Finally

I find myself wanting to read a lot more after this semester of learning how and what to read. Before this class, I was more of a picky reader, and would go straight for the girly, chick flick type of novels. As we learned about the different kinds of books out there, and specified more of the characteristics of different genres, I found myself becoming more open to different topics of literature. My usual type of book would be an easy read, but this semester challanged me to pick a different type of book. I first started out with a typical book; it was a teenage pop novel, super fast, easy read that I sped through. I loved it, but definitely wanted more substance. So I went to my mom and she recommended a few different books to me. The first was a humorous book, a more advanced read. The second was definitely a step up from my usual pick and took my awhile to get into it, and it surely expanded my vocabulary and thoughts about different books and topics. It was much more mature than I expected, but it was a good book and a good experience. The third, which I am still currently reading through is probably my favorite. It entails a book about a dancer, which is close to home with me, and allows me to fall through the pages. With most of my book choices I found it pretty easy to keep up with the page quota per week. I do have a rather busy schedule with all of my after school activities, so it was a little hard at some points to keep up. But, I really enjoyed being challanged to read through this class. I feel as if now I am an all around better reader, and enjoy reading much more than I used to.

Dancing on my Grave

As Gelsey Kirkland continues to describe her perfectionist ballet personality, she reveals the horrible situations that she had to endure as a ballerina. Krikland was involved in doing illicit drugs, participated in the dancers' strike in 1979, and had a bad relationship with the management of the American Ballet Theatre. But, Kirkland describes all of her mistakes to be due to the fact that she was a pure perfectionist, and wanted to be an excellent ballerina, even though she already was.
As Kirkland moved on to dance with the American Ballet Theatre, she became romantically involved with a younger dancer, who was also her partner. Patrick Bissell, introduced Kirkland to cocaine. They came together because of their addiction to drugs. It was their common denominator. The two dancers were ruining their bodies together as well as their careers. Patrick came close to even committing suicide by a close over dose of drugs. The relationship consisted mostly of dancing, sex, and drugs. The two were eventually fired by the ABT, but then rehired for their change in behavior.
After years of dancing with ABT, Kirkland quit and married Greg Lawrence. The two moved to England so Kirkland could dance with the Royal Ballet. After a severe hairline fracture, Kirkland had to sit out a few of her pieces with the Royal Ballet.
But, after many injuries, drug addictions, and all the damage done to her body, Kirkland kept pushing through. She had a plain determination of heart.

Dancing on my Grave

Okay so I've started reading reading a new book, called Dancing on My Grave by Gelsey Kirkland. Before I got too far into the bok, I decided to get a little background on the author so I could become more comfortable with this book. Gelsey was born in Pennsylvania and became an American ballerina. She joined the New York city ballet in 1968 at the age of fifteen. She went on to become soloist and principle in the ballet as well and eventually created leading roles in ballets throughout the 20th century. Most people think of Kirkland as most famous for her role as Clara in The Nutcracker. She stayed in the ballet until 1984.

Dancing on my Grave is a chronicle of Krikland's change from a baby ballerina into a dramatic artist. The books tells of her struggles with eating disorders and drug addictions as a ballerina.

The story begins with Kirkland giving the details of her ballet life. She became the "baby ballerina" of George Balanchine who was the co-founder of the New York City ballet. But, Kirkland falls out of Balanchine's spotlight in the 70's and had the desire to dance for Baryshnikov of the American Ballet Theatre. Kirkland tells how she became very popular dancing a the prima ballerina of the American Ballet Theatre. She became a perfectionist, striving to be the perfect ballerina.

The end of South of Broad

So, I'm finally coming to the conclusion of South of Broad by Pat Conroy. Leo and his friends finally go find Trevor, who is dying of AIDS. But, as this is going on, Sheba and Trevor's abusive father has been making threats of them. During all of this drama, Starla gets ahold of Leo and tells him that she aborted two children of hers that Leo would've been the father of. Leo then decides that it is definitely time for them to divorce one another and Starla is out of the picture. Sheba can not get herself to leave Charleston, and she stays with her dying mother. Trevor leaves and goes to live with Leo to try to survive. But, more bad news is sprung upon them and they find out that Sheba was murdered. The murderer was Sheba's own father, who during Hurricane Hugo, plans to kill Leo and the rest of his friends. But, instead, he drowns in the hurricane. Now, Trevor is quickly dying as well, Leo's mother is going back into an Abby to be a nun, and Leo has not spoken to his father. Eventually, all of Leo's problems pile up to over come him and he is recommended to go to a mental hospital. The book ends with Leo having dreams in the hospital of all of his dead friends telling him to keep living his life and try to start over.

Although this book was good, I felt as if it was a little too dramatic. It kept dragging on and on and new information was added on just about every few chapters. It was much different than the other books I've read, and I think it may have been a little to mature for me. It had a lot of religious references and high quality vocab that I was continuously unsure of.

