[mackenzie-blomberg-blog]

Meta

If I had to take one fictional character to prom, it would be Augustus Waters. He seems like he would be very caring, respectful, and tentative to my needs (which is basically everything a girl could ask for). He also has a really cool story because he's a cancer survivor and I think that that is so interesting and I would love to know more about it, and allow other people to be aware about it. Overall, he just seems like a good time without being "too much" to the point where it would be an annoyance for my friends and I. Plus he's kinda dorky and not the typical big-headed, cliquey, or cocky male that you tend to see in the halls at school. It's a good mix of shy and social that would make the perfect prom date.

[giantinthejungle]

I would like to talk about my conversation that I had with the librarian at the Oakland University Library When I first went up to her to try and find my criticism for Franny and Zooey she automatically had a smile on her face Right when I sat down she automatically said, “That is my favorite book” Now I was not done with the book yet but I wanted to have a conversation with her about the book because I felt like she would have some insight I then went on to ask her about the book, “I’m not done with it yet but I really like it I just hope that it is going somewhere important> It is going to right?” She then gave another smile and continued on to say, “Well, Salinger always had a smaller purpose in his writing than most authors in my opinion but yes it does have a bigger meaning at the end” She then started asking me if I liked it and how long I have been reading it and I explained to her my project and why I was at the library and how all of my class is actually learning how to use a library now She really thought it was a great idea of how all of the elements of the paper come together She then showed me a criticism book on catcher in the rye She thought it would really help me with my project and at first I didn’t think it would, “Does that relate to Franny and Zooey at all though, isn’t thast kind of pointless?” She then said, “Well you will soon find out that a lot of Salinger’s characters have the same characteristics in different books Holden is a lot like Zooey and has a lot of the same aspects as him” I found it interesting enough so I looked through it and ended up copying a few of the pages I then went a little stalkerish and found her profile on the OU website so I put her picture with this Now that I think about it it is really weird but she gave me some really good insight over all about the book

[andrewgretkie-blog]

Yes! This is the librarian that I had, she was really nice and helpful and she was able to help me and the people I went with find plenty of stuff so if you see her, you are in good hands.

[mackenzie-blomberg-blog]

I agree- she was the go-to girl there. She pointed me to the best book out there for my criticisms and helped with any questions we had.

[mackenzie-blomberg-blog]

Here is me and my lovely criticisms I found at the OU library today. Basically I walked in with Andy and went directly to the 'Research Help' section where we met a lovely librarian who directed us to not only the section to where our books would be, but to best piece of criticism available as well. I'd planned on just copying the parts I wanted/needed but after looking through them all I'd decided I wanted every part of them so I put in an emergency request for Ryan Lee to come help a girl check some books out. As we waited upon his arrival, I had a lovely time with the copier for Andy (because watching him struggle & fumble around with it got to be too painful) and copied over 21 pages......so fun. It was actually an exhilarating experience as soon as Ryan walked in because I was finally able to check my books out- even though I'd been there for almost an hour and a half at that point. Oh, and the librarian also asked us what school we went to because she'd seen so many of us come in, so I felt sorta bad that she had to deal with us every time she was in there.

[mackenzie-blomberg-blog]

I think that John Legend branched from Nina Simone. Obviously there was multiple other influences in his life, but he'd mentioned her as one of his major influences. I'd actually seen a movie (Beyond the Lights) with Nina Simone's "Blackbird" re-done and immediately fell in love. When assigned this, my immediate thought went to that song, and it wasn't until I'd done some research behind the movie that I'd discovered it was originally Nina Simone's. Not only do both sing about similar issues here, but they are both very soulful in the way that they produce their music. These are the closest songs I could find to each other- both sharing the same soft-yet-meaningful sound.

[ryaleelee-blog]

I love reading this book. Every time i get to dialogue i immediately get this weird voice in my head that tries to talk in a deep southern accent and it is so fun. Regarding the characters I am not gonna lie, i kinda had mixed feelings about Janie. Honestly i think she is a little selfish. I was...

[mackenzie-blomberg-blog]

I get that voice too! Usually I just have this little voice tin he back of my head while reading that sounds just like me if I were to read aloud, but when I pick up this book it switches over to this southern accent as I try and figure out how the characters in the book would say things.

