Archive for April 8th, 2009
What book do you recommend to incoming freshmen?
Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
How did you come across this book?
In Late American English class.
How is the book written? What is being said?
It’s written in the perspective of Huck Finn, who is the friend of Tom Sawyer. You are able to see the growth that Huck goes through from the beginning to the end of the book. It’s like a coming-to-age story of a boy who deals with slavery.
What is the book about as a whole? What is the theme/goal?
Throughout the book, Huck Finn has to decide between doing what society deems to be morally correct and his own sense of morals as he helps a slave, Jim, to escape. The change in Huck’s perspectives on slavery/racism shows Twain’s support for equal rights for African Americans.
Has the book impact you in any way?
I don’t think it has. I have never experience the harsh racism that was widespread in the South during the late 1800s, so it’s hard to connect to the story.
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What book do you recommend to incoming freshmen?
Joy Luck Clubs by Amy Tan
How did you come across this book?
It was on my own incoming freshman summer reading list.
How is the book written? What is being said?
It is written in the perspectives of the mothers and daughters of four Chinese American immigrant families. The mothers talk about their lives in their homeland before moving to America. Meanwhile, the daughters all talk about their lives as daughters of immigrants.
What is the book about as a whole? What is the theme/goal?
There is definitely a difference between the mothers’ and daughters’ upbringing. This highlights the different customs between the two generations and how the older generation is trying to hold on to their customs and pass it on to their daughters. However, the daughters are all too “Americanized.”
Has the book impact you in any way?
I can relate to the different Chinese families. I can see the similarities between my upbringing and the daughters’. Even through the novel is fiction, it was liberating to see that there are other families that know what it’s like to be brought up as an Asian American.
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What book do you recommend to incoming freshmen?
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.
How did you come across this book?
My friend recommended it.
How is the book written? What is being said?
The story is told in the third 3rd person and set during the Great Depression. It is about two migrant ranch workers, George Milton and Lennie Small, looking for work. George sacrifices a lot in order to protect Lennie, whose dementedness is highlighted in his speech and action.
What is the book about as a whole? What is the theme/goal?
Throughout the novel, George and Lennie talk about their dream of having their own farm, away from society that has not been too kind toward Lennie. However, the dream never came close to reality as Lennie’s dementedness ruins every opportunity that they had to build toward that dream.
Has the book impact you in any way?
I was saddened by the ending.
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What book do you recommend to incoming freshmen?
Poe’s Short Stories by Edgar Allan Poe
How did you come across this book?
In Late American English class.
How is the book written? What is being said? WHAT IS BEING SAID IN DETAIL, AND HOW?
In the “Tell-Tale Heart, “ it begins with the narrator proclaiming he is not mad but nervous. He then talked about the crime that he committed before being overwhelmed by guilt and turning himself in to the police.
What is the book about as a whole? What is the theme/goal?
In the “Tell-Tale Heart,” the narration is fueled by his guilt. I think his guilt forced him to tell his story, which only made the situation worse.
Has the book impact you in any way?
It was spooky. I recommend not reading it at night.
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What book do you recommend to incoming freshmen?
The Natural by Bernard Malamud
How did you come across this book?
I just found it in the library.
How is the book written? What is being said?
It is written in the third person. It follows a baseball player, named Rob Hobbs, trying to regain his baseball career after being shot. It is like a story that tells you to never give up.
What is the book about as a whole? What is the theme/goal?
After returning to baseball, Rob became a larger-than-life sport hero. In the end, he is shown to be human. Unable to continue his career past the current season, he is offered a large sum of money to throw the final game. However, he doesn’t want to ruin his team’s shot at success. What should he do?
Has the book impact you in any way?
I’m a huge baseball fan and the novel captures my dream of becoming a baseball player. Rob Hobbs was larger than life, even though he is a fictional character. The scene at the end of the novel was very moving. If you’re a baseball fan, this is a book to read.
