Reading Response #2: Looking for Alaska

Looking for Alaska

By John Green

I've been a fan of John Green since I was a sophomore. I love the way he writes and how he is able to incorporate humor, love, and tragedy all into one. Looking for Alaska is my favorite John Green book, but honestly anything written by him is worth reading.  

17 year old Miles Halter is tired of his boring life at home so he decides to go to Culver Creek boarding school to seek a "Great Perhaps" which he believes will give him a better understanding of life and the world around him. Waiting for him at Culver Creek is Alaska Young. She's witty, mysterious, funny, screwed up, and the most beautiful and unattainable girl Miles has ever seen. Alaska uses her charm to draw Miles into her labyrinth and lead him to his Great Perhaps.

“When adults say, "Teenagers think they are invincible" with that sly, stupid smile on their faces, they don't know how right they are. We need never be hopeless, because we can never be irreparably broken. We think that we are invincible because we are. We cannot be born, and we cannot die. Like all energy, we can only change shapes and sizes and manifestations. They forget that when they get old. They get scared of losing and failing. But that part of us greater than the sum of our parts cannot begin and cannot end, and so it cannot fail.” 

Looking for Alaska is easily one of my favorite books of all times. It made me reevaluate my place in the world and my entire way of thinking. John Green writes with so much meaning and effectively captures the essence of being a teenager in such a deep way. Looking for Alaska is funny, sad, captivating, and might even leave you feeling like you've just been kicked in the heart.

Reading Response #1: Eleanor & Park

Eleanor & Park

By Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor & Park is the story of two misfits trying to find their place in this chaotic world. Despite the challenges they face and the fact that they both come from extremely different home lives, they fall madly and hopelessly in love.

The story is set in Omaha, Nebraska in 1986. Eleanor, a red-head girl, meets Park, a biracial boy, on the school bus and they fall in love over comic books and cassette tapes. This book is so much more than your typical love story. Eleanor & Park deals with heavier issues like bullying, body image, domestic violence, child abuse, and racism.

"I just can’t believe that life would give us to each other,' he said, 'and then take it back.'

'I can,' she said. ‘Life’s a bastard."

I thought Rainbow Rowell did a really good job representing a realistic relationship, rather than making everything perfect. Eleanor and Park dealt with many of life's messy circumstances, and to me that it what made this book so captivating. I would say that Eleanor & Park was one of the best love stories that I have read and I would definitely recommend it to anyone.

 

101 Things About Me

1. My birthday is October 23, I'll be turning 18.

2. I have a younger sister named Claire, who is a freshman at Parkview.

3. I have two cats named KC and Spooky and I like them more than I like most people.

4. I get extremely happy when I see a dog with its head sticking out of a car window.

5. I plan to attend the University of Arkansas where I want to study pre-dentistry.

6. I've been a cheerleader for the past 5 years.

7. Waffles are better than pancakes and if you disagree then you're wrong.

8. I think I deserve an award for never wearing sweatpants to high school ever in my life. (Other than my cheer warm ups but that doesn't count because that's not optional, and every time I have to wear them I want to cry)

9. I feel naked when I'm not wearing earrings, or when I don't have my nails painted.

10. If I could live a different life I'd be Blair Waldorf because who doesn't want to marry Chuck Bass?

11. Koalas are my favorite animal but I've never seen one in person. I'm planning on visiting Australia and holding one at some point in my life.

12. I love big cities and tall buildings. When I was in 2nd grade I decided I was going to live in Manhattan when I grow up. I'm not sure if I'll end up in NYC but I'll definitely be living somewhere big.

13. I'm pretty much in love with One Direction, especially Niall. I probably won't love my future husband as much as I currently love One Direction, honestly.

14. My favorite food is cashew chicken. Springfield style cashew chicken is the best part about living here in my opinion.

15. I really hate when people call me Carol, or Carolyn, but especially Carol.  My name is CaroLINE.