Sunday, April 13, 2008

Albert's Thoughts on the Twilight

Recommendation
A pair of pale arms extended outward, palms facing upwards and an apple in the center. Captivating? Not. Another book, of the numerous ones, where the cliché “Don’t judge a book by its cover” comes to play. A book I never dreamed of reading yet after reading it never dreamed of closing it. Stephanie Meyer has caught many people’s attention with this romantic, exciting, mind-blowing thriller of a book. I was always that type of person who always looked at the cover of the book or read the summary in the back of the book before actually reading it. The two things “Twilight” lacked. A cover page that never caught my attention and a back cover filled with a short summary and some comments that meant nothing to me at first. The only reason why I decided to read it was because it was the next book, after Harry Potter, which was required of me to read. Resentment filled me as I opened the book. I read the preface, interesting. Went on to the first chapter, right after that I just couldn’t stop reading. Honestly, my favorite book out of the many books that I have read. I whole-heartedly encourage each and every one of you to read this book, it is just fantastic. Everything about this book is just perfect: characters, settings, weather, emotions, plot, and everything else. I plan on buying the collection. The only collection of books I have right now is the Harry Potter series. By getting the Twilight series, it shows that these are pretty great books. If you’re reading this recommendation right now and are interested in books with action, vampires interacting with humans, fast cars, and amazing characters, head over to your nearest library and check out this book. If I didn’t regret reading this book, you won’t either.

Summary
Who would have known that her time spent in a small town would be so exciting? Bella Swan. A teenager whose parents are separated and going to Forks to live with her father. Forks, a small town in Washington, known for its many rain drops a week. She starts school there and although her first few periods were going smooth, her Biology class wasn’t going well. The only seat available was the one by a guy named Edward Cullen. She sat down and noticed that Edward, leaning away from Bella, had his fist clenched. With no clue of what might’ve caused this, she tries to concentrate on the subject but continued to stare at his fist. This continued for a long period of time until Edward, out of the blue sky, suddenly talks to her one day in a very calm, controlled manner. Whatever happened to that anger he was showing through his fists? They start to get to know each other more and Bella finds out she has a major crush on him.
They face many challenges together. Especially, the part where since he is a vampire he has to reframe from biting Bella and turning her into one of them. Bella meets the Cullen family and Edward meets Bella’s dad. Every night, Edward would sneak into Bella’s room and they would just go on talking, asking questions about each other until Bella goes to sleep. Towards the end, nearly dead because of James’s bite, Bella goes to the hospital. Edward, feeling really bad for what he had put her through, decides that it’s time for him and his family to move on. This will be a test on whether or not true love will still stand even through the strongest disaster.
What did you enjoy about this book?
I enjoyed every single thing about this book. There is not one thing about this book that I dislike.
What parts did you like best?
Well, like probably everyone else, I would say the parts that kept us at the edge of our seats. An example would be the part where the Cullen family and Bella were playing baseball and another kind of vampires came to visit; their names were Victoria, James, and Laurent. James smelled Bella scent from where he stood and tension began to build. I almost thought he was going to turn Bella into a vampire, but luckily Edward went into his defensive vampire mode, warning James not to even come close. Another part would be when after the baseball game, they all went to the Cullen’s home and started planning what they should do. There are so many parts that I enjoyed. Just the littlest parts that I can really imagine and make it seem real to me, would be my favorite part.
Did the characters seem believable? Did their actions and words seem real?
I would say definitely. Especially when Bella and Edward would talk about being a vampire, I really liked it how the author came up with new concepts—instead of the stereotype—on how her vampire characters should be portrayed. An example would be the stereotype about vampires not being about to be under the sun. Instead of following that, she came up with a new idea: they can go under the sun but they begin to shine extremely bright. Everything about the characters seemed real, their actions, words, feelings, thoughts, everything.

Albert

A pair of pale arms extended outward, palms facing upwards and an apple in the center. Captivating? Not. Another book, of the numerous ones, where the cliché “Don’t judge a book by its cover” comes to play. A book I never dreamed of reading yet after reading it never dreamed of closing it. Stephanie Meyer has caught many people’s attention with this romantic, exciting, mind-blowing thriller of a book. I was always that type of person who always looked at the cover of the book or read the summary in the back of the book before actually reading it. The two things “Twilight” lacked. A cover page that never caught my attention and a back cover filled with a short summary and some comments that meant nothing to me at first. The only reason why I decided to read it was because it was the next book, after Harry Potter, which was required of me to read. Resentment filled me as I opened the book. I read the preface, interesting. Went on to the first chapter, right after that I just couldn’t stop reading. Honestly, my favorite book out of the many books that I have read. I whole-heartedly encourage each and every one of you to read this book, it is just fantastic. Everything about this book is just perfect: characters, settings, weather, emotions, plot, and everything else. I plan on buying the collection. The only collection of books I have right now is the Harry Potter series. By getting the Twilight series, it shows that these are pretty great books. If you’re reading this recommendation right now and are interested in books with action, vampires interacting with humans, fast cars, and amazing characters, head over to your nearest library and check out this book. If I didn’t regret reading this book, you won’t either.

Summary
Who would have known that her time spent in a small town would be so exciting? Bella Swan. A teenager whose parents are separated and going to Forks to live with her father. Forks, a small town in Washington, known for its many rain drops a week. She starts school there and although her first few periods were going smooth, her Biology class wasn’t going well. The only seat available was the one by a guy named Edward Cullen. She sat down and noticed that Edward, leaning away from Bella, had his fist clenched. With no clue of what might’ve caused this, she tries to concentrate on the subject but continued to stare at his fist. This continued for a long period of time until Edward, out of the blue sky, suddenly talks to her one day in a very calm, controlled manner. Whatever happened to that anger he was showing through his fists? They start to get to know each other more and Bella finds out she has a major crush on him.
They face many challenges together. Especially, the part where since he is a vampire he has to reframe from biting Bella and turning her into one of them. Bella meets the Cullen family and Edward meets Bella’s dad. Every night, Edward would sneak into Bella’s room and they would just go on talking, asking questions about each other until Bella goes to sleep. Towards the end, nearly dead because of James’s bite, Bella goes to the hospital. Edward, feeling really bad for what he had put her through, decides that it’s time for him and his family to move on. This will be a test on whether or not true love will still stand even through the strongest disaster.
What did you enjoy about this book?
I enjoyed every single thing about this book. There is not one thing about this book that I dislike.
What parts did you like best?
Well, like probably everyone else, I would say the parts that kept us at the edge of our seats. An example would be the part where the Cullen family and Bella were playing baseball and another kind of vampires came to visit; their names were Victoria, James, and Laurent. James smelled Bella scent from where he stood and tension began to build. I almost thought he was going to turn Bella into a vampire, but luckily Edward went into his defensive vampire mode, warning James not to even come close. Another part would be when after the baseball game, they all went to the Cullen’s home and started planning what they should do. There are so many parts that I enjoyed. Just the littlest parts that I can really imagine and make it seem real to me, would be my favorite part.
Did the characters seem believable? Did their actions and words seem real?
I would say definitely. Especially when Bella and Edward would talk about being a vampire, I really liked it how the author came up with new concepts—instead of the stereotype—on how her vampire characters should be portrayed. An example would be the stereotype about vampires not being about to be under the sun. Instead of following that, she came up with a new idea: they can go under the sun but they begin to shine extremely bright. Everything about the characters seemed real, their actions, words, feelings, thoughts, everything.

Monday, March 31, 2008

* Jan Kimberly T. Alcantara 's thoughts on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling had definitely pulled me in. The author, J.K. Rowling, used an excellent choice of words. She caught my attention from the beginning to the end. Having read the previous books from the Harry Potter series, I anticipated reading the final story to which the last adventures of Harry Potter was revealed. J. K. Rowling always left me eager to read the next chapter, by leaving mysterious sentences at the end of each chapter. She gave more to each character throughout the story. I really liked all the conversations the characters had with one another. The fact that this book was the last of the Harry Potter series is why I was so into the story.

