I'm glad I gave this one a 2nd chance

In all seriousness, even though I am marking this book as Read, I'm really only halfway through. I LOVED Me Before You, but I just cannot get into AFTER YOU. It has not caught nor does it hold my interest in the slightest. It simply is not at all the way I imagined the story to continue. I would much rather have my imagining of the continuing story than read the rest of this book.

I felt the same way when SCARLET came out (the attempted sequel to GONE WITH THE WIND). Margaret Mitchell's masterpiece has a wonderful open-ended ending that I LOVE because I get to imagine what happened to Rhett and Scarlet. All the hype over SCARLET was NOT worth my time. I didn't make it through that book either.

**OK. I finally finished it. And I'm glad I did. AFTER YOU is in no way even close to the

awesomeness of ME BEFORE YOU, but by the time I read the last word, I no longer greatly disliked it. The worst part of the story, for me, is how Lily shows up at Louisa's door and that Louisa feels an instant responsibility for the girl--even though there is NO REAL REASON for her to do so. I suppose, though, that in grief, we look for any and every reason to hang on to the person we love[d] and to feel ANY connection with that person, no matter how insignificant or tenuous that connection might be.

So as I read the book, I fell more in love with Louisa. What I really love about AFTER YOU is how Moyes demonstrates the truth that just because a few years have gone by, that does not mean that the grieving can or does "get over" losing a loved one. Everyone struggles and deals with grief in his/her own time and in his/her own way. There is no one "right"--or wrong--way to grieve. What is important is to surround ourselves with friends, family, and loved ones who are still available--and to let those friends, family, and loved ones be there for us (don't push them away). 

My heart went out to Louisa as she struggled to do what she felt was best for HER, in spite of the fact that she had a number of people telling her something different. I have struggled with this very thing over the past 17 years and it is very difficult. I don't want to hurt anyone by "ignoring" his/her advice, but ultimately, I have to do what is right for me--what I know in my heart-of-hearts, in my very soul, is best for me--even if it alienates others.

I have lost close friends because I went a different direction than they advised. Yes, that breaks my heart, but at the same time, I KNOW that I did the right thing--for me.

And like Louisa, I have also made some fairly stupid decisions, but my God has everything under His control and if something is in His will, somehow or another, He usually gives me the "kick in the pants" that I need in order for me to see that He has opened--or closed--a particular door. 

So while I struggled with AFTER YOU at first, I am very glad I read it. The book is a wonderful demonstration of the living dealing with life after the death of a much loved one and it is REAL in that regards. Sometimes it does pay to plow through a book that we don't like at first.....

A Reader's Dream Come True

Another winner!!!  A Reader's dream--to have the characters in a story come to life or real people become characters in a book!  Interacting with one another.....Wonderful!  Where The NeverEnding Story is mostly for younger kids (tweens and younger), Off the Page (and Between the Lines) is certainly a book for teens and older.  There isn't anything that could possibly be considered inappropriate or offensive--which I absolutely love.  It's a realistic teen love story with a happily-ever-after to rival the best of them!  And, to make it that much better, it even ends in such a way as to leave it open for a sequel!

As a long-time fan of Jodi's books, I am excited to see her writing branch into other areas especially in regards to writing with her very  own daughter!  What a dream come true!  To have one of our own children love or want to do the same thing we love/want to do......I mean, it's not as if parents push their children to do what they do (as a general rule), but I know that it certainly makes any parent bubble with happiness when her child does want to do what she does for a living.  We are filled with pride at whatever our children choose to do and when they are successful in their careers, but we can't help but burst wide open with pride when they willingly choose to do what we love WITH us.

I am so excited to see where Samantha's own personal career goes.  Whether she chooses to continue writing with her mother, on her own, or do something else, I know her momma is very proud of her!

Put your hands together: Reading AND Writing

Julia Cameron's THE RIGHT TO WRITE:  AN INVITATION AND INITIATION INTO THE WRITING LIFE is the 3rd book by her I have read.  As great as each of her books has been, including this one, they are beginning to run together--to repeat.  That isn't a negative thing because what she has to say is very valuable.  There are new points as well as varying ways of stating her repeated points, so each book has great value and is well worth reading.  One thing you need to know as you go into Julia's books is that most of her books are workbooks, so be ready to write as you read!  That's one of the reasons why I love her books!  I get to combing my two favorite things:  reading and writing!!!!

