A Successful Failure

"And in real life endings aren't always neat, whether they're happy endings, or whether they're sad endings"  -Stephen King

Indeed, things never end like we expect them to. Our expectations for what we think we can achieve are always much grander than what we actually do achieve. We never seem to consider the logistics of something: the time, energy, and dedication that is required to achieve our goals. In that sense, we always fall a little short. We never make it to the finish line.

In my case, the goal of reading a book from as many genres as possible was extremely vague. There was no number of books that was set in stone. No finish line in sight. Simply as many books as possible. In the end, I decided whether I acheived my goal or not. I read four books. Four different genres, two of which I have been exposed to often.

In my opinion, I didn't accomplish my goal.

If you live long enough, you'll make mistakes. But if you learn from them, you'll be a better person. It's how you handle adversity, now how it affects you"  -William J. Clinton

I didn't read as many books as possible. Instead of reading I was watching TV, and instead of picking up a book I was picking up my phone. I made mistakes. I probably didn't spend as much time on this project as I should have. Maybe if I was more strict on my schedule, and I dedicated more time out of my day towards reading I would have accomplised more. In fact, I usually only read for 15 minutes during SSR (silent sustained reading) and for an hour during the day of 20-time.

About halfway through the project I realized that I had a problem. I didn't have any balance in my schedule. I simply wasn't devoting enough time to important things like friends, family, and, of course, reading. I was stuck in a nasty spiral of homework and technology. I tried to change this pattern. For one week I read my book before going to bed, rather than going on my phone. I found that it was a great alternative because it helped relax me and prepare me for sleep. This is because blue light, which is emitted from the screens of devices such as smart phones, tablets, laptops, and e-readers, can disrupt your sleep pattern and lead to insomnia (check out this Forbes article to learn more about the study).

When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps"
-Confucius

So...I only read four books. I didn't accomplish my goal.

But...I didn't fail.

This whole project isn't about success, nor is it about reaching the goal you set for yourself. It's about making mistakes and failing, but getting back up and continuing on. It's less about the final project and more about the process. I read some good books, was introduced to new genres, and even learned how to get better sleep...all in one project! I failed...so what? I learned along the way.

"It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case you have failed by default"  -J.K. Rowling

Oryx and Crake: A Review

 Like many books that rest on the shelves of teenagers, Oryx and Crake, written by Margaret Atwood, takes place after the end of the world...kind of. The novel begins with the introduction to Snowman, a mysterious man who is responsible for an even more mysterious group of "semi-humans" (that's all I'm going to say about them). Snowman spends most of his time drinking, eating, and reflecting on what his life used to be like. Memories of his past life come in short and often confusing fragments, forcing the reader to piece together what happened to humanity. 

I've read a lot of post-apocalyptic novels. The concept started out feeling extremely fresh and exciting, but as more and more books about the same thing came out it began to feel extremely monotonous. The world always ends in fire, and there's always one person strong enough to fight against the odds and come out alive. Of course, Margaret Atwood wrote Orxy and Crake long before Katniss Everdeen caught fire, but nonetheless I was wary of reading another dystopian novel. 

Good news, Orxy and Crake's world does not end in fire, and there is not one person strong enough to fight against the odds and come out alive. In fact, the majority of the novel isn't about the aftermath of some humanity destroying event, but rather what events led up to this destruction. The world in which the reader finds himself is that of enormous scientific discovery. Both medicine and technology have propelled the human species into a new generation, but not without consequences. The gap between the rich and the poor is so prevalent that the wealthy live inside elegant compounds where they are provided anything they need, while the poor live in an area called "the pleeblands" where disease and hunger reign. 

What's so intriguing about this book is the mystery that surrounds every action, every thought of the characters. Snowman wanders the forest and talks to himself, occasionally hinting at what life was like as a child when he was named Jimmy and lived securely inside a compound. Atwood's use of alternating timelines is frustrating at times, as the chapters switch constantly between past and present. In the end, however, the pay-off is extremely rewarding as the past and present collide, answering many of the questions that the reader had. But not all questions were answered. The minute I finished the book I went online to see if I could find any answers to the questions that were left unanswered. To my surprise, this book is the first of a trilogy. Part of me was annoyed because I don't think this book needs any sequels, partly because many of the questions were left to the interpretation of the reader. 

