Book Challenge Day 6: A book that makes you sad

I have read many bittersweet stories, but the one that hits me the most is Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie.

 I have always been a kid at heart, and a fan of Peter and Wendy. 

It's not only sad that Peter doesn't go with Wendy, but also that he forgets her. That forgetfulness becomes an emptiness, and Peter becomes a wanderer.

Another scene that makes me sad is when Peter returns to take Wendy's daughter away. The realization that Peter feels betrayed by Wendy growing up strikes a chord in my heart, and I pity him. No matter how much Wendy tries to explain the world to him, Peter Pan refuses to be a part of the world. Instead he remains alone, with only fading memories to comfort him. He even forgets Tinker Bell, and that moment makes him truly helpless.

For some reason the fact that Peter is frozen in childhood makes this story magical and bittersweet. Forgetting people and always craving a place to belong, Peter goes from adventure to adventure, but he can't use the wisdom that comes with looking back on the past. He is made of the present, fleeting and fragile. He is a lonely character, and a tragic hero. 

I still love Peter Pan as a novel, play and wonderful tale, but the ending of this story always makes me sad. I feel sorry for Peter, and Wendy. 

Dune Messiah book review on ModernDayBelle's Bookshelf

http://moderndaybookshelf.blogspot.com/2013/01/dune-messiah-by-frank-herbert.html

Book review for The Little White Horse

My first book review for ModernDay Belle's Bookshelf

Up next: Inkheart

My Logic:

So I have created a Book Blog.

First post here: http://moderndaybookshelf.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-new-year-and-new-reading-list.html

I may post random book appreciation posts on this blog as well. Feel free to visit, comment, and recommend titles ^_^

Book Review: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and Starry River of the Sky by Grace Lin

Book Review:

Where the Mountain Meets The Moon by Grace Lin

I came across this book by chance and started reading it right away. This is a creative story, inspired by Chinese mythology and it has beautiful illustrations. In some ways, it reminds me of 1001 Arabian Nights, because it is layered with stories, and all the stories are connected. Minli is very wise, resourceful and loyal to her family. Her journey to find good fortune is like a fairy tale with many stories woven together.

Starry River of the Sky by Grace Lin

This book worked like a mystery. Each story became a clue to the real tale of Rendi and the moon's absence in the sky. But the story is also how Rendi learns about the world, and discovers who he is and what he is capable of. The reader wonders  who everyone is, and what part they have to play in the mysterious disappearance of the moon. I enjoyed this book almost as much as Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, but Rendi was harder to relate to than Minli. He seemed cold, but once it is revealed who he is, it makes more sense.

Both of these books are fun journeys through the imagination and the world of Chinese fairy tales. 

There are two sides to every story . . .

The modern day story of Beauty and the Beast was first told through the eyes of Kyle Kingsbury. Now Lindy speaks up and tells her side of the story. I really enjoyed both books, and was surprised to discover a book from Kendra's point of view is on the way.
Lindy's Diary reveals answers to the questions in the first book. She explains her life with her dad, and her struggles in the superficial school of Tuttle. It's interesting how both Kyle and Lindy feel guilty about their situations, and reflect on them  in different ways. If you liked reading Beastly, I recommend this book. Lindy is a strong character, just like Kyle.
Five out of five roses.

Book Review: Kiki's Delivery Service

I grew up with this movie, so when I found out it was based on a book, I had to read it. The book is written by Eiko Kadono and is written in a similar style as Roald Dahl's works. Although the movie is a little different, the book has its own charm. The lesson of growing up and being on your own in the world is an important ingredient in Kiki's story. As Kiki learns to create a life of her own, she learns to cope with the events around her. This is no easy task when her only talent is flying and she must win the trust of everyone in a new town, far from home. I recommend both the movie and the book to anyone who enjoys adventure, resourcefulness and the lessons of becoming independent. I give this book five out of five sarcastic black cats!

How to be like Walt

While in San Francisco, we went to the Walt Disney Family Museum. Since I went to the Disney College Program, Walt Disney has been one of my role models in the realm of achieving dreams. I decided to find a great book about him a few weeks ago, but I couldn't find books that focused specifically on his story. Most of the books focused the the effects of his films on other people, but at the museum, I found a book that included an introduction written by one of Disney's personal friends. Walt Disney's story from a farm boy fascinated with drawings to a successful entertainer is an amazing and inspirational read. I will post a full book review when I finish reading the last half of the book.