*Reading Rave student

Jan Kimberly T. Alcantara's Thoughts on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Did the book pull you in? How did the author make that happen?
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” had definitely pulled me in. The author, J.K. Rowling, used an excellent choice of words. She caught my attention from the beginning to the end. Having read the previous books from the Harry Potter series, I anticipated reading the final story to which the last adventures of Harry Potter was revealed. J. K. Rowling always left me eager to read the next chapter, by leaving mysterious sentences at the end of each chapter. She gave more to each character throughout the story. I really liked all the conversations the characters had with one another. The fact that this book was the last of the Harry Potter series is why I was so into the story.

* Reading Rave student

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Albert Palacio's Comments on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

In the beginning of this book, we have a sneak peak at what the Dark Lord has been up to and what he plans. However, to understand the rest of the book you would have to have read the book before it which was Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. In that book, before Albus Dumbledore died, he gave Harry Potter a mission to accomplish. In the Deathly Hallows, Harry Potter tries to complete that mission. Although, Harry should have been in Hogwarts because it was his last and final year attending the school, he decided with Ron and Hermione to go on this long and tedious journey to find the Horcruxes. Moreover, instead of going on the journey to only find the Horcruxes, he also learns about the Deathly Hollows, which he begins to seek out as well. Throughout the book, while he searches for both the Deathly Hallows and the Horcruxes, he faces many obstacles that although hard to overcome, he did. Towards the end of the book, he faces Lord Voldemort in a death match to see who will be the one to survive and who will die. If you read the book, the whole story came out much differently than expected however; it was a very new and smart way to decide how this part of the story will happen. Though, I never really enjoyed reading books when the Harry Potter series came out I was inspired to an extreme extent to continue reading. Hopefully this book has inspired you to as well to continue reading.

If I were to write a sequel or prequel of this book, what will it be about? Why?
I would have written it the way it was written, about magic. This is because what this book was about, magic, inspired me to read it. If it wasn’t about magic I don’t think I would have ever read it. This book and the rest of the Harry Potter series were all just amazing, I loved reading each and everyone.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Jan Kimberly Alcantara's Book Review on Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

How did this book make you feel?
This book made me feel different things. Reading through it I felt joy for all the happy events. I felt sorrow for the sad moments. I felt relief whenever there was recovery. The story made me feel excited and worried for what may happen next. This book shows all the good and crazy things love brings up. After finishing the book, I was eager to read the sequel where I was sure there were more dramatic moments that would make me feel different emotions.
What did you enjoy about this book?
I enjoyed so many things about this book. It was very different from other stories that I have read. I liked the fact that it is a love story. It was not the “Romeo and Juliet” kind of love story. There was so much more to the two main characters. I liked the way each character was unique and the way the author wrote the thoughts of each character. All the events in this book were very entertaining. I enjoyed reading it because it was very interesting and in some ways I could relate to the characters.
Did the characters seem believable? Did their actions and words seem real?
Yes, the characters were very believable. Each character was unique. They had their separate personalities. Although they were all very different from each other they still managed to relate to each other. Like the real world, we see very different people befriend each other, which make it seem more real. Their actions and words were so real. I could relate to most of their thoughts. It is like there is an exact person on earth that is just like each character. You can really understand each character. There was so much detail put to their conversations and thoughts that made it more believable.

Monday, March 24, 2008

Kathleen Ann D. Laurio's Book Review on Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Who, if anyone, would you recommend this book to? Why?
I would recommend Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows to people who are interested in a book with a science fiction, fantasy and/or super natural genre. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the long-awaited end to the Harry Potter series. It is perfect for children and adults as well, who are curious about what happens to Harry and Ginny, Ron and Hermione, Voldemort, the story behind Dumbledore’s death, etc. This novel may have you yearning for more!
Who was your favorite character? What did you like about him or her?
I would say that Ronald Weasley is my favorite character because no matter how danger prone Harry becomes, Ron stayed by his side along with Hermione since the very beginning. He and Harry survive the last of their adventures. Ron also, did not betray Harry in any way. He has been a protective and concerned brother, a good husband and father to Hermione and their children. Through all the years, he has kept his ways.
Did the characters seem believable? Did their actions and words seem real?
They sort of do because there are people like that in our world that are caring, adventurous, extremely intelligent, and probably even danger prone. Like Quidditch, we play sports; we go school, we have friends that stick by our side, rivalries that seem as if they could go on forever, having teachers that we like and dislike, etc. It is like everyday life, besides the ability of practicing magic and the fact that there are mythical creatures. Basically, it is based on one main thing and that is life itself.

