Throught the Ever Night

 Just FYI... Through the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky) by Veronica Rossi (in ebook format) is on sale for $1.99 at Amazon today!

The Fifth Wave

Today I just finished reading The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey, and I thought I'd share my thoughts and hopefully get some responses from others who have read the book.

The Fifth Wave is about an alien invasion of earth. The first "wave" of attack was an electromagnetic pulse that rendered anything electronic useless. The second was a massive tsunami that took out everyone who lived on any coast. The third was a deadly virus, and the fourth was assassins, aliens programmed to kill that had been inserted into humans before they were born and remained "asleep" until the right time. The fifth...you'll have to read the book. ;-) In the book we follow two particular human survivors and they're attempts to figure out what's going on and how to survive.

Good Things/Bad Things/In-between Things

• I have to say that I did not really get pulled into the book until "Nugget" appears about halfway in. There are a few reasons for that, and, having finished, I think they may have been necessary for the story, so I think I can let them go. First, initially, I thought Cassie was a guy. She just had a very masculine manner of speaking that threw me off and kind of annoyed me. I do believe now, however, that the tone was needed to reflect the incredible things she'd been through. Her character survived the first four waves, lost both her parents and her brother, and had to learn to survive on her own. She's a bit bitter, so she speaks harshly and sarcastically, but we see her change throughout the story, and by the end she is finally able to trust someone again. I appreciate the character development. Second, through the first half of the book we're (mostly) seeing Cassie's flashbacks as she travels alone. I got a little bored of her solitude; I'm not quite sure why. I think perhaps it has something to do with the fact that the primary flashbacks we see are moments after the first alien attack, so things are already a bit depressing, and Cassie's already started to learn to toughen up. I just didn't get much emotion from the flashbacks; I only saw a girl who had been hardened by her circumstances.

• The book has been compared to Ender's Game, but I didn't get the surprise factor from The Fifth Wave that I got from Ender's Game.

• I love the relationship between Zombie and Nugget. Nugget's presence in Zombie's squad is a kind of catalyst that brings Zombie back to life. Taking care of Nugget gave Zombie something to focus on besides just surviving, and his "rescue" of Nugget helps him make up for the promise he didn't keep to his sister.

• Evan is an interesting character. I would've liked to hear more of his thoughts. We see him struggle with his purpose because of the human life he had already lived. I think there were some complex thoughts going through his mind, and I wonder exactly what they were.

Overall, I like the book. It's definitely worth a re-read, and perhaps like with Mockingjay, I'll like it more the second time around.

Your comments are extremely welcome! I want to know what you think! :-)

Thoughts on The Book Thief

I recently read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. There's been a lot of buzz about this title due to the recent movie adaptation. I haven't seen the movie yet, but the book was really good. In The Book Thief the narrator, Death, follows and chronicles the story of a young German girl named Liesel Meminger during World War II. Liesel is sent to a small German town to live with foster parents after her mother decides she can no longer take care of Liesel and her brother Werner. Werner, sadly, dies on the journey to their new home, and Liesel is left alone with her new foster parents.

Thankfully, this isn't a story about an orphan being thrust into the care of cruel foster parents as so many stories are. (Why is that?) Liesel develops close relationships with her new mama and papa, Rosa and Hans Hubermann. Rosa isn't really the patient and nurturing type, and her relationship with Liesel is mostly devoid of open affection. In fact, her tone is often hostile and her speech filled with cursing. Although Rosa uses language toward Liesel that may be considered abusive, her affection for Liesel is expressed throughout the story.

The special relationship we see in the story is the bond between Leisel and Hans. Hans, quiet and patient, allows Leisel to warm up to her new situation in her own way and time while providing a kind presence, letting Leisel know that she is not alone. We see the sweet evolution in their relationship as Hans calms Leisel's nightmares, as they learn to read (stolen books) together, and as Leisel admires her father's music from his accordion, which she and Rosa cling to while Hans is at war.

