Blog Post on Independent Reading Book

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

In the book Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, is mainly about two very different twins, Cath, and Wren, who go to the same college. They used to do everything together as kids, but that they’re older, its time to try new things. Wren has always been the extroverted twin. She is willing to try new things at college, and doesn’t want to be known as the girl with a twin. On the other hand, Cath has never really been on her own. Wren has always been her security blanket. When it comes time to college, Cath is a bit clueless. She stays in her room studying, while Wren is out partying. Cath worries about their father home alone, when Wren thinks he is fine. In addition, a fight brews between the twins, when their mother (who at eight years old) left them. Now Cath is on her own, and needs to learn how to live at college without help from her sister.

Cath isn’t willing to try new things, she is used to having Wren do it first. College is a whole new life, and Wren wants to start fresh, in a place where she won’t be known as ‘one of the twins’. For the first few weeks, Cath eats protein bars in her room for breakfast and dinner. And occasionally, she would meet Wren and her room mate Courtney. Courtney and Wren, already have a bunch of inside jokes, so even when Cath is with them, she still feels like an outsider. As if she is intruding. Besides her Wren and Courtney, the only other people she interacts with are her room mate Reagan, and her ‘boyfriend’ Levi [they are causally dating]. And one kid named Nick who is in her Fiction Writing Class. She kind of has a crush on him and Levi. She has a thing for both of them, Levi is interested but Nick isn’t. All she wants to do is tell Wren, but she can’t. They are slowing drifting apart, but Cath doesn’t want to, because she feels like she is nothing.

Cath doesn’t really have someone to confide. And it doesn’t help when Wren isn’t worried about their father, when Cath is worried out of her mind. Wren wants to let me be on his own, and Cath doesn’t. When their father ends up in a mental hospital again, Cath goes straight home, and Wren doesn’t because he is on place with good help. In addition, when their mother comes back into their life, to make peace with her daughters Cath refuses to meet her. She gets very angry at Wren when she decides she wants to meet with her. Cath thinks she ruined their family, and shouldn’t come back into their lives. And Cath won’t talk to Wren about it after. Wren wants them to meet, but no matter what Wren says Cath won’t do it.

In conclusion, I think Cath needs to grow up. College is place to explore different things. Cath doesn’t want to meet new people. When she sees people regularly, she won’t say hello. The only person she wants to be friends with is her sister, who doesn’t want to be friends now that they are in college. I think the only reason, Cath goes to her father when he is in the hospital, is because she needs to do something. She has nothing to do at college, and she wants an excuse to leave as soon as possible. In addition, she even considers not going back after Christmas just so she can help her dad, when really, she just doesn’t want to go back because she has no friends. But she refuses to make new friends. Cath needs to stop relying on Wren to test the waters, and go out and do it herself. Everyone has fro grow up t college or even before, but Cath hasn’t yet, but will she?

Blog Post on Independent Reading Book

The Summer I Turned Pretty By Jenny Han

This book, The Summer I Turned Pretty, is the first book to the series. I previously wrote about the second book in the series, but in this post, it is about a conflict that goes on in Belly (the main character’s mind). The books take place at a summer house at Cousin’s Beach, with Belly’s mother Laurel, her brother Steven, her mother’s best friend Beck (Susannah), and her son’s Conrad, and Jeremiah. These two families have spent every summer together, (for as long as Belly can remember). Beck, told Belly that she was destine with one of her sons. So as Belly grows up, (and through the books) she is being pulled and pushed with both boys. I am analyzing what happens in her head about how she feels about them, and why. She loves them both, but can she ever pick one of them?

Belly always thinks Conrad (the oldest of all the kids) has been the one, she as admired him from a far for years. Ever since she was little, she has long nursed a  a soft spot for him. For example, he is the oldest, and more broad shoulder and more handsomer (to her). Conrad also, taught her how to dance, and took her to her prom. She admires him a lot, and at age 13 he won her a polar bear (names junior mint) at a carnival. And, he sometimes sticks up for Belly against her oleo brother, thats another reason she admires him.On the other hand, Conrad doesn’t notice her as much, only, when Belly isn’t chasing after him, he also teases her a lot and makes fun of her. Before they briefly dated and went to prom, Conrad thought of Belly as a little kid, even when she was 16. Lastly, Conrad isn’t as open about his feelings, and keeps them to himself. I think even though they dated, and have a history, he shouldn’t be the one because, he doesn’t care for her as much and, doesn’t share what he is thinking, and she can never tell his mood. 

Conrad’s younger brother Jeremiah, has always loved Belly, and he is hurt all the time because he watches Belly love his brother. Belly never notices Jeremiah, only as an older brother, not a lover. Jeremiah and Belly have an important history, for example, Jeremiah was Belly’s first kiss, even though she wanted Conrad. Jeremiah, stood up for her always against her friend, Conrad, and her brother. He taught her how to drive. To Belly they are best friends in the way they share secrets, and feelings. Jeremiah, has always been more open about the way he feels, he will always tell you, or you will be able to tell, what he is feeling all the time. Jeremiah, bought Belly a really nice expensive charm to go with a charm bracelet, for her 16th birthday, even when Conrad didn’t get her anything. Lastly, Jeremiah is always thinking about tBelly, and noticing her, even if she doesn’t know it. 

In conclusion, I think Jeremiah is the on the for Belly. Even when she doesn’t know it. Jeremiah is so much more caring and deserving. Jeremiah and Belly have good times in the time they spend together. For example, they go on a chase look for Conrad, who ran away. From when they were kids, they have always had a good laugh together, on the beach, in the pool, at the movies, or playing truth or dare at night. Even though I think that Belly and Jeremiah should be together, Belly still has to decide, and there will always be a love triangle between Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah.