Term 1 - Miss Gay's Reading Challenge - Response 2

Response 2

 Spoiler Alert

     When reading chapters 1 - 11 of the book Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer, the third book in the Twilight saga, I find that the title fits the book very well because all of the book titles in the Twilight saga are phases of the moon, which makes sense for this series because it is about mythical/supernatural beings, such as Vampires and Werewolves. This correlates to the phases of the moon because many people relate the 'power' of the moon to have something to do with the way supernatural beings have to live their lives. For example, Vampires can't go out in the sunlight so they can only ever be in the presence of moonlight or shadows; and Werewolves are known to be 'most powerful' in the moon. 

     I really like this book series because it is very easy to relate to, having the main characters be high schoolers, and also having the main character be human while most of the other characters are supernatural; it makes the reader relate to the main character even more because it is difficult to relate to someone/something that isn't very realistic. 

     I think the major theme in this book is which character Bella (the main character) will end up falling in love with. The first book, Bella finds out Edward is a Vampire and starts to fall in love with him. However, in the second book, Bella and Edward are separated and she ends up spending most of if not all of her time with Jacob, which she later finds out is a Werewolf. This ends up making the decision even more difficult for Bella when she realizes that Vampires and Werewolves or mortal enemies. I think the lesson in this book is to follow your heart, and trust in the people that are there for you.

     Even though I am only halfway through the book, I think the most important part is when Bella goes to La Push and hears the true legends of the Quileute Tribe. I think this is the most important scene because it deepens her understanding of her best friend Jacob and the reason he suddenly turned into a wolf-man. I think it also adds a much larger understanding of why Vampires and Werewolves are mortal enemies.

     I think the audience of this book is teenagers/young-adult because the main characters are all in high school, it features supernatural beings and romance. My favorite character is Bella Swan because I can relate to her in many ways. My least favorite characters are the Volturi and Victoria. However, having the Volturi is needed to keep the activity of newborns in line, and it makes sense for Victoria to want revenge for the murder of the one she loved, even though he deserved it (in my opinion).

     I relate to Bella because not only is she in high school like I am, but we also have a very similar way of thinking. She is very selfless and sincere, as well as very observant; all of which I can relate to.

     New words I found and their definitions:

- dwelt = live in or at a specified place/think, speak, or write at length about (a particular subject, especially one that is a source of unhappiness, anxiety, or dissatisfaction).

- barred = closed or secured with a long rigid piece of wood, metal, or similar material/marked with bands of colour or light.

The Cafe

The Cafe

Written by Liliana Smit

A simple man, halfway through his life, sat down at a table for two in a cafe window. Pulling out his journal from his slick leather work bag, and a black inked pen from his shirt’s pocket. He yawned and stretched his arms out in front of him. The gentle glow of the rising sun greeting the steam of his cup of coffee, essential in every mans morning.

The smell of chocolate and pastries forms the aroma of every cafe, this one was peaceful. Most cafes are packed with early birds and busy working people, but this cafe was merely empty creating an atmosphere everyone wishes to feel in the stressful mornings of modern life. The simple man sipped his coffee and scribbled in his journal until a beautiful young woman approached the tired man. The faint smell of vanilla seemed to follow her.

“May I take your order, sir?” The young woman looked down at him, her smile beaming. The man looked up at her with wide eyes, he’d never thought he would get the chance to see her again.

“Y-yes, I would like another coffee, please. Oh! And one of those delicious blueberry muffins you make.” Wrinkles formed in the corners of his eyes as he returned her smile.

“Of course, I’ll be right back.” The barista turned and continued her work. The smile on her face was genuine, radiating the feeling you get when you've found something special you lost as a child. The man's smile faded, ashamed at the willingness and ignorance he had to leave her all those years ago.

With glossy eyes, he spoke, “If only I could go back, I would. Just to hold my baby girl again.”

Term 1 - Miss Gay's Reading Challenge - Response 1

Response 1

       When reading The Cafe by Liliana Smit, I found that the title suits the passage very well because the place the simple man and his daughter meet for the first time is the cafe the man's daughter works at. I like the text because it has many details and ideas that help the reader picture how the man is feeling and what it is like being in the cafe with the characters. I also like the text because of the plot twist in the last paragraph, when it explains through the man's thoughts how he and the young woman are related. I think the theme of this passage is to never have any regrets and to follow your heart because, in the passage, the man felt guilty and disappointed in himself for not trying to contact his daughter sooner. I think the most important part of the passage was when the beautiful young woman took the simple mans order and the man thought, "if only I could go back, I would. Just to hold my baby girl again." I think this is the most important part of the passage because it is the only part of the entire passage that gives the reader an understanding of how the storyline is going to lead if it would continue. I think the audience of this passage is anyone above the age of 5. I think anyone can read this text and understand what it means, visualize it, and some may even relate to it because it uses very simple details, no names, and common ideas. I personally don't have any favorite or least favorite characters because the only two characters in the story are the man (or father) and the young woman (the daughter). This passage doesn't have any new words for me because I wrote it, and the only relation I have to the story is having family members that no longer, or have never contacted me. I think this is a very interesting, relaxing, and easy passage to read, and I definitely recommend others read it too. Thank you.