Reading Ruts

This is going to be a short blog post. I can feel it. 

Reading ruts are truthfully one of the most irritating things in the world. It's not like there aren't interesting books out there or something like that, I just can't bring myself to read. I know it's not been because I've been super busy or anything like that; I just can not seem to make myself read.

I've been reading this one book for the past three weeks. I'm reading a book that should have taken me four days to finish, a week at the max. It's been three weeks and I'm still not done! It's so frustrating because even though I really like the book that I'm reading- the characters, the plot, the genre (science fiction)- I just cannot bring myself to read it. I feel bad because I want to read it and I really want to enjoy it but I just can't. Grrrr!!! 

On that note (told you it was going to be short), does anyone out there have a solution to get oneself out of a reading rut? Anyone? 

Review: Life of Pi

Title: Life of Pi
Author: Yann Martel
Publication Date: 1 May 2003
ISBN: 0156027321
Pages: 319
Genre: Literary Fiction, Survival, Adventure
Format: Paperback
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon|Book Depository

The son of a zookeeper, Pi Patel has an encyclopedic knowledge of animal behavior and a fervent love of stories. When Pi is sixteen, his family emigrates from India to North America aboard a Japanese cargo ship, along with their zoo animals bound for new homes.

The ship sinks. Pi finds himself alone in a lifeboat, his only companions a hyena, an orangutan, a wounded zebra, and Richard Parker, a 450-pound Bengal tiger. Soon the tiger has dispatched all but Pi, whose fear, knowledge, and cunning allow him to coexist with Richard Parker for 227 days while lost at sea. When they finally reach the coast of Mexico, Richard Parker flees to the jungle, never to be seen again. The Japanese authorities who interrogate Pi refuse to believe his story and press him to tell them "the truth." After hours of coercion, Pi tells a second story, a story much less fantastical, much more conventional--but is it more true?

There are so many things that I thought were absolutely great about this book. I had watched about 20 minutes of the Life of Pi movie adaptation when I was on a plane a few years ago but, other than that, I went in blind.

The book is broken up into 3 parts, each with a distinctive purpose: learning about Pi, Pi's survival story, and Pi's interrogation. In the first part we are introduced to some interesting characters. Yann Martel created an author who is narrating the novel to us readers who happens to also be named Yann Martel. I thought the idea of having another author who was between the reader and the storyteller added a sense of believability to Pi's otherwise fanciful tale.

Pi himself is also introduced in the first part. Learning about him and why he is the way that he is such an interesting journey. Something that Martel (the real author) did fantastically was include a lot of character information without it being overwhelming. Moreover, it was presented in such a way that it was slightly unforgettable. I really enjoyed learning about Pi's belief systems and why he is the way he is just based on his childhood before he lost his family. Much of the nuances of the novel can't be discussed in this review because I don't want to spoil the novel for anyone and therefore a lot of the characters in this novel are going to be glossed over. But what I can say is that each character in this novel has a purpose to the reader and in Pi's life and everyone is so well developed. 

Pi's survival tale is makes up part 2 of the book. This is more of a flashback and starts off being very realistic and believable but the further along the story got, the more fanciful it became. And many things as you continue become things that can be called into question. Richard Parker, the tiger, is a character that many people who have heard of the movie have some knowledge of. But honestly I think movie Richard Parker is different from book Richard Parker- both are fantastic but there is a distinct difference. Even though he never speaks and we can't be in his head, Richard Parker is an interesting character who was again well developed. 

Part 3 is Pi's interview with the Japanese authorities. Here again not much can be said without spoiling the novel but the falsified story that Pi tells the authorities really drives home the theme of "the power of writing". The overall ending of the novel was somewhat disappointing but each individual story was extremely interesting. Martel created a story within a story within another story that explored various themes. Moreover, each story was interesting and engaging with developed and intriguing characters.

I would recommend Life of Pi to every kind of reader even if you don't particularly enjoy reading. The concept of multiple layers provides the reader with a feeling that the odd story is somewhat truthful and realistic. Overall, everything about this novel was fantastic.  

Breathe

Breathe /brēT͟H/ (verb) to move air into and out of your lungs

Air \ˈer\ (noun) the invisible mixture of gases (such as nitrogen and oxygen) that surrounds the Earth and that people and animals breathe

We, meaning humans, breathe on earth. We take in air through our nose (or mouth) into the lungs- inhale- and we release air from our lungs out through our nose (or mouth)- exhale. But that is on the earth.

What about in space? Let's say you traveled out to space and left your spaceship without a helmet or other breathing necessities. Let's say you tried to breathe. You can't. There's no air in space. There's no air that can be inhaled through your nose and therefore there is no exhale either. So... now what?

A medical examiner would say you died by asphyxiation.

