Four ~Veronica Roth~

I read the Divergent series a couple years ago, but I hadn’t ever had the chance to read the extra book Veronica Roth wrote to go along with the series, Four. I didn’t think I was going to like it. I’ve always liked Four (I prefer Tobias) better than Tris, and so I was afraid that after reading this book in which his thoughts are uncovered, I would like him less. But I didn’t. He’s great. Still.

I love the way he thinks. It’s calculated. He relies on emotion some, but he doesn’t let it control what he does and how he acts. He’s strong, yet learns to be vulnerable and love. I loved seeing how he viewed Tris. He saw that she was small, but he didn’t think of her as fragile at all.

After watching them together from his perspective, it’s heart breaking to think of Tobias post-Allegiant. Heart-breaking. Ahhhhhhh....go away, pain. I’m glad I read this book, and got this new perspective, because now I feel some of that pain that others did at the end of Allegiant. Phew. Breathe. Ah.

Nights in Rodanthe ~Nicholas Sparks~

The reason I read Nicholas Sparks' books is because of a.) their endings and b.) the fact that his books are very easy reads. When I don't feel like reading anything extensive or in depth, Nicholas Sparks is a good author to turn to. Nights in Rodanthe was that kind of book, an easy read. It had some beautiful quotes, because it's Nicholas Sparks and that's what he does, and it also has a beautiful love story. I love the ending, which comes as no surprise, because I tend to like how Sparks wraps up his stories.

This book is about a lady whose husband leaves her, and leaves her as the only one to raise their children and pay the bills. It is also about a man whose wife leaves him, and leaves him to deal with his selfishness and workaholic attitude on his own. When both this man and woman meet at a sea-side inn, they fall in love, not because they view each other as perfect, but because they admire the flaws they see in one another.

The end of the novel had me in tears, which also is no surprise, since I tend to do that when Sparks wraps up his stories.

My favorite quote of the book, and one that is a total mirror of my thoughts recently is, "Outside, rain was falling. Listening to the gentle tapping against the glass, she was thankful for its steady sense of familiarity. Remembering those days always aroused a mixture of emotions in her-something akin to, but not quite, nostalgia. Nostalgia was often romanticized, with these memories, there was no reason to make them any more romantic than they already were."

Beastly ~Alex Flinn~

I saw the movie trailer for this book a long time ago, and thought it sounded really interesting. Living in Brazil I didn't have access to a good library, so I've only recently had the chance to borrow the book. At the last moment, I borrowed the movie too so I could read the book in the day and watch the movie that night.

Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite Disney movie because I love the theme of redemption that is intertwined throughout the story. Beastly is a modern day version of the Disney classic that depicts that same theme: redemption.

Kyle is a high school student who is popular, rich, and extremely self-centered. When he plays a prank on the social outcast at school, she reveals her identity as a witch and condemns him to life as a beast.

Kyle turns into a large beast with shaggy hair and giant claws. His dad locks him in a mansion in NYC where Kyle spends his time studying and gardening. The witch gave him until his white rose dies to find a girl who could love him for his heart, and not his beastly appearance. When Kyle catches a robber in his house, he frees the man on the condition that he bring his daughter Linda to live with the beast.

The beautiful story that has lived in my heart for so many years was given a modern twist and I loved it. It's exactly what I dream about: a modern day fairy tale.

The writing quality of the book was not my favorite. It was poorly written, and the dialogue was, frankly, rather cheesy. I felt that the plot overshadowed that though. So, check, loved it despite its flaws.

I watched the movie the night after I read the book. Alex Pettyfer, who is major eye candy, plays Kyle, and Vanessa Hudgens, who is very cute and charming, plays Linda. My favorite thing about the movie versus the book was the form the beast took. When the witch transforms Kyle into the beast, he stays a man but is completely covered in horrid tattoos, facial disfigurations, and deep cuts. I felt that the change from a literal beast to this disfigured man fits the modern retelling of the story super well!

My least favorite part of the movie is that Kyle made the greenhouse for Linda. In the book, he made it for his own enjoyment. In Kyle’s story, it is a major changing point in his life because it shows his character development. He is learning to appreciate beauty in that which the world considers less worthy. He makes the greenhouse to grow roses because he appreciates their beauty, not because he wants to impress someone, like the movie depicts.

