Thursday, May 19, 2011
Day 19: Book That Turned You On
I am skipping this day. This a personal matter, and I do not need to share it with the world.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Short Break
I will be away from any computer for a few days, so I cannot update the books of the day. But once I get back to a computer, I will finish the days I missed.
=)
=)
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Day 17: Shortest Book You’ve Read
This book was a lot easier to find. I used to read this book all the time when I was little. It is such a short book, only 13 pages, but it is a classic. So, the shortest book I have read is:
"The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle.
The book starts with an egg on a leaf. The tiny caterpillar emerges and looks for food. On consecutive days, the caterpillar eats through a single red apple, two pears, three plums, four strawberries, and five oranges, which takes us from Monday to Friday. Saturday: the caterpillar eats its way through many different foods: chocolate cake, ice-cream, a pickle, Swiss cheese, salami, a lollipop, a cherry pie, a sausage, a cupcake, and a slice of watermelon. The caterpillar develops a 'tummy ache' as a result of eating all this food. Sunday: the caterpillar eats through a single leaf, which makes the caterpillar feel better. The now big caterpillar forms a 'cocoon'. On the final pages the caterpillar is now a 'beautiful' butterfly.
I think the summary was longer than the actual book. But nonetheless, if you have not read this book, it really is a classic that everyone must read. In fact, it is over 40 years old and was inspired by a hole puncher.
=)
"The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle.
The book starts with an egg on a leaf. The tiny caterpillar emerges and looks for food. On consecutive days, the caterpillar eats through a single red apple, two pears, three plums, four strawberries, and five oranges, which takes us from Monday to Friday. Saturday: the caterpillar eats its way through many different foods: chocolate cake, ice-cream, a pickle, Swiss cheese, salami, a lollipop, a cherry pie, a sausage, a cupcake, and a slice of watermelon. The caterpillar develops a 'tummy ache' as a result of eating all this food. Sunday: the caterpillar eats through a single leaf, which makes the caterpillar feel better. The now big caterpillar forms a 'cocoon'. On the final pages the caterpillar is now a 'beautiful' butterfly.
I think the summary was longer than the actual book. But nonetheless, if you have not read this book, it really is a classic that everyone must read. In fact, it is over 40 years old and was inspired by a hole puncher.
=)
Monday, May 16, 2011
Day 16: Longest Book You’ve Read
Well, I have a hard time comparing lengths of books, because it really does depend on the size of the pages, and the font size. But, I do believe the longest book I have read completely is:
"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" by J.K. Rowling
It's been another long, hot summer at the Dursleys' for Harry Potter. Having spent most of it in an adolescent "funk" of depression and bitterness over his friends' lack of informative letters about Voldemort's return, he's suddenly jolted out of his bad mood when two Dementors show up in Little Whinging and attack him and his cousin, Dudley. When Harry uses magic to drive them off, however, he quickly receives a succession of owls from the Ministry, requiring him to attend a disciplinary hearing. His heart sinks when he reads that his expulsion from Hogwarts will be decided then.
When Harry finally manages to make it back to school, he finds his long awaited return jarringly different than usual. Hagrid's missing, there are now skeletal horses pulling the school carriages that only he can see, and the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is none other than toad like, repulsive Dolores Umbridge, a Ministry Representative whom Harry is all too familiar with.
Even worse is the constant mutterings of the other students. Having spent all summer discrediting both Harry and Dumbledore, the Ministry has succeeded into convincing everyone they're both crazy and that Voldemort's return is nothing but a figment of their imagination.
With only Ron and Hermione standing by his side, Harry is hard-pressed to stay in a good mood and often lashes out at the ones he is closest to. His defiant behavior lands him in detention for weeks at a time with Umbridge, who soon rises to the status of Hogwarts High Inquisitor and revels in sacking teachers and keeping the entire school under the control of her stubby, ugly-ringed fingers.
As the school year progresses Harry and Umbridge frequently lock horns, and she retaliates by taking away everything he cares about: Quidditch, letters from Sirius, and visits with Hagrid. So Harry fights back the only way he can, by forming a secret Defense group and teaching his friends how to fight properly.