Overall, I was extremely entertained by Oryx and Crake. If anything, read this book because it makes you think. Even though Atwood wrote it in 2003, she still confronts many topics that are extremely relevant today. Should humans play God? Should some areas of science be left untouched? What are we capable of? In 2015 we are contemplating serious issues such as genetic manipulation, cloning, and weaponization of biological agents. We worry that we're destroying our planet through things like carbon dioxide emission and fracking. Oryx and Crake addresses these fears and expands on them. What she shows the reader is a world where humanity failed to address these issues and suffered the consequences. 

Overall, I give this novel 8.5 deadly viruses out of 10. To learn more about Oryx and Crake, or any other pieces written by Margaret Atwood check out her website: http://margaretatwood.ca/. 

Side Note: You might notice how bland my post looks today. When I went to the library last week they informed me that I had an $8.40 fine on this book, so I decided to return it ASAP. So no photo of the book’s cover, sorry to disappoint. Always return your books in time children. 

Superheroes, Movie Adaptions, and More Books

Between the project fair and now a lot of nothing has happened. I really can't say that any reading of books has taken place, although I did read an issue of Entertainment Weekly that covered all of the must-see summer blockbusters of 2015. Apparently there's a lot, and I've already compiled a list that's most likely over my budget. Movie tickets are expensive, and even if you go to Wal-Mart to buy cheap candy you're still going to end up blowing at least 10 dollars on a bunch of candy that you only eat half of. Money aside, the experience of going to a movie is perfect for me: junk food, extremely limited social interaction, and some good entertainment (hopefully).

Last weekend I saw Avengers: Age of Ultron (twice), and it didn't disappoint. There was a lot of punching, kicking, shooting, exploding, monologuing, and laser-beaming (?). As a kid, I used to read Marvel comics all the time, and it's such a cool experience to see those characters transferred from the page of a comic-book to the big screen. Not only that, but comic-books aren't just for the nerdy kids anymore. In fact, Age of Ultron had the second largest domestic opening of all time, falling behind only to its predecessor Marvel's The Avengers. Of course, comic-books aren't the only things being adapted. Books of all different genres are being transformed from page to screen so that fans and new-comers can experience the story in a different way. 

There are a lot of things to like about a movie adaption of a print source like a novel or a comic-book. It's a new way to experience the same story. The characters and settings are fully realized on the screen in front of you, and the action and dialogue is in real-time. Many would criticize that movies are a lazier form of entertainment because they don't inspire as much creativity. In some sense I would agree because I think it's dangerous to let someone else tell you how a book should look or feel. When I was growing up I had the unique opportunity of reading the Harry Potter books while the movies were coming out at pretty much the same time. Before I had seen any of the movies, I had already completed the first two books: The Sorcerer's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets. I had very clear images of what the characters and locations looked like. But when I went to go see the movie I realized that I couldn't read the books without picturing Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, or Emma Watson as Hermione Granger. In some ways, the movies had replaced their idea of the stories with mine. That is not to say that I don't love the movies because I really really do. Those movies and books were an integral part of my childhood, but I just wish that I would have had the time to create Hogwarts for myself, before I bought a ticket to explore someone else's interpretation. 

In case you are extremely put off my semi-coherent rambling please consider these two points I want to leave you with:

1. Enjoy both movies and books; one form of entertainment isn't superior to the other! All you have to know is that they're different, and that's a good thing.

2. If you haven't already, go see The Avengers! There's robots and fiery destruction so I really don't think there's any valid excuses not to go see it. 10/10 would recommend. 

