Questions:
1. What makes this book different from others?
2. How can you relate to this book/the themes?
3. Has this book led you to any new genre or interests?
4. Did you relate to any character? How or how not?
5. Did you learn any lessons from this book? What did this book teach you or inspire you?
A. Sofiya Elyukin-Junior on Debate Team
The Scarlet Letter- Nathaniel Hawthorne
The book provided insight into Puritan life for me, because I haven’t read any other novels that focused on Puritans…I can see that in reality, there are societal bounderies that we have to conform to and there are societal pressures that we all go under at times…not really, because I already like historical fiction…this book gave me a new view on Puritan life, and I wasn’t able to relate to any of the characters much-Dimmsdale and Hester are in love and protecting a dark secret, Chillingworth is obsessed with revenge, and Pearl is blissfully ignorant, and I cant really relate to any of these characters….I learned that you shouldn’t become obsessed with revenge because it will eventually hurt you more than the person you want to hurt.
B. Deborah Kasner-Senior in Jewish Culture Club
As A Driven Leaf-Milton Steinberg
This book is very deeply philosophical while interesting with a story line…the main character questions many things that he grows up on, the same way I do…this book made me more interested in philosophy, and I plan to read more books of this genre…I could relate to the main character, who explores different philosophies to make his own conclusions on what his life should be like…this book inspired me to think and question things around me.
C. Amitav Chakraborty- Senior on Speech and Debate Team
Night- Elie Wiesel
This book shows us situations that none of us will ever be put through, so it offers us a view of something that we can only imagine…we can see the cruelty that exists in people, and I’ve had interactions with that feeling…yes, it definitely made me read more Holocaust books so I could get a fuller idea of the atrocities that they underwent…I could relate to the victims, obviously not in the same way, but nevertheless, my interactions have shown me just how mean people can be…I think a very important moral is that you should never give up; there are always people in worse conditions than you.
D. Sue Chuang-Senior on Cheerleading and involved in Chinese Culture and Dance
Joy Luck Club- Amy Tan
I can obviously relate to this book because of the Chinese culture, and how I’ve gone through and continue to go through a lot of the experiences and emotions that the main character goes through…this book has led me to more cultural and historical genres and more personal writing, which allows me to connect to the author better….yes, I related to the main character because my parents put the same pressures/expectations on me, I can understand how the parents feel (immigration, language barrier, adapting), and I can share the growth of many girls similar to the author’s…I learned more about my background and about my parents because I can now see things in a different perspective.
E. Rammiya Nanaillathan-Senior, Vice President of Tutoring in Arista Honors Society
Uncle Tom’s Cabin- Harriet Beecher Stowe
This book gives hope to those alive during slavery or impacted by slavery, because of the way that the emotion was portrayed, also, the fact that it was written by a white person showed how immoral slavery truly was…I can relate to certain values held by Uncle Tom, such as honesty, trust, and morality…this book led me to more civil issues because I became more interested in them after reading this book….no, I couldn’t really do that…I learned that there are always good people in the world-you’ll find your bad, but alongside them, the just will also exist.
Interview I
Name: D.Y.
Recommends: The Sound and the Fury
By William Faulkner
1. What is your reason for reading the book?
I read it for my AP English class and ended up loving it.
2. How do you feel about it, ie. writing style of author, captivating, etc?
I found it very well written, creative, and very interesting because of the different narratives.
3. What is your current year and gender?
Senior (’09) and female.
4. Are you in any clubs or teams?
Yes. I used to be the editor for the photography section for the Spectator, member of the photography club, and a member of the Key Club and ARISTA.
5. What factors do you look for when choosing a book, ie. if you have a preference for a certain genre, what do you look for in it?
I generally like fiction. I don’t really have the attention span to continuing reading books I do not enjoy so the material must be riveting.
Interview II
Name: A.K.
Recommends: Los Funerales de la Mama Grande
By Gabriel Garcia Marquez
1. What is your reason for reading the book?
I love Marquez and his short stories. In addition, I want to practice my Spanish.
