascinating secrets on the workings of our economy. Ultimately though, the question Nickel and Dimed answers is this: Is Barbara Ehrenreich truly a working class citizen, or is she a "spy" from the more affluent class on a mission to uncover the harshness of working class life?

Three Cups of Tea-by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

For two months, I have pored over this spectacular book. I praise Greg Mortenson's method for combating terrorism: build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan in order to educate the poor, desperate children in those troubled countries. Education is indispensable because the children would be able to learn about moral behaviors and how to function appropriately as an adult, instead of resorting to violence--like the Taliban. The kids would still learn about Islam, yet hopefully would not take on extremist actions like the radical terrorist groups. Also, the children won't be as easily influenced by the Taliban or any political, dictatorial faction of the government; the children would have an identity and be able to make their own decisions on how to live their lives. Like how Hitler took advantage of Germans' desperation with the economy during the 1930s Great Depression and rose to power, the Taliban gain supporters by appealing to poor, uneducated citizens who are desperate for any improvement in their lives. Someone who is poor will not know of the dangers of supporting a radical terrorist group; s/he just wants aid to relieve their poverty. However, if that same person were educated, then s/he would know how to manage his/her own life, thus enabling him/her to escape poverty and advance up the social ladder. Especially for poor, Afghan women, if they receive an education, they will break down traditional societal barriers adhered to for thousands of years. Women, from early times in the Afghan culture, were seen as subservient housewives; yet, when provided with education, they could expand their roles and influence in society by proving to men that they are just as capable to manage sophisticated affairs.

Hopefully, under Greg's plan, democratic values will be instilled in the children's minds so they can become savvy, politically active adults. Then, they can choose more moderate leaders who will actually bring reform to Afghanistan and Pakistan, creating more efficient governments. Then finally, the governments will enact legislation to help all of their citizens.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys learning about different cultures and wants to learn more about current events. I would definitely rate this book a 10 out of 10!!!

Of Mice and Men-by John Steinbeck

Of Mice and Men was a very interesting and emotional read. To summarize the general plot, two migrant American laborers search for work around the country. Their lives are constantly propelled by the hope to achieve a life in which they own a ranch and rabbits to take care of. At this particular western ranch where the book takes place, one of the migrant workers, Lennie, is constantly picked on and manipulated because he is not exactly the brightest person one could find. The boss's son is always finding excuses to pick fights with him. If I were in Lennie's shoes, I would consistently try to parry and forget these incidents, yet to no avail. Lennie experiences the same thing. Tensions mount to the point that Lennie lands himself in a lose-lose situation (read the book to find out!!)

As for the title, "mice" may hint that the migrant workers' journey to find success and prosperity will be a very treacherous, possibly harmful one. Mice usually are very destructive; the boss's son could be a mouse because he endangers the workers. Yet, the migrant workers could mice because they are constantly controlled by the higher authorities. This book was a different read for me; I at first believed that the novel would be a more factual book on migrant workers; however, the book's layout was even more enjoyable to read because it combined facts with an actual storyline. Like the Bluest Eye, this book has exposed me to different ways as to how to present information. I would rate this book a 9 out of 10 because it was suspenseful in that I always wanted to keep reading. By the way, it's a short book (about 100 pages) with a comfortable font size so I found reading it manageable.

Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies-by Jared Diamond--DROPPED

When I first read the summary for this book, I thought that I would enjoy this book. However, I hardly read past the prologue because the information (about ancient civilizations) was not of my interest. This does not mean I do not like contemporary nonfiction. I enjoy the genre about topics I want to read about; for example, earlier this year, I read Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the American Meal, which was a fascinating, revealing book about shocking meat factory conditions. However, this has been a valuable experience: I have learned to select books more carefully to best suit my needs.

The Glass Castle-by Jeannette Walls

The Glass Castle has been a different read for me. I noticed it while scrolling down the independent reading list suggestions. Usually, I will choose historical fiction or contemporary nonfiction. However, as part of my reading goal, I will try new genres. Sure enough, this book captivated my attention immediately because it was so vivid and shocking. All throughout the book, I was thinking, How is the family going to survive these rough, dangerous events? Yet, they remain tough and have faith in each other and eventually pull through. I could never relate to Jeannette because I live such a supported, sheltered life. I have no idea what it feels like to live out in the barren Arizona wilderness with a drunken father and neglecting mother. So towards the end of the book, when the author graduates from college and receives a generous pay from a journalist company, I was amazed that she achieved this great feat from very humble beginnings. She defines the true nature of perseverance.

Lastly, the idea of the Glass Castle tricked me. I believed that the book would be about a prosperous family in a comfortable house. However, the Glass Castle was nothing as I expected (I will not tell you--you will have to read the book to find out!). Overall, the book was a fantastic book that has opened my eyes to similar types of books.

The Professor and the Madman-by Simon Winchester-Dropped Book

After I read halfway through The Professor and the Madman, by Simon Winchester, I found the book to be boring because I was not really interested with the history of the Oxford English Dictionary. I picked up the book and read it because I felt that it was a classic and I would like it. However, the book did not taint my perception of reading classics. As mentioned in the previous blog I wrote, I do enjoy classics, but not this particular book because it was too factual.

The Bluest Eye-My Reaction

I enjoyed reading this challenging, enriching book. I usually read contemporary nonfiction and historical fiction; I do not read many classics. I aim to read more classics because I would like to further my critical thinking skills. I used to think that classics sounded boring to read but after reading The Bluest Eye, I feel like reading more classics because I had advanced intellectually by conquering the Bluest Eye. 

The Bluest Eye with The Awakening

The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison, was an extremely dense book, but I forged through it and have emerged a stronger reader and comprehender. The book was filled with vivid images and turning points of the protagonist, Pecola Breedlove, an African American girl. I chose this book because it related to two themes: hope for a better life and conformity. The first theme, hope, connects very well to The Awakening, by Kate Chopin. Pecola hopes for her eyes to turn blue so she can be recognized in the world. Fueling her desire is the presence of white, prosperous, joyous families enjoying their lives. Pecola’s ultimate goal is the hope to become white and prosperous, instead of feeling miserable and impoverished because she is black. In The Awakening, the protagonist, Edna Pontellier, hopes to free herself from the restraints placed on her by her husband and by men in society. Even though the two settings of both books are total contrasts, the idea of hope is central to both texts. However, the second theme, conformity, contrasts between the two books. Pecola wants to fit in and live like a white person in society and not feel ostracized because of her race, whereas Edna wants to non-conform and create her own path in life without assistance from any men.


I can’t wait to explore the connections and contrasts between these two classics.