You read 3 (or more) books this past summer. Which book from the summer reading list did you find to be the most "interesting"? In a paragraph or two, tell me what it takes to make a book interesting (in your opinion) and how the summer book you chose met the standard of "most" interesting. If NONE of the books qualified for that title (again, in your opinion) tell me where and why they fell short of your standard.

Finally, tell me what things you read OTHER than assigned books? Did you read magazines, other novels, travel guides for a vacation, instructions for how to work something, whatever? Think it over, this could be a longer list than you first imagine! Which of these other things was the most interesting.... did you use the same standard as you did for paragraph one? If not, why not?

This summer I read "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin, which I found to be the most interesting. It was the most interesting because the setting was in the late 1800's and I find the culture and traditions during this time period interesting; I like comparing the times. However, to find a book interesting, it has to have a plot or some kind of point to the story. It should also have some type of action, whether adventure action or conflict action, and a sudden unexpected twist while you were anticipating an outcome completely different.

Over the summer, I have read other books outside of the summer reading. One of them being "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austin (my sisters told me that it was good). This book has the same setting as "The Awakening," only more in depth. The main point for young women in the 1800's was marriage. This is obviously different from today's times so reading about the traditions and relationships was interesting.

** Great contrast in the novels you chose - even though about the same era. Did you feel Edna P. was a "strong" woman in contrast to say Elizabeth Bennett? Isn't it interesting that two females who faced the constraining forces of society should deal with those in such vastly divergent ways? I used to think it would have been cool to "live in the olden days" but now I think I would've have found it terribly repressive! How about you?

-->I do feel that Edna was a "strong" woman in many ways though sometimes I think that she was too young to fully think things out before she acted upon her emotions. However, I feel that Elizabeth Bennett was probably the stronger out of the two because she was the second oldest out of 5 and had expectations to fill but she still kept true to herself. I can't compare them fully because I didn't finish Pride and Prejudice but I hope to soon. Living in the olden days might be a very interesting and cool experience for awhile but I wouldn't like it for probably more than a month; the change is too drastic from our society today.

Consider the novel you read for the theme SELF-DISCOVERY.

What exactly was it that the novel's main character discovered about himself/herself? Explain how this discovery was an integral part of the novel's substance or core.

How was this discovery applicable to you as the reader? In what sense could it be applicable to ALL readers? What did you learn about YOURSELF as you watched the character change within the novel?

Answer this on your personal page by 5pm on Friday, Aug.21st.

     I read Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. To me, there didn't seem to be just one main character. Huxley introduced three characters that he mentioned often: Lenina, Bernard, and John the Savage. Though, if I had to pick one, it would be John because you learn the most about him, his past, and his reaction to the new world that he visits. John learns, more like thinks, that he is not worthy of this new world and doesn't like it, mainly because of the girl he likes, Lenina. He first heard of this different world from his mother so he was excited but once he started to see all of the strange and, to him, revolting conformity they had, he rejected all of it and went to live in isolation. He tried to go back to his old ways on the Reservation but kept getting distracted by all that he had learned.

     This discovery is important because he becomes the main attraction in this "new world" and makes everyone think about their life situation, whether they like it or not. John even changes a few lives because of how he was raised. He changed Bernard's life from a lowly Alpha (ironic?) to a kind of celebrity then back again. John changed Lenina because she has never wanted another man as badly as she wants him. He feels the same way but is appalled at society's casual promiscuousness. I completely understand John view here because that would be like if one of us got to visit there. It's like being thrown into an opposite universe. Though I'm 100% sure that I wouldn't whip myself.

     In some way or another, any reader is going to have an opinion about every character's reaction, whether they think it's completely understandable or they don't understand why he just couldn't fit in and fought against his feelings.

     I learned that I will never hang myself-too painful and just won't do it. I've also learned to start appreciating God for everything that I already have because even though I may want the newest and coolest technology, sometimes just continuing to use what I already have is better.