Thoughtful Thursdays 2: A Thoughtful Book Review

I recently finished What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen. The message of this novel is actually a lesson that I had to learn myself, but not to the extreme of the protagonist Mclean.
As Mclean reaches the end of senior year in High School, she has obtained five identities.Her habit of giving herself a new name and personality was a coping mechanism with the many moves forced on her since her parents' divorce. As if a divorce was not complicated enough, Mclean also deals with fear of attachment. The many names she creates give her a way to avoid her own indentity. In truth, the real problem Mclean faces involves what she wants and who she is.
I have always loved Sarah Dessen's books since the moment I discovered Just Listen and found a favorite in This Lullaby. Each novel invites the reader into a psychological journey of dealing with difficult situations. Mclean is supposed to be the average girl, and on the surface, people would be impressed by all the activities she joined, and all the feats she accomplished; but, because Mclean refuses to get close to anyone, she has no true home within herself. One of the best scenes in this book, is the big reveal, when Mclean's new friends discover her many profile pages and she is forced to realize her true identity. I can relate to this, because my coping mechanism to avoid being close to others was to adapt to my favorite characters from books and television. After pretending to be a character who was too extreme for my personality, I realized that I had to learn to be myself and trust others. Mclean learns this lesson through the failure to create a new bogus identity when she moves to Lakeview, and her attempt to claim a new persona fails more than once. But the thing about Mclean's story is not only about the importance of discovering your identity. The true heart of the book involves the matter of creating a home for yourself.

One of the best quotes from the book is the revelation Mclean has about the real definition of a home.

"Home wasn't a set house, or a single town on a map. It was wherever the people who loved you were, whenever you were together. Not a place but a moment, and another, building on each other like bricks to create a solid shelter that you take with you for your entire life, wherever you may go." (Dessen 364-365)

After reading the entire book, this quote stayed with me. Mclean's journey to discover herself is well worth the read for anyone who feels like they have no where to go, or even people who don't know their true persona. I give this book five out of five Blueberry Banana Brain Freezes. Mclean's story is a wonderful insight to the sanctuary you must find within yourself.

Book Review: A Tale of Two Castles

Since the introduction of Ella Enchanted, Gail Carson Levine has published more fairy tale stories and adventures in the realm of Neverland. Her new book, A Tale of Two Castles takes a new perspective on the detective story and the fairy tale. Elodie is a young girl who must start an apprenticeship. She plans to be a mansioner (the role of a performer or actor) but things take an unexpected turn. She becomes a dragon's assistant and find the person threatening the Duke, who happens to be an ogre. But all is not as it seems. Elodie must decide who she can trust and where she belongs. By using her mansioning skills, and being aware of her surroundings, she might have the ability to save the duke and gain a dragon's trust. But who is the culprit? The only way to find out is to read her story. This story is worthy of four out of five apples (or is it Pyramus?)

For more information here's the website: http://www.gailcarsonlevine.com/tcas.html

Enchanted Ivy by Sarah Beth Durst: A book review

"you must find the Ivy Key" (19). This is the ultimate test that Lily must pass in order to be accepted at Princeton University. But she is in for more than a pop quiz! With mentions of magic and her father, Lily is soon thrown into a complex mystery that has very few clues. Should she believe that the magic is real? Or is it a hoax set up by her grandfather's old college friends? To add to the confusion, she seems to be followed by a college boy with orange and black hair who claims to be her guard. She only has a few days to solve this puzzle and the clock is ticking.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's been awhile since I couldn't put a book down and became immersed in an interesting story. Durst knows what she is doing when it comes to the realm of magic and the real world. With a mystery to keep you guessing and plenty of action and suspense, Enchanted Ivy
is a fresh story in the teen fiction genre. Lily is an interesting teen and her family seems to consist of a mother and a grandfather. With a strong sense of responsibility, Lily takes the challenge and begins to learn more about herself than she would have ever guessed. With a few companions and more enemies than she realizes, Lily must solve the mystery to achieve her dreams.
I give this book five out of five talking statues :) I'll be reading this one again!