Juan Mendez April 07, 2009
Late British Pd.10 Book Recommendations
1. Your name
2. Gender: Female or Male
3. Ethnicity/ What country your from?
4. Age currently, age you read the book
5. What are some of your most important extra curricular
activities? (Clubs, Teams)
6. What’s one book that you really enjoyed reading and
would recommend to someone else? Title and author
7. What genre is the book?
8. Give a small summary, it can be as long as you want.
9. How did you relate to the characters and the plot?
10. What did you like most about this book?
11. What kind of crowd would you recommend this to? For
example Freshman, Seniors, Slackers, those interested Math,
interested in culture?
1. Lin Ling
2. Female
3. Taiwan
4. 18, Not done with book yet
5. Basketball, guitar
6. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
7. classic
8. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Miserables
9. Well the characters have many textures and the main
character comes from humble beginnings to be a positive
force in this world. I can relate to the obstacles he faced
along the way because his life is very complex and though I
may not have experienced what he did, there is always
something to relate to. there are also many universal themes
such as love, compassion, and societal judgment/pressures of
society, change, so I think anyone can relate.
10. It’s very easy to relate to. it follows the travails of
an orphan who is in his early 20′s so the age group isn’t
too far off.
11. Seniors definitely and the select few who don’t mind
classics and extremely long books. Also, people who are
interested in witnessing human transformations, not physical
but mentally and socially
1. Rachel
2. female
3. Hispanic/White (el Salvador, European)
4. 18, 18
5. haha extra currics
6. Everything is Illuminated- Jonathan Safran Foer
7. Fiction
8. A Jew goes to the Ukraine to find out about his
grandfather during the war and to write a book. he has a
guide who speaks the funniest English you will ever read.
the chapters go between the current story and the story that
the Jew is writing. in between there are letters that they
write to each other. And yes the book is crazy.
9. I guess I could relate to the wanting to know more about
your grandfather, since i don’t really know anything about
mine since he died when my mom was a kid.
10. the plot is ridiculous. and the characters are amazing.
the book is hilarious, but at the same time it’s also really
sad.
11. All, except really young people. It has some r-rated
sections.
1. Olumuyiwa Idowu
2. Male
3. Nigeria
4. 17, 14
5. Bwb, Basketball team, Arista
6. Rule of the Bone by Russel Banks
7. Genre
8. The book is the story of this young white male ( I
forgot his name) who is having a bad situation at home. His
parents are divorced and he hates his stepfather. After a
while, he can’t take it anymore so he runs away from home.
He basically goes on this long trek in which he crashes with
a group of bikers, lives in an abandoned summer house for a
while, and ends up in Jamaica, where his biological father
is. He matures as the story goes along because of a lot of
life changing experiences such as doing different drugs and
having sex for the first time. He also learns a lot about
the Rastifarian religion from a pivotal character named
I-Man, who is sort of a father figure. By the time he finds
his father in Jamaica , he is disappointed to find that his
father is not what he imagined. In the end, he realizes he
doesn’t need his father because he has grown into a man
himself
9. I can relate to the main character in that he is going
through the difficulties of being a teenager. His whole
journey is about trying to figure out who he is.
10. The book explores a lot of different scenarios and
cultures. The characters are also engaging and fully
developed.
11. I think this book would be best for freshman-sophomores
who want to learn about a different culture.
1. Anup
2. Male
3. INDIA
4. 17/17
5. beer/handball/xbox/math team
6. The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
7. Allegorical Novel
8. Santiago, the main character is a Spanish sheep herder.
but he represents the innocence, maturity and naiveté in
all of us. Anyone can relate to him at some point in the
novel, even though its about 100 pages.
Central to the novel is the concept of a Personal Legend.
Santiago first learns of one’s Personal Legend from The King
of Salem, who tells him “It’s what you have always wanted to
accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their
Personal Legend is“. He expounds on this saying
“…there is one great truth on this planet: whoever you
are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want
something, it’s because that desire originated in the soul
of the universe. It’s your mission on earth.” The King
also tells Santiago of the importance of following the omens
on the journey to realizing one’s personal legend.
9. Santiago’s thirst for change and adventure remind me of
myself. his determination to pursue a goal that seems so
far-fetched remind me of my crazy ideas.
