Almost done...

...and I have really enjoyed Water for Elephants. I have about ten pages left, and I can say from right now that I recommend this book to everybody.

In my blogs, I have been focusing on the storyline where Jacob is in the circus (taking place in the late 20s, early 30s) but there is a whole other story happening at the same time. The circus part of the story is told by Jacob as a ninety-something year old man living in a nursing home. He is unhappy in the home, mainly because it means that he is growing old, and the misses the real world. And the food is horrible. This part of the book really gives the reader an insight to the minds of elderly people (especially those in nursing homes). I recognize all of the things Jacob describes, and I now can understand that they still do have, in most circumstances, a fully functioning mind, and they have a completely logical thought process. His thoughts and emotions also made me realize how sad it is for some/all people to grow old. Memories of being young constantly flood Jacob's mind, and he longs to be able to leave the home and experience 'normal' life once again.

This post sounds kind of depressing, but I still recommend this book. Not only is it very well written, and both story lines are very interesting, but it really does give the reader a look into the life of a circus performer (although the way of circus life probably has changed in the past 70 or 80 years) as well as the life of an elderly person longing for an escape out of their nursing home.

Whoa there..

Whoa. All of a sudden my outside reading book has taken a turn for the raunchy. There are scenes of the protagonist drinking away his problems, then engaging and witnessing some very unorthodox activity.

Racy behavior aside, I am still really enjoying this book with its vivid descriptions of characters, actions, settings, and emotions. Even though it isn't super suspenseful, or contains lots of action, I would classify this book as a page turner, because each time I pick it up, I end up reading way later than my body would prefer. I think I'm lacking sleep.

I am looking forward to learning more about the other circus character's backgrounds. Does your childhood and family life have to determine your future? For Jacob it certainly different, attending an Ivy League school and all, but the other workers and performers don't strike the reader as educated. What was their childhood like. Are they really educated, and just decide not to show it?

Extra Credit!

Yesss...I just completed all my extra credit work in about 2 minutes, so I would highly recommend taking those few minutes out of your day for a few extra points to make up for that All My Sons test...

So for part one, I have a picture of me with my book, although its not in a very creative place, I might have to retake it. For part two I donated 400 grains of rice to end world hunger; vocab level: 36. I guess its a win-win situation.

Water For Elephants

Yes, I am reading Water For Elephants. And no, I am not in book club.

So far the book has been intriguing and well written. It is narrated by Jacob Jankowski, a nonogenarian telling the story of his days in the circus. After his parents die in a car crash, Jacob walks out of the college in the middle of a test, and hops on a train, not knowing that it is "The Flying Squadron of the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth".

I'm only 59 pages in, but so far this book has really kept my attention, and it really takes you back to the circus days of the 20s. Above all, this book provides insight on circus workers, and personally, it has already taught me that not all circus performers/workers are bums who hop trains in search of money and food. Jankowski is a "college boy" who came from a good home, and was living a comfortable life until his parents died. I'm excited to see what other characters this book introduces, and learn more historical facts that are revealed.

Oops

Getting back into the blogging two times a week shouldn't be so hard for me, considering I'm on the computer so much, but for some reason only think about it at school where I have no computer access..

This can be my post about anything, I'll do my outside reading post after my Euro IDs. Friday was a good English class for a few reasons:

1. Ms. West is back! No more Layzell to tell our class how bad we are, and then give us fabulous sub reports. ha.
2. We got work time on our research papers (bad) so I don't have as much homework (good)
3. I was reminded that I had to blog

Today I was at an art fair selling my photography, and I brought my outside reading book, Water For Elephants, but I forgot that it was in my bag, so for three hours, I sat behind my booth and made only $42. Not much was accomplished. Bummerrrr

All My Sons Madness

Overall, I really enjoyed All My Sons. This may be controversial - in my class at least - but I thought that the tension and emotion in the play built up wonderfully, and the climax was very unexpected. I think that the play did a very good job focusing on the American Dream, and when you look into it deeper, there are many conflicts buried within the story.

Contrary to popular opinion, I don't think that the play was monotonous, and I enjoyed reading through it. Act III was the best in my opinion, because of all the surprises and twists that answer all the questions and tie up all lose ends the viewer/reader has been thinking about throughout. Personally, I had been wishy-washy over the issue of Larry's death, so the letter in the third act was one of the things that made it the best.

Well, there you go. My short/sloppy analysis/summary of All My Sons. Go see West Side Story, Thursday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.