The Truth About Leo

Finally, in Part Three of South of Broad, we find out what Leo really did to get into all that trouble. First of all, after Steve commited suicide when Leo was only 11 years old, Leo went crazy. He had no idea how to live without his older brother. Leo's parents were deeply depressed and had no faith in Leo to take over Steve's shining position that was left. Leo knew he wasn't as good as Steve and for that matter, he drove himself crazy. Leo eventually entered a mental facility where he was treated for depression. Once he came out, he was different, more than less. Leo had a new attitude and decided to get out there and try to be like Steve. But, as we know from the beginning of the book, that doesn't work out as well as he wishes.
Besides Leo's rehabilitaion visits, when he turns 16, the real trouble sets in. Leo has a friend who is highly into drugs. Leo decides to be the good friend he is and hold onto a bag of drugs that belongs to the friend. Inevitably, Leo gets caught, and is sent to the juvinile jail places. This is when his mother starts to regret Leo. She holds a grudge against him for lashing out in this bad type of behavior after the perfect Steve has killed himself. Due to this behavior, Leo's mom makes him keep a tight schedule as an older teenager that we see in the book. She plans out things for him to do almost every day in order to keep him out of trouble. Leo's mother tries to get Leo to see the positvity in helping out others. He is constantly teaching other kids lessons when he doesn't even realize it.

currently

Pages this week: 150
Total pages this semester: 1657
Current Book: South of Broad by Pat Conroy

Sentences of the Week:

1. “Since the day I was born, I have been worried that heaven would never be half as beautiful as Charleston.”
                        Leo, South of Broad


2. "Behind every man is a woman rolling her eyes."
                           Jim Carrey

3. I am nothing special; just a common man with common thoughts, and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who's ever lived: I've loved another with all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough.
                                       Noah, The Notebook


My quotes of the week for this week are really kinda spread out across the board. My first quote is from the book I am reading, South of Broad. I liked it because it was different, and shows a great comparison that not many people would make. Leo, the main character of the book, lives in Charleston, and he sees it as the most beautiful place in the world. Everything about the city is perfect to him, and the rest of the population in the city. The book is actually quite religious based, so its not surprising that the author decided to compare Charleston to Heaven. Leo, unlike a lot of his family and friends in Charleston, is not very religious. But, after his brother died, he decided to start thinking more about the after life. In this quote, he's thinking about how his brother is living now, hopefully in Heaven. As Leo is looking out on the gorgeous sunset he realizes that nothing else in the world could be as beautiful as Charleston. But, as I say there, the looks of Charleston. Behind the looks of Charleston and the sunset, there are hidden secrets, unlike Heaven. The difference between Charleston and Heaven is that although they are both beautiful, indescribable places, Heaven is a place of security and there are no secrets. In Charleston, there are mysteries of all the population's lives.

South of Broad (week of 10/17)

Although Sheba is experiencing hard times with her brother Trevor's death, Leo is in a tough situation himself. Leo had married Starla, and had since separated and divorced. Starla became mentally ill, and Leo had to leave her. He simply could not take care of her anymore, and left. As Leo had married Starla, long time friends Molly and Chad married each other as well. But, Molly was feeling as Leo, and wanted to get away from her philandering husband. Leo proclaims his love for Molly and tries to win her over. Their relationship grows tighter as the gang drops everything they have to travel to San Francisco to try to find Trevor through his AIDS battle.

The book continues to battl with different struggles that everyone faced during the 60's and 80's. The book is about to flashback again to the 60's and compare the hard times the group of friends face as high school students and adults of the real world. High school gives them problems like cute girls, relationships, and the big Friday night football games. But now, in the 80's, real life has thrown at them the problem of handling jobs, battling AIDS, and even the hardships of realtionsihps with spouses.

South of Broad (week of 10/17)

Finally, I've finished part one of South of Broad. So far, we've met Leo, the main character, who is struggling with internal conflict with the loss of his brother and the feeling of not being good enough for his well-to-do mother. We've met Sheba and Trevor, the new neighbors with the alcoholic mother, Niles and Starla, the brother and sister orphans, Chad, Molly and Fraser, the affluent teenagers from the yacht club, and lastly the talented high school football coach and his son Ike. These characters are all going to play a big role and Leo's life now, as he has become friends with all of the new people.

Part two of the story develops twenty years after Leo and his friends meet in high school. Leo is now a newspaper columist. Sheba Poe, the beautiful neighbor, turned into a highly known Hollywood actress, something Leo and the rest of the people who knew Sheba, could predict. As time has passed, Sheba reveals to Leo that she has lost contact with her brother, Trevor. They haven't spoken since high school, and she is afraid is he dying of AIDS. It has reached a height in the gay community in San Francisco, where Trevor had been living. Leo remembers Mrs. Poe constantly refering to Trevor as gay, and being highly embarrassed of his sexuality.

South of Broad (week of 10/10)

After Leo meets all of the new kids in his neighborhood that he must take under his wing, he treches to school to meet his new football coach. Leo is surprised to find that his coach is black. It is the first coach to coach an integrated football team at Leo's high school, Penninsula High. The coach seems nice, but strict. Leo finds him intimidating, but is ready to learn under him. Later, Leo meets the coaches son, Ike, who will be named as captain along with Leo of the team. Eventually, Leo and the rest of the high school characters he meets will become a big part of each other's lives. They go through numerous struggles together. Since the book is placed in the 1960's, there are still cultural struggles in the world going on. These struggles include black and white, rich and poor, and the difference between city and country. Eventually the kids bind together, and become one, integrating all their differences into each other's lives, for the better.

