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I recently read the book Atonement and I thought it was phenomenal. Atonement is about Briony Tallis who sees something her thirteen year old mind cannot fully comprehend. When everything is revealed, it results in a huge separation between her and her sister Cecilia and the maid’s son Robbie Turner. Throughout the book, it moves from the different perspectives the characters.

I had watched the movie before I read the book so I had an idea about what it was about and what happens but the two are very different.
There are scenes in the book that weren’t in the movie that would made the movie a little less confusing.

I like the book better because I can picture the characters and the settings the way I think they should look. The book also goes into detail on how the characters feel and their thoughts on what is happening. It was interesting to see how they react and respond in the book versus the movie.

Although I enjoyed the book overall, the beginning was a little boring making it difficult to keep focus. Also, because there were many perspectives, it was a little hard to keep up with who’s side of the story was being told.
I would recommend this book to people who have a wide vocabulary because there were quite a few bigger words in it.

When Edie moves to a different college she finds herself falling madly for Dylan, the mysterious, handsome art boy.

Edie faces many challenges with Dylan. They always seem to be friends that snog and they can never move past that point. Dylan is an enclosed person and Edie doesn’t know much about his personal life, but she’s sure she’s fallen head over heels.
They are very sweet, almost cute in the way that they get into constant fights and battle about whether they like each other and why its not ok to kiss and blah blah. It’s sweet but its almost an immature relationship.

In all honesty young lovers probably love in a mind game kind of way. It’s as if we try not to let our guard down or we play hard to get. I think Young people enjoy a challenge in their relationship or with crushes. I don’t know about other people but I like someone who is unpredictable, it keeps interest.

I guess it’s where you grow up. In stable countries like Canada or Britain love doesn’t have to be rushed. We have time to pick at others brains and make people more crazy about us. In third world countries I don’t think they have time to play with others feelings, you have to tell them how you feel because it could be your last day. And it could be for any body but people like us who live in some of the most safe and best countries in the world, forget that we could die at any time. Where as war torn and poor countries may encounter death every day. It’s in those times that we start to express our feelings. The fear of death can make us not afraid. Isn’t it odd how that works. Because we’re afraid of death, we are not afraid to speak our true feelings. Of course not everyone is afraid to die but many of us fear we will leave Earth unfullfilled, maybe that’s why people in those countries say their feelings, they could be trying to get everything out in the open.

Not all people in those countries just let their feelings free but in a way I think that it could be a possibility that they speak of their love maybe more than we do. I have never been to any of these countries but when you think about it many of those people know they live a hard life. There is love every where, in every country, people are always falling in love. Maybe it just depends on who you are and what you believe but I do believe they are more likely not to take others for granted and not share how they feel about a person.

I enjoyed the book very much even though it’s so dramatized. Our society doesn’t know any better than to play mind games in our relationships. We don’t live in many day to day fatal experiences and we don’t face death every day and night. It’s as if we make hardships in our relationships to compensate for something. Little things that really don’t make any difference, we enlarge as though its the end of the world. Perhaps we do it because we know that we have more time to make up for our behaviors, like we take our lives and relationships for granted.

That was my deep feelings into the matter. But I did like the book a lot. I loved reading it because the characters were similar to my friends and I and it was just like a chapter in our lives. You find the guy you like. You like each other on and off and then one day your dreams come true and you finally have the label of boy friend and girl friend. It was a simple book all wrapped up in drama that was sort of refreshing. In a I’m glad people have time to worry about drama and not worry about locking their doors because you live in a terrible neighborhood kind of way. It was an escape from reality.

Like plenty of other avid readers, I am a huge fan of the Harry Potter series and was excited to get a chance to read the final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Like other Harry Potter fans out there, I have read all of the other books of the series and have read nearly all of them multiple times. J.K. Rowling has outdone herself with this series. In the final book she explores how life’s many pressures can influence our decisions.

The decisions we make throughout life are effected by different aspect that we face on a daily basis. These can include our fears, our dreams, and the pressure put on us from those around us. In the Deathly Hallows, Harry sets out to destroy Voldemort once and for all with the fate of his own life and the rest of the Wizarding World resting on his shoulders. If this isn’t pressure than I don’t know what is. I crumble under the pressure of deciding what I should eat for lunch. Being faced with the burden of so many innocent lives I would definitley be a wreck.

When faced with pressure, those like myself who are not good at dealing with it tend to become almost paralysed. Our minds freeze up, our hearts beat fast, and our actions are very tense. However, Harry faces none of those symptoms. He remains cool and calm and thinks all of his actions through wisely. He is like those few people that, when faced with such a sense of urgency, use it to propel themselves forward. He uses his burden to achieve his goal. He knows he cannot back out and works so much harder to destroy Voldemort.