The Nazi influence is shown as the children are sent through Nazi youth camps, men are called upon to serve in the military, and Jews are paraded through the streets while walking to concentration camps. It is quickly apparent that the Hubermanns are not supporters of the Nazi party, and they even take actions to oppose the Nazi treatment of Jews by taking in a Jewish man and trying to give bread and comfort to the Jews walking to their deaths.

The story provides an interesting view of WWII. I find that there are many many powerful stories told from the Jewish perspective during this time period, but this is the first time I've read a story from the view of resistant Germans. It was really interesting to consider the events through different lenses.

I've left tons of stuff out because I don't like to spoil books for others. You should read it! ;-)

What I Like Most

The first thing I noticed about The Book Thief was the beautiful writing. The phrasing is very poetic, which I just love. Also, as I mentioned before, I really enjoyed seeing the war through another perspective. I think we often forget how powerless many of the Germans were and how many of them were opposed to the Nazi party. They suffered their own kind of persecution, stripped of their freedoms and forced to go to war.

I cried buckets at the end of the book! I know I've really gotten into a story when I can't hold back my emotions in response to their circumstances. E.g. I punched the air a few times in HP5 when reading about Umbridge and jumped up and down when Neville kills the snake at the end of HP7. :-)  It makes the experience a journey to another world rather than just reading words on a page.

Small Correction - Focusing in: Literature

Hi everyone!

So in my first post I told you guys that this blog would be about basically anything that interests me (or Peter), but I realize that if I want you to read my blog, there should probably be more of  focus. From now on all posts will be related to literature. They may be book reviews, maybe some book/movie comparisons, and also original works including poems, short stories, etc. If you're interested in writing some stuff for my blog, let me know. I'd love to have regular posts, but I can't do right now on my own because I still have to do my other work that I actually get paid for, so send me any ideas or pieces that you have, and I think we can put together a really awesome literature blog.

Also, just to let you guys know there are a few books/short stories that came out recently or are coming out soon that should be really good:

• ***A City Called Far by Lauren Crittenden*** (a children's book by my cousin... it's awesome)
• October 22nd - 
• Allegiant (Divergent Series) by Veronica Roth
• November 5th - 
• Champion: A Legend Novel by Marie Lu
• November 18th - 
• Mindsiege (Mindspeak Series, Book #2) by Heather Sunseri
• January 28th - 
• Into the Still Blue (Under the Never Sky) by Veronica Rossi
• May 27th - 
• City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments) by Cassandra Clare

Veronica Roth's "Four" stories have been delayed, but I'm sure they're going to be awesome. They are now set to come out in July 2014.

• December 17th - 
• The Initiate: A Divergent Story (Divergent Series) by Veronica Roth
• January 21st - 
• The Son: A Divergent Story (Divergent Series) by Veronica Roth

Brokenness

You are so lovely. You have so much potential. Please don’t end up crumpled and discarded like so many of your brothers and sisters. That would be a tragedy. Yes, come with me. I will keep us safe.

With your radiant white face you called out to me, asking about my thoughts and dreams. With you my muddled words become a beautiful lullaby in black and white. You help me sing.

Your arms keep me steady and safe; though you also know that sometimes it’s worth the risk, drawing outside the lines. Sometimes lines are meant to be crossed, broken. That’s how new things come to be.

But wait, that hurts. I don’t want to break. No, I’ll stay inside the lines. It’s okay. We can make do. There are only a few notes we have to leave out. Our song can still be beautiful, if limited by bars of safety.

But how can something new come forth, if we forever stay inside the lines? Perhaps the break is needed to write the most beautiful song, to combine all the notes in a chorus of life. Because life isn’t life remaining in the comfort of one line. Boundaries are meant to be crossed. Lines are meant to be broken.

I guess I am meant to be broken too. Brokenness means a release of some part of you, a new shape come to light. Brokenness sings a new song, a song that brings truth with the pain. Yes, now I see I cannot live unbroken. And maybe, neither can you. But I think I see hope. Brokenness is beautiful too.  