South of Broad (week of 10/10)

After Leo meets his new orphan friends, his mother assigns him to meet and greet some other new kids. They are new to his neighborhood, and will attend his high school, the same high school his mother is principal of. Leo's mother assigns him to bake cookies for the new neighbors, Sheba and Trevor Poe. Once Leo arrives at Sheba and Trevor's home, he is stunned by Sheba's beauty. Sheba is Leo's age, and beautiful. Trevor is a little younger, and very outspoken. But, although the two children seem very polite and perfect, there was a downside to their lives. Their mother, whom Leo meets during his neighborly visit, is a raging alcoholic. Her behavior is rude, and outrageous when Leo introduces himself. She is quick to tell Leo to leave their house and not return. She acts dramatic, and eventually Leo gives into her dramatics and asks to please her. Leo the leaves, turning to find his mother's next order. He has to attend the yacht club luncheon with his mother. There he meets Chad, Allie, and Fraser, the three affluent teenagers. Two of the three teens were kicked out of their private high schools that they once attended. Leo is beginning to realize that all of the new teens he has met today, have something in common. Although they aren't all criminals, Leo find that they are all on the wrong track. They all need a fresh start to find better lives. Leo was in this same place at one time, and had to make a turn around. Leo thinks that his mother sees some of Leo in all of these new kids, and that Leo can help guide them all back to perfect lives. Although Leo is scared, he decides to take on the challenge anyway and befriend all these kids to try to help them, mostly in order to prove something to his mother. Little does he know, that he will be friends with these kids for the rest of his life.

Currently

Pages this week: 150
Pages this Semester: 1457
Book: South of Broad by Pat Conroy

Style Mapping

1. Anna Godbersen, the author of The Luxe, uses fancy, yet simplistic language which makes the story understandable. On the first page, she is introducing the life of the main character with descriptions that are simple, yet elegant making it seem more interesting. Leaning towards the denotative side, Anna uses her orante style to pull this story together.

2. Annie Proulx, Cormac McCarthy, and Paolo Bacigalupui all have their own way of expressing themselves with their diction. Annie Proulx writes with a figurative but a familiar tone. She expresses her words with mostly common words, however; she is extremely descriptive in her works. "Gleaming with sweat" from the excerpt "The Mud Below" is a simple yet intriguing description. Cormac McCarthy writes with a completely different style compared to Annie Proulx. McCarthy expresses his words in a literal, poetic way. "Now comes days of begging, days of theft" is a line from Blood Meridian. His style in this excerpt shows his lyrcial ways of using words. Paolo Bacigalupui has a similar writing tone as Annie Proulx. He wrties figuratively with a touch of suggestiveness. His diction is more blunt rather than Proulx and has a little more edgineess to his words. "The staples pinged about the cramped metal passage like coins offered to the Scavenge God" is a line from his award winning book the Ship Breaker. In this short line, he shows his extrodinary writing style.

3. Kenneth Kamler, the author of the book Surviving the Extremes, write in a very scholary and elevated tone. He uses a lot of the type of language you would hear in a hospital room full of doctors. This type of language is very well educated and flanery. "In these cases, however, it is not the fractured skull itself that causes the most injury; as long as fragments aren't propelled inward, the breaking bone absorbs the shock and the brain survives."  Max Brooks, the author from the book World War Z, talks in a more blunt and common tone. "I had a devil of a ton finding the place. Officially, it didn't exist and therefore wasn't on any map." He writes in a very straight forward and literal manner. Explains things in little detail and lets you create your own image of the setting. It is journalistic as he takes a radical idea and writes about it in a reportive manner. Nic Sheff, the author of the book Tweak, writes in also, a very blunt and somewhat offensive way. "Back in high school it was just pot, maybe i'd do some acid and muschrooms on the weekend." His grating talk on life and drugs captures you into the book as its prey even though the content of his words is suggestive. Straight forward is almost the ideal word to explain the type of writing. His playful use with words is also to be accounted for.

I saw that a lot of blogs did something different. Although everyone examined diction and literature, many people deeply analyzed their piece of work instead of just looking at it.

Close Reading Bingo

Weaknesses:

Rule Number 1 - There is a chattiness about the writing with words like "black Penguin paperback" and "integral signs swooping upward between two floors". From Happy Go Lucky 

Rule Number 6 - J.D. Salinger masters the voice of his protagonist, Holden Caulfield, in the first page of his novel Catcher in the Rye, using direct, colloquial, and bluntly offensive diction.  From Zengerine

Rule Number 8 - Baker describes his surroundings as "towering volumes of marble and glass" and "long glossy highlights to each of the black rubber handrails". To Kill A Mockingjay

Rule Number 2 - "Turned toward the escalators, carrying a black Penguin paperback and a small white CVS bag, its receipt stapled over the top," describes the harsh clattering of the setting." T-Rex


Best Close Reading

In the excerpt from his novel Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger’s blunt, informal diction depicts the wry frankness of the narrator. The narrator briefly discusses his “lousy childhood” and “all that David Copperfield kind of crap” before exclaiming to the reader that he will not tell his “whole goddam autobiography.” After all, he explains, his parents “would have about two hemorrhages apiece” if he revealed any personal information about them. He discloses that he lives in a “crumby place” and admires his brother’s “dough.” This terse introduction emphasizes the outspokenness of the narrator. Also, the narrator’s repetition of slang suggests that he is uneducated or unconcerned with perfecting his speech.

