READING SCALE
September 2020
Novel: Snow Falling
Author: Jane Gloriana Villanueva
Pages: 238 out of 238
Rating: 4/5
SUMMARY: Snow Falling, is a fictional book based on the television show Jane the Virgin, and explores a historical romance based in 1902 Miami. The protagonist, Josephine, is newly engaged to deceive Martin Cadden and has big dreams for her future, one of them being becoming a writer. Josephine Galena Valencia works at the up and coming Regal Sol, a hotel run by Rake Solvino. She soon comes to realize that her boss was someone she has known from her past, which led to them rekindling what they had shared before. After what has first seemed to be a pleasant night with Rake, the guilt that she faces causes her to struggle to understand who her heart lies with. Throughout this, Detective Cadden encounters a crime that heavily involves Rake Solvino and his hotel.
COMMENTS: I gave this book a four out of five as there were truly interesting parts of the book that allowed me to stay engaged. I’m not someone that would typically go for a romance novel, but having that aspect of mystery with the crime involved granted me to actually enjoy the book. The book also switches between the love story and the crime scene so having that change in genre throughout the book really aided in the pleasantry of the story.
Novel: A Long Walk To Water
Author: Linda Sue Park
Pages: 85 out of 122
Rating: 4/5
SUMMARY: A long Walk to Water, a short novel based on a true story shines a light on the ” lost boys” of Sudan and the war the hardships individuals had to face due to the war. The novel starts off as two separate sorties, one of them being Salva’s story. One day, as he was sitting in his classroom, war had broken out causing him to run as far as he could from the brutality. With this, he finds a group of people that all strive for the same goal, finding their loved ones and being safe. The second story is about Nya, a young girl that fetches water two times a day. Due to the constant walking it physically tires her, but she continues to do so for her family.
COMMENTS: From what I have read so far I am really enjoying this book. It has continued to keep me engaged and allows me to wonder what is going to happen next. I have been aware of the situation that had occurred in Sudan but actually getting perspective on the struggles that an individual faced throughout that time had fascinated me to learn more about this topic. Overall, I would certainly recommend it to others and am excited to finish the novel.
Average numbers of pages: 19
Reading has always been something I have considered to be a hobby, up until quarantine. I was able to read a lot more books and pages before, so I am a bit disappointed with these results. My goals for next month included reading more than 20 pages a day along with starting to read more leisurely. With this, also trying to read books that I wouldn’t necessarily go to is a goal of mine as it will aid me to broaden my liking of novels. A books that I am interested in reading would be I Have The Right To, by Chessy Prout, and I hope to finish it by next month.
October 2020
Novel: A Long Walk To Water
Author: Linda Sue Park
Pages: 85-122/122
Rating: 4/5
SUMMARY: A long Walk to Water, a short novel based on a true story shines a light on the ” lost boys” of Sudan and the war the hardships individuals had to face due to the war. The novel starts off as two separate sorties, one of them being Salva’s story. One day, as he was sitting in his classroom, war had broken out causing him to run as far as he could from the brutality. With this, he finds a group of people that all strive for the same goal, finding their loved ones and being safe. The second story is about Nya, a young girl that fetches water two times a day. Due to the constant walking it physically tires her, but she continues to do so for her family.
COMMENTS: This is a novel that I started last month and my perspective of the book hasn’t changed. It is a wonderful book that shares the lives of two individuals and the struggles they face throughout a war. With finishing the story, one learns a lot on what people, like Salva, go through as they are experiencing a new country for the first time. The differences between third and first world countries are sometimes so drastic that one may not fully grasp the complications that one could face. With this book, it allows an individual to dive into a topic like that, as well as give one insight into how a country can change when a war is done. In all, this book has granted me the ability to see life in a new way and for that I would definitely recommend this book.
Novel: I Have The Right To
Author: Chessy Prout and Jenn Abelson
Pages: 404/404
Rating: 4/5
SUMMARY: I Have The Right To, is a memoir about Chessy Prouts life explaining what she had to deal with at the tender age of fifteen years old. Her and her family, originally from Japan, moved to the United States after a hurricane that allowed them to deem Japan not safe to live in. With this one gets an insight into her new life and how she adapts to the westernized schooling system. She later attends St. Paul boarding school, with her older sister, where she was sexually assaulted by a senior. This was a part of a ritualized game that senior men did to freshmen girls as a part of their welcome to the school. Cheesy releasing this was wrong, reported the sexual assault to the police and received backlash from schoolmates for what she had done. In order to get justice, she continues to fight and be the voice for individuals that aren’t able to speak up.
COMMENTS: This book allowed me to sympathize with young girls that have to experience this type of cruelty and injustice. In today’s society, one would think that individuals have finally gained the ability to treat everyone with respect and compassion. Yet, it is stories like these that shine a light on how people need to change. I gave this book four out of five as it included her past life, before being sexually assaulted, and what happened to her after that situation. It also shows her vulnerability through this memoir that many can really get to appreciate while reading. Overall, this book deals with complicated topics that aren’t talked about as often as they should be, thus my reasoning for recommending this novel.
