The Kite Runner Revisited

Dear Readers,

Since this past year i have been struggling with book choices, only finding books that i some what enjoy rather than all out love, i decided that this quarter, mostly over vacation, i would revisit some old favorites that i read when i might not have understood everything, and because i never want to forget them. The first book for me was the Kite Runner. Re-reading the Kite Runner was a great experience for me. I won't forget, the fist time i read it, i was sitting on my bed right before going to sleep, not wanting to stop, but finally putting it down after the rape scene. This was the first real conflict i had read in a story, and my whole mind was a-twitter that night, horrified yet slightly amazed at what i had just read. The feeling the second time around was the same. Although many changes have happened to me since 7th grade, my reaction to that part of the book stayed exactly the same. Overall the plot of the story itself is unbelievable in the most realistic sense of the word. Feeling like i was standing right next to Amir in all of his horrific and amazing scenarios was not uncommon. The scene at the end of the book, when Amir is standing on the green with Hassans son, flying the kites, was tear-jerking, which is why i included that on the cover of the postcard. I saw the movie when it came out and remember it not giving justice to the book, but still being nice. It helped me visualize the ending scene even more for me. Overall reading this book again was just what i needed to help me remember how much i loved it forever (i know thats cliche but its true!).

Until next time...

Fishster 41

End of Second Quarter Continued

Hi Ms. OB...so here are two reviews on Portnoys Complaint that i thought summed it up pretty good. "PORTNOY'S COMPLAINT has been first published in 1969. Alexander Portnoy is a jewish boy who has lived most of his childhood in the Newark jewish neighborhood of New-Jersey. He was a brilliant student admired by his parents. But Portnoy, from his childhood on, has been obsessed by women and sexuality. The clash between his secret thoughts and the morals of his jewish education is too violent. Soon Guiltiness and Rebellion are fighting a terrible battle in his mind. A masterpiece." Daniel Staebler, Resident Scholar

"This is a story about Alexander Portnoy, a Jewish boy with a big nose and big ego who loves sex. Unfortunately, he was brought up in an extremely strict household with high expectations, and as a result has strongly conflicting feelings regarding the world of sex. Portnoy has a strong sex drive, and though there is nothing more that he wishes for but a normal, loving family with kids, he knows he could never settle down because of his wandering libido. He loves kinky sex but feels guilty doing it, and relates this problem through several anecdotes regarding his early childhood and teenage years, hoping to help the doctor reach a conclusion about his problem." Suzie, Resident Scholar

So, you asked us to comment on the reviews, and i feel that both outline the book perfectly. I really loved this book. I found it to be very relatable. A lot of the stuff that Alex talks about going through, i have gone through, or know that i will go through it in the future. The way it was written was what really got me. It was basically Alex, in the future, sitting in a pshycologists office "complaining" about the things that happened in his rough childhood that led him to where he is today. This was a great book and i look forward to reading more by Philip Roth

Until next time,

Fishster 41

End of Second Quarter

Alrite, well, we have come to the end of another wonderful quarter. I am going to talk about the book i finished first, Deadly Design by Marion Moore Hill. As you recall, this is the book by the author that i met in Philly. At first, i felt that i should read it just because i had met the author, and was not too excited about reading it. However when i started reading i really began to enjoy it. I really got a connection to the characters, especially Millie, the main character. The emotions she went throught with her son Danny, and various issues throughout the book, i felt like i was experiencing them too. Mrs. Hill did a great job of developing her characters. The mix of mystery and intelectuality was perfect, and i actually learned a lot about the Jefferson era and the other founding fathers. Overall i really enjoyed this book.

Until next time,

Fishster 41

OK

So, i know this has had a long time coming to it, but here it is! My blog. So for the break, i have desided to take a short break from Deadly Design, and have picked up Portnoy's Complaint, by Philip Roth. My dad wanted me to read it, and he thought i would really enjoy it, and so far he is right. I only started 2 days ago, and i am already on page 100, which as you know is unlike how i ussually read. This book is very enjoyable. The main plot is that this man is talking to a doctor, probably a psychiatrist (spelling?) of some sort, talking about his life, growing up in New Jersey under 2 jewish parents who he has very strong opinions about. The book is writen as sort of a rant that this man is going on about his childhood. It reads very quickly, but i am not saying that it is easy. What it is, is funny. I am looking forward to reading more, and i am declaring (yes, declaring!) that i will finish this book by the time we are back at school, and get more into Deadly Design. I also have another book waiting for me that i got for Chanukah. It is not a novel, but more of a autobiographical information book, talking about the value of working with ones' hands. It seems very interesting and i can't wait to get into it after my other books. PLEASE COMMENT :)

Until next time, (which will be sooner than the time between the last, and this),

Fishster 41

New Book

Today i am starting a new book called Deadly Design. I met the author while in Philly so i got the book. It is a political myserty, meaning having political themes worked into the story. It should be really good. I started it last week but only got to about page 10. I look forward to reading it further.


until next time, fishster 41

End of First Quarter

So, this quarter was pretty good for me. I got through a good chunk of Atlas Shrugged, which i had to drop due to the difficulty, but i will explain more of that in the postcard. I also dropped halfway another book, Slaughter House- five that i really didnt like very much. Luckily, i finished 1984 in time and really loved that. I figured i would, based on how much i loved Animal Farm. Thanks for the great suggestion. For next quarter, i am starting with a political mystery that i bought in Philly, and then after that on the line up will be "In the Heart of the Sea", which is about whaling, and since i loved Moby Dick so much i hope i will like this too. We will start with that and hope to maybe have one more. thanks for a great first quarter (even tho we didnt get those essay's back)! Looking forward to next quarter...

Until next time, Fishster 41

1984

I have finally found the book Ms. O'Brien. I love it so far and actually look forward to reading it. I loved Animal Farm in 8th grade, so i guess George Orwell is a good match up for me. I know i am going to love this and hope to read a lot of it this weekend. I know i need to finish it by the end of the quarter which i think is doable. I also need to talk to you about maybe counting what i read of Atlas Shrugged and of Slaughter House Five as one book. We will see! Until next time,

Fishster 41