In spite of the frantic workload of O.W.L. year, the tyranny of Umbridge, and an unbearable crush on Ravenclaw Seeker Cho Chang, Harry keeps having tantalizing dreams of dark corridors and locked doors that are distracting at best. His scar prickles constantly and he soon finds he's turned into a tiny antenna for Voldemort's mood swings, which certainly doesn't help his own temper.
Things take a disastrous turn when Dolores Umbridge finds out about Harry's secret Defense group. Harry is thrown into a world of guilt when Dumbledore, protecting Harry, claims credit for the group and has to flee the school in order to escape arrest.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix ends with an epic battle of good and evil, resulting in a devastating loss to Harry and the full revelation that his destiny lies intertwined with none other than Voldemort himself. He finds out what true loyalty is, and how to stand strong in the face of ultimate sacrifice.
Again, Harry Potter is a fantastic book series, and even though this book is long, it really is amazing.
=)
"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" by J.K. Rowling
It's been another long, hot summer at the Dursleys' for Harry Potter. Having spent most of it in an adolescent "funk" of depression and bitterness over his friends' lack of informative letters about Voldemort's return, he's suddenly jolted out of his bad mood when two Dementors show up in Little Whinging and attack him and his cousin, Dudley. When Harry uses magic to drive them off, however, he quickly receives a succession of owls from the Ministry, requiring him to attend a disciplinary hearing. His heart sinks when he reads that his expulsion from Hogwarts will be decided then.
When Harry finally manages to make it back to school, he finds his long awaited return jarringly different than usual. Hagrid's missing, there are now skeletal horses pulling the school carriages that only he can see, and the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is none other than toad like, repulsive Dolores Umbridge, a Ministry Representative whom Harry is all too familiar with.
Even worse is the constant mutterings of the other students. Having spent all summer discrediting both Harry and Dumbledore, the Ministry has succeeded into convincing everyone they're both crazy and that Voldemort's return is nothing but a figment of their imagination.
With only Ron and Hermione standing by his side, Harry is hard-pressed to stay in a good mood and often lashes out at the ones he is closest to. His defiant behavior lands him in detention for weeks at a time with Umbridge, who soon rises to the status of Hogwarts High Inquisitor and revels in sacking teachers and keeping the entire school under the control of her stubby, ugly-ringed fingers.
As the school year progresses Harry and Umbridge frequently lock horns, and she retaliates by taking away everything he cares about: Quidditch, letters from Sirius, and visits with Hagrid. So Harry fights back the only way he can, by forming a secret Defense group and teaching his friends how to fight properly.
In spite of the frantic workload of O.W.L. year, the tyranny of Umbridge, and an unbearable crush on Ravenclaw Seeker Cho Chang, Harry keeps having tantalizing dreams of dark corridors and locked doors that are distracting at best. His scar prickles constantly and he soon finds he's turned into a tiny antenna for Voldemort's mood swings, which certainly doesn't help his own temper.
Things take a disastrous turn when Dolores Umbridge finds out about Harry's secret Defense group. Harry is thrown into a world of guilt when Dumbledore, protecting Harry, claims credit for the group and has to flee the school in order to escape arrest.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix ends with an epic battle of good and evil, resulting in a devastating loss to Harry and the full revelation that his destiny lies intertwined with none other than Voldemort himself. He finds out what true loyalty is, and how to stand strong in the face of ultimate sacrifice.
Again, Harry Potter is a fantastic book series, and even though this book is long, it really is amazing.
=)
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Day 15: First “Chapter Book” You Can Remember Reading As a Child
Now, I have no idea if this is actually accurate, but I do believe I picked the first, or one of the first chapter books I read on my own. And I do love this book. So, bringing back memories of my childhood is:
"Amelia Bedelia" by Peggy Parish.
When, on her first day as the Rogers's maid, Amelia Bedelia follows directions to dust the furniture, she applies a coat of dusting powder to it, and by the time she "draws" the drapes, children will giggle over her silly mistakes. This classic about the housekeeper who follows her chore list literally features cartoon like illustrations that are simple and charming.