From Keep It Classy

The Mezzanine Nicholson Baker Close Reading

The dignified formality of Nicholson Baker's The Mezzanine describes the unusual tolerance the narrator feels for escaltors in his work place. His strange admiration is expressed with metaphors like "the free-standing kind: a pair of integral signs swooping upward" and "a temporary, steeper escalator of daylight" which help make a mental picture of the escalators as well as give an appreciation for the escalators. Baker's scholarly yet straightforward lexicon holds the flowing simile "like the radians of black luster that ride the undulating outer edge" to convey the graceful energy the narrator feels toward escalators.

Quarterly

Throughout this first quarter, I have read way more than I think I've read in my whole life. I find myself reading a lot of like pop fiction sort of books. Romance novels and teen novels are also a genre I find myself being attracted to most. When I read, I usually read at night, right before I go to bed. It helps me sleep. I get all cozied up in my bed, read a little, and then I'm set up to easily fall asleep. Since I started reading, I feel like I've started picking more challenging books. I started off with an easy read, just to get into the habit of reading. Now, I'm reading a book my mom recommended to me, and it is really challenging. A lot of our vocab words are in it. It's more of an adult book. But, I'm really starting to enjoy it. For the next quarter of this class, I want to try to read even more books. I think I want to try to get out of the romance novel genre and start to read different types of books. Maybe more literature, classic literature that is. I think that will help me expand my vocabulary and just help me gain a little more knowledge in other relms of the lit. world.

Meeting the Orphans

So, as I said, Leo had been on probation for some reason that the author has yet to reveal this far into the book. Leo's mom has taken Leo's actions as just unexcusable and unforgivable. She looks down upon Leo and expects so much more from him, just because Leo's brother Steve, was absolutely perfect. To try to make up for his illegal wrongdoings, Leo's mother makes him do chore-like tasks for her. After Leo and his parents go out to breakfast at their nomal diner that their friend Cleo works at, Leo's mother reads off a list of things that Leo needs to do for her. She considers these "things" hours of community service to her for Leo's bad acts. Although the list is long, the main focus of Leo's day is to meet the brother and sister pair who have been brought to the city's orphanage. They are rude, runaways, that have been in numerous different foster homes. Starla and Niles are the brother and sister orphans. Their attitudes and personalities are harsh and rough, with little to no kindness or happiness in them. Leo is assigned to help them get to know the high school that they will attend with Leo better and to give them advice as to how to get along in the city and with other kids. Leo only wants to help them have the best time they can, without making mistakes like Leo has. At first, Starla and Niles resent Leo, and don't want his help, but after Leo admits the Sisters at the orphanage can be quite violent, Starla convinces Niles to give in to Leo's plea and lets Leo help them. The orphan's attitudes become a little more refreshing and polite, and here is where Leo begins his first friendship to start the formation of the becoming tight knit group he will have for life.

South of Broad

South of Broad by Pat Conroy has become, almost depressing. Leo has started to share even more details about his live, and his brother's death. Leo tells of how his brother lead the absolutely perfect life. He had great grades, he was charming, he had the best looks of the family, and everyone he met, loved him at first meeting. Leo was opposite. He was shy, but polite, wasn't the smartest kid on the block, and didn't have the best genes in the family tree. Leo's parents favored Steve, his brother, in every way possible. Steve was always the talk of the town, while Leo just sat and listened. But, although Steve's external life seemed absolutely perfect, inside he didn't feel that way at all. Steve wasn't satistifed with himself. He was a definite perfectionist and felt as if he wasn't living up to his standards. So, he commited suicide. Leo's parent's never felt the same after that day when Steve took his own life. Leo never felt the same either. Leo knew he had new standards to live up to, and now all eyes were on him. As the newspaper delivery boy, Leo tried his hardest to satisfy every customer he served to make sure he kept everyone happy, and to not make a mistake or embarras his parents. Leo's father, was much  more appreciative of Leo than his mother. Leo's mother was a harsh, cold woman, who only saw Leo's failures. Up to this point in the book, I've learned that Leo was just let out of probation. But, the reason for his probation, hasn't been stated yet. Leo says it wasn't a very big mistake or big deal, but his mother looks down on Leo, even more than she already did because of it.