OK enough about superheroes and blockbusters, I have some quick updates as always. I just finished Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood. I really have too much to say on that topic to fit it in to this blog post, so expect a review sometime in the next week or so. I'm now continuing on with a few books recommended to me by my mentor, a former teacher of mine! It's quite a diverse list, and I'm going to try to read all of them by the end of the school year, but with all that's happening in May I'm not optimistic. Here are the books:

1. Wonder by R. J. Palacio

A children's book that details the life of a 5th grader born with a facial difference who struggles to be accepted by those around him.
A link to the author's website: http://rjpalacio.com/index.html

2. The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe

A book about the importance of reading. It can't get any more perfect than that.
A link to the author's website: http://www.theendofyourlifebookclub.com/

3. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

A historical-fiction novel that tells the story of a French girl and a German boy whose lives are intertwined, as Europe descends in to World War II.
A link to the author's website: http://www.anthonydoerr.com/

Well, that's it for now. See you around party people. 

Side Effects of Reading

Did you know that elderly people who read are 2 ½ times less likely to develop Alzheimer's, which affects nearly 4 million people in the United States? What about the study conducted by California State University which concluded that the majority of a child's vocabulary development occurs as the result of reading, not direct teaching? If you're interested in learning more about the glorious "side effects" of reading, please check out this BuzzFeed article: http://www.buzzfeed.com/erinlarosa/12-scientific-ways-reading-can-actually-improve-your-life#.qwx18beVz .

So, my 20-time isn't just about reading books, it's about preventive medicine and mental expansion! That's what I would like to think, but let's be honest with each other, no one actually reads in order to prevent Alzheimer's disease. And as a kid, I certainly didn't read the Magic Tree House series so I could beat my parents at Scrabble (I still can't do that). The REAL reason why I read, and why I chose to pursue this as my 20-time topic, is because I truly enjoy reading. As a kid, I spent countless hours reading. It was my go-to past-time. I read before I went to school, I read during school, and I read when I came home from school . I don't really know when this book-heavy schedule of mine ended, somewhere in middle school I think. The reason? Mainly school, but if I'm going to be honest with myself, technology has had a large impact on what I do with my time. There's a lot of news feed scrolling and app updating in my free time, and a lot less page flipping. 

So, more than anything, I've learned to love reading again, which sounds really cheesy and I'm annoyed that I couldn't come up with a more original conclusion, but it's true. I really did miss reading. Here is a quick list that I compiled of things that you can only experience through reading:

1. Creating your own world. 

Reading isn't just about reading words on a page, it's about taking those words and turning them into a story. Movies and television shows don't leave much for the imagination, whereas books require the reader to take what the author wrote and form a mental picture of what is happening. 

2. Standing in a library or bookstore and just looking. 

There's nothing quite as enjoyable as walking in to Barnes and Noble with a $25 gift certificate and time to kill. There's always the best-sellers list, the newly released section, and, my personal favorite, the bargain deals. A whole table of hardcover books starting at the low price of $6. On the occasions where you don't have a $25 gift certificate (or any gift certificate for that matter), the library is always a great choice. It's like the Netflix of book vendors! Nothing but a huge variety of totally free books, and who doesn't love free things?

3. Turning the last page and finishing a book.

I don't care what people say, E-books are a scam, but not in the monetary sense. I tried using a Kindle once, but pressing a button on a machine just isn't as satisfying as turning the page. It's extremely rewarding to hold a book in your hands and turn the last page as you contemplate the ending of the story.

OK, I thought I could come up with a lot more items for the list, but it's really hard to come up with anything when you're on the spot. Even so, I feel like these reasons really emphasize the importance of reading...the true side effects of a great book. 

It's Been A While

  Indeed, it's been a long time since I've sat down at the computer to write a blog post. It's also been a long time since I've thought about 20-time (sorry). However, it hasn't been a long time since I've been reading. Let me break it down for you: I've been on an extended vacation. My sister is studying abroad in Europe, and I'm not, so naturally I was jealous! My sister can't have all the fun, while I'm stuck here in Midland, Michigan where it snows in April. APRIL! Anyway, with vacationing comes long hours spent traveling from one destination to the other, and a kid can only spend so much time playing on his phone. So yeah, I got some quality reading time in. I can now place Bel Canto by Ann Patchett and On Immunity: An Inoculation by Eula Biss on to my mental shelf of completed books.


 Before I began writing, I was trying to figure out the best way to approach this blog. After not writing a blog for nearly three weeks it was hard for me to decide what to talk about. I have a few updates to share, but not nearly enough information to put in to one blog. On the other hand, I had two book reviews to do, and that is way too much information to put in to one blog. I decided on a happy medium: a quick update paragraph (which is what you just read) and two very quick reviews on the books I read over spring break (which is what you're about to read). Let's go!

A Review of Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

I went in to this book expecting something completely different than what I got. The story involves a hostage situation in a South American country, where a group of wealthy party guests are taken hostage by a group of terrorists. As the story unfolds, the reader is not subjected to violence, mayhem, or suspense, but something entirely different. This novel focuses on the relationships that evolve between the guests and the hostages, and how everyone is brought closer together as the novel progresses.

So, I was surprised by the direction the book took off in. Instead of a bloody, suspenseful thriller I found myself reading about love and opera. This wasn't a bad thing, it was actually quite good. The whole goal of my project is to get me out of my comfort zone. Unfortunately, I just wasn't entertained by this book. Ultimately, nothing really happened. By the end of the book, most of the characters were in the same position they started in, and when I turned the final page I had trouble recalling the details of what happened in the 318 pages of the story. I did like many of the unique relationships that sprouted in between the captives and the fugitives, but when your whole book takes place in-between the same four walls it can get a little boring.  

The other aspect of the novel that I had a problem with was the ending. I don't want to spoil anything, but I will say this: I found the ending to be extremely confusing. There was a decision made at the end of the story that I did not agree with, and I did not think that it matched up with the decisions that these characters had made in the past nor the emotions that they had felt during the story. In addition, I would just like to point out that this entire novel is about Stockholm Syndrome, but a really romantic version of Stockholm Syndrome! I would have to give Bel Canto 6 ransom notes out of 10.

A Review of On Immunity: An Inoculation by Eula Biss

I really don't expect non-fiction books to be page turners. Actually, I just don't expect non-fiction books to be engaging in general. The trick is to choose a book that focuses on a subject you're interested in. In my case, this subject happens to be vaccination, and society's increased determination to keep their kids unvaccinated. It's an extremely controversial topic, and one that Eula Biss tackles wonderfully, using aspects of her personal life as a mother to engage the reader.

I don't really know how to review this book, mainly because it is non-fiction and the joy that one would receive from reading this novel would vary greatly depending on who you are. For me, I loved how the author backed up her claims using well-research facts and anecdotes from her personal life, especially as a new mother. Basically, if you like science or health and are interested in reading a well researched and well-written story you should probably check this book out. I give On Immunity 8 syringes out of 10.

There you have it, an update plus two reviews, all for the price of one! I will be continuing my project with a science fiction novel titled Oryx and Crake written by Margaret Atwood, winner of the Booker Prize. I'll be sure to update you more on this story in my next blog. Adios!  

A (Spoiler-Free) Review of Dark Places

Gillian Flynn has created a dark and twisted world with her second novel, Dark Places, which revolves around the murder of a Midwestern family. The majority of the story takes place 25 years after the murders, and follows the life of Libby Day, the sole survivor of the massacre, who finds herself completely changed after witnessing the death of her family. In addition, every other chapter focuses on the events that lead up to the massacre.

Although this novel is considered a mystery thriller, the majority of this story is about the relationships between various characters and the motivations that drive them to do certain things. Dark Places is so effective in creating these twisted relationships because the basis of the novel is grounded in reality: a small town in the middle of Kansas, a single mother struggling to support her four children and a farm, and a troubled, rebellious teenage boy. However, once the initial layer is peeled back, the true nature of many of the characters is revealed, and a seemingly normal family becomes darkly twisted (I'm going to be using this word a lot, its the best way to describe this novel). Depression, drugs, alcohol, pedophilia, and suicide are all dealt with brutal honesty.

