Monday, June 8, 2009

Just to bring up discussion

What was your favorite book you read and why?

16 comments:

  1. My favorite novel we read this year was "Lord of the Flies." Granted, most of the novels we read hit home for me pretty well, but this one was my pick. It had the most of my favorite literary element: SYMBOLISM!!! Yeah it may have been symbolic out the ying-yang, but I loved it.

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  2. hahaha YES! LUKE THANK YOU!!!!

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  3. Since it's the end of the year I guess i can admit that I didn't finish all of the novels...
    :( I plan to finish them EVENTUALLY though.

    Favorite..Hmm..Oddly enough it might have been Invisible Man though this is really a tough choice. Lord of the Flies creeped me out, sorry boys, I know you were all in love with that one.

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  4. Eileen O'ShaughnessyJune 8, 2009 at 10:54 PM

    I would have to agree with Luke and say "Lord of the Flies". Not only because of symbolism, but it reminds me of some of the ideas that Thomas Hobbes outlined in the "Leviathan". Reading the novel kind of makes us self aware that his philosophies were accurate and that because the boys did not have the order of a "government", they were at a constant civil war. It also defines the state of human nature and how we return to primal ways of savagery and and evilness. The version of the book I had also had a realy interesting exerpt in the back explaining the origin of the title "Lord of the Flies". I love the popular book allusions as well! The novel seems to mark as a forewarning to society what would happen when civilization, insight, and intellect are taken away and left only with the brutality of a deteriorated society. "Lord of the Flies" just stimulated my mind probably the most in terms of my outlook on human nature and government and I could apply that novel to my government class which I thought was cool.

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  5. I wouldn't say I had a favorite book this year. I did, however, have a favorite piece of literature. My favorite piece of literature was Robert Frost's, Mending Wall. I felt as though this piece taught me the greatest lesson. Do not be afraid to ask the question, "Why?" Do not rely on received wisdom. I was able to incorporate these notions in my own encounters. I also really liked Robert Frost's, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. This poem also sent a good message. Although it is nice to reflect on one's past experiences, one should not stray from continuing toward the future. Finally, I also really like Taylor Mali's pieces. Tony Steinberg: Brave Seventh Grade Viking Warrior touched me not only because its beginning was entertaining, but because it allowed me to count my blessings.

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  6. Um, I will give props to Lord of the Flies, mainly becuase if was on of the not so many books I actually read to its completion this year. It also saved my bottom in the AP test! I only read the story through once and felt like becuase I took notes when reading, I got a lot out of it. The story was different and unique and before reading it, I had no idea of what to expect. But the funny thing is, is that once I had finished the book, I saw it everywhere. It was referenced in a few TV shows recently and I saw things similar to what had happened in the book. I think that's what's so interesting about literature. It's very relateable and can appear anywhere and last forever.

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  7. Lord of the Flies was my least favorite. Most of the symbolism went WAY over my head. I liked Things Fall Apart partly because I could relate to what Okonkwo was experiencing.

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  8. my favorite book was wuthering heights, which i read for my research paper. the story is complex and really makes you realize how powerful love can be. while reading it you can really get involved with the story and feel what the characters feel. it is wonderfully written and i recommend it to all of you.

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  9. Don't you love the grammar used by these accomplished AP seniors? :D

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  10. I have a soft spot for Lord of the Flies because it was my first book this summer, but I think my favorite 2 books are 1984 and Brave New World. Specifically, I love them together. That was the best pairing of books we've read all year. And I love scifi. I actually didn't think 1984 would be any good. I thought it would be an "ooh, big bad government is so eeevil!" but it was so much more than that. I should have known it would be, it's a classic for a reason after all. But I was pleasantly surprised, and paired with Brave New World, it was phenomenal.

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  11. I love Native Son by Richard Wright. This book is very interesting; it is gloomy and a little gory therefore it might not be the best book for people who can rationally take that but otherwise it is a great book. When reading this book do not to concentrate on the basic plot, look into the story's deeper meaning and that might explain the reason why this story is a classic.

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  12. My favorite book was Lord of the Flies. It was the most interesting book I read. It had a lot of symbolism embedded in the book. I also enjoyed reading about the characters and their struggles.

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  13. Who didn't love Lord of the Flies, eh? Definitely loved the whole 'survivor' deal, other than the hoard of symbolism that was literally thrown into your face. I also loved the fact that they didn't sugarcoat strifes and conflict. I mean, c'mon. Pig boy totally gets smashed by a boulder.

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  14. Pride and Prejudice, which I also did my research paper on this year. I love the different characters the novel presents. Also, it ends on a positive note, but not one that resembles an unrealistic fairy tale. It was really nice finally reading a novel in class that didn't make me want to check if the author had clinical depression.

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  15. Jane Eyre was my favorite, it was so dramatic! Doing a research paper on it wasn't so bad either, because it made me realize what a beautiful piece of literature it was! It was fun discovering symbols, metaphors, and the different characters development.

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  16. My favorite book was Things Fall Apart; not when I first read it, but soon after, when everything was tied together and the story's meaning was explained to us, it made me understnad the destruction of "civilization".

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