Jodi Picoult seemingly can do no Wrong

Jodi Picoult has the power, like no one else, to convince me that what I am reading at the time I reading HER book is THE GREATEST book I have ever read in my life as well as the most realistic story I have ever read.  Wow.  I had a difficult time getting started with LEAVING TIME.  Not because of the story, but because I was very busy with the end of the semester.  Once I had a few minutes to sit down and actually read the book, though, I found it next to impossible to put down.  Wow.  As I was nearing the end, I felt that I should have seen THAT ending coming, but wonderfully, I did not.  I love it when I get to the surprise without having figured it out.  I can still enjoy a book when I have figured out the surprise before getting there, but for me, it is simply more fun being able to read the surprise and experiencing it in its full force and effect.  Wow.  Great job, Jodi.  

I have always loved elephants, but LEAVING TIME has given me a much greater appreciation for them.  Wonderful.  

LEAVING TIME is a wonderful reminder of the fact that we have to be careful to pre-judge someone or simply to pass judgment on people before we know the whole truth.  There are certain characters in this book who I found myself drawn to and others I wanted to disappear simply because I didn't agree with them, didn't like their philosophy, or more importantly, I didn't like or agree with something they were doing.  But by the end of the book, I found myself changing my way of thinking about each of those characters!!!  

Picoult's books never fail to keep me riveted.  The best part is that with LEAVING TIME, we also get the back story of her novellas that she published online prior to the release of the book!  Awesome.  I can't say enough good things about LEAVING TIME by Jodi Picoult.

HP just keeps getting better and better with every read!

Wow.  Just Wow.

I can't help wondering if Rowling had all these connections figured out before she ever started Book 1 or if they just kinda, sorta happened in a natural way.  Those of you who have read the series, you know what I'm talking about.  So many things come full circle from the beginning to the closing of the series.  It's actually overwhelming.

I have always been someone who remembers a LOT of details from the books I read.  I'm not bragging; it's the simple truth.  It's why Reading and teaching literature is my gift and I know I'm doing what I'm meant to do.  Just like some people can remember stats from football/baseball/basketball/soccer/etc. games even from 50 years ago, I can remember specific details about books I read even 20 years ago.  That doesn't keep me from re-reading my favorite books, I must say!

With that being said, I still found myself in awe of the details that Rowling brings full circle in Book 7--things I'd completely forgotten about or hadn't paid much attention to when I read the first 6 books.  It's INCREDIBLE how well she remembers every tiny detail and makes them all fit together so neatly.

I can't help but wonder how she was able to keep everything straight....how she remembered so many details.  I know she wrote the series and that makes her THE ABSOLUTE authority on the series, but it's still so incredible to imagine that she was able to remember even the minutest of details and she brings them up at the right moment and connects the dots.....Although, it appears that Harry and Voldemort are distantly related, but Harry never seems to make that connection.  I find that a bit odd.  It seems to be an important point--at least it does to me.

Wow.

Quickly, why I love Book 7 (and/or the series):

1.  See what I stated above.  Just so incredible!!!  As a writer-wanna-be, I'm in awe!!!

2.  Rowling definitely pulls from mythology, many previous stories, and THE LORD OF THE RINGS series.  There are many great connections and similar plot devices, yet at the same time, the STORY itself is unique.  It's not a re-telling of older stories; it's a unique story that uses older stories woven throughout.  Genius.  Absolutely genius.

3.  So many "secrets" are revealed in Book 7.  What makes that even more incredible is that there are secrets revealed that we, the readers, didn't even realize were secrets that needed to be revealed!  LOL!

4.  The story CAN BE SEEN as a Christian allegory focused especially on the theme of love (sacrificial love).  Whether Rowling meant for that to be true or not,--(I know Tolkien absolutely hated that people said he intended to write an allegory--he admitted that allegory CAN BE SEEN in THE LORD OF THE RINGS series, but he in no way wrote the story with that particular intention)--it's definitely there.

5.  One feature that makes a great book great, is that we fall in love with the characters--we CARE about the characters--we become so much a part of the story that we feel as if they are OUR best friends, too--but especially that when the story is over, we just want more!  Rowling is successful in each area to the nth degree!  I bawled like a baby when my favorite characters died.  At times, I was in such shock at certain deaths that tears wouldn't come even though I was terrible horrified.  What was so great about this read is that even though it's my third time (I think) reading book 7, I still cried, I still felt each and every part of the story as if I was reading it for the first time.  Awesome.

