Looking for Alaska was an incredible book. I chose this book out of the other choices because it was written by John Green. Although I have not seen nor read The Fault in Our Stars, another book by John Green, I have heard so many amazing things about it. Since people speak so highly of The Fault in Our Stars, I came to the conclusion that if one of his books is great, some of the others may be great as well. Another reason my attention was drawn to this particular novel was because I heard it was going to be turned into a movie. I decided that it would be a good idea to read to book before watching the movie.

            The main personal connection I noticed in the book was that Miles wanted a fresh start and wanted to truly discover himself. He did this by making new friends and experiencing new things-good and bad. I understand what he’s going through because I feel as if finding myself is one of my main goals of my high school experience.

            I really enjoyed the book and I would recommend it to all of my friends. I think that people around my age could benefit from reading some of Miles’ experiences and struggles and relate to them.

Looking for Alaska by John Green is truly an astounding book. Here is my favorite section from the end of the book:

“…Those awful things are survivable, because we are as indestructible as we believe ourselves to be... We need never be hopeless, because we can never be irreparably broken. We think that we are invincible because we are.  We cannot be born, and we cannot die. Like all energy, we can only change shapes and sizes and manifestations…But that part of us greater than the sum of our parts cannot begin and cannot end, and so it cannot fail.”

            The words from the quote were describing Miles’ new realization. Throughout the whole book Miles was searching for something more. He wanted to find the Great Perhaps, the way out of the labyrinth, and just the meaning of life itself. Those words were expressing that you can make it through any hardship as long as you have hope. Situations in life may change us and try to tear us down but in reality, we cannot be destroyed. He believes that people are more than just matter; and that there has to be a place for the greater parts of us.

This book is has so much depth to it that you can’t help but wonder some of the same things Miles does.

Looking for Alaska has a very unique structure. It begins with a “before” section. This section is made up of a continuous count down to the most important and impactful event of the story- Alaska’s death. Following the “before” section is the “after” section. This section is doing the opposite of the previous “before” section; it’s continuously counting the days that have passed since Alaska’s death.

The theme that stands out the most to me is death. Although it’s a harsh conception, it’s an important one. The whole book revolves around Miles trying to figure out what happens when you die, Alaska’s mother’s death, and eventually Alaska’s death. John Green, the author, once stated, “…the story was about whether (and how) one can live a thoughtful, hopeful life in the face of unresolvable ambiguity.” In the book’s case the “unresolvable ambiguity” is caused by Alaska’s death.

Miles, Alaska, The Colonel, and Takumi are all individually complex. Miles wants to find the Great Perhaps
. He discovered the Great Perhaps while reading the biography of the poet François Rabelais. Rabelais’ last words were, “I go to seek a Great Perhaps”. Miles soon realizes that doesn’t want to wait until his dying days to seek the Great Perhaps. Alaska herself lacks complexity. Her complexity lies within her death. Did she commit suicide or was it just and accident? Takumi wants to be wanted. He was secretly in love with Alaska but she was in love with someone else. He also constantly felt left out by Miles and The Colonel. Lastly, The Colonel complex mainly because of his contradicting character traits. He smokes, drinks, and purposefully tries to get kicked out of Culver Creek basketball games and yet; he is one of the smartest kids in his whole school. He is a natural born leader with unquestionable authority. The question is: why waste his undeniable potential with illegal and immature activities?  

 

The book I decided to read is Looking for Alaska. Some of the main characters so far are Miles “Pudge” Halter, Alaska Young, Chip “Colonel” Martin, and Takumi. The beginning of the book takes place at Miles’ home in Florida. He then leaves his home town, and heads for Birmingham, Alabama where Culver Creek Preparatory School awaits him. The conflict in the book is person vs. self. Miles is trying to find himself. He thinks that Culver Creek can offer him more than his school in Florida. When he arrives at his new school, his roommate gives him the nickname Pudge. Miles went from having no friends and being antisocial to having friends and feeling as if he actually matter. His transition from Miles to Pudge was far from smooth. He started smoking, drinking, and defying authority. During this transition, he befriended Alaska, the Colonel, and Takumi. They all played a huge role in Miles finding his true self-especially Alaska. Alaska was a beautiful, intelligent, and self-destructive girl who Pudge fell in love with the moment he laid eyes on her.

Is Miles going to find himself? Is he going to change for the better? Is he going to end up with Alaska?  

Bad Girls don't die:best part about my book

I absolutely love the book Bad Girls don't die. Some of the best parts about this book are;

It's suspenseful and intriguing and always makes me want to read on. It has a certain creepy factor to it that makes it worth reading. The author, Katie Alender, portrays the character Kasey as an almost troubled young girl. She's twelve and yet, she still obsesses over her dolls. It's to the point that she won't even let anyone go into her room with the fear that they may harm her precious dolls. Katie Alender connects Kasey to one doll in particular. The doll and Alexis connect in unique ways, such as their eyes. She gives subtle foreshadowing hints as to what's coming next.

This book never fails to draw me back. I feel as if I am in the story going through these events with the characters.

Bad Girls don't die: The author

The author of Bad Girls don't die is Katie Alender. She has written Bad Girls don't die, From Bad to cursed, As Dead As it gets, and Marie Antoinette Serial Killer. She grew up in South Florida and went to Florida State University Film School.

She now lives in Los Angeles with her husband, daughter, and dog. Her hobbies include reading sewing, writing, and photography.

I can't wait to see what other wonderful books she will create.

http://katiealender.com

Bad Girls don't die:Symbols

     In the book Bad Girls don't die there are various symbols that represent the characters.


     A symbol that represents Alexis is a camera. This represents her because she is an outsider that watches the world instead of being involved with it. She's a one of a kind person, just like a one of a kind picture.


     A symbol that represents Alexis sister, Kasey , is a doll. Not only is Kasey obsessed with dolls, but she's also being possessed by one. A doll represents her because she is a very childish twelve year old. Most twelve year olds are too mature to "play" with dolls. When I hear the word dolls, I think of kids.