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?

     The most interesting novel I read for AP Lit was The Road by Cormac McCarthy. To capture the full meaning and beauty of this novel could be compared to describing the captivation one feels upon watching their first sunset. Being confined within the English language makes this feet all but impossible. There are many literary characteristics that can make a book interesting.  Among these are character development, tone, style, setting, memorable quotes, and plot. If a novel can truly succeed in just a few of these categories than it can be interesting. However, I believe that the road excels in each of these and combines them to form a truly fascinating narrative.  This is what makes this novel extraordinary and allows it to supersede many other books that previously  comprised my top 10 novels.  

     The postapocalyptic setting which gave glimpses into the character's past that also fits our present was chilling but worked well.  The character development, although subtle, gave meaningful glimpses into the deep feelings and cares of each character.  The plot was both captivating and thrilling throughout.  This is largely attributed to the constant conflict and suspense of the novel.  The author's tone and style made it truly epic and provoked images of both despair and hope. Also, the novel left us with plenty of memorable quotes that make us question and remember this novel long before the final page is turned. An example is:

     "I wasn't going to kill him, he said. But the boy didn't answer... He could tell by the breathing that the boy was awake and after awhile the boy said: But we did kill him."

     "I want to be with you. You cant. Please. You cant. You have to carry the fire. I don't know how to. Yes you do. Is it real? The fire? Yes it is"

     Perhaps the greatest success of this novel, however, was its ability to leave me frozen in time wondering about my own life, meaning, and shortcomings.

     I read many other novels this summer besides the assigned reading. Among the novels that I deem interesting are IT and Ender's Game for their character development. Catcher in the Rye for its style. Lord of the Rings and The Stand for their epic setting and scope. Also, Hunger Games merely for the fact that the novel was able to hold my attention with its constant conflicts and twisting plot. I used the same standard when judging these books as I feel it is those literary characteristics that make a novel interesting.

** The range of your reading impressed me quite a bit! I don't know as I would compare The Road to a captivating sunset...but your analogy made me think about which books I WOULD say that about!

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?

     The novel that I read for self-discovery was Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. Through reading this novel the reader gets a picture of Pip, the main character, as he goes from childhood to adulthood. Over the course of the narrative, the thoughts and maturity level of the character change.  This is important to the novel's substance as this process of maturity reveals major themes of the novel and is able to be connected to humanity as everyone experiences growing up. 

     By the end of this novel, Pip is able to discover what is of foremost importance in life and what should be thought of as having lower priority in one's life. He realizes that kindness and relationships are to be placed in higher regard than social standing and wealth. As a child, Pip has great expectations for his life and dreams of climbing the social ladder and becoming a wealthy gentlemen. This dream often overshadows the relationships he has established and as a result he treats those he loves very poorly. However, towards the end Pip loses his wealth and returns to be with the people he once loved. He realizes how badly he treated Joe and Biddy and that kindness is to be valued more highly than social class.

     This discovery is important in my life. I learned that I need to better analyze my priorities. I must keep in mind that the world's standards of measuring success are not what I should strive for first in my life. However, love and faithfulness to others should be placed above this. This is important in my spiritual life as well in keeping in mind that God should be put above money and other worldly ambitions.

     This is important for all others readers as well. Everyone experiences the problems of chasing after something they want while they sacrifice being kind to others and the relationships that they have established.  It  is necessary to stop and look at what is being sacrificed and find ways to improve on keeping the most important things first in our lives.