2. How do you feel about it, ie. writing style of author, captivating, etc?
It’s an incredible book -it combines social criticism with profound insight into human nature.
3. What is your current year and gender?
Senior (’09) and male.
4. Are you in any clubs or teams?
Yes, I am the founder of Open Voices (not an official club).
5. What factors do you look for when choosing a book, ie. if you have a preference for a certain genre, what do you look for in it?
I try and look for books by authors that are well known or are renowned as amazing writers.
Interview III
Name: P.H.
Recommends: Alanna
By Tamora Pierce
1. How do you feel about the book, ie. the author’s style of writing, is it interesting, etc.?
I found the book to be very interesting -it was the type of story that keeps you reading on.
2. What is your year and gender?
Senior (’09) and female.
3. Do you have any particular hobbies and are you in any clubs or teams?
My only hobby is drawing (anime-themed art). I am not in any clubs or teams.
4. Has the book influenced your mentality (your views of anything) in any way?
Not that I know of, no.
5. What do you look for in a book, ie. if you prefer a certain genre, what qualities do you seek in it -ratings, recommendations from others, length, etc.?
I read primarily from the fantasy genre. The books must contain well-developed characters and have an interesting and original plot.
Interview IV
Name: J.L.
Recommends: The Stranger
By Albert Camus
1. How do you feel about the book, ie. the author’s style of writing, dense, controversial, etc.?
I thought Camus wrote in a very refreshing way because of the lack of melodrama in his writing.
2. What is your year and gender?
Senior (’09) and female.
3.What hobbies do you have? Are you in any of the school’s clubs or teams?
I write short stories on my own time. I am in ARISTA, Strive, and the DDR club.
4. Has reading the book affected your mentality (your way of thinking) in any way?
Yes, I care less about everything.
5. What do you look for in a book, ie. if you prefer a certain genre, what qualities do you seek in it -ratings, recommendations from others, length, etc.?
I generally look for works of fiction and longer books so that I can have something that lasts for a while.
Interview V
Name: YYW
Recommends: Pride and Prejudice
By Jane Austen
1. How do you feel about the book, ie. the author’s style of writing, dense, controversial, etc.?
At first, the book appears to be a simple romance novel “…marry well …marry rich…” The story makes a bittersweet unexpected turn as it becomes a social struggle for the Bennet’s and Charles Bingley as the barriers between the two families tears Jane and Bingley away. This is only part of the story however, as the book is centered on the non-existent yet not-quite-so relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy.
2. What is your year and gender?
Senior (’09) and male.
3.What hobbies do you have? Are you in any of the school’s clubs or teams?
I play a lot of Japanese role-playing games (different from just RPGs… look it up) and watch anime sparingly as I am preoccupied with games usually. I am currently trying to get into other genres such as action/hack and slash (Devil May Cry) and shooters (Metal Gear Solid) but JRPGs still remain my favorite. Although I cannot say I have a single favorite game, I would probably have to say that Persona 3 and 4, Xenosaga series, Valkyrie Profile series, and Final Fantasy VIII and Tactics (the original, not advance) are among those that are replayed the most. I am also currently trying to learn to draw (anime-esque, with more realistic proportions and shapes). Reading doujinshis seem to help with this. I was in the school’s DDR and Super Smash Brothers Brawl clubs but have since quit both. I do help StuyStrive with printer cartridge recycling at times.
4. Has reading the book affected your mentality (your way of thinking) in any way?
It makes me wonder about the mindsets of people from previous generations and how deep the social stigmas carried by these people have permeated through today’s society.
5. What do you look for in a book, ie. if you prefer a certain genre, what qualities do you seek in it -ratings, recommendations from others, length, etc.?
I do not read often, but when I do (voluntarily, not assigned or whatever), they would have to be realistic fiction in the least. Philosophical writings are also great, provided that they are written in modern English. I suppose romance novels interest me as well, as long as it isn’t too heavy on it (Pride and Prejudice is an excellent example).
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