Intro to Reading: Final Post- Reflection

This semester's reading went alright for me;  could have gone better, but it wasn't too bad.  I enjoyed the freedom we recieved to select our own reading.  I ened up selecting something quite different from my usual reading material for the majority of my reading, which resulted in an interesting and entertaining experience, one that I feel I definitely grew from as a reader.  I enjoyed a book that really made me think; the story jumped a lot and was often scattered and it took until the end before I was able to start connecting the dots.  In order to stay more on top of things for next semester and to get more out of my reading, i'm going to make it my goal not to leave the reading and blog posting until the day it is due; this way I will be able to spend more time digging deeper into the reading and have be more effective in growing as a reader.  I think as a reader, I have improved.  Most of the time I made sure that I took the reading slow and worried about reading at my own pace rather than the number of pages I could get through in a certain amount of time, which helped to catch details I may have otherwise missed and gain a greater deal more of comprehension with my reading.  I also think by trying to explore different types of literature, I was able to grow as a reader because it was my decision to stray away from my norm and try something new, which also helped me to gain a greater perspective of my understanding of literature. 

Intro to Reading Blog 10

I read Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk for about 1 hr. 

The book went on to talk about support groups and why the author likes them so much.  The author and Tyler are slowing taking different businesses and coorporations down one at a time.  Tyler and the author create an assult committee designed to remind guys of the kind of power they still have through the work of violence. This overall plan of Tyler's is known as Project Mayhem.  The orginal goal of this project was to teach each man in the project that they each held the power to control history.  It was ultimately about taking control of the world.  They believed that project Mayhim was going to save the world through an idea of destruction and re-birth.  And they begin with the further planning of the project involving each individual who decides to be a part.

This book has brough forth a new kind of literature than I am used to reading and it was really interesting journey for me.  Glad I was able to read about it and learn more about the book, this author, and myself. 

Intro to Reading: Blog 10

I am continuing to read Fight Club, written by Chuck Palahniuk.  I read this book for 1.5 hours. 

The book goes on to talk about how Tyler has begun to make lots of money through a deal he struck with Nordstrom in holiday soap making.  During this portion of the book, the author begins to realize more and more that Tyler is up to something, something big, but when the author tries to confront him about this, Tyler simply says, "if you love me, then you'll trust me.  This isn't something you need to know about right now." Tyler gets the author into a mess when he uses Marla's mother to send him her fat in order to make good soap; Marla finds out and loses it.  In the next part, the author talks about the illegal acts that are going on at his work.  The author gets busted by his boss for typing up fight club rules when he leaves the original copy at the copying machine, but is able to slyly get away with it through denial.  The author begins to discover, through one of the therapy groups he is attending that fight club has been expanding (branching out).  In the next part of the book, Marla thinks she's found a lump that might be a sign that she has cancer so she has the author of the book come over and check it out.  The author checks it out for her and confirms that it is nothing. 

This book is very interesting one to read, as it jumps for one event to the next.  It is something hard to keep up with.  I know when I reach the end I will be able to piece it all together, but right now it is kind of hard to do that.  This book is good for me because it makes me think, which I don't often dig real deep into my thinking ability when reading a book.  Even though I can't understand it all yet, I am comprehending it as I've got that movie strip playing in my head. 

Intro to Reading: Blog 9

I read Let Your Life Speak:  Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker J. Palmer.  I read this week for 3 hours. 

This book focuses on finding one's vocation through listening to one's heart and the inner voice within.  It talks about understanding your limitations and potentials and learning to really listen.  It goes on to talk about how we often have to suffer and journey into the darkness of things before we can reach the light and be made stronger.  This only makes our relationship with God stronger and is a necessary part of life.  The book also has a segment on depression.  It talks about the meaning of depression, the author talks about what it is like for the person in depression, and what it's like to be the onlooker into another's depression and how an onlooker can sometimes only make things worse through encouragement.  The result of depression is meant to be a journey towards God.  The book also talks about leadership and community.  It tells how in order to be a good leader you can't be power hungry, rather you have to lead and serve those your leading from your heart, and that is where your power as a leader lies.  Also being a good leader means taking risks and seeing failure as a learning opportunity.  Book emphasises how community is meant to help encourage one another in their inner works to the Lord (such as meditation, journaling, silent prayer...spiritual disiciplines) and be with one another in their aloneness.  The author ends the book with a reflection: our lives are like the four seasons in that it is a never ending journey one that we can not control, thus we need to learn to let go. 