Donna Mae Formalejo's Thoughts on Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Did the characters seem believable? Did their actions and words seem real?
Definitely. Each character has his or her distinct temperament. The author writes in Bella’s perspective, yet it’s as if the author was really there! The author puts the reader in Bella’s shoes and I must say, it really seems like it did happen. From clothing to reactions to smells, it’s as if the characters really existed. Every detail, movement, reaction, emotion–-everything paints a picture so vividly.

Did the book pull you in? How did the author make that happen?
Yes. A few friends of mine told me about Twilight. They would tell me about it an they would usually start out with, “Donna! You should read Twilight. You’ll love it! It’s about this vampire…” Vampire? Who would want to read about that? I thought that the idea of reading about vampires was a bit silly, but I chose to read the book anyway.
Boy, I opened the book, and I was hooked. I could see, hear, smell, and feel as if I were there. The author doesn’t throw the idea of vampires out there immediately nor does she make it a big deal. Had she, I would have lost interest in the beginning. The story was rather much like a roller coaster ride–and I loved it.

Who, if anyone, would you recommend this book to? Why?
I don’t have anyone in particular in mind; however I would recommend this book to anyone who has never thought of vampires as anything worth hearing about. It doesn’t hurt to expand boundaries. It can be very enlightening to try something new. Of course, I would also recommend this book to vampire aficionados, as if I needed to!

Kathleen Laurio's Thoughts about the Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Did the book pull you in? How did the author make that happen?
Stephenie Meyer made Isabella Swan’s thoughts, judgments, actions, emotions, etc sound so surreal. Bella is just about like everyone else. She doesn’t exactly have a perfect family, but both parents love her. She goes to high school; she has her hopes and dreams and as many teenage girls in her name of school here, she has fallen in love with the handsome, enigmatic Edward Cullen. Stephenie Meyer captivated almost every girl I knew who read the book into falling in love with Edward. The status of being a vampire may be a “turn-on” for most girls, but she made him sound like the ideal guy, which grabbed my attention to the story even more.

Who, if anyone would you recommend this book to?
I would recommend Twilight to people who are hopeless-romantics and are probably in to sci-fi plots. I would also like to recommend this book to boys as well. Since girls are the main gender reading the novel, I want boys to read it for a change. I want to find out whom their favorite character would be and if they get attracted to book as much as girls are.

Who was your favorite character? What did you like about him or her?
I know that it sounds like a cliché, but I would say Edward Cullen. He is a vampire, after all. Though, it’s not only that reason for why I chose him; he is a sweet guy and it shows that he truly cares for and protects the ones he loves, especially Bella. Even though he is about 90 years old and has gone through many challenging obstacles in life, he has been strong and still has an unintended attraction to many of the young ladies in their high school along with his “siblings.” Edward’s love for Bella may be stronger than he could have ever imagined, but at least he has never pressured her into some things she does not desire and makes sure she is positive about her decisions and preparation for its outcome. As much as she wants to be one of them, he chooses that she can’t be until she has finished high school and has gotten married to him.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Kaelani Demapan's thoughts onHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Did the characters seem believable? Did their actions and words seem real?

In my perspective, I can say that each of their personalities are real. Harry, Master of Death, is amazing in so many ways; Hermione with outstanding intelligence and Ron, always worried. Therefore, the characters in the book seem believable. Although, I can say that their actions and words were not as convincing to me because when they cast out spells or “Disapparate”, we know for a fact that it can’t be possibly real.

* Kaelani Demapan is one of the chosen student for the Reading Rave Library Program.