10. What I like most about this book is that although its
deeply philosophical, there is a simplicity to it that pulls
you in.
11. I would recommend this book to slackers cause its short
and simple. For seniors cause of its philosophical
complexity.
1. Shayonna Cato
2. Female
3. African American/Grenada
4. 17,17
5. Cheerleading, Stuy Squad(Dance Team)
6. A thousand splendid suns by Khaled Hosseini
7. fiction
8. The lives of two women facing emotional, physical, and
cultural hardships intertwine in this shocking but
captivating novel. You won’t want to put it down
9. I related a little bit to the character Laila because
through one part of the book, she is around my age and
I find myself connecting with much of what she goes through.
The plot, not so much
10. I liked that there were many twists and turns, it kept
me interested
11. Upperclassmen, people interested in different
cultures/history/women studies
Stacey Lee
Recommender: Diana Wu
The Lovely Bones by Alice Rebold
Fiction
1. Which character do you admire?
I admire the main character’s younger sister. She was tough character and rarely let her feelings about her sister show in public. Even when people referred to her constantly as “the sister of the girl who died,” she still kept her chin up and kept doing her own work. She was also a gifted student.
2. Was the author an effective writer? Did he/she get his/her point across?
Yes, the author was an effective writer. Rebold got her point across that rape and murder are terrible and leave deep impressions on those left behind. The writing flowed well, and the vocabulary was not particularly difficult. Rebold also does not fall into the dire trap of over-description, which can bog down an otherwise interesting story.
3. What makes the book worth (or not worth) reading?
I thought that the book offered an interesting take on death and what happens after. Basically, it showed that Heaven is what you make of it. You can change it to be however you desire it to be. It is like a Sims game, but you are really “living” it instead of controlling pixelated characters.
4. How thought-provoking was the book? Did it leave you speculating the hidden meanings/unwritten messages?
By the end, most of my questions were answered, and it was more or less a cheesy happy ending. Some of the events in the book were thought-provoking, particularly those dealing with Heaven and the supernatural event that occurs. The book makes me wonder if people really do feel the cold presence of ghosts.
5. What is your overall impression of the book? What should a potential reader know about this book before they pick it up?
Overall, it is a pretty good book. The writing and tone of the book is distant, but the author might have intended that because the story is told by someone in Heaven. Before potential readers pick up this book, they should know that it deals with mature issues (i.e. rape & murder) and goes into the rape scene a bit graphically. I was surprised by the detail of the rape scene because I expected that the book would be more G than PG-13.
Recommender: Amanda Cheng
Journey of a Thousand Miles: My Story by Lang Lang
Autobiography
1. Which character can you relate to most? Which character do you admire?
I can relate to Lang Lang. because he started piano when he was tiny, like me. He is such an inspirational person because he practiced piano for the whole day and I would love to do that. In fact, after reading the book, I practiced the piano more, often for three hours straight.
2. Was the author an effective writer? Did he/she get his/her point across?
Although English is not his first language, he used simple, yet sophisticated language, so everyone could understand his writing. Plus, he got the point through his title: You can’t be a world renowned pianist if you don’t practice like crazy, or try hard even though there are little potholes in life. Some obstacles Lang Lang faced were the time his teacher rejected him because other people said bad things about him and when his dad wanted to kill him because he thought his son was a failure for having a teacher reject him.
3. What makes the book worth (or not worth) reading?
Reading the book makes you feel like you have not practiced the piano enough. Lang Lang’s accomplishments motivate you to play three hours a day. Also, you appreciate life more because you are grateful that you don’t have crazy parents that make you sit in front of an instrument for a quarter of the day.
4. How thought-provoking was the book? Did it leave you speculating the hidden meanings/unwritten messages? Or were you just left knowing everything?
It’s an autobiography. I do not think there’s anything to hide. There are no major hidden meanings or literary elements. He told us his life: he went from nothing to something, and he got pianos along the way.
5. What is your overall impression of the book? What should a potential reader know about this book before they pick it up?