This book was very inspiring to me and really was something that I could relate with a lot at this point in my life. 

Intro to Reading: Blog 8

I continued to read from the book, Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk for 1 hour and 40 minutes. 

The next part of this book focuses on how the author’s involvement in fight club is affecting the way he carries himself and interacts with his boss and co-workers.  The author wants everyone to know that he is tough and it brings out this whole new side of his personality.  Tyler and Marla’s “relationship” develops into one that exists primarily in the bedroom; outside the bedroom they can’t even stand to be in the same room as one another.  At the end of the chapter, Marla talks more directly to the author (rather than Tyler) basically begging him to call her and even though she doesn’t say it, to love her.  This makes for an interesting twist as Tyler is the one suspected of having Marla’s affection.  The next portion of the book Tyler takes the author a step closer to hitting rock bottom, which at this point seems to be the goal.  When the author approaches Tyler about needing more soap, Tyler teaches the author how to make soap.  But through this task, he also teaches the author about a little bit of history.  He teaches the author about experiencing pain and how without sacrifice and pain, we would have nothing.  

This book is very different from anything I have read before.  There are so many different elements and little stories within this story that it is very interesting; you have to play very close attention or else you'll miss something important.  I think that it really helps to have seen the movie, because even though the book has parts that the movie doesn't and is a little different, the movie helps me to better understand the book.   This book also adds a lot of interesting ideas and perspectives on different elements of life.  I like it. 

Intro to Reading: Blog 7

I read from Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk from .5 hours. 

I read about how Tyler has a "thing" (romance) with Marla Singer, while the author dreams about her.  The author is frustrated with himeself and doesn't know how to compete.  He is wallowing in self-pity, wondering what he could of done differently and how suddenly things have changed. 

Intro to Reading: Blog 6

I am reading Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk and I read for 1.5 hours. 

Picking up where I left off, the main character arrives home from a business meeting only to discover that his single apartment in a building full of apartments has been dynamited to shreds; all that remains is the base unit of the apartment.  Still having Tyler’s number and not really knowing who else to call, the main character dials his number, they meet at a bar, and Tyler agrees to let him move in under one condition:  he hit Tyler as hard as he can.   And this is how fight club began.  It started out because these two characters wanted to know what it was like to have a couple scars and they wanted to know more about themselves.  There are several rules to fight club, but the main rule to remember is that you don’t talk about fight club.  Fight club creates an alternate reality for men of all ages and types to release their emotions in; it is a different world than the one they live in during the week.  And so begins the episode of an alternate reality (away from each man's normal life) through fight club. 

I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this book or not, but I am really liking it.  I do have to admit being able to compare it to the movie does help understand it better and allows me to go in a little deeper as a first time reader than I normally would be able to.  This book also fascinates me because I feel as if I am getting a peak into the male mind and how it opperates as oppose to the female mind.  I am also loving how the book flashes from time period to the next.  I am definitely excited to keep reading and find out how things will play out!

Intro to Reading: Blog 5

I am reading Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk and this week I read for two hours. 

The first chapter of fight club takes place on the roof top of a 190 floor building with a guy, Tyler holding a gun in the mouth of his partner in crime (who’s book the perspective is being told from).  This chapter takes place in present time and delves into the big scheme of destruction all centered around the termination of the National Museum.  Could this big plan of anarchy really be all about a girl (Marla)?  The book goes on to introduce its readers to Marla and how she entered into the main character’s life (they meet because they both go to cancer support groups because it helps Marla feel better about herself and it is freeing to the main character and allows him to sleep which is a big deal since he suffers from insomnia).  The next part of the book introduces its readers to Tyler and how he and the main character meet (they meet on a nude beach and the main character and Tyler exchange numbers after Tyler teaches him about putting forth a lot of effort just for one moment of perfection). 

I’ve seen the movie, so I am really enjoying comparing the book to the movie and experiences new pieces to the story.  There are a lot of components to the story so having it broken down into more detail has been really helpful in better understanding the story.  It’s really interesting and I am enjoying it thus far. 

Intro to Reading: Blog 4

I read for 1 hour and 35 minutes from the book, The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger.  I was able to finish the book this time.  

I starting reading at the point in the book where Andrea had reached the climax, which kept building through having to make more in more choices where she had to choose work over those important people in her life.  And then came the big decision of going to Paris in her co-worker, Emily's, place, which not only nearly destroyed her relationship with Emily, but also her boyfriend, best friend, and put additional strain on her relationship with her parents as well.  In the end, Andrea decided to go to parents in order to keep her job.  It wasn't until her boss compared herself to Andrea that Andrea came to the realization of what her actions had made her and she had to make a choice:  was she going to keep going on the path that she was on or was she going to take action to save her true self and to keep those that she loved in her life.  Andrea chose the path of relationships and self identity. 

I loved reading this book.  It was easy for me to identify with Andrea and helped remind me that although there are many important things in life, not to forget the most important ones. 

Intro to Reading: Blog 3

I read for 1 hour and 35 minutes from the book, The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger.

The next part of the book was about how Andrea learns about the difficulties of juggling her big job and her personal life.  Andrea learns more and more how demanding her job really is as she is tied to her phone and must take calls and deal with errands or crisises at all hours of the day, night, and week.  She quickly learns that all of these demands, if she wants to succeed at them and be good at her job, are pushing her further away from the people she loves (her best friend, her parents, and her boyfriend).  She struggles with going on with the job that will get her exactly where she wants or holding onto the people who are most important in her life. 

This story is interesting and even more so as I can feel it hitting the climax.  It's hard when you are caught inbetween to things that you want most.  I think you have to go back to your roots and to your beliefs; think about what is your heart or gutt telling you to do.  We have to think about in the end, what is going to make us happier:  a great job or great relationships? 

Intro to Reading: Blog 2

I read for 1 hour and 30 minutes from the book, The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger.

This portion of the book was about Andrea beginning her job with Runway.  She begins to learn about the difficulties of her new job and discovers some of the sacrifices her new job will cost her.  Her job is anything but easy, as Andy begins to discover that she must work with Miranda's other assistant and other employees of Mirandas (such as her housekeeper and nanny) to complete her assigned tasks day-to-day, as Miranda provides very little details pertaining to each task. 

I am still enjoying this book.  I enjoy books that you can escape into an alternate reality, yet still somewhat pertain to my real life.  I can identify with Andrea in reaching for something that she so desperately wants and having a set back to that plan, something that ends up taking you down an unexpected road.  I like this writer as she shows her readers how doing a job well can transform an individual. 

Intro to Reading: Blog 1

I read for 1 hour and 40 minutes from the book, The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger.  As I am more of a slow reader, I was able to get through the first three chapters of the book. 

From what I have read thus far, I would say the book is about a young college graduate named Andrea who is seeking to become a writer for The New Yorker, but as jobs are scarce she'll take whatever she can get that is somewhat relative to the field of journalism.  That is when Elias Clark steps in with an opening as Miranda Priestly's assistant at Runway, a big-time fashion magazine; rumor is you work for her for a year and do a good job, then you can get a job at any magazine you want.  Andrea, although not big on the fashion world, sees this as her shortcut to success and the ticket to getting her dream job at The New Yorker. 

I find this book to be fun, interesting, and life relatable; these are just a few of the reasons to why I believe I have enjoyed it thus far.  Andrea is struggling with something I as well as many post and current college students struggle with:  what to do with one's life in the real world after college and how to go about it.  Lauren Weisberger seems to be taking us on a comical journey of life after college through Andrea and her struggle to find herself amist the world of fashion.  I'm excited to see where Weisberger will lead me as I emerse myself in this adventure.