Sometimes, The Cover Means A Lot.

I'm tried something new. Yesterday, to be exact. I went to our classroom library to check out a new book. It's always a challenge for me to find a book that I will actually enjoy reading. I usually go for Sarah Dessen - or "girly" books. However, this time I chose a book that I assumed I wouldn't love but would be able to "get by" with. This booked is called "Happyface". Happyface was written by Stephen Emond. It is supposed to be the journal of "Happyface"(the main character) and it feels like one. Mostly because there are pictures, and are documented as if there entries.

Before, I say anything else, I want to say that I find it strange that "Happyface" doesn't have a name. He's just called Happyface. Happyface is about a boy that is cool, in the present. But, in the past, he was a loser; "a resident of Lonelyland". This book takes you from when he didn't fit in to now, when everyone wants to be like him. So far, the only characters that have been introduced are Everett, (his older brother) his dad, and his mother. Everett, is "usually cool" but sometimes a "jerk". Everett always starts fights with "Happyface" and "usually" wins. "Happyface" believes that his dad wants him to be more like Everett. Chloe, is the last character that was brought up in the story. Even though, Chloe is his best friend, "Happyface" is in love with her. She's a "goddess" to her, but is too nervous to tell her.

The cover is what stood out to me. It's actually what caught my eye. Even though, I haven't been reading this book for long, I think that the cover of this book is very relevant to the story. In most cases, the cover is relevant. But what I liked about this cover is that, it wasn't right out there-you couldn't just figure it out by looking at it. Even though, in the picture shown above there is a happy face, there is a Book Cover that comes off and reveals a sad face. I think that this was done to show that beneath the smiles and happiness, "Happyface" is sad.

Ever since I was little, a pretty cover is what would

catch my eye.

The cover would make me want to read a book. I can honestly say, I have picked up books with not the best looking covers... and put them down. I try to go by the saying

"Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover"

but it's a little hard to do that! The book Confessions Of A Shopaholic, stood out to me, because of the pretty picture almost hidden behind the cover. Now, honestly, wouldn't a picture of some sort catch your eye too?

The cover if Confessions of A Shopaholic, is plain, and a little boring. The picture is what caught my eye. I for one am a very visual, so a picture can help me understand something. But, the point of this blog post, wasn't supposed to be me telling you about how I am judgmental of book covers. Very often, the books that I pick up with not great covers, end up having a really good story. For example, Catcher In the Rye.

The version that I have, doesn't even have a picture. Yet, the story is amazing.

and though I don't always follow the rule "Don't Judge A Book By It's cover" I encourage others to do so.

Another Beginning... With Colors.

Beginning a new book, is personally my favorite part of reading a story. I especially loved the beginning of the book

"Confessions of A Shopaholic" By:Sophie Kinnsella.

I originally picked up the book,

"The Notebook" Written By: Nicholas Sparks.

I was expecting to immediately fall in love with the first sentence of this book, because of all of the good things I had been told about it. Surprisingly though, I did not. I was disappointed to not love this book as much as all of my friends had. I was honestly a little bit bored while reading it. I know, I'm crazy, how could I not like this book? I'm honestly not sure. Confused, I put this book down, and searched through the tons of books I had bought and never even took the time to look at; and just stuffed them on my in with all of the other books on my bookshelf. I pulled out book that I stared at and wondered, "Where did this come from?" Eventually, I came to

"Confessions of A Shopaholic" By:Sophie Kinnsella.

And for once, I actually knew where this book had come from. I remembered this, like it was written on my heart.

My older cousin had been cleaning her room. Getting rid of; shoes, tops, bottoms, movies, old games, and MANY other things. She came to a her desk, opened up the bottom (which was quite large) draw and pulled out pencils, papers, a notebook, and then, stumbled upon this book. She took it out, stared at it for a while, and then tossed it onto her desk with the many other things I knew she was planning to get rid of it. I quickly grabbed the book of her desk, waiting for her to say something to me like "What are you doing?" or "Aren't you going to ask?"