This book is not some literary masterpiece that should be studied in English class for symbolism. He does, however try to incorporate some cheesy symbolism. It is a good book and an easy read. And, you’ll learn to be happy with your life right now.
Recommender: Jiae Kim
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Fantasy
1. Which character do you admire?
I like and Howell Jenkins, better known as Howl. He is a horribly picky, terribly vain wizard who likes to run away from obligations and responsibilities. A character later describes Howl as an “unprincipled, slippery rogue with a glib tongue and a clever mind.” However, he is not without his merits. Regardless of all that is said, Howl is very kind. He lets a homeless boy stay at his home and severely undercharges poor people for his services. Additionally, in the end, he does take responsibility for some of his actions.
2. Was the author an effective writer? Did he/she get his/her point across?
Jones is an effective storyteller. I’m not too sure if there was a meaning or point behind her story other than, perhaps to have faith in one self. The protagonist, Sophie Hatter, undergoes a huge change in personality, from shy and low-esteemed to confident and open.
3. What makes the book worth (or not worth) reading?
The lively and remarkable cast of characters makes this book definitely worth reading. Each character is well-defined enough to imagine as a real person. Furthermore, the plot is riddled with tiny little bits of humor and charm.
4. How thought-provoking was the book? Did it leave you speculating the hidden meanings/unwritten messages? Or were you just left knowing everything?
I was left knowing everything. Rather than thought-provoking, this book is just pure fun. If you want to search for deeper meanings and themes, they are there, but the book does not focus too much on them.
5.What should a potential reader know about this book before they pick it up?
You will want to reserve a good portion of your time to finish this book because you will not be able to put it down.
Recommender: Jenny Zhang
McTeague by Frank Norris
Fiction
1. Which character can you relate to most?
Trina is a character who becomes rich by winning a lottery. Instead of squandering her money on useless trinkets, she saves it. Her thrifty personality is inherent in me because I also try to save my money when possible. By storing my money in a bank account or a piggy bank, I am preparing for the future. Like Trina, I am preparing for the possible economic hardships that I may have to overcome.
2. Was the author an effective writer? Did he/she get his/her point across?
McTeague was an effective writer in that the main points of the story were understood. Being too frugal can be detrimental because that would mean limiting the amount of pleasures one would receive from possessing material goods. As a result, one would constantly focus on work, money, work, and money. However, there were certain aspects of the book that were hard to understand. Certain characters do not help nor add to the climax and the theme, causing the readers to wonder about their roles in the overall ideas of the book.
3. What makes the book worth (or not worth) reading?
The book is worth reading because it focuses on a timeless, ubiquitous trait of human beings: greed. Because of the unfortunate events that Trina has to endure due to her greed, one would conclude that having too much money may not be beneficial. Additionally, the book also deals with peer pressure and human beings’ constant attempts to assimilate into a crowd. The faith of McTeague, the crude protagonist, shows that adhering to one’s true nature will result in happiness.
4. How thought-provoking was the book? Did it leave you speculating the hidden meanings/unwritten messages? Or were you just left knowing everything?
The meanings of several characters are ambiguous. For example, an old couple plays a central role in the book but they fail to elaborate upon the theme of the book. Norris describes them as people who understand someone else through observation, instead of conversation. Yet, one question is how does this trait of the couple enhance the idea of greed in the book?
5. Overall impression of the book? What should a potential reader know about this book before they pick it up?
I find this book to be extremely fulfilling because after finishing the book, I still ponder upon the different meanings of the book and the author’s message. Because some of the dialogues are written with accents, readers may find the book to be incomprehensible in the beginning. My advice is to read the conversations between the characters out loud.
Recommender: Briana Kan
Shopaholic Takes Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella
Fiction
1. Describe a character that is significant.
Becky Bloomwood is like many women. She aspires to be successful in her career, but is also distracted by the many pleasures of life, in this case, shopping. Although her love for buying things, especially on impulse, has brought her many troubles that range from being thousands of dollars in debt to almost losing her job and making her future husband lose his job, Becky is ultimately able to find a way out of her problems and usually help others along the way. Her quirky and lighthearted nature only add to the reasons for liking Becky and reveal that her intentions are never bad.
