Audrey Niffenegger’s The Time Traveler’s Wife explores the extent of patience and love for others. It was touching and very enjoyable.
The theme of this book is love. The love between the two main character’s Henry and Clare is very complicated, but they still keep it alive. Niffenegger shows how far one will go for their love. The book shows the up, downs, ins, and outs of Henry and Clare’s relationship and life together.
Niffenegger uses a very unique style with this book. The Time Traveler’s Wife is written from both Henry and Clare’s perspective. Plus, all of the chapters include the dates in which the events happen since Henry time travels. I found this very helpful when I was trying to understand the book.
The two main characters in the book, Henry and Clare, were easy to feel for. That is, while reading, I could very clearly feel their emotions. I loved to see how they changed throughout the book.
The setting of The Time Traveler’s Wife was very confusing to me. Since Henry time travels, the setting could change in a flash without warning. However, the reoccurring settings were very well described.
To put it simply, Henry is a time traveler. He goes without warning, without noise, and without clothes. On one of his trips, Henry meets a young girl named Clare. Clare decides that she is going to marry Henry, a man who she knows all of her life and a man whose age changes each time she sees him. Finally, Clare meets the “real” Henry, the Henry that lives in the present. They fall madly in love, but how does one love a man who disappears?
I really liked The Time Traveler’s Wife. I would recommend this book for anyone. The book was not too sappy, but it was touching. However, I do not think that this book it suitable for younger people, as it is very sexual at times. Also, The Time Traveler’s Wife is clearly very long, but I did not even think of that since I enjoyed the book as much as I did.
560 Pages
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
The Time Machine Review
If time travel were possible, would it be a beneficial technological advance? H. G. Wells explores that question in his novel The Time Machine, a book that was full of suspense and adventure.
The theme of this book explores what time travel could result in. The book also hints to the old cliché “be careful what you wish for.” The main character in the book, the Time Traveler, ventures into the future hoping to find a race of humans superior to our own only to discover that the human race is no more. The glorious future he hoped for does not exist. He then finds himself in a jam since he is in a foreign time. The Time Traveler got what he wished for, but not in the right form and it brought only trouble to him.
The Time Machine was written in 1895, so the style of writing is different from that of today’s writers. H. G. Wells used words that I had never heard of, and that made the book harder to read. For some, the hard-to-read language could be a negative point for the book.
H. G. Wells did not include very many physical descriptions of the characters. For example, he did not even give the main character a name. Instead, he is only known as “The Time Traveler”. However, I could clearly feel the Time Traveler’s emotions throughout the book.
The setting of The Time Machine was very confusing for me. This could be because I was not connecting with the book enough, but I could not see what the “future” looked like. Since the main setting, the future, was unknown to me, I didn’t have anything to aid me in visualizing the environment except the author’s words, which didn’t paint a clear picture.
In The Time Machine, a man only known as the Time Traveler discovers a way to transport himself into the future. When he gets there, he discovers that the future is not what he expected. Later, when the Time Traveler decides to return home, he finds his time machine missing. Trouble ensues. What is one to do in a foreign place and time where no one can help?
All in all, The Time Machine was a pretty good book. The novel had a good story, but was hard for me to read. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes science fiction and is willing to look up unknown words in a dictionary.
83 Pages
The theme of this book explores what time travel could result in. The book also hints to the old cliché “be careful what you wish for.” The main character in the book, the Time Traveler, ventures into the future hoping to find a race of humans superior to our own only to discover that the human race is no more. The glorious future he hoped for does not exist. He then finds himself in a jam since he is in a foreign time. The Time Traveler got what he wished for, but not in the right form and it brought only trouble to him.
The Time Machine was written in 1895, so the style of writing is different from that of today’s writers. H. G. Wells used words that I had never heard of, and that made the book harder to read. For some, the hard-to-read language could be a negative point for the book.
H. G. Wells did not include very many physical descriptions of the characters. For example, he did not even give the main character a name. Instead, he is only known as “The Time Traveler”. However, I could clearly feel the Time Traveler’s emotions throughout the book.
The setting of The Time Machine was very confusing for me. This could be because I was not connecting with the book enough, but I could not see what the “future” looked like. Since the main setting, the future, was unknown to me, I didn’t have anything to aid me in visualizing the environment except the author’s words, which didn’t paint a clear picture.
In The Time Machine, a man only known as the Time Traveler discovers a way to transport himself into the future. When he gets there, he discovers that the future is not what he expected. Later, when the Time Traveler decides to return home, he finds his time machine missing. Trouble ensues. What is one to do in a foreign place and time where no one can help?
All in all, The Time Machine was a pretty good book. The novel had a good story, but was hard for me to read. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes science fiction and is willing to look up unknown words in a dictionary.
83 Pages
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The Princess Diaries Review
Meg Cabot’s The Princess Diaries entertained me with its sweet story and relatable narration. The novel was fun and easy to read.
