Vacation Challenge

George Orwell

1984

I was searching my bookshelf for interesting books that I haven’t read and I discovered 1984. I had heard positive things about this book and its similarity to Animal Farm, so I thought I would try it out.

The genre is Fiction/Science Fiction.

I read my book in my room, usually at night lying on my bed.

The book was great and very interesting. The book gave me many ideas about what it might have been like to be living in a totalitarianism government. I imagined what it was like to live during World War II under Stalin or Hitler’s rule. A world where the government controls everything you do is certainly hell. You can’t even think on your own. In 1984 Winston talks about how the government’s objective is to make their people say 2+2=5 and make them actually believe it. Under a government like that people would lose all of their rights and free will, it made me grateful that we do not live in a world like that.

Yes, I read longer than I normally would every day. I tried to read 2-3 chapters or 45-60 minutes every day in order to finish this book. It was definitely worth it.

Quarter 3 Blog

1.   Books I have read this quarter:

-      Slash

I rate Slash a 5. Overall, it was pretty easy to read, understand and follow his story.

-      Robin Hood

I rate Robin Hood an 8. It was written in old English and was more difficult than most books I have read.

-      Deep Drive

I rate Deep Drive a 5. Like Slash, it is an autobiography that I find pretty easy to read and understand.

2.    I have explored all four genre categories.

3.   I have learned that I am able to go outside my comfort/difficulty zone and read other books such as Robin Hood. Even though they are out of my difficulty zone, I do enjoy these kinds of books. I find myself somewhat of a “daring” reader, I have read a variety of genres so far and I don’t think I’m afraid to explore more books. When I choose a book, the first thing I do is to see if the book is of interest to me by reading the blurb on the back. Then I will read a couple pages to see if it is at my reading level. Finally, I will make my decision whether to read it or not.

4.   While reading, predictions, inferences and so on definitely come into play. I see myself guessing what is going to happen next or wondering why the author used this certain word.

5.   I try my best to find time so I can read as much as I can.

I believe I deserve an A- or B+ for independent reading. I have read 2 or more varied and challenging books. I do read at home and I bring my book every Friday.

6.   In a review of Deep Drive by Mike Lowell, the reviewer Rob Bradford praises the book for its honesty and how it is neither too high nor too low on Mike’s life. I definitely agree with Bradford, Lowell describes the ups and downs of his life including his battle with cancer and his struggles in his early baseball career. Despite this, the book is not too depressing. Lowell writes about his amazing baseball career and his life outside of baseball with his wife and kids. I really don’t disagree with this reviewer at all, but we might be bias reviewers because I am a Red Sox fan myself and Rob Bradford is the Red Sox radio announcer. Nevertheless, I find it a great book for all baseball fans.