2. Was the author an effective writer? Did he/she get his/her point across?
One great thing about Sophie Kinsella’s books is that there is always a twist at the end of the novel, which leaves the reader hanging and waiting for the next book in the series. Her humor is also much appreciated. The somewhat ridiculous stories that Becky makes up all the time to cover up her shopping addicting are pleasant to read and definitely unusual.
3. What makes the book worth (or not worth) reading?
It’s never fun to read about how money can ruin a person, but in Shopaholic, the situations that Becky gets herself into are so outrageous that it’s actually amusing, and the amount of trouble that a few little lies can lead to (all because of abnormal shopping habits) is quite surprising.
4. How thought-provoking was the book? Did it leave you speculating the hidden meanings/unwritten messages? Or were you just left knowing everything?
There were some messages Kinsella was implying:
- themes: money can lead to many many problems, therefore be careful with it
- if someone who is normally really witchy to you and is suddenly nice, don’t trust her
5. Overall impression of the book? Or, if you find this repetitive, What should a potential reader know about this book before they pick it up?
For anyone who might want to read this book, don’t read it if you’re busy, because you’ll lose several hours of your precious day if you pick it up. No joke. The only reason why you might not want to read it is that you get a bit tired of Becky’s love for consumption and feel that all that shopping is really unnecessary when so many people in the world live in poverty. But other than that, it’s a quick read and Becky is quite an entertaining character.
Nishant Kumar
Reading Recommendations
Alexandra L. (senior)
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
1. Why is this your favorite book?
The book begins with the story of the first generation of a family. It is moving and emotional. But as the book progresses through further generations the stories and people are forgotten. It inspired me to go do something that makes an impact on the world and be remembered. Also, the writing is beautiful.
2. How did you find the book?
The book was assigned for reading in AP Great Books. A great class by the way.
3. Are there any characters that you related to?
There was a patriarch figure who had a very similar ambition for exploration and growth as mine.
4. What emotions did the book evoke in you?
It puts you in a state of wonder and amazement. I was really forced to examine my life. Who was it that said “the unexamined life is not worth living?”
5. What kind of people would you recommend this book to?
People who like stories that transcend time and introduce you to not only one set of characters but generation after generation. It makes the reading fresh every time. I never found it boring.
Danny C. (senior)
Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee
1. Why is this your favorite book?
The story is set in the backdrop of southern Africa and rings with racial overtones that speak of racial injustices as well as social. This book offers deep insights onto the purpose of one’s place in society, and whether society is even necessary for one to live happily. A great novel, but even more of a great allegory to the problems.
2. How did you find the book?
AP British.
3. Are there any characters that you related to?
Yes, unfortunately, with the main character that indulges in acts that render him disgrace.
4. What emotions did the book evoke in you?
Sympathy, anger, reflective understanding.
5. What kind of people would you recommend this book to?
I would have to say for those wanting to examine their lives, and to any who like a good story.
Mohit Kumar (sophmore) (my brother)
“Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!”: Adventures of a Curious Character by Richard Feynman
1. Why is this your favorite book?
Feynman is the greatest person to ever walk the earth. He’s a genius and still manages to live a fun life. The book has a light tone but still makes some serious social commentaries about the nukes and all.
2. How did you find the book?
It was collecting dust in your bookshelf.
3. Are there any characters that you related to?
Feynman! He a really smart physicist and even worked on the Manhattan project. He really shows some of the struggles that come with being smart.
4. What emotions did the book evoke in you?
The book made me laugh a lot but also really opened up my mind about the effect of science on society.
5. What kind of people would you recommend this book to?
I’d have to say people who are really into science and planning to have a future in science.
Amitoj C. (junior)
A Child Called “It”: One Child’s Courage to Survive by Dave Pelzer
1. Why is this your favorite book?
It is a very moving and inspirational book. The author is severely abused by his mother but he goes on to overcome extreme obstacles.
2. How did you find the book?
I was writing a research paper on child abuse.
3. Are there any characters that you related to?
Thankfully, no. The book can be gruesome at times and the characters besides the boy are cold hearted or ignorant.