Just like the fairy tale story I love, this story shows me that redemption is a real thing. No matter the beast I feel like, Christ is my redeemer! He can take that which the world does not value, and use it for His glory. He makes beautiful things out of me.

Wuthering Heights ~Emily Brontë~

I first felt like reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte after reading the Twilight series. You see, each Twilight book is based off of a classic novel. The first book is based off of Wuthering Heights, which really ignited my curiosity in the classic.

I thought the book was very depressing. Albeit, the depression had a very melancholic beauty to it; but still, I was not anticipating the intense hatred, revenge, and brokenness the book entails.

In Twilight, Edward relates himself to Heathcliff. Therefore, I was expecting Heathcliff to have some attractive qualities. He doesn't. In fact, I hate him.

After he deems his life ruined and his soul destroyed, he proceeds to enact that same destruction he had received on everyone else. He is selfish, and he is unattractive in every way. The most appalling scene for me was either when he bawls all over Catherine/savagely kisses her/bruises her/acts like a wild dog. An equally appalling scene is when he tears open her grave to see if her body has changed (gag). Basically, all that to say, Heathcliff is definitely not my favorite guy.

Catherine the mother is also extremely annoying. What a brat! She is a good example of how not to act in life! She has no strong loyalties, no sense of morality, and no courage. If she was loyal, she would've stayed with the people who had always been there for her: Nelly, Heathcliff, Edgar, and Isabella. If she had had a sense of morality, she wouldn't have hurt everyone near her. She would have lived a life of love, and joy--not of anger and depression. And if she had courage, she would've chosen Heathcliff, even though his social status was lower than hers. As is obvious, I didn't like her character either.

Edgar bothers me in the beginning of his life. He dotes on every wish of Catherine's, appearing spineless. I like who he became though after Catherine's death. He is a good father to Catherine the daughter. He raises her to love others, and not to live self-centeredly. Him and his daughter have a beautiful relationship; it is my favorite relationship in the book. Though Edward related himself to Heathcliff because of his obsession with Catherine the mother, Edgar reminds me of Edward more than Heathcliff does. Edgar loves Catherine the daughter so much that he is willing to give her up to Linton for her happiness, just like Edward gave up Bella for her happiness.

I also like Hareton. I felt serious compassion for him. Everyone looked down on him because he wasn’t educated. But it wasn’t his fault! Grr...Heathcliff, blaming you again! Anyway, I love how Hareton learns to be content with who he is, not trying to be like someone he’s not just to please the people around him---great character development!

The book was beautiful in it's sadness. And I like books like that. So, I guess this book gets a 'thumbs up' from me. I guess. It's characters drive me crazy though.

Great Expectations ~Charles Dickens~

We read this book in English class and it gave me a whole new perspective on life.

.Parallels.

STAGE ONE: INNOCENCE

Running down the cobblestone streets,

Chasing appreciation and love,

Pip saw the beauty in the world.

Running on jungle trails,

Chasing more appreciation and love,

I saw the beauty in the world.

Running through life, growing up to fast,

Chasing true appreciation and love,

Ollie saw the charade beauty played in the world.

STAGE TWO: INNOCENCE DESTROYED

In Pip's chase,

He met a star that guided him into pride, and conceit.

His priorities twisted: 

Those he had loved, he betrayed, 

Those that condemned him, he worshiped.

And he was destroyed.

In my chase, 

I encountered a part of myself that I had hidden: a dark, sick part.

My priorities twisted:

Those I had cherished, I pushed away,

Those I embraced, had disgusted me.

And I was destroyed.

In Ollie's chase,

Innocence seeped out from his life, with every drink, girl, and choice.

A ship twisted his priorities:

Those he loved, he loved.

And the enemy, himself, he hated.

And he was destroyed.

But our stories didn't end there.

No, then hope met redemption, and 

Here we are.

STAGE THREE: REDEMPTION

Pip changed how he viewed love.

Love is not based on status or worth,

But because others have loved us first.

I changed how I viewed love.