6.  That Samuel has read the whole series, too, and he loves it, too.  I love that we share this!  He'll talk to me about things he learned from the story!  I've even been able to use examples from the story to help Samuel in certain situations in his life.  I know when I use the examples from the series that he GETS IT.  (Don't get me wrong, now.  I use the Bible when I'm helping Samuel with life lessons, but it can't be denied that the HP series has great life examples that those of us who have read it can easily connect with.)

7.  The whole story focuses on the anti-hero theme.  Harry is not a great wizard, he doesn't have any especially powers, he's not the best in his class, and he even has physical flaws--something no true hero has in much of the early British Literature.  Hermoine would have been a better hero, but even she has physical flaws what with her bushy hair, overly large teeth, and know-it-all-ness.  Even Neville, the most anit-heroic character ever, shines and helps save the day in Book 7!  It's difficult not to shout for joy at Neville's incredible bravery in Book 7!!!!  I love that the heroes in the HP series aren't perfect.  Beowulf and other perfect characters like him make me want to punch them in the throat.  But these flawed, imperfect characters are relatable, and--it makes me feel if these flawed characters can be heroes, maybe I can be one, too!!!!

8.  It's just plain and simply a GREAT series!!!!

*Read on the Nook.*

Started:  August 4, 2012
Finished:  August 10, 2012

Started again:  March 31 (?), 2013
Finished again:  April 8, 2013
Started (again):  Friday, August 22, 2014
Finished (again):  Saturday, September 13, 2014

Sick & tired of labeling novels

I have been frustrated for a long time about the labels that are put on books, but now that I've finished reading several books by Gayle Forman, I can't keep quiet any longer.  Gayle Forman's books--If I Stay, Where She Went, Just one Day, Just one Year, and Just one Night--are all labeled as "Young Adult" works of fiction.  John Green's books, especially The Fault in our Stars, is also labeled as "Young Adult" fiction.  Stephen Chbosky's book The Perks of Being a Wallflower is also considered "Young Adult" literature.  J. K. Rowling's whole Harry Potter series (all 7 books) is labeled in the "Young Adult" or, more often I do believe, the "Children's" category of fiction.

But...well, Seriously?!

I'll give you that Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the first book in the series, is VERY much appropriate for Young Adult, even Children's Literature. Harry and his closest friends are 11 and they have adventures appropriate for 11 year olds.  The first couple of books in the series are simply adorable and majorly fun to read.  But, as even J. K. Rowling has admitted, the books get darker as the series goes on, beginning especially with book four, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, where a major character's death takes place in all it's horrific glory.  

By the time we get to the death of another major character in book five, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the books are not only dark because of the deaths taking place, but they're dark because they have moments where Harry and his friends are in real danger and for young children reading the books, especially twelve year olds, these moments can be very scary.  

Granted, some children are mature enough by the time they are twelve years old to handle the plot, the story line of the last four of the Harry Potter books, but at the same time, as a teacher, a mother, and an avid reader, I'm not comfortable with the books being "Children's" Literature for the simple fact that because of that label, many parents--and teachers--give children free rein to read such books without reading the books for themselves or WITH their children/students.  

What if the youngsters reading these books have never dealt with death before?  Except maybe in books?  Some of these deaths (most of them, actually) are FELT by the reader to the core.  Even as an adult, I sobbed like a big baby (truly--snot running down my face, blubbering, body-shaking sobs) when Dobby dies in the act of saving Harry and his friends.  I had to stop reading for a while because his death shook me up so much.  And it continues to do do so every single time I read the books.

And what about all the kissing and talking about "snogging" in the last several books?  It was bound to happen as Harry and his friends get older.  While there isn't any indication of anything going on between the youngsters beyond kissing, Rowling certainly leaves the door open to the very real possibility that more happens between some of the couples.  Nothing is written in a manner that can or should be deemed as inappropriate, but it is a reality that Harry and the rest of the beloved characters are getting older.

My point about the Harry Potter series is simply that while the first two books (and maybe book three) can easily be in the "Children's" or even "Young Adult" category, by the time the books get to book four, the such labels are simply too simplistic.  It's a crime to label books in such categories mainly or just because the major characters in the story are children or teenagers.  The focus should be more on the action of the story--the plot--which is much darker than "Children's" or "Young Adult" literature implies.