Asphyxiate / as·phyx·i·ate/ (verb) to kill or make unconscious through inadequate oxygen, presence of noxious agents, or other obstruction to normal breathing

But the use of the word "normal breathing" implies that at one point you were breathing. However, you were not breathing. Your state, once you stepped out of your spaceship, was not one of breathing and therefore there wasn't a change of state from breathing to not breathing. Thus, death by asphyxiation isn't quite accurate.

The argument could be made that there was a state change from being inside the ship to being outside of the ship in which you went from breathing to not breathing. In which case, death by asphyxiation is entirely accurate. 

What do you think? Death by asphyxiation in this case- true or not true?

A friend of mine and I had this discussion earlier today, I thought I would share the gist of it.

Senior Year Update: Week 23-25

Week 23 (1/10-1/16) was a busy, busy week. But! I spent Friday with my friends and it was SO MUCH FUN!!! I love these guys a ton. We talked and played Headbandz- the adult version- and talked for hours. Hanging out and chilling together was the perfect end to a meh week. 

Week 24 (1/17-1/23) was a four day school week. I love 4 day weeks, there's just so much more time to relax. And it was such a chill week overall. However, I was reminded once again of how much I dislike my math teacher but I refuse to let her ruin my week. More importantly, I had a great time in Genetics class because we counted fruit flies. The flies are really adorable and when they have tiny vestigial wings I feel so bad for them. Counting them and doing some statistical analyses was easy and that enhanced the calm 4 day week.

I felt that week 25 (1/24-1/30) was all different kinds of crazy. Way too many assessments, just important thing after another. So incredibly frustrating. My math teacher just makes me want to scream, she's so.... Grrrrr. There are no words to describe just how much I really can't stand this women. 


All in all, more of a 'meh' few weeks. And 274 more days until the all important presidential elections. 

Tag: Disney Princess

Here is the continuation of the Disney related series: Part 2- The Disney Tag. Yes, I am aware of the fact that this is almost three months late but I'm doing it. I don't know if I'll be doing another one.

1. Snow White - Name your favorite classic

Easy. I choose The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. I love this novel because the imagery in his novel is phenomenally done and almost everything is some form of a symbol. I really didn't expect to like it but it was a required book in 11th grade and I'm so glad I read it.

2. Cinderella- Name a book that kept you reading well past your bedtime

Lexicon by Max Berry. It's set in a world where coercion is a science of language and the people who master this science are known as "Poets". We follow the lives of Emily Ruff, who has been brought to this school, and a seemingly innocent man named Wil Jamieson who is the key to a war among Poets. It's absolutely amazing and I just had to find out the end.

3. Aurora- Name your favorite classic romance

Erm... Romance... I don't read a lot of romance. I'm going to bend the rules a little here and go for a modern romance instead of a classic: A Good Woman by Danielle Steele.

4. Ariel- Name a book about that's about making sacrifices and fighting for your dreams

The Giver by Lois Lowry. Without spoiling, Jonas does make many sacrifices in his fight. And Lois Lowry is just a fantastic author. It's amazingly well written and not are the characters flushed out, but they're also relatable. And the plot is absolutely beautiful.

5. Belle - Name a book with a smart and independent female character

Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind. Plain and simple. Scarlett seems like the original "smart and independent" female character.

6. Jasmine- Name a book with a character who challenged the social conventions of his or her world

Anne of Windy Poplars, the fourth book in the Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery. I love this series, probably my second favorite series, and I love Anne. She didn't do anything outwardly "challenging" but she was different from most teachers. 

7. Pocahontas- Name a book whose ending was a roller-coaster of emotions

The ending of Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick sent me on a trip around the world. Roller- coaster isn't even a proper description, maybe more like being on the speedway and losing control. Totally pulled at my heart.

8. Mulan - Name a book with a kick-ass female character

I don't think there can be too much debate about Celaena Sardothien in Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas. Don't even try to argue.

9. Tiana - Name a book featuring a hardworking, self-made character

I'm currently reading Eric C. Leuthardt's RedDevil 4. I wouldn't say that the main character, Dr. Hagan Maerici, is self- made but I would call him extremely hardworking. A workaholic by most standards. It's good so far and I can't wait to finish.

10. Rapunzel- Name a book that features an artist

I hope the intention with artist is something involving some form of creative art. Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour features Emi who is a set designer and a film buff. It's a great novel with a great writing style and even better plot. You can read my review here.

11. Merida - Name a book that features a mother-daughter relationship

Ruta Sepetys' novel Between Shades of Grey. The mother- daughter relationship here is a bit odd but the reasoning makes complete sense. I know it seems like everyone is talking about this book (thank you BookTube) but it really is a great novel especially if you like historical fiction.

12. Anna and Elsa - Name a book that features a great relationship between siblings

Any of the books from the 39 Clues series. This is definitely more of a middle- grade book but it's fun and a light, easy breezy read. And the mystery of it all is quite interesting.

Well that's the end of the tag. I tag anyone who wants to do this tag. What would you choose for each of these?