Yet, she didn't and instead, she smiled. A small smile, but a smile.

"You don't want this book, do you?" I asked her.

"No, I read that book a while ago. I think you'll like it," She said looking at me and then at the book. "Keep it." She turned around and continued what she was doing.

That's all I can honestly remember. It was her smile. I remember it SO clearly. I think it's probably because it's one of the last moments I shared with her, before she moved away to Florida.

I picked up the book, and walked to my bed. The beginning was great. It held my attention span, and I wasn't bored or lost.

The beginning is always the most exciting because, 1) you are introduced to the story/plot, characters & setting. 2) You are (hopefully) on the edge of your seat, wanting more by the time your done with at least the second chapter.

Kinsella, started off her story with what I like to call, "An open beginning". This means, that

I'm wondering what is going on. Some of the questions that go through my mind are

a)"Who is this character?"

b) "What is going on?"

c) "Where is the character, what is the setting like?"

Most often, when books have "An open beginning" it's because they start off with a thought or

dialog. In this story, the main character; Rebecca starts off thinking. She is thinking about how

much money she owes to her credit card company. She really WANTS a low number/amount of

money. But, even though she doesn't say so, i think Kinsella, wanted you to think that she knew

that she was wrong. I know I did! I also like how some of the bills she received are included in the

book. I also like how Kinsella builds up TENSION, and then allows it to CRASH. Meaning what you

would expect to happen, doesn't.Whereas,in other books, a lot of the time tension is built up, and then,

the character gets what they want. I found this interesting, and I thought it was a good change!

I would love to include some of this type of writing in my next piece. It would be a change, but

think it would be a good change. It would give me a little push. And a little push is always good! I

think that doing this would increase how strong my story is. I can't wait to read on and and hopefully

pick up even more skills from Sophie Kinsella!

The Ending Comes Again.

I have finally completed "This Lullaby", I give this book 1,000 stars, as I would give any Sarah Dessen book. I am completely amazed by her writing. Today, I didn't want to do just another one of my focusing in on one topic posts. Today, as I finished this book, I thought about the day I picked this book up, and checked it out of our classroom library, so in a contribute to that day, I'm going to write a short story of that moment.

I was in rush, but the book was almost calling me. I walked to the back of our ELA classroom, to our class room library. There it was, the sun almost shining on it. I had to pick it up, i quickly walked to my things, and packed up.

"Ms.Robbins," I said when i made it to her desk " Can i check this book out?"

"Yeah, of course," she replied. She took out a small black binder and opened up to my name.

"Here, you go,"

"Thanks," I screamed running out the door, on my way to Project Real.

Can Love Change The Person That You Are ?

I'm finally finishing up the book This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen. It's an amazing book, and i would recommend it anyone! This book has taught me about love and reality. But as I read the book last night, what stood out were the changes that Remy has gone through. It made me wonder about a lot of stuff. In order to be in love, do you have to go out of your way to get it ? Can you never change(not be "flexible") and still find love? Can love actually change the person that you are? I think that you do have to make some changes, even if there not a really big deal.

Remy, started off as a girl that didn't want to be loved, and didn't really care what anyone thought about her. She was not "mean" but a little "stiff". Over the course of this book, she changed a lot. She changed mostly because of love and partly because of Dexter(her boyfriend). Dexter went way out of his way in order to just say "Hi," to Remy. At first, Remy couldn't stand him... walking in the opposite direction if she saw him. I think that unconsciously Remy fell in love with Dexter because he went out of his way to make conversation; something that no one else really did for her.

The changes Remy have made are tremendous. She slowly began to open up to different people, not just Dexter. One of these people is her step father, she slowly began to allow him to create a bond... a fatherly-daughter bond. Her changes have suprised me and i was amazingly shocked when she finally said yes to Dexter instead of pushing him away like usual.