Currently

Pages this week: 150

Pages this semester: 1107
Currently reading: South of Broad by Pat Conroy

1. If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you.
Winnie the Pooh

2. The past can hurt. You can either run from it or learn from it.
The Lion King

3. No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dreams that you wish will come true.
Cinderella

As you can see, all of my sentences of the week have been from Disney Movies. I was in the hospital on Thursday night, until Friday morning, and have been sitting home all weekend so I've had nothing to do but watch movies. If you haven't guessed yet, the only movies I've been watching are Disney movies. Although I am a teenager, and even getting ready to go off to college, I still love these movies. There is always some kind of hidden message under the theme of these movies. They always hit close to home with me. My favorite quote of the week, from Winnie the Pooh is probably one of the cutest things I've ever heard. I've always been the kind of girl who loves love, and this quote has love written all over it. It could be with a lover, or even a friend. I think in this case, Pooh was meaning it to his friends. He loves them so much, as I love mine. I wouldn't want to go a day without my friends either. I want to have them in my life forever.

The Beginning

South of Broad has definitely proved itself to be a great pick. It has a very sophisticated feel to it, which is a good change from the other books I've read before. The vocabulary is much more intriguing, adding a different feel to the book. So far, from reading, only one character has been introduced and his life has been described. He's a 17 year old boy, named Leo. His father is a teacher at the local high school and his mother is an ex-nun. Leo is a newspaper boy and an absolute perfectionist. He concentrates really hard to make his newspaper route perfect. All he wants to do is make the people he sees and helps happy. Behind his perfectionist exterior, Leo and his family do struggle. Leo's brother commited suicide when Leo was only 10 years old. Leo was the first one to find his brother dead in the bath tub when he came home. His brother was the perfect child, and seemed to lead a happy life. On the inside, nothing felt right to him. So, in the end, he decided to take his own life. That took a toll on the family, and the close knit family started to grow apart. Leo's parents work constantly, and they rarely spend time together. Leo has started to feel unworthy, and left out of the family.

South of Broad

So, I'm finally starting a new book! It's called South of Broad by Pat Conroy. It's a much much more sophisticated book than all of the other books I've read. My mom recommened it to me, saying she absolutely loved it. It's plot consists of a group of teenage kids who grow up in 1960's together. Each kid has a different background to their life. For example, one boy has a father who is a local high school teacher, an ex-nun for a mother, and had a brother who commited suicide. He becomes friends with this tightly knit group of kids who have similar stories to himself. There are twins with an alcoholic mother, and a prison-escaped father, runaway brothers, and a popular couple. Their circle of friends grows up together through two decades. They also encounter the AIDS
crisis in the '80's.
The group endures eachother's company for years. They survive marriages, loves, longings, and success as well as breakdowns. But, in the end, they are always there for each other. Toward the end of the book though, which I am excited to encounter, the friendship is tested and brings the group San Francisco for an event that no one is prepared for.

Currently; Last Week of Stay

Pages this week: 137
Pages this semester: 957
Currently reading: Stay by Allie Larkin

Sentences of the Week

1. "And everyone should have a dress that makes them feel like this." She picked a piece of lint off of my chest and flicked it away from us. "You make a place to wear something like this."

Savannah's mom - Stay

2. "In addition to the charges for all the dog stuff I'd bought for Joe, there was the actual charge for Joe."

Savannah Leone- Stay  

3. "A woman drove me to drink and I didn't even have the decency to thank her."

W.C. Fields

My favorite quote of this week, came from Stay, the book I just finished. This quote is from Savannah's mom, who does not have a big role in the book. In the beginning, we learn that she passed away three years prior to the current date in the book, from breast cancer. Although she is not alive in the book, she is often referenced to by Savannah. Savannah is constantly thinking about her mother and how things would be different if she was still around. This quote is said right before Savannah is going to go on her date with Alex. She has no idea what to wear until she looks deep into her closet and finds the little black dress that she bought with her mother years before, that she has never worn. Savannah describes the time she and her mother went to the mall and bought it. Savannah had no idea where she would wear the little black dress or why should would even buy it. But, it fit just like a glove on her body, so her mother encouraged her to buy it. I can definitely relate to this quote. I am a girly-girl, so I always want to shop and buy things, even if I have no reason for them. But,  eventually I always find a perfect reason to wear what I buy. I thought this quote was cute just because it was Savannah's first real date in a long time. The way she got so excited when she found the little black dress made me also feel excited for her first date. I can't wait until I'm older, rummaging through my closet to find that perfect outfit to impress that "perfect" guy on our first date.

The end of Stay

Well, I've finally finished Stay, and I think I am heartbroken. Not only did this book keep me intrigued because of the cutest description of Joe, the dog, but its content was so relatable. As I am getting ready to go off to college, Savannah experienced many things that I must think about before I go and while I'm there. This book is mainly centered around how Savannah changes from her college graduation, to her mother's death, to finding Joe, and meeting Alex. The way Savannah's character changes and adapts to life's crazy situations is a great example for how I need to start realizing that life won't always go as planned, and I will have to learn to adapt myself. Savannah takes a leap into the real world in this book and must learn to fend for herself, as she is completely alone. Savannah becomes independent, yet dependent when she needs to be, she's a smart young woman, who I see to be a great role model. I think I see a great deal of myself in Van, as she is sarcastic, independent, loving, an attention seeker yet likes to be lonely, kind of person. I think I was mostly able to relate to this book because of the connection I felt. Not only was Savannah's character intriguing to me, but the fun loving personality Joe had, gave even more spice to the book.