[mackenzie-blomberg-blog]

Reading #6

Alright, so I finally finished the book after falling out of it for a while and I am simply left baffled by the relationships the characters hold with each other- particularly Heathcliff and Catherine (old Catherine). Their love seems to be a thing that is not of choice- neither can deny it, and neither can hide it. Without Catherine, Heathcliff becomes such a bitter and destructive man that it gets sort of scary. His cruelty rises from his misery- but he is only longing for the only thing he wants. I want to hate him more than anything for the way he treats Hareton, but that's exactly how he was raised. There are certainly issues with Heathcliff, but his longing for Catherine seems to offset them all. As the reader I see such a complex relationship, but I know it's impossible to feel this sort of relationship as they do. It looks as if the solution is simple- but deep down I know it is not. Catherine and Heathcliff's love seems so fractured from all that has happened between them that it would seem near impossible to ever be right again, but then again, there never seems to be a "right" with them. Either their love is forbidden, she is distracted with another man, or he's distracted with another woman. I'm frustrated and heartbroken over that, but a the same time I am accepting of it. It was a great love that I think, ultimately, had to be played out that way for it to be so extensive. 

[mackenzie-blomberg-blog]

Reading #5

Alright, so I am at the very very end of the book, but I had to take a break and post because I finally got what I wanted. Everything makes sense now! The narration- how it flows into the present- and the important information (that seemed like it it was missing) made it's way out. I'm very satisfied/excited at this point because it all has fallen into place. 

[mimiasante-blog]

At first I was confused about the different structures that the two narrators had. One was very analytical, it was like the literature I’ve been used to (ominous 3rd person). The other narrator is Janie, who is loud and expressive and captures all the dialects of those around her in speech. It was…

[courtmortt]

I struggle with the narration too! It’s driving me crazy actually. I feel confused like I don’t know who’s talking and ahhh. Whatever I still like the book.

[mackenzie-blomberg-blog]

I, too, had some issues figuring out narration. Eventually I got to a point where I could decipher each by the language, but it certainly made me pay more attention to the book and it's structure. But even with this, it's still a really good book to me.

[tdavison1-blog]

In our harkness we started out really strong with a new topic that I have not even thought about while reading the book. I was really interested with the background knowledge that was initially brought into the discussion.The background knowledge showed how Zora Neale Hurston put her life story...

[mackenzie-blomberg-blog]

I agree with this- knowing that her life is reflected into this book really kind of hits home for me. I think I am able to take it more seriously (not that I wouldn't take it seriously to begin with) but knowing that someone- not just "someone"- but Zora Neale Hurtson went through much of this makes it much easier for me to understand each experience from her eyes. The minute you place a face with a story, it immediately adds to the experience for the reader.

[mackenzie-blomberg-blog]

Chapter #1-6

I'm actually very intrigued at this point of Their Eyes Were Watching God. The most complex/interesting thing to me at this point are the relationships that Janie has shared with multiple men now. It seems like she is a very strong minded woman, but never seems to speak up or act out on what she wants. When I look at the past that she has had- no parents to look up to, and a grandmother who forced her into a marriage due to fear- I can see why she isn't used to taking action. At this point it seems as if she is learning how to make her own decisions, because she never really was able to when she was younger. I think/hope that as the book progresses Janie will be able to grow into the person that she is holding back.

[courtmortt]

breakfast at tiffany's {part 2}

Alright so I kinda need some advice. My book has a really famous movie that goes along with it and I’m wondering if I should wait to watch the movie until after I finish my project. Any thoughts?? I’m afraid I will mix details or who knows maybe it will help….?

[mackenzie-blomberg-blog]

I actually just learned that Wuthering Heights has also been able into a few movies and I'm now kind of dealing with the same issue- I mean it's not as popular and well known as yours- but it's still out there. I wonder if it would help me understand more of the book or nah? I'll definitely watch it at some point, I'm just not sure if  I should do it as I'm finishing the book, or after I'm done with the project. It certainly interests me though! I'm thinking about just starting it as soon as I finish.