The Princess Diaries details the life of Mia Thermopolis who lives with her mom and cat. Mia’s father lives in France, and he is a politician. Little does Mia know that his title is that of a prince! After he finds out that his testicular cancer will prevent him from having kids, Mia must take the role as heir. Now, Mia must deal with being a princess, making her friend Lilly happy, and passing algebra. Can she do it all?
The theme of The Princess Diaries embodies the question “Who am I?” Mia Thermopolis discovers that she is the heir to the throne of a small European country called Genovia. Throughout the book, she tries to come to terms with her new-found responsibilities. Mia is caught up in trying to balance school, friends, and princess lessons. Her stressful schedule causes her to toughen up a step up to the plate.
Meg Cabot used a very unique writing style in this book. The Princess Diaries is written in the form of a diary as told by Mia. This makes the book feel like Mia is talking directly to the reader. The book becomes more personal because of this.
The characters in this book are very fun to read about. Mia has insecurities just like the rest of us, so she becomes relatable. Even though readers probably will not go through Mia’s problems, how she deals with those problems sparks the reader’s mind to make connections to their own life.
The setting of this book is primarily New York City, but Mai often speaks of Genovia. The descriptions provided of scenes in the book are detailed enough for the reader to picture them clearly. Each scene provided not only location, but also people, props, and conditions of those factors.
As I stated previously, most readers will not have to govern small countries. However, they can connect to Mia’s friend problems, insecurities about her body, and fear of taking on new responsibilities. The Princess Diaries is a good, funny story that is told in a fun way. This book is a wonderful read.
283 pages
The Princess Diaries details the life of Mia Thermopolis who lives with her mom and cat. Mia’s father lives in France, and he is a politician. Little does Mia know that his title is that of a prince! After he finds out that his testicular cancer will prevent him from having kids, Mia must take the role as heir. Now, Mia must deal with being a princess, making her friend Lilly happy, and passing algebra. Can she do it all?
The theme of The Princess Diaries embodies the question “Who am I?” Mia Thermopolis discovers that she is the heir to the throne of a small European country called Genovia. Throughout the book, she tries to come to terms with her new-found responsibilities. Mia is caught up in trying to balance school, friends, and princess lessons. Her stressful schedule causes her to toughen up a step up to the plate.
Meg Cabot used a very unique writing style in this book. The Princess Diaries is written in the form of a diary as told by Mia. This makes the book feel like Mia is talking directly to the reader. The book becomes more personal because of this.
The characters in this book are very fun to read about. Mia has insecurities just like the rest of us, so she becomes relatable. Even though readers probably will not go through Mia’s problems, how she deals with those problems sparks the reader’s mind to make connections to their own life.
The setting of this book is primarily New York City, but Mai often speaks of Genovia. The descriptions provided of scenes in the book are detailed enough for the reader to picture them clearly. Each scene provided not only location, but also people, props, and conditions of those factors.
As I stated previously, most readers will not have to govern small countries. However, they can connect to Mia’s friend problems, insecurities about her body, and fear of taking on new responsibilities. The Princess Diaries is a good, funny story that is told in a fun way. This book is a wonderful read.
283 pages
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Tosh and Lauren Talk About
In a moment of boredom earlier this morning, I decided to check every account I currently have on the web. So, of course, I played around on YouTube for a while. I checked the status of Tosh's and my account. To my surprise, we have 1,317 views on our Tosh and Lauren Talk About videos! This is for you Mrs. Gillmore: can you say cha-ching?! I feel almost famous. Now, most of our viewers know us, so we're not that famous, but still...
Tosh and Lauren Talk About started as just something to pass the time in choir class. (You can read all about this here http://marypoppins10.blogspot.com/2009/09/tosh-and-lauren.html) Tosh and I soon found that making a talk show was really fun, so we decided to do it regularly and upload it to YouTube. Now, in the above link, Tosh talks all about the beginning and development of Tosh and Lauren Talk About. I'm not going to do that, but I'm going to reminisce. And advertise. :)
I love watching our old episodes. I literally laugh out loud during each of them. Sometimes, it's because of what's going on in the episode. Other times, it's because of what happened before filming or what was going on behind the camera. Tosh and I don't write out scripts. We just come up with ideas, get our props into the GBBOE (That's the Great Big Bag of Everything for all of you non-viewers), and go. There's no telling what will end up in the final cut. For example, in our most watched episode "Tosh and Lauren Talk About Sleepovers", we ended up having to film about three times. Each time was completely different. In one take, we ended up singing songs. In another, Tosh chased me around. I think the only part the remained the same was the begining: Tosh came out and sang our theme song (Yes, we have a theme song) and I hid in the GBBOE. That was fun.
Each episode brings back memories for me. In one episode, viewers called in with questions and comments. That took forever to work out, and it was probably the most frustrating to make. When we came up with the Cristmas episode, Nelson was originally supposed to be the Grinch. :) But, he chickened out, so we ended up bribing my brother to do it. Once, we got really bored at my house, and just decided to do a video response to Tosh's cousin's video. We just did the exact opposite of everything he did. I remember we wore headphones that weren't connected to anything because he wore headphones in his video. Then, I got up to do something during the video, and my headphones drug on the ground. Since it was the dead of winter, there was static electricity everywhere and the headphones shocked me over and over in my ears. It hurt, but if you watch the video, you'd never know. Every single episode involves Tosh saying something about me being funny looking. I have no idea how that started, but it's just hilarious to me. After we film, Tosh always says "Now Lauren, remember that I think you're not funny looking." I guess she feels bad each time. But it does make for funny videos. We have tons more ideas for episodes. Plus, we decided to start a new line of videos that have nothing to do with us talking about stuff. They're going to be called "Tosh and Lauren Talk About Presents:..." I don't see an end to this anywhere. We have way too much fun.
By the way, if you want to check out Tosh and Lauren Talk About, click here http://www.youtube.com/user/ToshaKenzie.
Tosh and Lauren Talk About started as just something to pass the time in choir class. (You can read all about this here http://marypoppins10.blogspot.com/2009/09/tosh-and-lauren.html) Tosh and I soon found that making a talk show was really fun, so we decided to do it regularly and upload it to YouTube. Now, in the above link, Tosh talks all about the beginning and development of Tosh and Lauren Talk About. I'm not going to do that, but I'm going to reminisce. And advertise. :)
I love watching our old episodes. I literally laugh out loud during each of them. Sometimes, it's because of what's going on in the episode. Other times, it's because of what happened before filming or what was going on behind the camera. Tosh and I don't write out scripts. We just come up with ideas, get our props into the GBBOE (That's the Great Big Bag of Everything for all of you non-viewers), and go. There's no telling what will end up in the final cut. For example, in our most watched episode "Tosh and Lauren Talk About Sleepovers", we ended up having to film about three times. Each time was completely different. In one take, we ended up singing songs. In another, Tosh chased me around. I think the only part the remained the same was the begining: Tosh came out and sang our theme song (Yes, we have a theme song) and I hid in the GBBOE. That was fun.
Each episode brings back memories for me. In one episode, viewers called in with questions and comments. That took forever to work out, and it was probably the most frustrating to make. When we came up with the Cristmas episode, Nelson was originally supposed to be the Grinch. :) But, he chickened out, so we ended up bribing my brother to do it. Once, we got really bored at my house, and just decided to do a video response to Tosh's cousin's video. We just did the exact opposite of everything he did. I remember we wore headphones that weren't connected to anything because he wore headphones in his video. Then, I got up to do something during the video, and my headphones drug on the ground. Since it was the dead of winter, there was static electricity everywhere and the headphones shocked me over and over in my ears. It hurt, but if you watch the video, you'd never know. Every single episode involves Tosh saying something about me being funny looking. I have no idea how that started, but it's just hilarious to me. After we film, Tosh always says "Now Lauren, remember that I think you're not funny looking." I guess she feels bad each time. But it does make for funny videos. We have tons more ideas for episodes. Plus, we decided to start a new line of videos that have nothing to do with us talking about stuff. They're going to be called "Tosh and Lauren Talk About Presents:..." I don't see an end to this anywhere. We have way too much fun.
By the way, if you want to check out Tosh and Lauren Talk About, click here http://www.youtube.com/user/ToshaKenzie.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Fame Has Its Price
This weekend, my cousin came from Little Rock to take me out to eat, and she brought me a gift. No, it wasn't my birthday or some crazy holiday, but she found a book and Barnes and Noble that she thought was perfect for me. It is a giant (more that one foot by one foot at least) book that is about, guess who, Elvis Presley! It is about his life and is full of very nice pictures. I devoured it in about one night. I was really excited to read this book, but as I reached the end, something made me a little melancholy.
Elvis was a country boy, and being thrust into the spotlight was a huge shock to him. Throughout his career, he experienced changes; changes in his friends, changes in his family, and most of all, changes in himself. These changes can be seen in his personal appearance throughout the years. From eccentric young "rebel" to flashy, overweight icon, Elvis' problems definitely showed. He was tired of being surrounded by people who pretended to be his friend just to get in the spotlight. At one point he even said, "I'm tired of being Elvis Presley." All of that fame and Elvis' abundant lifestyle took its toll. He turned to prescription drugs and food as a comfort. Still, he was always devoted to his fans, and always tried to please them with his performances. He eventually overdosed on August 16th, 1977. He died young, he was only 42, so the question is always asked: "What could have been?"
Even though he died over thirty years ago, Elvis is still remembered. Still, it makes me sad to think of how such a talented person died in such a terrible way.
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