Too Sensitive

Alice: "I thought that book was awesome!"

George: "That book was so lame. I'm not going to listen to your recommendations ever again.

Alice: "You don't have to be mean about it."

George "I'm not being mean; you're just too sensitive."


Yes, this scenario is a bit contrived, but I think it introduces the topic. Now I'm not a psychologist, but I do know that each person has a unique personality. Yes, I know all about the Meyers-Briggs 16-type test (I'm INTJ, if you're wondering), but even with those you get percentages of how strongly you adhere to each category, providing a still-discrete but more granular differentiation of personality types.

This post is not an academic article on psychology. I definitely don't know enough for that. But I do know that our personalities affect how we internalize, process, produce, and emit ideas. My simple intro dialogue is an example of the type of altercation that can internally crush (or at least really upset) someone depending on their personality. It's happened to me many times. I HATE the phrase "too sensitive," particularly because it most often has a negative connotation.

But what does it really mean to be " sensitive?" The Merriam-Webster dictionary (definition 3) describes "sensitive" as "easily hurt or damaged; especially :  easily hurt emotionally." That doesn't sound very fun, but the next part of the definition is "delicately aware of the attitudes and feelings of others." Sensitivity, as with many other attributes, is something that can be both positive and negative. I'd definitely like to be more perceptive in my interactions with others. I would also argue that sensitivity in this case is essential in at least three of the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5: love, gentleness, and kindness.

In his study Bible, John MacArthur explains that the type of love mentioned in Galatians 5, agape, means "respect, devotion, and affection that leads to willing, self-sacrificial service." If you have this type of love for someone, wouldn't you want to be aware of their feelings? Love yields sensitivity to others. There's got to be something good about it if it's a product of selfless love.

The other fruits of the spirit that come to mind when I think about sensitivity are gentleness and kindness. In addition to his description of gentleness as "humble... patiently submissive...teachable", John MacArthur also includes "consideration of others." The M-W dictionary defines consideration as "continuous and careful thought... thoughtful and sympathetic regard." It seems to me that it'd be difficult to have sympathy for someone if I don't recognize there's something bothering them in the first place. Sensitivity obviously precedes consideration and, more broadly, gentleness. Finally, kindness means "tender concern for others, reflected in a desire to treat others gently." This goes hand-in-hand with our idea of being sympathetic towards others.

I started this post as a sort of rant against people that are inconsiderate, who throw off any responsibility they may have in hurting someone by claiming the recipient of their words is just "too sensitive." However, I have found that I can view my excessive sensitivity as a gift. It may cause me to become hurt easily, but it also allows an increased awareness of the pain of others. I have two choices then. I can get upset and sad and angry and defensive when I am deemed "too sensitive", or I can accept it and thank God for His gift. So, yes, I AM too sensitive. I'll embrace it and try to develop and use the positive side of it to help others. I also urge you to find the natural strengths God has given you in your personality, because they are definitely there, and make use of those gifts to live and to love better.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Thanksgiving! I'm surprisingly quite happy with mine even though I'm sick. Watson and I are just chilling in my apartment, watching tv and thinking about what book we want to curl up on the couch with. :-)

Speaking of books, I just finished reading Mockingjay for the third time. I have to say I like it more and more each time I read it. I know there are a lot of mixed feelings about how Suzanne Collins chose to end The Hunger Games trilogy, but I like it.

Since, I'm sick (and a little lazy), I'm just going to list some reasons why I like Mockingjay instead of going into full-on essay mode. (Please forgive me.)

