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?

         In my opinion there are several criteria that must be met for a book to be "interesting".  First and foremost, it must make me think about the story. By this I mean that as a reader I should care about what happens to the characters, constantly wonder what happens next, and be engaged in the book. There must be at least one character that I empathize with, care about, or just enjoy hearing about their adventures. I enjoy books that have plots with suspense, plot twists, and surprises. The book must also be entertaining, a little humorous, and be fast-paced enough to keep me interested. Having some sort of heroic character or a little romance also makes a book interesting.

     One of the books I read for summer reading, The Road met my standard of "interesting". While the premise was simple enough, a father and son trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world, it really made me think. What if I were in such a situation? What happened to bring about this situation? I came to care about the characters and, while the book was very sad, I found it interesting. Most of the time I have a hard time seeing the complex themes or ideas inserted by the author, but in this case I was able to find themes, symbolism, and make inferences about the characters and the story. The father was a heroic character because of all he did for his son.

     I didn't just read the assigned books over the summer. I was on the internet daily, and I did research while planning my family's summer vacation. I read several of Clive Cussler's novels, and towards the end of the summer I started Tom Clancy's Red Storm Rising. I also read a few other books, but I don't remember the titles. I would say that Cussler's and Clancy's books fit my definition of interesting because they entertained me, made me think, and made me care about the characters. The suspense and plot twists kept me engaged.

** ahh... a Tom Clancy fan! Good for you! The Road was big on a lot of people's lists! Super book!

Question 2

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 The Scarlet Letter for the self-discovery theme. The main character, Hester, discovered her strength in the face of adversity and the strength of her resolve to not reveal the father of her child. This was integral to the novel because it provided a foil for the character of Dimmesdale who kept his secret and suffered the consequences. Hester's strength was integral to the character of Pearl, who would have developed differently if her mother's situation was different. Hester's strength also gave Dimmesdale strength to plan an escape, hope for a better future, and reveal his secret. Hester was also able to move past the letter's label and be a service to the community.

     Hester's strength and resolve impressed me. Her discovery could show readers that they are stronger than they may think. I learned several things about myself from reading this novel. I hope that in different circumstances I would be able to stick to my principles as Hester did, but I also learned that I believe strongly in justice and dislike characters that I see to be illogical. I thought that Hester's punishment of herself and her punishment by the townspeople were not justified and I thought that her actions were very illogical. Nothing was stopping her from starting a new life that would have undoubtedly been better for her daughter's well-being, but Hester stayed to be close to the man who placed her in her predicament in the first place. I realize that she thought that she was doing penance for her actions, but I believe she would have better served herself and Pearl by starting a new life.    

++ How interesting! Consider that Hester didn't want to serve herself...and found a dignity in serving others. Where does that Idea take you? You are very close to seeing her logically if you follow that thought!