2010 Second Quarter Reading List

Picoult, Jodi. Ninteen Minutes. [S.l.]: Center Point, 2007. Print.

In Sterling, New Hampshire, 17-year-old high school student Peter Houghton has been through years of verbal and physical abuse from his classmates. His best friend, Josie Cormier, gives into peer pressure and now hangs out with the popular crowd that makes Peter's life hell. One final incident of bullying sends Peter over the edge and leads him to change the town's history. (2 Books).

Sparks, Nicholas. Safe Haven. New York: Grand Central Pub., 2010. Print.

When Katie moves to a small town of Southport, North Carolina, many people start to wonder where she came from and why she randomly picked Southport. She tries to stay distant from everyone, but can't seem to help but be drawn to her new neighbor, Jo, and the owner of a store, Alex. Even as Katie begins to feel at home, her past looms around her like a storm waiting to empty its contents.

Picoult, Jodi. My Sister's Keeper: a Novel. New York: Atria, 2004. Print.

How would you feel if your purpose in life was predetermined? That is exactly what happened to Anna. She was born to save her sisters life. Her parents made her in a test tube so that she would be a perfect match for her older sister, Kate. Anna has the same blood type and bone marrow type for transfusions. What happens when Anna doesn't want to do it anymore? She knows it might kill her sister, but can it save her own life, and her family's bond?

Meyer, Stephenie. Twilight. New York: Little, Brown and, 2005. Print.

Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Bella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Bella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife—between desire and danger (2 Books).

11/29/2012 Poem

Because your compassion gives me hope,
Because you know just what to say,
Because your laughter is contagious,
Because your smile can light up my world,
I love you.

Because my heart races when you hold my hand,
Because you know me better than anyone else,
Because you are the one I want to grow old with,
Because I can't have you,
I love you.

8/20/2010 Assignment

INDEPENDENT READING

Right now I am exploring books that I would like to read during these next nine weeks of school. I have searched Amazon.com, Goodreads.com, and Mrs. Huff's book shelfs. All of my books that I selected were on Goodreads best book list of 2008 and 2009.

1. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- I have heard from Mrs. Huff that this book is extremely well written and a very good story. A lot of my friends have read it and really enjoyed it. Amazon.com awarded it 4 1/2 stars.

2. The Host by Stephanie Meyer
- I have read the Twilight saga and enjoyed all of her books. I love how Stephanie Meyer writes and I am sure that I would enjoy Host. Amazon.com awarded it 4 stars.

3. Kite Runner by Khaled Hossieni
- I have seen very many of my friends with this book. Every single one of them say that they love it. Its about the war in Afganistan and I would like to read about something relevant to my life. Amazon awarded it 4 1/2 stars.

Second Quarter Reading List

2010 First Quarter Reading List

Sebold, Alice. The Lovely Bones: a Novel. Boston: Little, Brown, 2002. Print.

Susie Salmon, fourteen years old, is raped, murdered, and cut to pieces by a serial killer who has moved into the neighborhood. He disposes of her body in an old sinkhole. Susie is pronounced dead when someone’s dog finds her elbow in a cornfield. The rest of her body is never discovered. This novel begins with the murder and follows Susie’s family and friends through the many years after her death

McCormick, Patricia. Sold. New York: Hyperion, 2006. Print.

Sold into prostitution by her own family at age thirteen, Lakshimi had a hard life ahead of her. Before being sold she was the daughter of poverty stricken farmers in a little hilly viliage, tucked away from the world. Lakshimi struggled through life at the whore house, She lives a nightmare, but forms bonds with the other girls in able to survive. One day she must make a decicion to risk everything to get back her old life.

Runyon, Brent. The Burn Journals. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2004. Print.

At fourteen, Runyon put on his bathrobe, doused it with gasoline, stepped into the tub and lit himself on fire. He suffered third-degree burns over 85 percent of his body. He endured months of excruciating skin grafts and physical therapy. The Burn Journals spans Runyon's first year of recovery from this horrifying suicide attempt as he struggles with the pain, the guilt and the questions from himself and others as to why he did it.

Golden, Arthur. Memoirs of a Geisha: a Novel. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1997. Print.

Much of the novel is set in the popular geisha district of Gion in Kyoto, and contains references to actual places frequented by geisha and their patrons, such as the Ichiriki Ochaya. The research on the locations is extremely acurate and makes the plot even more interesting, knowing that it is a true story.

Larsson, Stieg. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2008. Print.

The plot is extensive and intriguing with twist and turns that always keep you guessing. The pace is easy to follow but has a great cast of competent investigators with great, complex characters.

Metaphoric Poem

I am a bird.
Always changing course.
Never in one place,
for very long.
Caged in by this
small town's expectations.
Born to fly...