What I love about Mockingjay

• Girl power! :-) I love that a female, Katniss, is the face of the rebel war effort. She is a very strong character in all three books, but there's a transition in Mockingjay where we see her go from fighting for her own and her family's survival to fighting for her country as a whole. She sees the bigger picture and decides to fight even though it may cost her what she was originally fighting for. We see this a little in Catching Fire when she decides not to run off to the woods to get away from President Snow and his threats, but again there's something about a female being the driving force in a war that is really empowering to me. 
• Changing roles: A lot of people were really upset about Peeta's absence (physically and then psychologically) in Mockingjay. I missed Peeta, don't get me wrong, but I really appreciated this opportunity for Katniss to realize what she had in Peeta and to fight for him as he had done for her. Through really awful circumstances she learns how to love him unconditionally, and I think that's beautiful.
• Real characters: I really appreciate Collins portraying Katniss as a real, imperfect person. She doesn't always say the right things, think the right things, want the right things. She's conflicted. She gets angry. She's selfish at times. She often wants to give up. The story is so much more powerful because our heroine struggles, and even at the end she's not perfect. She's depressed, cautious, and scared, but she learns how to keep going anyway. To me that is much more inspiring than a character who does everything right and then lives happily ever after. That's just not real. But Katniss' story is real, and I can connect with it.

There are lots of other little things I love about Mockingjay, but these are the big three. Maybe they can help you appreciate the book a bit more. It really is a beautiful ending to a difficult story.

Also, I just saw Catching Fire in theaters. It was AWESOME! So true to the story. You should definitely see it! :-)

Something Cute

Watson likes to howl with sirens. :-)

Divergent!

The full Divergent trailer is here! :-)



I'm super excited (as you can probably tell)! I first read the book by Veronica Roth a few months ago and have read it 3 more times since then. I love, love, love it! I got interested in the young adult sci-fi/fantasy genre after reading The Hunger Games in May (yes, I know I'm a bit late). After finishing up that trilogy, I moved on to the Divergent trilogy, which has just been completed with Allegiant coming out in October. I fell in love with Divergent. 

Synopsis:

The story is set in a dystopian society of an isolated city many years in the future. The society developed a system in which each adult must choose a faction to support and to operate in. The factions were formed based on virtues believed to be most important for ridding the world of violence: selflessness, bravery, intelligence, honesty, and peacefulness. At age 16, each citizen undergoes a simulation test designed to reveal which faction the person has the greatest aptitude for. The teenager then gets to decide which faction he/she will join for life, often choosing the faction for which they have the highest aptitude. Tris, a 16 year old girl who is approaching her own "Choosing Day" tells her struggle of figuring out who she is and who she wants to be. 

There's a lot more to it, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it yet. :-)

What I love about the story:

The stubborn, tough tomboy in me would definitely choose Dauntless; it just seems fun. Also, I like tattoos. (I have 3 of my own.) However, nerd that I am, I'd most likely end up in Erudite. Still, I enjoy following Tris through her initiation journey in Dauntless. The thing I love most about her story is her determination to keep going, overcome difficult obstacles, and believe in herself. It was actually quite inspirational for me when I was (and am still kind of) going through a tough time. I read some of Roth's interviews about her book, and she mentioned having her own struggle with anxiety come through in Tris' story. I really resonated with that, dealing with anxiety myself. Tris' determination to keep going and to be brave reignited my motivation to overcome my own obstacles.

The Intro Post

Hi!

Thanks for coming to our blog! My boyfriend (until he proposes and marries me ;-) ) Peter and I (Rebecca) have been talking about starting a blog for over a year now, so this is me finally starting it. We pretty much plan to post anything we're interested in which includes but is not limited to:

• Book/movie/technology reviews
• Random creative writings (may include some poetry, maybe)
• Crochet patterns & baking recipes
• The occasional political discussion
• Personal experiences
• Pictures of our dog (He's super cute!)
• Science/engineering stuff
• Exercise/sports
• Etc.

I was going to write something up to "introduce" us, but I think you'll get a fair idea of our personalities, values, and interests through subsequent posts. Plus, we want to keep the mystery alive. I hope you enjoy reading our crazy thoughts on random things. We're going to have fun writing them. If you have any ideas for cool post topics (i.e. books we should read and discuss, an issue you want to talk about, etc.), let us know. :-)

To start off, here's a picture of our dog Watson. Isn't he precious?

Oh, and here's a picture of Peter and me, in case you're curious.