Stay

Well, as I've come closer to the end of Stay, Savannah's life has seemed to make a total turn around. She's gone from the lonely, pathetic workaholic to a happy, loving woman. Although she is still facing a few rough patches throughout her course in this book, Savannah has learned to look on the bright side.
Finally, Savannah gets her romantic date with the vet, Alex. She cleans up, looks hot, and heads out for their dinner. The scene that describes Alex and Savannah at dinner is nothing like your typical romance novel scene. Alex does not know what type of wine to order, let alone does he even like wine, he does not wait for Savannah to eat, Savannah spills spaghetti sauce on herself, and they just seem so nervous and out of place. But, as Savannah continues to tell the story of their date, she realizes how perfect it is. She compares Alex to Peter just once again, ( more like the millionth time) and realizes she likes how Alex is almost clueless about all of the specific dating rules. Peter was just the opposite; he knew what to order, how to set his utensils, and just how to act. It was too proper for Van. She felt as she did not fit. With Alex, Van gets those high school butterflies, she feels comfortable with him and has no problem being herself around Alex.
As the date continues, Van proves that she has no problem opening up to Alex. He questions her on where she is from and about her family, and she decides to spill the beans about her mother. Although Van is not a very emotional person, she comes close to tears when speaking of her mother's death just three years prior due to breast cancer. While Alex has never experienced a close death, he comforts Van in the perfect way. He doesn't pitty her or say he understands, as she has had happen to her before, and high dislikes. He just says he is sorry, and continues to ask questions about Van's mom that he knows will make her smile, and they do.
I find Van and Alex's relationship to be just a bit ironic. Not only were they linked together because of Joe, the dog, but they just don't seem like each other's types. Even Van specifies that Alex is not the usual kind of guy she would go for. But, as we have all heard before, "opposites attrack." Van and Alex are a perfect example of that theory. Alex's different personality has helped shape Van to become a better character for the story. Their relationship is also made more relatable by their totally opposite personalities.

Currently

Pages this Week- 150
Pages this semester - 820

Sentences of the Month:

1. "Mindy stopped making out with my dog and shut the door behind her when she left."
                               Savannah; Stay by Allie Larking

2. "The road to success is always under construction."
                                    "Short Funny Quotes"
3."As she walked toward me slowly, my eyes locked with hers, she tripped on a discarded shoe, killing the moment."
                                    Alex Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

4. "Don't feel bad, a lot of people have no talent."
                     -It's all Humor, blog

Alright, so my sentence of the week goes along with my blog about the book Stay by Allie Larkin. I noticed I continuously commented on my love for dogs and animals, so I decided I should find a good or in this case funny, sentence to go along with that animal-loving theme.
When I read this sentence from the book I couldn't help but laugh out loud. It's literally talking about a woman at the vet's office getting kisses from a huge dog, yet the author had to say the woman was making out with the dog. Those words just put an instant picture in my mind of this woman with this massive dog making out and I had to laugh. Who in their right mind would make out with a dog?... no one. But for me, I was able to sort of relate to this making out with dog quote. I am always trying to cuddle with my 135 pound dog, who is not much of a cuddler or kisser. So, as I try to hug on him or get him to give me kisses, he just stares at me with his big brown eyes and I can just tell he is thinking "get away from me, you are so annoying" instead of wanting to "makeout" with me, as Joe is apparently doing with Mindy in the book.

Stay

So, Savannah has finally found someone who needs her like she needs him. And no, I'm not just talking about Joe, her dog. But, Joe did help Savannah find her next man. Obviously, I am still reading the book Stay by Allie Larkin, and I can't get enough of it. I'm definitely an animal person and all of the things Joe does make me laugh or smile or think about my own dog. There was a scene in the book where Savannah takes Joe to the vet at a late hour in the night because she fed him people food, causing Joe to become ill. As she stays at the office with Joe and Dr. Alex, Alex invites Savannah to stay and make his last night rounds with him. The two visit a golden retriver who had her front leg amputated after a fatal accident. Although the dog was okay, Dr. Alex had to give her a shot and while the process was described and the dog's reaction was told, I felt horrible! I am for sure an animal lover!

Besides all the animal loving going on around here, there is a chemistry ignited between Dr. Alex and Savannah at this part in the book. When Savannah first even lays her eyes on Alex she finds him rugged and attractive; different than all the other men she has seen. Even his personality was different. He is caring, kind, selfless, helpful..all the things Savannah was looking for. The night Joe became sick from the food and Savannah took him into the vet's office was the night the real chemistry came about between the two. Alex offered Savannah coffee and pulled out her chair and attempted to do many gentlemanly things for her, that she had rarely experienced. Before Savannah leaves at two in the morning, Alex finally asks her if he can call her, besides to talk about Joe. She approves his wish as he kisses her on the cheek. She then drives away, and the last scene of the chapter is of Joe and Savannah sleeping in bed together and Savannah is drowning out her large dog's snoring with thoughts of Alex.

