The Wrath of Plath

In Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar, it’s obvious that for some people, getting everything you want doesn’t necessarily make you happy. The story follows the New York escapades of relentlessly whiny Esther Greenwood, who in this semi-autobiographical novel, descends into a state of mental instability not uncommon to women of the modern era.

Her chilling and overly morbid depictions of life evoked little sympathy from me, but if you’re into the sort of self-centered and depressing writing characteristic of Plath, for instance if you enjoyed Salinger’s equally annoying Catcher in the Rye, then you should definitely read The Bell Jar. Who DOESN’T love to read entire books dedicated to the complaining, naïve, and egotistical natures of teenagers?

Even though I know very little about mental illness, I realize it’s an important issue. Depression, anxiety, bipolarity and a whole slew of other mental diseases are very real and rampant in the lives of the majority of Earth’s population. However, reading an entire novel centralized around this aspect isn’t very fun – understandably so.

The world isn’t always rainbows and unicorns and ligers. But instead of being stimulating and enlightening, this book was uncomfortable, slow, and unsettling, constantly leaving me with the feeling after I read it of eating slightly damp and moldy bread. Nasty, amiright?

I want a book to taste like a crisp apple, or a spicy Thai chicken taco. I want flavor, substance, and color. This book is super famous and commended and seemingly amazing and blah blah blah – but I don’t care. I didn’t like it and I’m not changing my opinion about famous books because of their popularity.

I read books and formulate my own opinion, as I think everyone should. I see very little value or anything truly impressive about The Bell Jar, or why people spend so much time drooling over it – there are just so many other great works of literature they could be reading.

Two sides of the same coin

Of Mice And Men A Media Matters @ WFHS Post~

Of Mice & Men by John Steinbeck is about two adults named Lennie and George who are seeking work on a ranch because they wanted to live the American Dream. Judging by the book, George seemed to be the more mature one out of the two. Lennie was a bit immature; acting like a little kid sometimes.

George also had a strong liking of rabbits, and wanted to live on a farm full of rabbits with George. George always had to watch over Lennie and act as the real adult between the two.

George would tell Lennie what to do, find them jobs, cook him a meal, etc. However; Lennie would do the same for George. Even though Lennie can make George very frustrated sometimes, he was someone who he couldn’t stay mad at, and loved him deep down. After they started working on the farm, they mainly kept to each other, but have met a lot of new people who they have worked with. Later on they go through problems of racism and sexism and many other conflicts together.

You will enjoy this book no matter who you are, because it tells you a touching story of two friends, who are like family, that had no one else but themselves. They didn’t own much, nor did they have a lot of money. But what they do have is each other’s backs. The book also has a sad ending, but it still leaves you satisfied. The book is old and takes place in very old times, but if you really pull through this story I know that it will be one of the best stories that you will ever read.

The Art of Losing Everything

Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr A Media Matters @ WFHS Book Review

Sara Zarr’s book Once Was Lost is the type of book that can change someone’s life. Sam, short for Samara, is a pastor’s kid. If that’s not hard enough, add her rehab stricken, alcoholic mother.

But wait, we’re not done yet! An 11 year old from her church group is kidnapped in their small, crime free town. Once Was Lost follows the life of Sam Taylor who struggles with her wavering faith, the possibility of an unfaithful father and losing her mother to alcohol.

At the beginning of the book Sam is a lost 15-year-old girl. Her father is a preacher, her mother an alcoholic and her friends leave her out. When the book begins, Sam’s mother is in rehab for her alcohol addiction. We learn that Sam’s father is a well-known, young preacher in their small town.

If the Taylor’s have new clothes or a new phone, they’re looked down upon because the people of the church pay their bills. Sam goes to church every Sunday but she feels something is missing… her faith in God.

Her father’s job prevents him from being there to support her.

Her mother is in rehab for alcohol and isn’t there for Sam either.

She feels alone and her wavering faith worsens when an 11-year-old girl from her youth group goes missing. Can Sam help find her? And can she find love along the way? You’ll have to read to find out, no spoilers! Muhahahaha!!!

Once Was Lost is a book that any teen can relate to. It follows the life of a teenage girl whose life is falling apart. At one point or another, every teenager has faced a time like Sam’s. She is losing faith in God and eventually must ask herself if she ever had any. I know what that’s like, a lot of people do. I recommend this book for Christians and Atheists alike. I also recommend checking out Sara Zarr’s book How to Save a Life. It’s also spectacular.

 

-VMN

 

Could You Be a Reason Why?

In the chilling novel Thirteen reasons why by Jay Asher, young, troubled Hannah Baker leaves behind thirteen cassette tapes revealing the reasons she committed suicide. The box of tapes is delivered to Clay Jensen upon returning from school one day.

The tapes reveal that each person Hannah speaks about contributed to the reason she decided she couldn’t handle the struggles of her life.

The novel encompassed many emotions, including anger on behalf of Clay and anger towards many of Hannah’s awful encounters with others. Overall, this story affects you in ways you won’t expect.