[gabriellebrancheau-blog]

Pride and prej reading 5 

THE MOVIE FROZEN HAS TO BE BASED OFF THIS BOOK! Elsa- Jane Anna- Elizabeth Darcy- Kristoff (both “fixer uppers”!!!!) Wickham- Hans (If Elsa had a prince)- Bingley Duke of Wesleton- Mr. Collins

I’m so excited this is to real. Pride and prejudice is so relatable to Frozen. What I pictured while reading the book was the sister bond between Lizzy and Jane. I think their relationship relates a lot to Anna and Elsa of Frozen. In Frozen, Elsa is the beautiful older sister who soon become a queen and has a lot of responsibilities and acts as a role model for her younger sis. Jane is also a beautiful older sister to Lizzy and I think Jane has to act accordingly to make her mother happy and set an example for her younger sisters. Anna is a free minded young girl like Elizabeth. Darcy and Kristoff both have bad first impressions but turn out to be good. Wickham and Hans both have good first impressions and turn out to be bad. Mr. Collins and the duke are both the annoying guy no one likes. I’m calling Disney my mind is blown.

[mackenzie-blomberg-blog]

I want to read this book now.

[alyssaklaresmith-blog]

[alyssaklaresmith-blog]

So I started reading the book out loud like you said, and it actually was really helpful! I found that if my mind was focused on saying the words aloud that it helped prevent my thoughts from drifting elsewhere. So thanks!

Even though I’m pretty sure this part of the book is supposed to be really intense, I find myself zoning out a lot while reading and then having to go back a re-read parts that I didn’t fully catch…

[mackenzie-blomberg-blog]

I had the same issue- and I always do, really- but I felt terrible because it hit me at the very beginning of the book when I was given a ton of information. It was like an over-load that just left me zoned out, or feeling like I missed something, so I'd go back and re-read, and re-read again until I made myself start taking notes as I read about each character. It was just something that kept me interested in the book, while helping me understand it as well.

[mackenzie-blomberg-blog]

#4 Reading

“….My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods: time will change it, I’m well aware, as winter changes the trees. My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He’s always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being. So don’t talk of our separation again: it is impracticable; and—-‘…” (82)

I really like this quote from Catherine not just because she connects her love for both men back to nature, but because of the way she talks about Heathcliff. She even goes to the extent of stating “I am Heathcliff”, recognizing herself as the same person as him, as if they share some sort of identity. I find it quite interesting how she would say that- because are you really supposed to be the same person that you love? Or does it have something to do with accepting/loving who you are? I’m not even sure, but I also feel like she’s an idiot if her feelings for him are that strong, yet she’s agreeing to marry Linton. It’s complicated, but I also understand what she’s trying to say. I respect the decision, but it’s just sort of a heartbreaking moment in the book for her and Heathcliff. I feel as if a love like that deserves to be lived out at some point or another.

[clairewilliams2-blog]

Reading the Work 1

Starting off The Scarlet Letter I was getting really confused. The language is hard to understand and it takes a lot of effort to understand what exactly is going on. I like it though. Its interesting and the rest of the book is exciting me to see what happens. 

[mackenzie-blomberg-blog]

Haha I felt the same way about my book. I had no idea what was going on, I had to re-read the first 2/3 chapters a few times to wrap my head around all of the information thrown at me. It really grew on me the more I started to understand though, and the language was also tricky for me. I think that because the first few chapters made me really work to understand them, I was more excited to get more into the story.

[mackenzie-blomberg-blog]

#3 Reading

I find the narration in this novel to be quite unique. None of the information/parts of the story come from a single perspective, it's clearly just a collection of stories and recollections that Lockwood conveys. This might be why I was so confused at the beginning, but it's also sort of questionable because of how exactly Lockwood gets his information. It's an odd read because I'm so used to getting the perspective of one person, but in this case the recollections are passed through two people, allowing much different opinions on the matter to be developed. Nelly seems much more reliable than Lockwood, but no matter who it comes from, it's always going to be biased, which then leaves me to try and figure out the situation for myself. The reader is left to decide a lot for themselves, rather than being told every single aspect of the story, which only leaves me feeling like I'm getting dug even deeper into this mysterious novel.

[mackenzie-blomberg-blog]

#2 Reading

The first few chapters really set the tone and emotion throughout the whole book. Wuthering Heights is quite a creepy place, not only just setting-wise, but the people are also very mysterious. There are clearly very complex relationships here, and some information that is yet to come. This ghost of Catherine also is very creepy- I don't know what to think- is she real? What is so important about this ghost? and why is it so haunting? Every time I pick up this book I feel like I'm just entering this dark, mysertious world full of unanswered questions and confusion that is always trying to be straightened out, but I haven't gotten to any clear understanding yet.