13 Reason Why.

Hi guys! Over the break, I was able to read and relax- sooo much fun! One of a couple books I read was called 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher. A lot of my friends and teachers recommended this book to me and I was never in the mood to read something of that genre. So having two weeks off, I gave it a shot and finished it in a day!  I feel like such a loser for reading this so late but now I understand why everyone gives such amazing reviews! Not only was this an amazing book to read, it made me have a new perspective on things.

13 Reasons Why takes place in a small town with a high-school student named Clay Jenson.  Clay, one day, finds a package for him on the front porch. In that package was filled with seven cassette tapes each marked "Cassette 1: Side A," "Cassette 1: Side B," etc. Like any curious person, he finds his dads old cassette player to listen to them. The minute he pressed play on the player, he wished that he’d never done it. The cassette tapes was the voice of a girl named Hannah Baker. Now, Hannah Baker isn’t just any normal girl. Hannah was a girl that Clay was classmates with, worked with, a girl that Clay had a crush on, and most importantly, a girl that recently had committed suicide. Just before her death, Hannah recorded seven tapes, 13 sides with 13 reasons why she did what she did. With that 13 reasons, came with 13 people that had an effect to her and made her think that suicide was the only way out. At first, Clay feels that it must be a mistake. He never did anything to her and knew for sure that he was cruel to her. As the days go on, Clay becomes very intrigued and almost obsessed with listening to Hannah’s stories. These tapes were not cookie cutter and were really freighting at some points. Many things she talked about included experiences with her first boyfriend, rape, and even cutting herself.  Throughout the audio, Clay’s comments and memories are also shown. Clay then realizes that this package has been sent to each person that was on this tape and sent to the next by the last person. After hearing the tapes, Clay’s whole world and perspective changes drastically.

Anyone who reads this will have something changed about them in some way. Even if you don’t like this book, your perspective on things will change! So why will you love this book? It’s not because it is dramatic, sad or about suicide. It’s amazing because the author, Jay Asher made these characters come alive and actually make us feel that they are real. His writing made me feel whatever Clay or any of the characters were feeling. I got to experience the highs and lows of Clay and Hannah’s life. Now granted, the end made me somewhat annoyed. It made a good and compelling story.

I suggest everyone go read 13 Reasons Why now! Find any way to read it as soon as possible! By the end of the book, you’ll have no choice but to reflect on who you are. Think about all the times you have ever been cruel to someone and think how that could’ve possibly changed their life.I even apologized to people for doing things many years back. This amazing story will make you cry, be heartbroken, afraid, and so hopeful all at the same time. All I can hope for if you anyone who is seeing this to read it right now! Go go go!! 

xo Sydney

P.S If you want to see more, check out this video book trailer!

Poem!

A couple days ago, I was assigned to create a historical fiction poem! Here it is:

With the grace of a ballerina and a smile with such warmth and love

Beauty, compassion, and elegance was everything Princess Diana stood for

Though her first love did not remain and some mistakes were made she continued to be what everyone was proud of

Searching for peace and privacy, ruthless paparazzi’s were always standing at the door

Finding someone to love was hard to come across yet destiny became a kind friend

The city of Love was where she was spending time with a lovely and caring man

Unfortunately, the short-lived fairy tale came to an end.

Fate took a twist, interruptions and destruction was not the plan

One, two, three, pictures were wanted of the man and princess.

Paparazzi were trying to do everything they can, even if harming everyone around near

The crash came at the passengers hard leaving the princess dying with the internal illness.

On a beautiful night in Paris, Princess Diana took her last breath leaving everyone in mournful tears.

Here are couple of articles that inspired me to write this poem!

http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9708/30/diana.dead/

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=R7VOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UxUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5449,7010325&dq=princess+diana%27s+car+accident&hl=en

xo Sydney :)

Heaven Is For Real.

Recently, a friend and classmate of mine named Savannah recommended to me a book called Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo. I was hesitant to read it because I thought it would be a little childish. I can’t deny it but I am a little biased and after reading my peoples comments, it was hard to figure out if I wanted to spend time with this book. Because the book wasn’t mine, I also had to decide if I was willing to read this book quickly. On impulse, I took the book and began reading it. Little did I know how powerful and amazing this story really is. I can honestly say that I don’t have enough good words to describe how great it is.

Heaven Is For Real is about a little 4 year old boy named Colton. During an emergency surgery that his father had to go through, Colton becomes unconscious and enters heaven. In heaven, Colton was able to look down from heaven and watch his dad undergo surgery. After telling his family about what he saw, his families were a little skeptical about it all until he mentioned more information that became evident that this was the real deal. At first, Colton would tell stories and talk about things that the family would assume come from Sunday school. He then started talking about his meeting with his miscarried sister (which never knew about till then), his passed away great grandfather. I know that many people may be struggling with these encounters but it seems that Colton’s dad, Todd, even had some struggles with this. He says “I couldn’t remember angels having lights over their heads specifically – or halos, as some would call them – but I also knew that Colton’s experience of angels in storybooks and Scripture did not include lights over angels’ heads. And he didn’t even know the world halo.” The part that struck me the most was when he said “And he didn’t even know the world halo.” How did he know all of this? In one part of the book, they talk about a girl that did a portrait of Jesus and Colton’s mother showing pictures of Jesus and asking him which one looked like him. Both Colton’s and the girl’s view on Jesus were the same. All of Colton’s encounters were so precise and extraordinary.  

This story has impacted me in so many more ways than one. It has made me feel more faithful to God and more caring of others.  Even after reading this, I understood why people may think that it is a scam and not true at all. It’s everyone’s own opinion. Obviously, there is going to be conflict when religion becomes a part of anything. It’s hard to put a theme to this book but I feel that it is faith.  Even if you have to go through so many highs and lows, encounter very impolite people or even very amazing people, stay faithful to whatever you believe in.

Although, it was Coltons dad who wrote this, most of the words written into the book was from Colton. After reading this book, I literally sat still and thought about what it would be look if I were in that position. I had to recommend someone else this book and of course, I did! When you do read it, you'll be able to look at pictures and feel as if you could know this little boy! This book can be for anyone at any age. Not to mention that it is a perfect quick read and great to share to everyone else you know! :)

xo Sydney

This Lullaby

Over the summer, I have read many books. One that I really enjoyed would be Sarah Dessen's book This Lullaby. 


This Lullaby is about an eighteen-year-old girl, Remy, who has a cynical view on love due to her mother’s four unsuccessful marriages... Her father, left before she was born and wrote the song "This Lullaby" as his tribute after hearing of her birth. However, Remy meets a guy named Dexter during the summer before college that to her. Dexter is the complete opposite of her and a musician, which she absolutely hates. All Remy wanted was a summer fling yet she can't seem to dump him.


This Lullaby was a truly great story and I literally read the whole book in a couple hours! The relationship between Remy and her mother and Dexter seemed very realistic and not too cheesy which is always good! Check out This Lullaby and love it! :)


xo Sydney