reading BLOG ENTRY 3

This week, I read a short story in our little textbook called "The Bracelet" and a novel called River Boy. For the short story, "The Bracelet," it definitely connects to the time during the 2nd World War when the US put all the Japanese immigrants into concentration camps. I like it how the author's writing style is extremely clear so that I can depict the situation in my head immediately. Therefore, due to this imagery, I felt compassion for the Japanese people, even though I personally do not like Japan, especially the people. The author just depicted them as so innocent and pitiful that even I felt heart-broken when the girl had to say goodbye to her friend. I had a time during 3rd grade when I had to say goodbye to all my friends in Canada, for I had to leave for Korea. However, I never really felt sad about it; I'm not sure why. But in the story, how Ruri and Laurie were so sedate and calm made me feel jealous of their maturity. Even adults probably can't say goodbye like that. Most people would cry their hearts out and leave all teary. But these two girls said little to each other, making those words seems so precious. Plus, I loved how Laurie even walked backwards to have one last look at Ruri to wave. Maybe these two girls were just too young to understand the reality...? Anyways, I think the theme of this story is friendship, love (mentally), and separation. All these three things have to do with the relationship between Laurie and Ruri.

The novel I read called the River Boy, was also an interesting one. It wasn't all the thrilling, exciting type of book. I would have to say it was also a tranquil type. Plus, this book also deals with separation because Jess's grandpa died, who was a big part of her. But it was boring at times. The author's writing style is very easy. Everything is straightforward and the vocabulary are in the middle school level. I think this book was meant to be sad, but it wasn't because it was too dragging, dull, and obvious. It was so clear that the "boy" was the grandpa of Jess. Nothing was mysterious about this book. So I'd probably never read it again. It was just a waste of time.

reading BLOG ENTRY 2

For the second time, I read the novel, The Notebook. Honestly, I do not know why but I sort of like the movie better than the book. Maybe it is because the movie has much more dramatic events in it. However, this book is also quite amazing. I think I actually felt the passion of love between the two characters, Noah and Allie. Noah...he's just my favorite character. I have never seen anyone so devoted and romantic as him. He is a sweetheart, the kind I want to marry. I love the quote in page 164 when Noah tells Allie who she is (because she has alzheimers and can't remember and is lost....etc). He says, "You are Hannah, a lover of life, a strength to those who shared in you friendships. You are a dream, a creator of happiness, an artist who has touched a thousand souls. You've led a full life and wanted for nothing because your needs are spiritual and you have only to look inside you. You are kind and loyal, and you are able to see beauty where others do not. You are a teacher of wonderful lessons, a dreamer of better things."
I just wonder how a man could come up with such words? It was so touching that I read it over and over again.

Another section of this book I adore is the letters from Noah to Allie and Allie to Noah. They just love each other so much! And they raised their children so well! Their love story is just so amazing starting from when they first met. The letters describe what they mean to each other and how special their past is. I am so jealous of the thought that these two people, so old, could adore each other so much. This book inspired me so much. I realized that I too, should marry a man that really loves me so that we could grow old with grace, just like Noah and Allie. In Korea, I have seen many grandparents who grew old with laziness, annoyance, hatred, and absoultely no love. Some men, I can just see from their eyes and words, do not even love their wives. However, Noah and Allie represent the contrary that everyone should follow.

reading BLOG ENTRY 1

For the past two weeks, I've been reading the book, Love Story by Erich Segal. This book was written a long time ago, sometime around the 1960's and was immensely popular. Since the novel was so short and only 187 pages with very easy language, I finished it within 2 weeks. While I was reading through the book, I was quite pleased with it but didn't regard it as my favorite. There were very interesting, attractive parts about Oliver and Jenny (the two main characters). I especially liked the beginning in which they first saw each other and were having a fight in the library about how they didn't like each other but eventually went to coffee together. It was so cute. Opposites definitely attract to each other.

After finishing the novel, I was touched. So touched that I knew this book would remain as my favorite in my whole life. It was the ending that made me feel like this. The main theme or quote of the novel was "Love means never having to say you're sorry." Jenny used this quote to Oliver when he apologized his inappropriate behavior to her. However, after Jenny, the love of his life, died, Oliver finally met his dad, whom he ended contact with for a long time. When his dad said sorry for her death, Oliver replied, "Love means never having to say you're sorry." and surprisingly unlike himself, cried in his dad's arms. This was how the novel ended. It was so sweet, I can't explain how much it struck me.