Nov 18

So as I got to the end of the book I really was kind of shocked that it had ended just like that. I was totally with Lisa in that when I finished I was really surprised that, that was it. It was still a good ending in my mind though. I thought it showed how it was time for the boy to be on his own. It was just something that had to happen with this story. At least that’s what I believe needed to happen. A question that was raised today in class had to do with the father and how he died. Like do you believe that he died from the arrow or from his sickness? I personally believe that it was because of his sickness more. I mean this guy is a tough guy. He could have made it through that somehow but it was just too much for him. And like most people I am sure thought. It was too convenient I thought, I mean seriously? I don’t know I thought it was kind of lame to me. I thought it would have set up another book fine if the kid was on his own. Either way I guess it works for a sequel. This book really did impress me. I really didn’t think it was going to be as good as it ended up being. I really thought that it was going to be kind of lame. But then it was definitely worth the read. I would have to say I would most likely recommend this book to someone else. I really feel like it is a good read for a guy for some reason. I don’t know every guy loves adventures and survival stories and so I feel like it would go over really well with them.

Nov 11

So I am going to talk a little bit about the writing style. I kind of like it. It wasn’t my favorite but it was good. At first I was unsure about it but as I continued to read it got gradually better for me. I really didn’t enjoy the way the writing is just blocked… I don’t know how to explain it but I don’t like it. It also bothers me that it lacks quotes. For me the style also really made me think of what I could do in their situation. I don’t know the book kind of sucks you into that, in a sense that it makes you want to know what’s going on, whether that be the father and son finding their way, if they have a safe place to sleep, or even enough food.

I really liked the amount of suspense that is going on in this book. I see this suspense through the way we don’t know what is going on. For example, we don’t know what the character’s names are, who or what they are running from and it makes you continue to wonder and speculate what could be going on. It is hard not to get into this book. Sure it starts slow or at least for me it started slow but it has picked up. To me it is truly mysterious and interesting.

I don’t know I am just really sucked into this book. It really is good and interesting and I am excited to see what happens next. You automatically have to have this emotion for the characters in that you have to worry for them. Just hoping that they can make it through whatever they are going through right now.

Bonus Blog Post

So… My expectations of contemporary literature are pretty much the same as everyone else I think. I mean I just want something to hook me and keep me interested. I guess the biggest deal with me is that the book has to catch my interest. And that’s what’s tough for me, I think I am closed off form a lot of books because even if the book is written well and has a good storyline if it isn’t a topic that I am interested in I won’t give it the time of day. I guess you could say I am a very closed off reader.

If I do get hooked to a story, one of the main components I need to make really appreciate the book is character development. The reason why I really enjoy this component of stories is that it makes the stories so much more personal once you feel like you know the characters at a personal level. If I feel like I don’t know the characters that well I might start to lose some interest.

Now don’t get me wrong I am not closed off from everything that doesn’t relate to me. I love fantasy books for the most part. I love stretching the imagination and getting myself to think outside the box. A Place so Foreign was a book that was fantasy and it caught my attention for the most part. I just get intrigued with books that look into the future and such.

So if you want to keep me entertained with your books just make sure that they consists of a lot relationship stuff, not necessarily marriage and love but relationships between friends and just the interaction between people. I don’t know why but that is probably something that gets me the most is observing relational environments.

Nov 4

I tried to post this yesterday but I guess I must have exited out before I clicked post, so here comes round 2…
I am not exactly into mystery novels. It just isn’t my type of book so really this is pretty much my first time with reading one. So far I have enjoyed Still Life for the most part. It hasn’t been my favorite type of genre or anything but it has already opened my eyes to more mysterious books. With these types of books you definitely catch yourself thinking about who you think did it. You put yourself in the shoes as the detective because you want to solve the mystery first. The problem with this is that the author has made it really hard for you to really narrow it down to figure out who the suspects are. I just love when different clues come out to make you think. I almost want to say that it could just be a curveball; I mean yeah Jane was killed by an arrow but I really think that it might just be someone that you would never expect to shoot an arrow. I think when you hear that she was killed by an arrow then you almost have to assume that it was by a male but I think it could end up being a female. I think there are a lot of signs that point to Ben at the moment but I think once again that the author is just messing with our minds. She wants us to think we have it figured out when really we have no idea. So I am just really excited to see which direction she goes with this because no matter what she is going to surprise us. Overall I’m excited to see what happens.