This book is amazing and has taught me a lot, i cant wait to finish it. I can't wait to get to the end, and im sure when i get to the end, i'll want more to read.

Opening Up To Someone.

Today as I read This Lullaby, what really stood out to me was trust. Trust and actually allowing someone to get to know you. In this story, Remy struggles with opening up with people. This is probably why she has such a hard time with love, and being in relationships. Yet, today Remy finally allowed someone to get close to her. Trust and love are connected in so many ways. In order to love someone, you have to know that you will be able to trust them. I think that Remy has finally realized that Dexter ( Remy's Admirer ) isn't going to be like her previous boyfriend; who have cheated on her and became to "clingy". I also wondered if the reason she now trusts Dexter is because he saved her (very much like a hero) from almost being arrested.

In chapter seven, Remy wakes up in a unfamiliar place. She was obviously drunk the previous night. Remy can hardly remember anything, and even worse, where she actually is. Shortly after all of her confusion, she hears Dexter's voice and it refreshes her memory ( Remy had been drunk, and hit a guy at the bar.) At first she tells herself that she will explain to Dexter that she is thankful for him saving her last night, that is until, she hears another voice. She decides that even confronting Dexter after what happened last night would be embarrassing but to have to say all of this in front of his friend too, would be to much. What she decides to do is to sneak out of the window. As I was reading this I was so upset with Remy, how could she do that ? I felt bad for Dexter, he is trying so hard to please her, and she doesn't even pretend to care. But then, just as I was getting over my angry towards Remy, Dexter shows up , AGAIN! (he won't give up!) And Remy, FINALLY, allows Dexter into her world.

As I thought harder about trust, I thought about not only how trust can ruin a romantic relationship, but also a friendship. Many friendships are ruined because of trust. So, what is trust ? What does it mean to "trust" someone ? If you tell someone a secret, does that mean, that you now trust them ? Or not ? After reading today, Remy has changed my perspective on trust. If you read This Lullaby, she will change yours too!

I have been reading the book This Lullaby written by the wonderful Sarah Dessen for around 3 weeks. But as I read the book This Lullaby, today, I focused and thought about what it really means to love someone or something. What is love ? How are we supposed to use this powerful word ? Are there certain standards that need to be fulfilled in order for something to be love ? I honestly think that love is different for everyone. Whether it is really just a word. Or maybe it's just an action. Does just saying "I love you" count as "love"? Or is that not good enough ?You have to decide for yourself,what love really is. Thanks to the book This Lullaby, Sarah Dessen, and especially Remy ( the main character),I now have.

In the book This Lullaby, Remy has been in tons of relationships, very much like her mother. Yet, I really don't think that she knows what love is. Especially because, when she feels that things are getting too serious, she brakes up with that person. In order to love something, you really have to know, not only how to love yourself, but what it feels like to be loved. Remy, doesn't know how it feels to be loved. I mean, her mom lives in her own world and doesn't really seem to be to interested in Remy. Her father, left her and her mother before she was even born. And sadly, I don't think that she wants be love or know what it feels like. She never wants to get close to anyone. She is very anti-social, that's how i think of her. Remy, needs to learn to trust other people and love people, because I really do think that she might like to be loved.

I think that love is more than just a word. I think it is more than just an action. Love is a way of expressing yourself. Love is so indescribable. Nothing can be compared to love. To be in love, love someone, or be loved, is the without a doubt the best thing you'll ever find in life. Love means to truly care about something/someone. I don't mean saying "i care about you" I mean ... Willing to die for that thing/person. This is what love is in my own words. What is love in your own words ? I think that love is something that two many people play with. They through the word love around like its some kind of game, but its not.So, people shouldn't pretend that love doesn't matter, because you will find, love is the only thing in life that truly matters. With love, you can do anything.

Love: Noun- Passionate Affection for someone or something.

Verb- To have affection for something.