Close Reading Bingo

Chillin In The Nyle-  Rule number 6- the word uses (use)
http://letsgetawesome5.blogspot.com/

Back of the Napkin blog- Rule number 6- shows
http://almostfacebook.blogspot.com/2011/10/practice-diction-analysis.html

That one guy's blog- Rule number 9- this
http://mrbsbooks.blogspot.com/2011/10/activity-2.html

As Told by Ginger- Rule number 6- uses
http://mbutchko.blogspot.com/2011/10/practice-diction-analysis.html

Diction Observation

In Nicholson Bakers novel The Mezzanie the setting is on an escalator on the way to his office. The setting displays the hustle and bustle of the busy work place.  Also, the description of the lobbys prestige suggests that this work place is somewhat of importance. The words and phrases for example, "long glassy highlights" and "black rubber handrails" describe the element of a prestigous setting.

Style Mapping

Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy features middle diction language. There are precise elements but also picuturesque elements. This excerpt features many different words and styles of languague used. Another example of Style Mapping is an excerpt from "The Mud Below" by Annie Proulx has denotative low language. she used harsher words such as, thrashed, hurry, taught and slack. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins would be classified as middle. The popular fiction novel features suspenseful and relaxed language.

Quarter Currently

This year I've noticed that I have changed my genre of books. Before this class I was reading standard cookie cutter books. However, I've changed to be quite addicted to books about drug addicts and books about tragedies. I just finished Leaving Dirty Jersey and I must say that I still think Tweak is my favorite book for drug abuse. I find myself reading at night when I'm not buried under a mound of homework and I always read on the family room couch. I have this spot in the corner where I sit, put my feet up and cover up with a blanket. I can read for hours on end like this. I'd really like to read 8,000 pages by the end of the semester so I need to pick up the pace a little!


Pages this week: 460
Pages this semester: 2879

A Thousand Splendid Suns

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a novel written by the author of the Kite Runner. The book follows two women living in Afghanistan during the many revolutions, wars and corruption. Mariam, a harashmi, meaning she was born out of wedlock deals with this insulting name for the rest of her life. Her parents mistakes will haunt her for the rest of her life. Lalia, another young girl has to deal with her mothers grief of her two brothers who go to fight in the wars against Russia. Lalia, never has the ideal home that her father works hard to give to her. She finds comfort from her best friend Tariq. Even as the duo get older and rumors start to fly, they remain eachothers support system. Over time Tariq and Lalia began to develop feelings for eachother and then, Tariq's family decides they are moving to Pakistan where it is safer. Tariq promises to come back and find Lalia when he can marry her. A Thousand Splendid Suns is a haunting book that describes how hard life is for women and childeren in Afghanistan. Dealing with high expectations from husbands and society, verbal and physical abuse and internal struggles it makes living in the United States seem like a walk in the park.

Friday Currently

Favorite Sentences from the week:

This first one is from The Kite Runner by Kahled Hosseini

"That was a long time ago, but it's wrong what they say about the past, I've learned, about how you can bury it. Because the past claws its way out."

The next one comes from D.U.F.F. by Kody Keplinger

"No matter where you go or what you distract yourself, reality catches up with you eventually.

My next favorite sentence comes from the poem "On a Church Lawn" by William Stafford

"God is not big: He is right."

Pages read this week: 648
Pages this Semester: 2419

The Kite Runner

This week I read The Kite Runner by Kahled Hosseini. This book was absolutely riveting. It entails on the internal struggles of a young Afghan boy, Amir, as he fights for his father’s attention, right and wrong, and how to deal with a changing world. Amir’s mother dies during child birth and he thinks that this is one of the reasons his father doesn’t approve of him. His servants, Ali and Hassan, a father and son duo whom which the father has been with Amir’s father since childhood and Hassan who is one year younger than Amir play a crucial role in the development of Amir. Also, Rahim Khan, Amir’s father’s best friend and business partner seems to be more of the father figure and the one who understands Amir the most. This book gives a vivid description and insight into what Afghanistan used to be before the Taliban and also what the Taliban has done to the entire culture. The things that are profiled in this book are just astonishing and it makes you realize how lucky we are to be living in a society where you can look someone in the eyes without fear they will shoot you or your family. Afghan people have to endure many struggles throughout the day just to survive. The Kite Runner describes more than just Amir’s stories and struggles to be at peace with himself and with the people who were there for a good portion of his life. It is a haunting peak into everything that isn’t the United States.