Love is not gratification, 

But contentment.

Ollie changed how he viewed love.

Love is not selfishness,

But sacrifice.

The Best of Me ~Nicholas Sparks~

Generally I'm not a huge fan of Nicholas Sparks. I used to be when I was more into reading the 'romance' genre, but as of late, his writing seems cheesy to me. Because of this reason, I went into this book with low expectations.

I'm not going to say it exceeded my expectations by far, since the first half of the book was poorly-written; however, as the book proceeded, I enjoyed it more. Because the book is about the relationship between two lovers, one who is married, I was afraid that the relationship would turn into a sexual one. But it didn't. Which is rather surprising. Especially because Nicholas Sparks has a habit of over-adding sexual innuendos and coitus.

Therefore, I was pleased when the book had some enjoyable elements. One of the reasons that I like Nicholas Spark's writing is that a love story from a guy's perspective tends to skip the nitty-gritty lovey-dovey details; whereas, a woman romance writer tends to write like "when he touched me I felt like the most important thing in the world" or "his lips were soft" etc. Gag.

I also liked that Sparks changed perspectives so many times throughout the book. It kept me in suspense, but more importantly, it showed me even the minor character's thoughts and ideas. It was interesting to see a person's view of someone vs. who they actually were.

I like the name Dawson. And the lead male character's name is Dawson. So, I liked that.

The end of the book had me in tears. I was expecting a happy ending, and so when the book ended with a heart-wrenching plot twist, I put on some music and cried. All in all, I'm glad I read the book because it was a fun change and also, I feel like my worldview on love is maybe a little bit different now.

Not sure if it's a good thing or not that Nicholas Sparks is changing my worldview on love, but it happens.

 “Because you aren't just someone I loved back then. You were my best friend, my best self, and I can't imagine giving that up again." He hesitated searching for the right words. "You might not understand, but I gave you the best of me, and after you left, nothing was ever the same.” 

“I gave you the best of me, he'd told her once, and with every beat of her son's heart, she knew he'd exactly done that.”  

“Love, after all, always said more about those who felt it than it did about the ones they loved.”

 ~Nicholas Sparks

"Everybody stares, as she goes by
'Cause they can see the flame that's in her eyes
Watch her when she's lighting up the night
Nobody knows that she's a lonely girl
And it's a lonely world
But she gon' let it burn, baby, burn, baby
This girl is on fire." 

-Alicia Keys (Koryn Hawthorne version)

Farenheit 451 ~Ray Bradbury~

Suggested to me by multiple friends, I had high expectations for this book; and, to my delight, it met every one. Fahrenheit 451 is a thought-altering book filled with beautiful words and deep themes. Below is a video I made with flashes of key themes or characters from the book: fire, books, time, running, talk and writing, why not how, ash, ignition, masks, river, moon, suicide, hound, dandelion dust and love, television, and burning, especially burning.

Kisses from Katie ~Katie Davis~

Since I first started reading Katie Davis’ blog, I was inspired to be like her. After reading her book Kisses from Katie, I fell even more in love with her lifestyle and her relationship with God. Katie Davis was a teenager with a heart for children and missions. Instead of living the life her parents had planned for her, she broke away from the “American dream” and moved to Uganda. Now, she has adopted thirteen little girls, and continues to work with the broken and hurting people of Uganda. 

When people used to ask me who I wanted to be like when I grew up, or who inspired me the most, I would say Katie Davis. I even decided to focus on Child Development Studies in college with the intention of following Katie’s footsteps of faith. 

As time has passed, this desire to care for orphans has remained; however, I am realizing that I can’t live my life trying to be like Katie Davis. In her book, her main theme is love, and how this love doesn’t come from anything we muster up in ourselves, but from Christ. In the same way, it’s pointless for me to just try and copy her life and her attitude. It’s a relationship with Christ that will give me an attitude of love, nothing I can do in and of myself.