Not only did I find this part of the story to be cute and touching, but I found it to be somewhat ironic as well. Before Savannah had Joe, she was always lonely and longing for a boyfriend or someone to be there for her in her life since she did not have any close people to her. That was the reason Savannah ultimately decided to get a dog. She wanted a companion that would always be there for her, no matter what. In my opinion, a dog is definitely better than a boyfriend and I'm glad Savannah saw that, in the beginning. But now, Joe has led Savannah to meet Alex, a guy she is starting to fall for. I'm hoping Savannah does not neglect Joe for Alex. Dog's are way more loyal than boyfriends, nicer, more playful.. a lot of things! I'm hoping the author is able to create a balanced relationship between all three of the characters. Even though Savannah may get a boyfriend out of Alex now, I don't want her to leave Joe for him. Joe has already helped Savannah through so much and he is helping her grow.

Close Reading Claims

From "So Many Books, So Little Time" :

In this video from so you think you can dance, the dancers busy use of space, passionate facial expressions, and graceful, powerful choreography] expresses [a sense of compassionate intamacy and sincere confidence]

From "Eddie": 

Claim: This passionate picture shows a strong sturctured, elegant ballet dancer expressing her confident sharp body language, elegant attire, and complex poised position.

 From "T-Rex"

In this video of Adele preforming "Someone Like You" live, the audiance hears her explosive, elegant voice, with lyrics that have a powerful, motionless, old-fashioned message to them that creats a tranquil vibe throughout the theater.
From "Live, Laugh, Read" :

The joyful, eager horses run passionately to their peaceful destination which highlights the beauty of the cool, calm, and natural feel of this early fall morning.

From "Stormy Days"

In this video, Charlene and Jeff tell a story with their bodies and movement. He is a crutch for her through out the performance. They dominate the stage with their beautiful swift, flowing, movement. There is a bit of chaos when it comes to their arm movements, but it is still beautifully structured. They are passionate and dramatic, and the story and music express a sadness and seriousness to the performance.

Kim's Corner had the most creative close reading. Although it is just a simple picture, I think that is it really interesting.

So You Think You Can Dance Close Reading

Observe:

Movement: alive, sharp, smooth, powerful, varied, fast, big

Emotion: sad, longing, intense, loving 

Costume: dull, simple

Spacing: abundant, dominating, chaotic, aggressive

Posture: graceful, elegant, floppy, loose

Infer:
liightheartedness
seduction
romance
passion
frustration
regret
pain
bitterness
confusion

Claim:
In this contemporary dance, choreographed by Mia Michaels, the varied confusion of the movement, pain and romance shown through the emotion, the regret expressed through the dull costume choice, and the dominating and agressive use of space create a sense of lighthearted passion between the two dancers.

So You Think You Can Dance - Lacey and Kamero, Contemporary, Choreographed by Mia Michaels  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooSkpZFLLbU

Currently

Pages Read This Week: 130
Pages This Semester: 672

Sentences of the Week:

1. "The road to success is always under construction."
                                    "Short Funny Quotes"

2. "I lost my balance and slid into the pile, smearing poop from my hand to my elbow."
                                              Savannah, Stay

3. "I am nothing special; just a common man with common thoughts, and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who's ever lived: I've loved another with all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough."
                                             Noah, The Notebook 

These quotes are a mix of funny and serious meaningful quotes. The first quote is definitely my favorite. It isn't necessarily funny, but I think it means something significant. We are always trying to find the road to success and the right path to take, but for some reason, we can never find it. Although we may not pick the wrong road, in the end we always wonder what could have been a better option for our life at the time, but it seems that there is always some kind of obstacle in the way of that right road. There is always something in the way of people getting things done. That seems to happen many times in my life as well. I tend to find myself having to pick a different path instead of the best path in my life, because there is always a barricade in my way. But, we learn that we have to make the best of life, no matter what path we are on.

Stay

So, I'm continuing to read Stay, by Allie Larkin, which has become such a cute book. Cute, probably isn't the best word to use, since it is more of an adult book, but I can't really think of anything else to fit it. The main character, Savannah, has left the wedding of her true love and best friend to find herself totally alone. She drinks herself sick, alone in her apartment, and decides while she is intoxicated that she needs some kind of company to her life. As Savannah flips on the television, she ends up watching a marathon of Rin Tin Tin, (a show about a dog for those of you who do not know) and decides she absolutely needs to have a german shepard in her life. But, what the reader has to remember is that Savannah is just totally intoxicated at this point, after multiple drinks. She decides to go online and search for puppies and finally, Savannah purchases what she thinks to be a small, german shepard puppy from Slovakia. First off, who buys dogs on the internet. Obviously, she is drunk, but I can not imagine purchasing my dog off the internet. What if it turned out to be something else? Or it could have been a total scam. Well, this theme proves to be somewhat true. The next day, as Savannah barely remembers her purchase, she receives a conformation email for the dog, and has to pick it up a few days later. When Savannah arrives to the air port, she finds a huge crate, that reaches up to her hip, with a monsterous sized dog inside. The dog ends up being as sweet, and as cute as can be. As infered, it is not a german shepard. It is a big, black, long haired dog, described looking nothing like a german shepard. So, this chapter kind of has a moral of "do not buy things off the internet, you never know what you will truly get." But, the dog, who Savannah names Joe, ends up being the most patient and kind dog, just what Savannah hoped for. Although Savannah did not get rid of her feelings for her best friend's husband, she was able to get him out of her mind now that she has her dog, Joe. He has taken a place in her life and she is growing to love him. It reminds me of my own dog, whose name is Boomer. He is a black lab and rotwiler mix, and he is absolutely adorable. He is so smart, just as Joe is, and is definitely one of my best friends, just as Savannah is starting to see Joe as.