Average number of pages: 14
This month I wasn’t able to read as much as I would have liked to as my workload increased drastically. Even though I didn’t achieve my goal, I am continuing to stay optimistic and hoping to reach that next month. For November, my goal is to also follow the time slots that I have dedicated each day to reading.
November 2020
Novel: The Things We Cannot Say
Author: Kelly Rimmer
Pages: 432/ 432
Rating: 4/5
SUMMARY: Within the novel, two story lines take place, closely relating to each other. The first, about a young girl named Alina, residing in Poland during World War Two. From the tender age of nine she knew that she was going to marry her best friend, Tomasz. As he goes off to medical school, he promises her that he is going to love her no matter how far apart they are. However, their lives change as the Nazis take over, killing the leaders of towns (one of them being Tomasz’s father) and instilling fear throughout the entire country. The second story line is about a woman named Alice, mother to a daughter and a autistic son. As her husband spent his time at work instead of connecting with his family, one can conclude that she would be very stressed out when she found out that her grandmother had a stroke. By using her grandson’s voice app, she was able to convey a message to her granddaughter, “Find Tomasz”. Although her granddaughter didn’t understand at first, she goes to Poland to discover the young love story that happened years before.
COMMENTS: I really enjoyed the voices of the two strong and independent women that were portrayed throughout the book. Connecting these two stories together allows a reader to understand the difference in generations. With this, I believe the dual timeline was wonderfully done by the author and wasn’t difficult to understand. In all, I would definitely recommend this book for the suspense that continues to build up until the end.
Novel: Shantaram
Author: Gregory Davod Roberts
Pages 936/ 936
Rating: 3/5
SUMMARY: This book is about a heroin addict escaping from prison in Australia and fleeing to Mubia, India. He did this by attaining a fake passport, now going by the name of Lindsay. While he was there, he meets a taxi driver, Prabaker, who he ends up living with after he gets robbed of all of his money. In the slums, he opens up a free clinic, wanting to aid individuals in need. One day, as he was searching for more medicine, he meets a member of the Mafia, Mumbai Don. He ends up helping Lindsay, and in turn, he does the Mafia members dirty work.
COMMENTS: As I genuinely enjoyed the story line, I would say that the way it was written was not my favorite. I feel as though some of the parts that should have been quick and concise were dragged on for too long which caused me to lose focus. Overall, it was a mediocre book and I would recommend it for individuals who like to read longer books.
Average number of pages: 48.9
I am really proud of how much I was able to read this month and I was definitely able to attain the goal I had set for myself previously. I found myself reading before bed instead of staying up on my phone and will make sure to continue this habit. For December, I wish to maintain the amount I am reading and continue the habits I have built throughout this month.
December 2020
Novel: Night
Author: Elie Wiesel
Pages: 144/144
Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: The memoir, written by Elie Wiesel, starts by introducing the main character, Eliezer, a Jewish teenage boy living in a small town. Throughout the book, the reader establishes the setting, during World War Two, and focuses on the treatment he received when he and his family were sent away to concentration camps. One sees the realities of what was going on during that period as he faces the dire working conditions, the shaving of their heads, and the loss of their identities.
Comments: I enjoyed reading this book as I have always been interested in nonfiction books, especially ones that have to do with the World War Two era. The illustration that the author created for each event was very well done and it grabbed my attention very quickly. In all, I would recommend this book to anyone that would like to truly understand the fear that many people had to face during the expansion of Hilter.
Novel: Lean In
Author: Sheryl Sandberg
Pages: 228/228
Rating: 5/5
Summary: Through this book, the author tries to expand the inequalities that women face today who would like to join the workforce. With personal stories of her own and stories that she has come across involving other women, she portrays what needs to be done to change the discussion between men and women.
Comments: This book taught me a lot about the workforce, not only in the past, but what it is now as well. I think I always knew that there was a sense of separation and inequality between men and women, but reading the stories of what the author has been through has thoroughly made me understand the significance behind what is going on. I believe this book has allowed me to be prepared for what is yet to come in my life as well as given me the strength to fight the injustice that is occurring.
Novel: The GoldFinch
Author: Donna Tartt
Pages: 784/784
Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: This book starts with the main character being introduced, a thirteen-year-old boy named Theo, who had experienced a major accident that led to the death of his mother. With having no parents in his life, he was taken in by a wealthy friend and faces the challenges of losing a loved one along with adjusting to his new life. Throughout the novel, the reader also becomes aware of a painting that Theo clings onto as it reminded him of his mother. Additionally, one experiences how that painting follows him throughout his life and the significance it had for him.
Comments: I thoroughly enjoyed this book even though it’s something I wouldn’t go straight away. The imagery that was portrayed in the novel, along with the challenges the protagonist faces allows the ability to get to know the character on a deeper level. In all, I would recommend the book as it tackles strong themes.
Average number of pages: 31
It can be said that the goals I had set for myself have been achieved as I continued to read before bed, allowing me to get those extra pages in every night. Even though the number of pages that I read was not as much as last month, the break granted me the opportunity to take my time to understand the book I was reading, which I enjoyed a lot more. My goal for next month is to continue with my reading habits and get some more pages in for the month.