Pressure can take other froms as well. Fear is one of those forms and is probably the most overwhelming of them all. At the end of the book, we find Harry beginning to give into fear. Harry must walk thorugh the Forbidden Forest to his death. He must face Lord Voldemort and stand quietly while he is murdered by the Dark Lord. Harry is faced with two opposing pressures. The pressure of the lives of the rest of the Wizarding World and the fear of his own death. Once again, being faced with this decision I would be a wreck. Harry however nows that he must carry on and does so. He never loses sight of his goal even when faced with death.

I love the Harry Potter series, especially this book. J.K. Rowling is a genius and uses her books to explore the topics of love, death, and magic. The conclusion to this series is extraordinary and entertaining. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows should be read by everybody.

Life on a boat would be different. Especially when you are spending it with a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger who has barely been fed in months! It would not only be different, it would be terrifying, depressing, mentally draining, and exhausting. Yann Martel brings his readers into the life of Pi, a 15 year old Indian boy trapped on a lifeboat. Martel explores the decisions we make on a daily basis and why we make them.

The decisions I make on a daily basis include what I want to eat, what I want to wear, what I watch on TV, and when I go to sleep. These decisions are not very difficult to make. They are actually quite easy and I don’t give them very much thought. However, if I was living on a lifeboat with a Bengal Tiger, my decisions would change instantly. Just like the decisions Pi made, my decisions would be tougher and would require much more thought and consideration. Pi’s many decisions included what will I eat today, if I eat at all, will I make a shelter, and how will I not get eaten by my more than unfriendly roommate.

My decisions are usually based on what I want. But the decisions Pi makes in the book are based on what he needs. Along with anybody else who becomes lost at sea, Pi is no longer able to make decisions on what he wants. He bases everything on what he needs and how he will survive the longest. If he spent his time wishing he had an ice cream cone to eat instead of trying to catch a fish, he would most likely starve. Pi put his needs so far ahead of his wants that he even went to the extreme of trying to eat a cigarette.

Being stuck on a life boat for two-years does not just present physical needs and problems. The psychological and spiritual aspect of being on a lifeboat is even more daunting. Faith is one of those aspects that can provide hope in the worst situations. When many people suffer a loss or feel that they have experienced the worst life can throw at them, their faith sometimes begins to waver. Religion is a huge factor in Pi’s life. Being born in India, Pi was naturally raised as a Hindu and he embraced this religion. However, Pi was curious. Pi began attending Christian masses and Islam prayers and soon found himself a practicing Hindu, Christian, Muslim mix. Pi’s faith does not waiver while he is stuck at sea. He continues to pray five times a day like every other Muslim, as well as stay in touch with his other religions. I admire Pi for this. It is not easy to stay faithful when your family has died and you have been alone for almost two years. Pi remains faithful and says he just wants to love God.

It is common sense that being trapped on a lifeboat would be no picnic. However, it is not easy to make good decisions and stay so faithful after a few weeks of loneliness and fatigue. I really admire Pi for this reason. He always had hope and faith and made sure that the decisions he was making were best for him and would ensure his survival.

The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place has collected dust on my bookshelf since Grade 8. I finally found a reason to read it this year and was surprised at what I had missed out on. E. L. Konigsburg is an amazing author, and this well-written story of a young girl and her journey to save her uncle’s artwork captivated me from beginning to end.

“When you get older, you realize that all you have is time. You have time and your side of history, and thats all you have.”
-Uncle Alexander Rose, 19 Schuyler Place

This quote was one of the few that repeated itself throughout “The Outcasts of Schuyler Place.” Margaret Rose Kane takes the reader on an adventure in her attempts to stop the demolition of her uncles’ most prized posessions: three towers handmade with multicolored pendants and paint mixtures. Margaret’s decisions throughout the story clearly demonstrate the important lessons we learn in our lifetime. Creativity, determination, and reunion collide to redefine the meaning of individuality. When constant struggles to get along with her cabin-mates leave Margaret uninterested in any camp activities, she is rescued by her uncles, Alex and Morris. When Margaret learns of the attempts of the neighbors and city council to destroy the towers her uncles have spent 45 years building, she unites with her mother’s childhood friends and Camp Telequa handyman. With a mission in mind, values at heart, and a few helping hands, Margaret Rose saves the towers. The author teaches the audience that when you believe something is possible, it can happen. It just takes patience, willingness, and luck.

I loved E. L. Konigsburg’s style of writing. She would put important quotes in bold and refer to them later in the story. I was excited when I reached a sentence that brought a “light bulb” moment because of its relation to an earlier sentence. She also provided explanation by expanding on a memory. Overall, I would definitely recommend this novel to everyone. It contains a passion for art, history, friendship, and family.

