What I Liked About American Literature

When I signed up for classes, I really didn’t need another English class because I have taken all of the required classes plus some. A fellow classmate of mine and my academic advisor talked me into signing up, claiming I would enjoy it. I honestly would want a class that is face-to-face because I like to listen to people’s input and understanding of a piece of literature. An online class isn’t my first choice, but oh well.

This class broadened my knowledge of literature. I read some literature that I wouldn’t have otherwise read on my own. I’m thankful that we had a section for poetry because my other English classes didn’t touch that subject much. I do have a new favorite poet because of this class. I loved reading E.E. Cummings’ work.

I especially enjoyed the second pod that was work written by women. My favorite author was Kate Chopin because she definitely wrote ahead of her time where in her story the woman doesn’t have to stick to the traditional role of being a housewife. I know men like Mark Twain wrote some stories ahead of their time, but not women. It was empowering and refreshing to read.

The discussion boards over some of the literature were helpful and enlightening to see how some people think. The instant message class chats were even better; I’m glad I could at least do one that was scheduled on a different day.

I would suggest this class for other classmates that need an elective or just really love English in general. It’s unreal that the semester is over. It was nice to meet everyone (virtually) and I hope you all have a wonderful summer!

Childhood Stories

The other day my co-worker (and friend) Chloeann was working on a grant for the library, typing up a document to send out. I asked her what she was doing and she explained the grant and the content. She read some of her material to send out and she kind of reminisced on childhood books that you as a kid would remember, or what story/book it was that stuck with you throughout your life. The books that you read as a kid that you remember somewhat remind me of dreams that you remember, almost as vivid as a memory; but this started to bring out some memories that had stuck with me since I was in middle school or younger. Chloeanne and I reminisced about our childhood stories, exchanging what they were about and what we remember about them. I wanted to share some that sparked some nostalgia for me.

I believe the books that pushed me into reading were The American Girl book series when I was in the 3^rd grade. In this particular book series there were series within a series since there were stories of multiple girls with multiple adventures. I only had a few favorite American Girls that I liked to read, and they were Felicity, Samantha, and Molly. If you haven’t read the American Girl books all of the girls live in different time periods. Felicity lived in 1776, right at the peak of when the Declaration of Independence was created. Samantha lived in 1904 during the Edwardian time period, and Molly lived in 1944 of the later years of World War II. I’m not sure of a specific reason why I liked these particular books of the American Girls, maybe it was the writing style or adventures. Or both, either way I enjoyed them thoroughly. Somewhere in there and earlier I remember reading a bunch of The Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I’m not sure if I even finished a complete series by Wilder, I just know I read a bunch of her books out of order.  

In 4^th grade I remember reading more American Girl books and another book I particularly liked was Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith. The book was about a boy addicted to chocolate where he eats chocolate every day in almost every meal, later becoming sick from eating so much of it. Later in the story he finds a new flavor he’s addicted to: vanilla. It was a cute book!

Onto 5^th grade and so on, I remember reading The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine. It’s one of my favorites actually where two sisters go on an adventure, protecting their kingdom from gryphons, ogres, etc. It was action packed with mythical creatures and sword fighting. I remember the battles mostly, it was well written in detail. The book was my ideal story to read because it was literally all of what I love!

Then there was the book Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix, a retelling of Cinderella. Pretty much the retelling is that Cinderella doesn’t really find Prince Charming charming at all. It had a nice twist to it.

I also really enjoyed Carolyn Meyers’ book series The Royal Diaries. All of the books are historical fiction; most of them are about the England royalty like Queen Catherine of Aragon, her daughter Mary, etc. My favorite book out of the bunch was Doomed Queen Anne, which was about Henry VIII’s second wife.

There are many books that I grew up with that just stuck with me and enjoyed. What were your favorites? I’d love to know!
  

Book Recommendation: Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days) by Susan Ee

Since this semester is winding down to a halt, I cannot wait to start reading for enjoyment again. Before the semester started I read a book that I didn’t expect I would encounter or let alone read. This is a recommendation if anyone wishes to read this book. I suggest it if you’re big on fantasy or even the apocalypse.

Anyway, the book I’m suggesting is called Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days) by Susan Ee. It is going to be a trilogy! The second book is already out and is already on my reading list (most likely going to be read once this semester is over), and the last book doesn’t come out until later this month. I work at a library so if no other patron has it on hold I get first dibs!

A little about Angelfall, and I don’t want give out too much detail, is that angels are taking over the Earth and creating an apocalypse (or “The Last of Days”). Angels are pretty much being casted out of Heaven and cannot return for unknown reasons. There are even gangs of angels. My assumption is that they are all “Fallen Angels” like Lucifer was, but in the story it doesn’t say, everyone is just clueless and trying to survive finding food and shelter. Everything is in ruin (just imagine an apocalypse for a moment, think of how ransacked buildings would be and deserted), and food has become so scarce, dare I say, humans reduce to cannibalism.

The beginning the narrator lets you know that the Earth has been under turmoil for six weeks since the angels fell. Penryn, the narrator, is seventeen-years-old and watches over her sister Paige. (Honestly, this sister and sister relationship reminds me of Katniss and Primrose from The Hunger Games). Penryn’s sister is kidnapped by an angel and throughout this trilogy trying to find her, doing all that she can to survive during this disaster occurring. Penryn comes across a fallen angel named Raffe and ends up saving him, in return she asks for him to take her where her sister is. I’ll go as far as that because I feel I’ve already revealed too much of the excitement!

Susan Ee put the mixed the right amount of peanut butter and chocolate together. There’s adventure and fantasy with a touch of romance, and it’s presented in a new and different way of the apocalypse compared to the constant zombie one people mainly recognize with. (Thank you, Walking Dead—even though that is a good show, but it’s tiresome after a while when more books come out like it). This book also gives the reader a mixture of emotions of joyous, anger, sad… it kind of tugs at your heart and I like it when an author can win my heart by putting me in the story.