“People tell me I am brave. People tell me I am strong. People tell me good job. Well here is the truth of it. I am really not that brave, I am not really that strong, and I am not doing anything spectacular. I am just doing what God called me to do as a follower of Him. Feed His sheep, do unto the least of His people.”-Katie Davis

The Twilight series ~Stephenie Meyer~

Knowing that if I wrote a review for this series it would last a couple hundred pages, I had a crazy spur-the-moment idea to make a video blog. However, upon turning on the camera, I realized that talking "to yourself" for 15 minutes is pretty awkward. So, excuse my awkward self---I would promise I'm not like that in real life, but unfortunately, I am. :)

The Harry Potter series ~J.K. Rowling~

Clutching my tear-soaked pillow to my chest, I cried. I cried from pain, as I realized that the characters I had grown so close to would never journey deeper than the final page, ‘The End’. Yet I also cried from joy, as I dwelt on the impact the characters and themes had made on me. 

I’ve heard it said that The Harry Potter series is a book series of sorcery and witchcraft and should not be handled by “children of the Light”. Out of curiosity, I read Harry Potter and I’ve discovered that there is no other series that could possibly better detail and emphasize the necessity of light and goodness in a dark and evil world. 

These books tell the stories of adventurers: the boy who lived, the time-turner, and the king. Their lives begin in different places, yet with the help of a new school, a shared house, and a daring game keeper, these three children form an unbreakable bond. And as their story is told, these comrades grow closer together, often through wars with others and with themselves. Though aging and difficulties are not simultaneous in the case of the three friends, as the group ages, their trials increase. Loved ones die and the threesome cling to each other for comfort.

Love is an important theme in the series. It is so important, in fact, that love is the key difference between the Dark Side and the Light Side. Harry Potter, born from true love and saved by true love, loved deeply those around him. Tom Riddle, completely incapable of love, created a kingdom of selfishness. Albus Dumbledore, motivated by a broken heart, loved for the greater good. Severus Snape watched his love leave, watched his love die, and then I watched him leave and die for his love’s son. Narcissa Malfoy followed those around her who didn’t love enough, until the day she realized that love was enough. Sirius Black, who loved in a gruffer manner than most, had loyal roots of friendship that ran strong. Hagrid, loved by few, loved as many humans and creatures his large arms could embrace. Through these characters I’ve learned that love defines me. Where and in whom I place my love shows the world who I am, and whether I am on the side of the dark or of the Light. 

My favorite characters changed as I read the books, my feelings and thoughts about the specific characters changing with their actions. I don’t usually have this “method” of switching favorites, but these books were so extensive that it was highly unlikely that my favorite could be the same person throughout the whole series. First, my favorite was Lupin. I loved how he went out of his way to be a friend and a mentor to Harry. However, when he left Hogwarts and joined the Order of the Phoenix, his character changed, and I disagreed with his methods of interaction with those he loved. Second, I liked Mad-Eye Moody….until I realized that he was in fact, not Mad-Eye but rather Barty Crouch Jr….yes, that put a damper on “our relationship”. The favorite characters I liked next, I liked at the same time: Snape, Dumbledore, and Harry. I loved Snape; I could tell that his brokenness was not because of any personal flaw in character, but rather bitterness at the events and people who had hurt him. I loved Dumbledore, because…basically…well, he’s Dumbledore. (I’d think “oh, he’s a serious wizard” and then he’d say something completely random and funny. Or I’d think “he’s in a silly mood” but then he’d slip a shattering metaphor or a beautiful truth into the conversation.) I liked Harry, because his personality and values are, frankly, easily likeable. Though my favorite characters often changed, by the end of the series, I was confident of my favorites. My final favorite characters are Snape and Harry. Snape and Harry both represent a part of me. Snape represents who I am: bitter at times, misunderstood, and forever holding a tendency to join the dark side. Harry represents who I strive to be: sacrificial, loving, brave, and forever refusing to let bitterness worm its way into his heart.

As I read these books, I’d find myself so entranced; I would often shake, scream, cry, or laugh. I felt that I was in the actual book, that I experienced their adventures. I remember one time, after a particular traumatic event at the end of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, looking up at Karina and saying, “Books are magic. How is it possible to journey into so many different worlds, to experience different lives, and to feel such intense emotions over scribbles on a couple hundred sheets of paper?” No one can answer the question better than Professor Dumbledore himself when he and Harry have the following conversation, 

“’Tell me one last thing,’ said Harry. ‘Is this real? Or has this been happening in my head?’

[Dumbledore replies,] ‘Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean it is not real?’”

 (p. 723 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows)

A Separate Peace ~John Knowles~

I just finished reading A Separate Peace by John Knowles. At first glance one may wonder what this book and I actually have in common, as it takes place in a boys’ boarding school during World War II. However, it has really felt personal to me. I was Gene: I felt what he felt, and I realized the deceitfulness of my own heart, when he realized the same deceit in his own. 

The main theme of the book is war, not the physical battle, but the emotional one, between two characters, Phineas and Gene. Phineas is fun, athletic, and controls everyone he meets with his charming character. Gene feels like everyone sees him in the shadow of his friend Finny (Phineas). When Gene pushes Finny off of a tree, resulting in Finny’s handicap, Gene begins the process of understanding the evil in his own heart. By the end of the novel, Gene can say that his jealousy and anger towards Phineas has died; he realizes that each man is evil inside, and everyone is fighting that same battle of evil vs. good inside his heart.

I have certain friends that I am jealous of---but it’s an odd sort of jealousy. I would classify them as my friends; yet, I often feel frustration towards them rooted in envy. Often times, just like Gene, I react to them horribly, losing my temper and control. So, this book was strangely personal, as I felt that Gene and I were one, journeying through the battles of jealousy towards ones we hold dear.

Fifty Shades of Grey ~EL James~

okay, so I don't rant very often.

okay, that's a lie. i rant. i just usually don't do it online.

however, i'm on a mission to actually use this blog, and so, tonight, instead of doing my homework or pinteresting (guilty as charged), i'm gonna write a rant.

it's about the novel by EL James, 50 Shades of Grey.

and before you think, "oh dang, not another one of these 'Top 5 Most Horrid and Wrong and Condemningly Wicked Things in 50 Shades of Grey' articles that have pretty much flooded social media, keep reading.

now for starters: i haven't ever read the book. and i'm not planning it. (aka i'd rather die first)

however, i will say this:

i understand why people want to boycott the movie, or warn people about the dangers of reading the book.

i really do.

most likely, they're using social media in hopes of betterment of the individual, and to gain supporters and believers in purity, mentally and physically.

however, i honestly think this whole thing has been dragged out too far,

because it's causing people all over the world to be curious about it, to want to know more, to read the books, or watch the movies.

in the past few years, i've dedicated much time to becoming aware of world problems and controversies, and deciding my position on these issues: am i for abortion or against it? should gay marriage be legal? is the hunger games series ruining the minds of children world wide? does God exist? what is the lifestyle Christ would want us to live? is racism a problem in america? what clothing is modest? does antiperspirant deodorant give breast cancer?

(some of these are more serious controversies than others, but you get the idea: i don't like it when i base my beliefs about controversial issues off of other peoples' opinions) (and i also don't like not knowing what and why i believe something) (i've always clashed with people who believe things for the sole purpose of "well, so and so said", or "i just always figured...")

having said that, i really wanted to have an opinion about this 50 Shades of Grey, not based on what other people said about it, but what i read for myself.

however,

i can't quite justify reading it.
(even if it's for a "good purpose", it would still be:
a.) disturbing
and
b.) disturbing )

and so basically, here i am with this opinion: why talk about something SO INCREDIBLY frequently, when change is not probable. the movie theaters are not going to ban the movie, the author is not going to jump off a cliff, and people everywhere are still going to see the movie. articles are not going to stop the average person from being interested. in fact, i will go as far to say, that these articles spike interest towards the book and movie, and actually increase its popularity.

and that's sorta what happened:
because of the publicity of 50 Shades of Grey, i was interested; albeit, not enough to read the book, but enough to be curious.

i think anyone else without my reason of "purity of mind", would easily go see the movie or read the books, because of its publicity. media has made it a huge thing, and i personally think that if people would stop talking about it so much, the overall curiosity and interest in the movie and book would decrease.

....that was my rant, thank you.

sorry for the bad grammar---i'm running off of three cups of coffee, and pessimism.

and we all know that when that happens, grammar goes out the window.