The Zoe & Chloe series is imaginatively written by Sue Limb. Zoe & Chloe are inseparable friends taking a roller coaster ride through their first year in Junior High. The novel: On The Prowl, teaches the reader to strive for what you desire, while still holding onto your originality and relationships.

” To be honest, I was in such a fabulous state of turmoil, I didn’t know where to begin.”
-Zoe

Zoe and Chloe are destined to find somebody to take them to the Earthquake Ball. This novel is from Zoe’s perspective but accurately describes both characters and their friendship. Together, they make a decision to interview possible escorts to the dance but their efforts fail to find someone to their liking. Between school dramas, crushes, and embarrassing themselves, Zoe’s sister falls into debt at college. Not only must Zoe save Chloe from Beast Hawkins, but her love for her sister also risks all her friend’s summer savings. Through their constant struggles with one day to Earthquake Ball, the story displays that peers, usually your close friends, and your everyday choices will play a role in future decisions. Zoe and Chloe end up taking their completely nerdy, but loyal friends Toby and Fergus and disguise in mysterious tuxedos.

Sue Lim is a very humorous and entertaining author. There were parts where you had to laugh but I found this book slightly immature to what I expected. There was a scene where they were interviewing a potential date and while pretending to be super professional, Chloe’s bean diet backfired, literally. I would probably not recommend this book to anyone over fourteen, because the reading level was also boring. I also don’t plan on reading the sequel. Overall the moral of the story was worth the read, because it made me realize what role my friends do play in my life. It also displayed how your decisions, experiences, and expectations always affect the next choice you are faced with.

A story about two extremely competitive journalists whose columns challenge each other to try certain things that are out of each others comfort zone.
But the story takes a wild turn when Ronnie challenges Dylan to learn to knit, while the city of Cleveland watches. Dylan, knowing he can’t lose, takes up knitting. Taking private lessons from his sworn enemy they passion between them.

Ronnie is really confident and puts up a big wall between her and Dylan. She always looked sharped and was often known as the Ice Queen for being particularly snappy and often heartless. But under all that exterior, she was the most insecure and damaged woman. Like Ronnie, putting on a face is something that we have all done. If we’re embarrassed about our family, want to seem more tough and hard core, or to give off the impression we’re something better or more appealing to others. Many women at times feel like they should be less emotional and hard to get, thinking that guys will fall for them if they have to work hard for them. But it’s not only the women that have this issue, men do as well. Lots of guys want to hide their emotions and act like a lot of things don’t get to them.

I have hid my emotions and built walls between me and others so I can’t get hurt. Lots of times I have put on a face so I won’t get judged by others. I don’t necessarily like many people to know how I feel and I’m uncomfortable expressing my personal issues and emotions. In this book you can tell that Ronnie puts up a block so she won’t fall in love, which I do quite often. Why get into a relationship when I know it’s going to end and get all heart broken and sad all the time. Some say it’s worth all the pain, but I’m happy where I am right now and I don’t want to ruin that.

In the book Ronnie and Dylan seem to be on the opposite sides. She’s very strict and he’s very easy going. He is into sports while she’d rather spend her time at their knitting group. In this way they kind of reminded me of my mom and dad. When they first met my mom was so out going and bubbly and my dad was terribly shy and never really went out of his comfort zone. They are complete opposites almost in every way except for a couple. My mom would rather stay in the house and knit and crotchet, while my dad would want to be in the garden or cutting trees. But they both love mysteries, watching British comedies and shopping. It’s comforting to know that opposites really do attract, and work.

I literally couldn’t stop reading it. Even on my holiday I was reading it, and I don’t read on holidays. Reading this book made me want to read more books in my spare time. There just as good as movies and it’s exciting to visualize how the characters look and where the scene is taking place. It was so tense all the time. The ending was perefct and I loved their characters.

When my mother suggested the novel The Deep End of the Ocean the first thought that ran through my head was, do not judge a book by its cover! The book presented a green cover with waves and a picture of a boy looking into a treasure chest of ocean water. Not something a teenager would normally be drawn to. But I trusted my mothers instincts and decided to read the book anyway. I was instantly drawn into the captivating theme of the book and could not find a reason good enough to put it down while I was reading it.