4. What emotions did the book evoke in you?
I went through a range of emotions from anger to sadness to disbelief. The story is really shocking.
5. What kind of people would you recommend this book to?
People who are always whining about how bad their lives are.
Tarek E. (senior)
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
1. Why is this your favorite book?
It is epic. I realized how important freedom of speech and defending our rights really was.
2. How did you find the book?
I watched the movie and ended up picking up the book too.
3. Are there any characters that you related to?
I didn’t relate to the characters but I related to the ideals that were being taught through the story.
4. What emotions did the book evoke in you?
Disgust, mostly.
5. What kind of people would you recommend this book to?
People who believe in their freedoms and rights.
Lucas by Kevin Brooks
Recommended by Adeline (Junior): a musician, dancer, swimmer, and hiker.
1. Why do you like this book? This was the first and only book to ever make me cry. It evokes very powerful emotions.
2. Did you learn anything valuable from reading this book? The truth is never overrated.
3. Sum the book up in one word. Powerful.
4. How did you come to read this book? I was at Barnes and Noble looking for books to read one summer afternoon, came across this book quite randomly, started reading it at B&N, and got so interested that I bought it and finished it at home.
5. What are some of your favorite/memorable parts from the book? My most memorable part from the book was also one of the most tragic one: when Lucas saves a drowning girl and is then accused of harassing her. Also, Lucas saves the life of a girl who is beaten by her boyfriend, but he is then accused of raping that girl afterwards.
The Stranger by Albert Camus
Recommended by Jeffrey (Senior): a sports fan, musician, traveler and happiness-creator.
1. Why do you like this book? I really liked the book because it made me ponder about life.
2. Did you learn anything valuable from reading this book? I got a basic sense of absurdism from reading the book.
3. Sum the book up in one word. “Is.”
4. How did you come to read this book? I was assigned the book in class.
5. What are some of your favorite/memorable parts from the book? The shooting of the Arab was a scene I’ll remember. Why did he do it? ‘Cause he just did. Haha.
The Devil You Know by Mike Carey
Recommended by Carl (Senior): a breakdancer, gymnast, baker, and food enthusiast.
1. Why do you like this book? I loved this book because it combined the elements of a detective novel with supernatural elements such as demons and spirits.
2. Did you learn anything valuable from reading this book? I learned that if succubi were real, never get seduced by one.
3. Sum the book up in one word. Hard-boiled.
4. How did you come to read this book? I bought it at random at Barnes and Noble because I was bored.
5. What are some of your favorite/memorable parts from the book? When the succubus was about to consume the main character’s soul or when the main character released the succubus onto the bad guys.
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
Recommended by Shayra (Senior): a writer, artist, and adamant volunteer.
1. Why do you like this book? I liked the book because it was written from an unconventional perspective (that of a mentally retarded person–in a journal entry style format).
2. Did you learn anything valuable from reading this book? I learned that people cannot ever get away from judging others as inferior or superior vis a vis to themselves
3. Sum the book up in one word. Endearing.
4. How did you come to read this book? I read this book based on a recommendation from a friend
5. What are some of your favorite/memorable parts from the book? I liked the part when the main character goes on his first date and offers his viewpoint on a movie he and his date have watched. Also, the ending when he makes to a mental note to put flowers on a grave.
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
Recommended by Winnie (Senior): a food, AIM, procrastination, fmylife.com, and 24 enthusiast.
1. Why do you like this book? I like it because I like Harry Potter and magical spells and flying brooms and luck potions and wands and Harry Potter language and Hogwarts and magic school.
2. Did you learn anything valuable from reading this book? I learned that I could read an 800 page book in two days.
3. Sum the book up in one word. MAGICAL.
4. How did you come to read this book? The boyfriend gave the book to me.
5. What are some of your favorite/memorable parts from the book? When Ron Weasley fell in love with a girl he didn’t know ‘cause of a love potion.
Book recommendations by Stuyvesant students for Stuyvesant students and readers around the world. Also known as Stuy Bookshelf/Book Box. Submissions are open—click on register below!