I also wished I had a maid like Amelia Bedelia. She seems like an awesome person. She may get confused a little, but she doesn't care. She is also oh so very sweet!
=)
"Amelia Bedelia" by Peggy Parish.
When, on her first day as the Rogers's maid, Amelia Bedelia follows directions to dust the furniture, she applies a coat of dusting powder to it, and by the time she "draws" the drapes, children will giggle over her silly mistakes. This classic about the housekeeper who follows her chore list literally features cartoon like illustrations that are simple and charming.
I also wished I had a maid like Amelia Bedelia. She seems like an awesome person. She may get confused a little, but she doesn't care. She is also oh so very sweet!
=)
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Day 14: Book Whose Main Character You Want To Marry
Man, I have literally hundreds of book for which I could marry the main character. Female authors have a fantastic ability to create the perfect guy. Now only if they actually existed... For the book I choose, the main character is a female, but the person I chose is one of the other main characters, a guy... So here is the Gabe, the guy I wish to marry:
"Bamboo and Lace" by Lori Wick.
=)
"Bamboo and Lace" by Lori Wick.
Shy, lovely Lily Walsh leaves her rural homeland, the tiny Asian country of Kashien, to visit her brother Jeff in Hawaii. Everything is new and exciting to Lily: grocery stores that overflow with food, chewing gum, coffee makers, and the luxury of hot showers. Most thrilling of all is Jeff's best friend, the handsome Hawaiian Gabriel Kapaia, who teaches her how to play tennis and golf, and encourages her to become more assertive. Despite her conservative father's disapproval, Lily falls in love with Gabe and must choose between pleasing a parent and following the tug of her heart.
Yes, I know that Lily falls in love with Gabe, and the whole story would be ruined if I married him. But he is one of the sweetest guys Lori Wick writes about, not to mention a Christian and extremely handsome. Plus he is very family orientated, and works hard. Honestly, I would have to meet him first, but from this book, I could easily see myself falling for him.
=)
Friday, May 13, 2011
Day 13: Book Whose Main Character Is Most Like You
Again, this list is throwing me a curve ball. I am not really the type of person people like to cast as their main characters. I have not fallen in love, I am no "rags-to-riches" story, not a super genius. So the book I choose isn't really a lighthearted book, but I want to read it someday:
"To Engineer is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design" by Henry Petroski
The moral of this book is that behind every great engineering success is a trail of often ignored (but frequently spectacular) engineering failures. Petroski covers many of the best known examples of well-intentioned but ultimately failed design in action -- the galloping Tacoma Narrows Bridge (which you've probably seen tossing cars willy-nilly in the famous black-and-white footage), the collapse of the Kansas City Hyatt Regency Hotel walkways -- and many lesser known but equally informative examples. The line of reasoning Petroski develops in this book were later formalized into his quasi-Darwinian model of technological evolution in The Evolution of Useful Things, but this book is arguably the more illuminating -- and definitely the more enjoyable -- of these two titles.
I find failure fascinating, because if you know why something fails, you can figure out how to prevent it from happening in the future. Which, if I do say so myself, is pretty awesome.
=)
"To Engineer is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design" by Henry Petroski
The moral of this book is that behind every great engineering success is a trail of often ignored (but frequently spectacular) engineering failures. Petroski covers many of the best known examples of well-intentioned but ultimately failed design in action -- the galloping Tacoma Narrows Bridge (which you've probably seen tossing cars willy-nilly in the famous black-and-white footage), the collapse of the Kansas City Hyatt Regency Hotel walkways -- and many lesser known but equally informative examples. The line of reasoning Petroski develops in this book were later formalized into his quasi-Darwinian model of technological evolution in The Evolution of Useful Things, but this book is arguably the more illuminating -- and definitely the more enjoyable -- of these two titles.
I find failure fascinating, because if you know why something fails, you can figure out how to prevent it from happening in the future. Which, if I do say so myself, is pretty awesome.
=)
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