The characters are another aspect of the novel that can not be overlooked. It is hard to create such complex and troubled characters and still have the readier sympathize with them. Libby Day, the main character, is a struggling kleptomaniac who, despite her inherent and obvious flaws, gained my trust and approval as the novel progressed. If anyone has read Gone Girl, which is also written by Gillian Flynn, then you know that she excels at creating psychotic and evil characters, something that Dark Places is full of. I also appreciate how the female characters are not overshadowed, and are portrayed as just as capable and strong as the men.

Of course, I have to talk a little bit about the ending of the book. I don't want to give anything away but...wow. I pride myself on my ability to overlook the red herrings and see the true culprit, although that usually applies to TV shows like Law and Order: SVSU. To say that I didn't see the ending coming would be an understatement, because not only did I not see it coming, but I also couldn't have imagined something like that happening in a million years. It was truly (here comes that word again) twisted.

I hope this post fulfills the general requirement for a good book review, although I usually struggle with transferring my thoughts from my brain to computer. Overall, I would give Dark Places 9 bloody pentagrams out of 10. If you want to check out Dark Places or any other novel by Gillian Flynn, here's the link to her website: http://gillian-flynn.com/ .

In related news, I was scrolling through my twitter feed (follow me @johningold10) and came across a tweet from Entertainment Weekly stating that Dark Places was being turned into a movie. Charlize Theron (Prometheus) will portray Libby Day, and other cast members will include Nicholas Hoult (X-Men) and Chloë Grace Moretz (Carrie). Here's a link to the first movie trailer which includes french subtitles because the director is french, and a US release date has not yet been announced. Warning: This trailer does deal with some adult material and includes swearing including the  use of the F-word. In addition, I have found that some mobile devices cannot view the trailer.

Other than that, I've continued on with my reading and am now enjoying Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. That's it for now, peace!        

Some Formalities + My First Book

We have a few things to get out of the way before the real fun can begin. My first order of business is to address the extremely lame title of my blog. Although "IB World Lit 1 20-Time Project" is extremely informative, it lacks in the creativity department. Expect a title that actually pertains to my topic by next week (hopefully). Another thing you might have noticed about my blog is the large hamburger in the background. I like hamburgers, even if they don't have anything to do with my topic. At least, that's what I initially though, but the more I pondered it, the more I realized how connected hamburgers and reading truly are. You cannot judge a book by it's cover, just like you can't judge a hamburger by its buns. What's really important is what's in-between, like the plot (the beef), the characters (the lettuce and tomato), the writing style (the onions), and the themes (the pickles). Now that that's out of the way, let's move on to the books!

I thought I would divide my reading list in to two different types of books: the ones that I feel comfortable reading and the ones that I do not. In other words, a "comfortable book" is something that I might pick up at the local library, while an "uncomfortable book" is something that I would generally avoid. A lot of this depends on the genre, and since I'm trying to read from a large variety of genres I will naturally have to extend past my comfort zone.

With that being said, I started my first book! I decided to ease my way into the project, and so my first book falls under the category of "comfortable". It's called Dark Places, and it's written by Gillian Flynn. The book covers pretty normal stuff like murder and satanic cults, but the thing that has really interested me is her use of alternating time lines. The chapters alternate between the past and the present as Libby Day, the sole-survivor of a massacre that killed her family, begins to question her decision to testify against her brother, whom she initially believed to be the murderer. I'm about 50 pages in and intrigued, but I have yet to be fully drawn into the story. One thing that I really appreciate about Gillian Flynn is her ability to create three-dimensional characters. She blurs the line between the good guys and the bad guys, and adds realistic flaws to each character. So far this technique has made the book seem grittier and darker. Hopefully the plot will be able to catch up to the characters.

Here's a quick list of the books I plan on reading:

1. Dark Places by Gillian Flynn (mystery)
2. On Immunity: An Inoculation by Eula Biss (Non-fiction)
3. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett (thriller/romance)

It's a short list so far, but I figured that I would wait until I discussed more titles with my mentor before I finalized the list. 

Alright folks, that's all there is from me! Hope everyone has a fun and exciting day, I'm off to read more about cult murders, yay!