The novel written by Jacquelyn Mitchard can capture the interest of any reader just within the first few pages. Beth Cappadora is the mother of 2 boys, Vincent who is 5 and Ben who is 3, and a newly born baby girl, Kerry. Her and her husband Pat lead a normal life in a small town just outside of Chicago. When they decide attend Beth’s highschool reunion in the city no one is prepared for the events that would follow. The Cappadora family arrived to the hotel in Chicago and Beth was finally starting to look forward to her reunion. While she is up at the desk talking to a clerk, Ben mysteriously goes missing. Everyone in the hotel lobby is in a panic and Beth can’t help but be sick. How could she allow her child to leave her sight?

For months on end the police search for Ben who seemed to have disappeared without a trace. Candy, a friendly detective grows close to the Cappadora family and is willing to do anything to find their missing family member. Candy’s character inspires me because it is not easy for someone to feel such emotion towards someone’s child who you have never met. Yet, she perseveres towards achieving her goal of finding Ben. If everyone had as much determination and drive as Candy’s character we could all accomplish anything we set our minds too. The Cappadora family is completely torn. Pat and Beth cannot believe that with a blink of an eye their son was gone, possibly forever. Each of the family member attempts to deal with their loss in different ways. Pat takes up smoking and working long hours while Beth will not talk and lays in bed until the point of attaining sores. As for their two children, Vincent starts to get in trouble at school because of his high level of neglection from his mother. Kerry is also neglected and spends the majority of her time sleeping and playing in her crib.

For years the Cappadora family tries to cope with their loss. But one day, Beth spots a boy not even a block down the street who resembles her lost son greatly. After days of investigation, it is discovered that in fact Sam is their long lost child. Sam who is now twelve doesn’t remember the kidnapping at all and has a hard time adjusting to life back in the Cappadora house. Beth and Pat try their best to accommodate Sam, but it doesn’t seem like things are working. Will Sam ever feel like part of the family again?

Adjusting to a new life can be very difficult, especially for a child who is stuck in a confusing situation like Sam. He attempts to fit in, just to make his family happy. But sometimes it is hard to fit into a family you don’t belong in. Every family had different beliefs and do things different ways. For Sam it was like being in a whole new world. Some days I wish I could live a new life, but after considering the consequences I know that I am happy with what I was given. I couldn’t imagine being put in a situation where I would have to chose between my parents. A similar situation is divorce, kids might feel they are forced to choose between their parents. This can be a lot of pressure for one person. If I was forced to choose I would feel like I failed my family. A decision like this can break a person down emotionally and physically. No one should be forced to choose between the people they love the most.

Imagine this: Your best friend in the whole world is eloping to Italy with the love of her life. He’s a great guy and you’re really happy for her. She asks you to come with so that you can sign as a witness along with HIS best friend. You agree. I mean, come on, a trip to Europe for little to nothing because you are staying at her uncle’s house. Who could ever say no? But, when you get to the airport, there is a male there roughly the same age as you who you very much dislike. It gets worse though. You have to sit beside him THE ENTIRE WAY TO EUROPE! And, just because you haven’t suffered enough, he also happens to be your best friend’s fiancé’s best friend, a.k.a. THE OTHER WITNESS! How are you going to survive with this guy for an entire seven days?!

Well, that’s the position Jane Harris is in. Her best friend, Holly, is, as I said before, eloping with Mark. But, when you elope, you need two witnesses to attest for the fact that you got married. So, they decide to each bring their best friend’s along with them. Jane thinks this is going to be great. 7 days away from work(not that she doesn’t love to draw Wondercat), a trip to Europe with her best friend and, they’re staying at Holly’s uncle’s mansion! There is a little hitch however. Holly’s parents don’t like Mark because he isn’t Catholic and Mark’s parents don’t like Holly because she isn’t Jewish. Kind of stupid, I know. But they don’t let that affect the way they feel about each other.

Jane and Mark’s best friend, Cal, go head-to-head however, when two very different values collide. Jane loves the idea of running away and getting married. She thinks it’s romantic. Cal thinks love is overrated and doesn’t exist. He claims that it is just a chemical reaction in the brain and doesn’t ever last. Jane believes that this is only because he was married once and his wife left him for someone else. She is quick to put him down and criticize his lifestyle.

Cal’s values are determined through experience, as are everyone else’s. He believes that since his feeling were hurt once because of rushed love, that he’ll never be able to love again. Jane’s values are determined also through experience. Her parents have been married for a very long time. Longer than Jane’s been alive. Therefore, she believes that love does and can exist and overcome everything.

In the end, some things go wrong and Cal and Jane are quick to the rescue. And, of course Holly and Mark’s parents are happy for them. Even though they still don’t think that it is proper for two different religions to mix. And, as it should be, Cal and Jane fall in love. I mean, it just wouldn’t be a good book if the two didn’t hook up in the end. This book is full of laughs, tears, and anger. I strongly suggest you read this book.