Off The Shelf

As I think I stated in a previous post, my English class had been reading the famous play The Crucible by Arthur Miller. The Crucible was written in 1953, in the midst of The Cold War, but with a setting during the Salem Witch Trials which took place in the 1690s. I finished the story a few weeks ago, but we completed watching the film just yesterday. Right after the final scene, when John Proctor, Rebecca Nurse, and Martha Corey are hung, my teacher stopped the film for a minute or two, at the very final image: a close-up of the rope, against a beautiful bluebird sky. At this point, the whole class was trying to stifle their tears, but she just turned to us and said, "Write." She then continued to say, "Write about the rope. What's the point? Channel your emotions, and write." She gave us about ten minutes or so before we shared them out loud, but I've taken the time to develop my piece a bit more here: The Rope A rope is something strong and roug...

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society Mary Ann Schaffer and Annie Barrows 274 pages It is January 1946, and World War II has left its scars across the world. Writer Juliet Ashton, is looking for her next book subject when she receives a letter from a man named Dausey, who lives on the island of Guernsey off the coast of England. Soon, the two become friendly correspondents, and within the course of their letters, Juliet learns about The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. This unusual and charming book club was created at the spur-of-the-moment during the German occupation and is made up of everyone from farmers, to wood carvers, and amateur cooks, but all have an excellent taste in books. Captivated by their stories, Juliet sets sail for the island, and what she finds there will change her forever. Schaffer and Barrow's  unique and uplifting novel is written entirely in letters. Some to Juliet, some from Juliet, but all give an original perspectiv...

"It's the most wonderful time of the year, with the kids jingle belling, and everyone telling you "Be of good cheer". It's the most wonderful time of the year, it's the hap-happiest season of all!" I have always said that my favorite time of the year is from Thanksgiving to New Year's - and I might even go as far as to extend it to the middle of January when my birthday falls. I love Christmas, but when stores like Kohl's and AC Moore start playing holiday songs even before Halloween, something is terribly wrong. Why are the season's being so rushed? Christmas songs in October? Halloween decor on Labor Day? Back to School promotions on the Fourth of July? Swim suit sales in March? It really all leads back to making money; franchises that want to get you into their stores for "Doorbusters". (where did that name come from anyway - are they really that great that they're going to blow up the entrance? Somehow I find that very u...

After much long anticipation, I have finally seen Breaking Dawn Part 2, the final movie in The Twilight Saga franchise. I had never seen a Twilight movie in the theaters before, as I just read the series by Stephenie Meyer last spring, so I was not sure what to expect. The movie was first shown in select theaters on Thursday at 10pm and at midnight, but it started showing everywhere yesterday, November 16th. Before leaving, some preparation was needed. I felt the need to be a little festive, and painted my nails red and black, to match the covers of the books. I also had to find my ticket, which I had pre-ordered on October 1st.     I arrived at the theater an hour and a half early, as I've heard the lines to get a good seat could be crazy, as no one wants to end up in the front row with their necks inclined.  AMC had an organized system going, so that was helpful and suprisingly, we were to be the first in the "yellow" line.      ...

Actually, the title of the book/movie is The Perks of Being a Wallflower, but if I had put the whole thing in the title, it would have been a little much. This movie I had been long anticipating, and it fulfilled all of my expectations. The reason I read the book by Stephen Chbosky was because I saw the movie trailer. (Also, because of Emma Watson...) I can't believe it was already two weekends ago that I went to see this with four other friends. The main cast is as follows: Charlie - Logan Lerman Patrick - Ezra Miller Sam - Emma Watson Bill (English Teacher) - Paul Rudd Mary Elizabeth - Mae Whitman Charlie's Mom - Kate Walsh Doctor - Joan Cusack Very few changes were made to the storyline, which made me very happy. Charlie is still the clueless and lost Freshman he was in the novel, Patrick also known as Nothing, and Sam is still sweet and kind. In the book, Charlie does not disclose last names to the person he is writing to, but in the movie, his English teacher ...

If I Stay Gayle Forman 234 pages As a senior in high school, Mia has a bright future at Julliard ahead of her, but when a single second alters that future indefinitely, she faces the biggest decision she has ever had to make. Caught somewhere between life and death, Mia spends twenty-four hours watching, reminiscing, and feeling. As I have said before, the best kinds of books are those that make you feel something. Whether that is laughter, joy, sadness or love, if the reader can feel those emotions pouring off the page in colors of analogy and imagery, then the author has done their job. If I Stay is that kind of story. Mia's story is told very simply, changing between memories and the present time - almost as if her life is flashing before her eyes. This story is told with very little detail and description, but maybe that's what makes this novel stand out compared to others I have read recently. I have heard Forman's style of writing described as raw prose, whi...

I've decided to start a new series of posts entitled "Song of Week", in hopes of sharing some of my favorites with you. To write a good song, you have to be a good writer, so the songs I choose are ones that I feel spark inspiration, or tell a story. For the first post, I've chosen "Begin Again" by Taylor Swift. This song was recently released on her new album RED.   Took a deep breath in the mirror He didn't like it when I wore high heels But I do Turned the lock and put my headphones on He always said he didn't get this song But I do, I do Walked in expecting you'd be late But you got here early and you stand and wave I walk to you You pull my chair out and help me in And you don't know how nice that is But I do And you throw your head back laughing like a little kid I think it's strange that you think I'm funny cause he never did I've been spending the last 8 months Thinking all love ever do...

My Life Next Door Huntley Fitzpatrick 395 pages “One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time.” Samantha Reed is the daughter of the Connecticut State Senator but has always questioned her life at home. Her mother is never around, her father left before she was born, and Tracy is away with friends for the summer. On the other side of the fence live the Garretts. A family with eight kids, and two parents who seem to be the happiest around. Samantha has never talked to any of them, until one night when Jase climbs up the trellis to her bedroom window, and things begin to change for the better, and the worse. I finished My Life Next Door in just two days. It is the perfect comfort read; the perfect story if you need to forget about yor own problems for a little while (Hurricane Sandy) and read about someone else's. Fitzpatrick created characters that were laugh-out-loud funny, interesting, and genuinely re...

With Hurricane Sandy now fully behind us, (or so we hope) I can officially say I've survived to write another post. My town was not quite as lucky. Trees are down everywhere, and over 75% is still without power (that includes me in case you were wondering). In that case, I'm logged into the library's Wi-Fi along with lots of other people trying to charge stuff, check email, and get up to date with what has been going on. On Monday, we lost power at about 5pm, right in the middle of a three-hour-long Monopoly game that I ended up winning, and I didn't even own Park Place! Thank goodness I went to the library on Saturday where I checked out several good books including My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick which I finished in just to days by flashlight. (Review to be coming shortly). I also finished reading the play by Arthur Miller entitled The Crucible which although it was very good, only made me even more depressed. Unfortunately, it seems I might be in the...