Could You Be a Reason Why? @MediaMatters@WFHS

The overall concept of the story is scarily flawless. Jay Asher encompasses a viewpoint that many people don’t bother to think about.

I personally have never witnessed the aftermath of a suicide, but I have experienced the aftermath of horrible accidents which resulted in the death of someone too young.

Death in general is never an easy subject to deal with, let alone a death imposed unexpectedly. So upon the subject matter, the book does pose a threat to faint-emotional hearts.

In addition to the topic of death itself, Asher’s use of personalized recordings as Hannah’s suicides note(s) increase the feelings of uneasiness. The idea is horrifying. How would you deal with knowing that something you could have said or done affected someone so strongly it willed them to push themselves beyond the point of no return?

This novel pulled many emotions forward from the back burner and it honestly gave me a further awareness of how important it is to just be kind, no matter who you’re with.

Overall, 13 Reasons Why was a fast read and definitely a tear-jerker. It was oddly suspenseful but definitely worth the read.

Divergent

Divergent is an insight into the perfect world. Or so it was planned. Anyways, this book was a great start to the three book trilogy. Tris (Beatrice) is a girl brought up in a world she doesn’t feel a part of and she doesn’t know how right she is. The first book is about her internal struggle with her choices and the complete world change she goes through. There’s thrill and adventure! This book has all the aspects of a great book. Not to mention a love story 😉 Throughout the book you really see who she was and who she becomes.

 

Divergent A Media Matters @ WFHS Blog Post

I loved it. First books are always the best when it comes to series. It’s the beginning of the story and you can’t be let down. It really shows that you are the master of your own destiny and anything you work hard for, you can achieve. AND things aren’t always what they seem. A very good book and definitely a read-again book. 🙂

Not All Heroes Have Supernatural Powers

Not all heroes have superpowers. A Media Matters @ WFHS Post

V is for Villain by Peter Moore. Check out Peter’s website!

V is for Villain follows Brad Baron, a high-school genius who constantly compares himself with his older, super-hero brother Blake. Blake is a member of the elite superhero squad called Justice Force. I mean really, who needs brains when you’re a superhero?!

Brad doesn’t have superpowers like his brother or like everyone at his school-where being a superhero is totally normal. This is a great science-fiction novel for young adults.

Brad, the main character of the novel follows the shadow of his super famous, superhero brother, Blake. Brad joins a political group that looks to uncover secrets that the government and scientists appear to be covering up.

He doesn’t mind that a cute girl named Layla is a part of it either! Layla guides Brad on his journey and he realizes that you don’t need superpowers to have power. His brother Blake an entire opposite of Brad. He’s not the sharpest crayon in the box… but he has passion. Although he may be misled, the passion he has forms him into a great character.

Although the book focuses on the supernatural world, it is very easy to connect with Brad. Like many high school students, he doesn’t fit in. Granted, it’s because he doesn’t have superpowers but he’s still easy to relate to.

Anyone with an older sibling understands Brad’s struggle with being overshadowed and expected to achieve great things like his brother. If you enjoyed the Disney movie Sky High, there’s a very high chance you will enjoy this novel.

 

-vmn

A Lost Princess

“A Lost Princess” A Media Matter @ WFHS Post

The Faerie Path by Frewin Jones tells the enchanting story of Anita Palmer, a seemingly ordinary girl, who actually possesses a past that it is all unknown to her.

After a boating accident with her boyfriend, Evan Thomas, she finds out who she was over 500 years before. Anita Palmer was not Anita; She was Princess Tania of Faerie.

She had gone missing the eve of her wedding 500 years previous to her return to the immortal world of Faerie, with her return the kingdom came to life. She learns the truth of who she is and those around her. Tania eventually accepts the princess she used to be and proves her powers to herself and saves the kingdom.

I love this book so much. At first she wasn’t accepting of the idea of being a Faerie Princess, I would honestly die to be a princess. The book is filled with vivid imagery and opens up this beautiful world in your mind.

It took me away and put me into the enchanted world it described. It’s a fairytale, but so much more than that. Yes there’s the whole “finding true love thing,” but a princess saves an entire world of people and possesses so much power.

A powerful princess is the best kind of princess. This book is now my favorite series and I just placed an order for the rest of the books in the series and cannot wait to read them. I love the imagination in this book. It is so lovely. I want to be a princess. Anyways, I would recommend this book to anyone that loves a good fairytale. And I plan on reading it again before I return it.

“A Lost Princess” A Media Matters @ WFHS Post

Innocence Expires

XVI by Julia Karr is a dystopian story that is centered around a world where women are sexualized beginning at age 16.

The main character of the book, Nina, is 15 but turning 16 soon. In her world, when a girl turn sixteen she is labelled as sex-teen and is ready for any man to use for his pleasure. In this dystopian tale, the government requires every girl upon the turning of 16 to receive an XVI tattoo on her wrist. Right before her 16th birthday, Nina’s mother dies and leaves Nina to protect herself and her step-sister from the  murderous step-father. Along the way, Nina finds new friends and romance while struggling to find herself.

I recommend this book for anyone who likes alternate worlds and especially for any feminist out there.

 

-VMN-