As much as I absolutely love each of these novels, I don't feel comfortable with them being labeled as "Children's" literature or even "Young Adult" literature.  While teenagers and/or younger children might be the main characters in these stories, each one has a difficult themes and plots and story lines that are just more mature than your average reader is used to.  Granted, most of the young adults who do pick up these books to read because they WANT to read them are more mature than the average person who is made to read such books, but it just seems as if we're putting labels on books and advertising them for a particular age group more because the main characters than because the stories should truly be read by your average young adult readers--without a parent or other respected adult reading the books, too, so conversations can take place regarding the difficult/hard themes, etc. within these books.

I realize that I'm not making myself very clear and that so far, I've spent an awful lot of time rambling in an attempt to make my point, but it just goes to show how discombobulated my thoughts about this mis-labeling are.  I am certainly glad any time I hear that young people are reading--no matter what it is that they're reading, it is important that they READ.  

But with reading novels with such challenging themes, plots, stories, details, etc. comes great responsibility and sometimes, these young people read these books not because they're prepared for what they're getting themselves into but because the books are labeled as "Children's" or "Young Adult" literature and thus, they go into these books blinded not by knowledge of what to expect within these stories but open only to the knowledge that the books they've picked up are age-appropriate....when, in reality, they may not yet be ready to read these stories--at least not without some guidance or discussion throughout the reading.

Of course, parents--adults--reading these books with their kids has a lot of great benefits.

For one, they have an opportunity to bond over great stories--great literature--when parents read books with their kids.  Maybe sometimes, they can even read the stories out loud to one another so that they can HEAR the different nuances within the stories that can only be heard when read aloud.  There are studies after studies that discuss the benefits of parents reading to their kids.  Why should that stop just because the kids are getting older and are called "Young Adults"????

Reading such books with our kids also opens the door for great, powerful conversations.  For example, in Just One Year by Gayle Forman (as well as others), Willem finds a relationship with his mother whom he as assumed for years doesn't care enough about him to know where he is, what he's doing, or who he's with.  It's wonderful for young people to see that parents aren't the enemy--that there is actually so much more to our parents than we'll ever realize--even if/when we do realize how amazing our parents are.

Adults reading such books with their kids also gives parents a hard dose of reality of where their kids really ARE.  I admit that I like living in a world where I believe young people aren't and don't have sex when they're so young--12, 13, 14, but the reality is that young people ARE having sex (and doing drugs, Lord help us, in spite of all the "Just Say No" campaigns).  Reading these books together can also help open the door for the tough conversations about sex and consequences, etc. of having sex not only at such a young age, but outside of marriage--if that's what the parents choose to talk about.

And don't forget the instant connection that we all feel any time someone loves something as much we do!  Why not have that kind of connection with our kids?!  I love it when Samuel or I can throw out a quote from one of our favorite books and the other either finishes it, says the next line, or picks it up and takes the conversation to the next level.  We only have to say one word or phrase sometimes for the other to "get it" and things to take off from there!  It's even better than sharing a favorite television show!!!

And how about the very simple fact that you each are READING????  

  

I Promise to Read

http://www.makeareadingpromise.com/

My dad sent me a link for The Reading Promise several weeks ago.  At the time, when I was reading the link he sent me, I thought it was just a great interview with the father and daughter on the news show that had done the interview.  Then, I learned that it was actually a BOOK!  I think I was surfing the Barnes and Noble web site!  Needless to say, I bought the book the day I learned it was a book and started reading it that same day! 

I tore through it!  It is such a great book!  What a wonderful tribute to the wonder and joy of my favorite hobby:  reading!!!!  Finally!  Someone else GETS IT as far as reading is concerned!

I have always been an avid reader; reading several books at once--reading ALL THE TIME.  As Sweeney Todd says that his razors make his arm complete, I am most complete when I have a book (and pen) in my hands!!!!  I have been reading since before I was 4 years old.  I loved that my mom would read to me, but I couldn't wait for her to read the next chapter in a book, so I'd take the book and finish it on my own!!! 

I have been trying to read to my son, Samuel, more lately than usual.  I really enjoy that, too.  He's going to spend 6 weeks with his grandparents this summer--they live 4 hours away.  I keep trying to talk Samuel into letting me read to him over the phone (my parents don't have Skype access).  He tells me that he doesn't know if he can hold the phone to his ear for that long!!!  Maybe he'll let me....At least I know that if he doesn't let me read to him over the phone that my mom will read to him!!!!