Blog One:
The Forever War The novel finally came in! I started reading The Forever War sometime last week and was immediately captivated. Although I was nervous that the material would be confusing, which at times it is, the author's language is clear and concise, just like we are often told to do in class. It was neat seeing this language in a non-fiction novel-- we often see it in articles, but now I see it being applied to the longer forms of journalism. As for the plot, it is fascinating to hear the stories the author has experienced it. Despite using this cliche, some of the stories he tells are literally jaw dropping. This though has made me realize how ignorant I am to other cultures and other countries. The conflicts they face are unlike anything I have hear, along with their attitude and ways. Having read nearly seven chapters, I am so glad I chose this novel to read for book club. It doeskin even feel like homework or work in itself.
Blog Two:
Reading Group This week we had to read to about the middle of the novel. I am again enjoying the book; however, thins are starting to become a bit blurry. We discussed in our group last time that the different cultures and nationalities in the book are confusing, and we often cannot tell them apart. This is only continuing to happen for me. I just do my best to keep reading. I feel like I am am getting the message though, despite my confusion with the different representations in the novel. Having almost read half the work, I do wonder how the piece will end. Is the writer going to finally overcome this grappling idea of a war lasting forever? Even though we know there is not peace yet in the Middle East, is the writer going to find peace with the subject or with the people surrounding him? There's only one way to find out.. keep reading!
Blog Three:
Article The article we had handed out in class to read was very interesting. I think it struck my interest because I have been a waitress for many years. Although I do not work at school, when I go home for breaks and summer, my steady income is the tips and the one dollar an hour I receive. Although I do agree with Mrs. Williams about the author not knowing what it was really like, since she had money and was not living off the means of tips, I felt she did I fine job of capturing the essence of a small town diner. She honed in on the gossip that unfortunately takes over work and the struggle of living off minimum wage. Her writing really captured how tiresome and overbearing it is to keep up with the economy and with a life that is trying to be lived.
Blog Four:
the forever war end Our group discussed many things last time-- the novel as a whole mostly. We figured that with all the stories the author tells taken in all have one thing in common: the war is forever and is not going to end for this country or their people anytime soon. The evens are also not in chronological order. This, however, is not significant. He actually makes a strong point by doing this, all the situations hit the readers just as hard, and what happened before is still happening, once again roving the consistency of the problems and the never ending battles. I think Filkins is one of the bravest people or authors I have ever encountered. Unfortunately, I have never met him, yet I feel I know him on a personal level. He went to the Middle East to show Americans what was really going on. Before reading this I had no clue, and I mean NO CLUE about foreign affairs, and sadly The War On Terror. Filkins didn't just open my eyes, he made me appreciate life and see the true hardships and what good journalism is really about.
The Forever War The novel finally came in! I started reading The Forever War sometime last week and was immediately captivated. Although I was nervous that the material would be confusing, which at times it is, the author's language is clear and concise, just like we are often told to do in class. It was neat seeing this language in a non-fiction novel-- we often see it in articles, but now I see it being applied to the longer forms of journalism. As for the plot, it is fascinating to hear the stories the author has experienced it. Despite using this cliche, some of the stories he tells are literally jaw dropping. This though has made me realize how ignorant I am to other cultures and other countries. The conflicts they face are unlike anything I have hear, along with their attitude and ways. Having read nearly seven chapters, I am so glad I chose this novel to read for book club. It doeskin even feel like homework or work in itself.
Blog Two:
Reading Group This week we had to read to about the middle of the novel. I am again enjoying the book; however, thins are starting to become a bit blurry. We discussed in our group last time that the different cultures and nationalities in the book are confusing, and we often cannot tell them apart. This is only continuing to happen for me. I just do my best to keep reading. I feel like I am am getting the message though, despite my confusion with the different representations in the novel. Having almost read half the work, I do wonder how the piece will end. Is the writer going to finally overcome this grappling idea of a war lasting forever? Even though we know there is not peace yet in the Middle East, is the writer going to find peace with the subject or with the people surrounding him? There's only one way to find out.. keep reading!
Blog Three:
Article The article we had handed out in class to read was very interesting. I think it struck my interest because I have been a waitress for many years. Although I do not work at school, when I go home for breaks and summer, my steady income is the tips and the one dollar an hour I receive. Although I do agree with Mrs. Williams about the author not knowing what it was really like, since she had money and was not living off the means of tips, I felt she did I fine job of capturing the essence of a small town diner. She honed in on the gossip that unfortunately takes over work and the struggle of living off minimum wage. Her writing really captured how tiresome and overbearing it is to keep up with the economy and with a life that is trying to be lived.
Blog Four:
the forever war end Our group discussed many things last time-- the novel as a whole mostly. We figured that with all the stories the author tells taken in all have one thing in common: the war is forever and is not going to end for this country or their people anytime soon. The evens are also not in chronological order. This, however, is not significant. He actually makes a strong point by doing this, all the situations hit the readers just as hard, and what happened before is still happening, once again roving the consistency of the problems and the never ending battles. I think Filkins is one of the bravest people or authors I have ever encountered. Unfortunately, I have never met him, yet I feel I know him on a personal level. He went to the Middle East to show Americans what was really going on. Before reading this I had no clue, and I mean NO CLUE about foreign affairs, and sadly The War On Terror. Filkins didn't just open my eyes, he made me appreciate life and see the true hardships and what good journalism is really about.