Markus Zusak 2006 Teen Book Video Award Winner -- THE BOOK THIEF

I recently found a fan-made video winner for The Book Thief. Give it a look?



I wasn't in The Book Thief group, but I've read it. It's one of my most favorite book ever, and I must have read the gorgeous thing five times. Even if historical fiction bores you, give this book a chance. Even people who hate reading ended up consuming this.

There are rumors it'll be made into a movie soon. Cross your fingers!

"The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is a novel of cruelty, poverty, and hope. Liesel Meminger is a young girl who has been placed in foster care by her mother. Liesel's brother dies en route to their new home and this leaves Liesel traumatized, causing her to have terrible nightmares in the middle of the night. Liesel's foster father begins teaching her to read on these nights to distract her from her pain. Liesel learns to turn to books for comfort. When the war begins, comfort becomes a rare state of mind, so Liesel finds ways to seek it out. Liesel begins to steal books in her efforts to deal with the cruelty of the world around her."--www.bookrags.com

Buh Bye

So College Lit is coming to an end.

I enjoyed this class more than I thought I would--which, by the way, is a lot--and am sad to see it go. I learned some and met some really awesome people. And had a lot of laughs. And not much homework. It had a nice balance.

So Farewell, College Lit, my last English class of my high school career--it was great.

:)

Wrongs of Passage

Cook makes an excellent point--"We, as Americans, need to look at the rites of passage we celebrate and determine what it is that we are truly valuing, and what we are teaching our children to value." While there are several important rites of passage--graduating college, religious ceremonies, first dates--there are also some very shallow, very selfish, meaningless ones as well, such as some people's Sweet 16's.

So, all in all, it depends. America would do well to remember the good things in life.

When I was in fourth or fifth grade, I was a queen at spinning rumors and garnering gossip. It was fun, a game. I always loved stories, so when I could make one up that made people listen, all the better.

However, I had noticed some were hurt, but saw no reason to stop.

One day, I went to the bathroom, and opened the door to "I don't really like Stefanie, do you?"

I looked up, locking stares with my two best friends. The mirrors reflexed their expressions--shock, fear--and I turned away before they could react.

When I got back to class, I sat down quietly, eyes itchy, mind wild. My chest hurt; my hands palsied. Pale, I thought, Is this how I've been making people feel?

That passage took me down a road where I arrived at a decission to never rumor or gossip or talk bad about anyone ever again. So far, so good.

Say WHAT?

Having just finished those twenty words for Jane Eyre, my Linguist senses started to tingle. One thing I've always loved about older books is the vast vacab they have. Usually. I always learn something new.

From the same language that used such words as "lugubrious" (mournful, dismal, gloomy), "anathematized" (To denounce; curse), salubrious" (wholesome; conducive or favorable to health), and "spoony" (foolish; silly), we also get a wonderful array today, such as "swot" (to study intensely for exams), "snog" (a long kiss, often used by teenagers), "gobsmacked" (to be surprised), and "moose" (unpleasant, boring; an ugly person).

I love slang. And swear words. One of the first things I go to when learning a new language is just that. There have been some hilarious ones--one of my faves was along the lines of "in the resturant", which was used in a language without its own native swears as a substitute for the "F" word. Blimey.

Do you have any fun slang to share?

Farewell, Jane Eyre

1) I would stay. Why? Because I've already read to the end of the book, and know what happens, haha... But they love each other. If Mr. R divorces his crazy wife, I'd be fine with it. I guess.

2) This is a book that is sooo much easier reading at 18 than at 13! Wow. Part of my love for JE came from relating more this time around and finding deeper meaning and actually understanding her language better. I like how she writes. I like how Bronte crafts characters--although their speech could be shaved down some.

3) Keep it. While I'd prefer a non-white protagonist, I love how Jane's story takes you someplace and somewhen completely different from most novels today. She is not rich, beautiful, etc, but she is a heroine worth looking up too. Also, this book is a great preparation for college.

So, I hear JE is a hard read...

So. Let's say Jane's version of English is crazy hard to understand even with your dictionary challenging. Or the plot is slooooow hard to follow. Or maybe that Jane's too awesome for you a different kind of heroine. And, finally, let's say I found a solution to your College Lit woes.

I came across this, The Red Room, Jane's tumblr. Not only is it in plain English--aka, not 19th century English--it's funny. Or, at least, it is to me. Nevertheless, cave lector, it contains spoilers. Her tumblr starts from Helen's death to her "current" life. And she talked about her boo, Mr. R, a lot, so prepare for some gushing.

Recommendations

Being in College Lit, it's safe to assume you like books. Maybe such stories as Persepolis caused some head scratching and general displeasure, but whether you loved it or hated it, there are graphic novels out there for every niche--romance, comedy, slice of life, action, horror, fantasy, etc etc etc. Just like "normal" books.

Here are a couple recommendations.

1) Bayou

"Lee Wagstaff is the daughter of a black sharecropper in the depression-era town of Charon, Mississippi. When Lily Westmoreland, her white playmate, is snatched by agents of an evil creature known as Bog, Lee's father is accused of kidnapping. Lee's only hope is to follow Lily's trail into this fantastic and frightening alternate world. Along the way she enlists the help of a benevolent, blues singing, swamp monster called Bayou. Together, Lee and Bayou trek across a hauntingly familiar Southern Neverland, confronting creatures both benign and malevolent, in an effort to rescue Lily and save Lee's father from being lynched." -- a la Amazon.com

I read it and loved it and felt slightly disturbed. Don't read if you're squeamish.



2) Emiko Superstar

"Emi was always kind of a geek by default,
but this summer her geeky friends have headed off to a “young executives retreat.” Emi decides that’s not her scene, so she’s stuck at home in the Toronto ‘burbs, baby-sitting for her American neighbors, the Cutheberts. (The dad is big and blond; his grin is too broad, he talks too loud, and he plays lots of tennis. Hee.) Her whole summer changes when she sees a dreadlocked girl start dancing and singing in the middle of the mall. She’s advertising the “Freak Show” at a place called the Factory, downtown. Even though the art is black and white, you can just see all the bright colors and glitter in her outfit.

"Emi goes, of course, and is caught up in the performance art world of the Freaks. As she discovers, “not being noteworthy at the Factory was kind of like not existing.” And Emi wants to exist, to be noticed. So she reinvents herself as a performance artist, using her grandmother’s clothes from her career as a dancer, and Mrs. Cuthebert’s diary of her miserable marriage. Emi’s act is wildly successful, but there’s only so long before her deceptions — and those of all the other characters — unravel." --a la here

One of my absolute faves! The story is rich and real, freaky or no.



3) Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

"Scott Pilgrim is 23 years old, living in the big city with his gay roommate, just trying to get by in this crazy world. He's in a band. He's lazy. He likes video games.

"Scott Pilgrim likes the new girl in town, Ramona Flowers, but to win her heart, he has to defeat her seven evil ex-boyfriends. Seven! Evil! Ex! Boyfriends! Lucas has muscles! Todd plays bass with his psychic powers! The Twins are twins! Matthew Patel is an Indian guy! AND MORE!" --Check It

Yeah, the graphic novel came before the movie--surprise, surprise! Actually, lots of movies have been made out of or inspired by "picture books", such as Kill Bill, Watchmen, V for Vendetta, etc.



There are many, many more to recommend, like Maus or Regifters, but I'll end for now. When ever you get a chance, pick up a book and read.