Merey Len's Thoughts on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

For me the best part is when Harry looks into the pensieve and sees Albus Dumbledore’s memory of when he and Severus Snape have secret meetings. And in one of the secret meeting he confesses his love for Lily, Harry’s mother. At first it was a shock to me because they made it look like Snape was on the bad side but all along he was always on the good side. And I also like the part where Harry dies and then is brought back by Dumbledore. Even though Dumbledore died he is still present throughout the book. This is the book where all the things from the other books combine. I was so happy and excited when Harry was brought back to life. I really like how the author makes me feel like I’m in the story which really cool. All of J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter series bring out, our imagination to a whole new level. I really recommend this book to all the Harry Potter fans who haven’t read this book yet, because I think this is the best book of all the Harry Potter series

* Merey Len Denora is one of the chosen students for the Reading Rave Library Program

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Chantel Taitano's Comments on Nicolas Spark's, A Bend in the Road

Title: A Bend in the Road
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Publisher: Warner Books
Copyright: 2001
Pages: 534
Reviewed by: Chantel Taitano

I know how it feels to lose someone who meant so much to you. I lost my grandfather a year ago and it was really difficult for me to live my life knowing that I’ll never see him again. I never got the chance to tell him how much I loved him, how much I loved having him around. All the things I wanted him to know have never been revealed for he has left this world that, I now live in. There are so many things I wanted to know but I never got the answers to. It must be really hard for Miles. Especially because he found out that the person who killed his wife was the brother of this one lady that he fell in love with. He had a choice to either throw Brian (the brother of the lady Miles fell in love with) into Jail or believe Brian’s story and let him go, knowing that it was really an accident. The way we live our lives are based on the choices we make.

Chantel Taitano's Comments on Jodi Picoult's the Pact

Title: The Pact: A Love Story
Author: Jodi Picoult
Publisher: William Morrow & Company
Copyright: May 1998
Pages: 384
Reviewed By: Chantel Taitano

There were moments in my life when everything got murky and there were moments where everything got really bright, but that’s just life. You’ll always have your “up and down” times. There were some times in my life when I just wanted it to end - the pain, the frustration, but then again, there are times when I realize how precious “life” really is. Life is God’s gift to every creature, every human that he created in this world. Instead of wasting those moments on pain, anger, and frustration... spend it wisely. Always look at the bright side of things. Always remember that you’re not only hurting yourself, but others as well, when you commit suicide. The Pact showed me what pain could do to some people. Pain could lead to death and death could lead to sorrow. Suicide will never heal the pain, it extends it.

Marjorie Dizo's Thoughts on Dear John

Title: Dear John
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Publisher: Warner Books 2006
Pages: 276
Reviewed by: Marjorie Dizu


This book is sad book. It’s sad because a guy named John was in love with a lady named Savannah. John is a soldier. While he was deployed, his father had a heart attack. A few months later his father died. After John’s father death, Savannah left John for a guy named Tim. John was devastated with everything that happened, but he has to let it go, because all he wanted was for Savannah to be happy. Till this present-day, Savannah and Tim are together and they’re living happily. John, in the other hand is just waiting and remembering the past of his beloved father and relationship with Savannah.
I have a friend, whose husband is the Marines. Every night they would be talking and arguing. It’s because, maybe my friend’s husband is thinking that she might leave him while he was deployed. Her dad passed away two years ago. This book didn’t have any refection on me, but to my friend. Just reading this book and hearing them argue on the phone gave me goose bumps and thoughts on my mind. What I told my friend was to forgive him and trust him, because I know he doesn’t want to receive a “Dear John” letter.

Odesa Sansi's Thoughts on the NoteBook

Title: The Note Book
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Publisher: Warner books, 1 Edition (February 1, 2004)
Pages: 239 pages
Review By: Odessa Sansi

A love story that made me cry like a baby. I just couldn’t stop reading this book.It’s sad how they thought everything was back in action, and then the bad news hits...she has some kind of sickness that can not be cured, I think it’s an Alzheimer’s disease. This does not stop Noah from trying to get her back to normal, to remember their love story. He tries his best to fight for her, at times it works, but most of the time, doesn’t work out the way he planned. I feel terrible for the poor guy. Ironic how the mom turned out, she actually let sweet Allie follow her heart, which she should have done in the first place.
In the end, she let her choose, instead of her choosing. No happy ending.