Currently

Pages This Week: 150
Total Pages This Semester: 542

Quotes of the Week:

1." I was gonna listen to that, but then, um, I just carried on living my life."
                                  Aldous Snow - "Forgetting Sarah Marshall"                  

2. “Think about it. If you are single, after graduation there isn’t one occasion where people celebrate you … Hallmark doesn’t make a “congratulations, you didn’t marry the wrong guy” card. And where’s the flatware for going on vacation alone?"
                                   Carrie Bradshaw - "Sex and The City"

3. "It's like I have ESPN or something."
                                  Karen - "Mean Girls"


Obviously, I watch numerous amounts of television shows and movies. Most of my quotes usually come from movies or tv shows that make me laugh or make me think. My winning quote this week is from the movie "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" which is absolutely hilarious. Aldous Snow played by Russel Brand, is an outrageous British singer who is dating Sarah Marshall. His character is very famous so everyone knows him and wants to get a chance to talk to him. So, a young man brings Aldous his demo tape to listen to. As most celebrities would do, Aldous just discards the tape and moves on with his life as he blatantly tells the young man in this quote. Not only does this make me laugh every time I see the movie, but it is such a true quote. Someone will give us something to either watch or listen to and we constantly just blow them off. My friends always tell me to watch youtube videos and I never ever do. Then later they ask me what I thought about it and I just laugh and say it was funny. Hmm, maybe I should start watching them instead of lying or just tell them the truth like Aldous! Thanks for the lesson in honestly Aldous!

Finally, a new book!

Since I bitterly finished Perfect Chemistry, I found a new book to read! It is called Stay by Allie Larkin. I have not read anything else by this author, but so far I love the way she writes. Like Perfect Chemistry, the writing is simple, but in contrast to that book, Larkin uses vivid vocabulary to enhance the language. Although Perfect Chemistry was a very relatable topic to me, I was ready to move onto a book that would take me out of my relm of high school relationships and drama and into a more mature world by reading a more adult geared book. Don't get me wrong, Stay is not something that is inappropriate for my eyes. It is just about older people who are going into marriage and having children and moving on in their lives. I thought since I'm coming to the end of my high school career, it is time to step it up and knotch, and read about things that are going on outside of high school.
So far in Stay, I have been introduced to a Savannah, the main character, whom I think is very similar to myself. She's an active journalist, as she just graduated from college with a journalism degree, she is very independent, she can be moody, and she is the type of person to run away from her problems instead of deal with them, much like myself. Van, as her friends call her, just witnessed her best friend Janie marry the man of Van's dreams. She had been in love with Peter for years now, and longed for the days he would fall for her. But, like all love storys, she did not get the guy she initially wanted. How the rest of the story will pan out, I'm not really sure. Unlike Perfect Chemistry, this book has not shown to be quite as predictable just yet.

The End of Perfect Chemistry

Finally, I finished Perfect Chemistry.   I was truly sad when this book came to an end but, I was happy for how it ended. It was, a rather predictable ending, as the book had been rather predictable. Brittany and Alex both went away to college, but Alex came back to find her, and they finished out college together and eventually got married. It was a real-life fairy tale book. There was a small epilogue that made me love the book even more. Once Alex and Brittany got back together in the end of the book, there was no more information about how their marriage went on to be, or anything. It simply ended. But, the author included an epilogue to start out the life of Alex and Brittany's son, Paco Fuenttes. A scene was set of Paco attending the same high school as Alex and Brittany, having the same chemistry teacher as his parents, and sitting next to a girl that was out of his league just as Alex, his father did. So, obviously, the author is just setting up a scene to show that Paco, is just like his father, and another story, like Brittany and Alex's will be created in the same chemistry room.  I thought that epilogue added a cute twist to the story, making it even more unique than it already was.
I am glad I read Perfect Chemistry though. It was relatable to my life as a teenage, high school girl. I think many people, not just high school students, would be able to get something out of this book. Not only are high school relationships a relatable topic, but there are life lessons that are taught through out the book as well. Alex represents someone who may be of a lower social status but has the striving personality and confidence to go for what he wants which is Brittany. Brittany may be in a high social class than Alex, but he still gives her everything he has in order to win her heart, which is much more important than money will ever be. Brittany represents the kind of person who can defy all odds. She can stay perfect on the outside while dealing with all the drama of her friends and home life on the inside. By the end of the book, Brittany establishes her independence and does what she wants to do, which is be with Alex.
I would definitely recommend this book to any of my friends. It may be a simple, swift read, but I think every kind of person will find something to take away from this story.

Currently

Books read- "Perfect Chemistry"
Pages read-165
Pages read this semester-357


"As she walked toward me slowly, my eyes locked with hers, she tripped on a discarded shoe, killing the moment."
                                     "Perfect Chemistry" By Simone Elkeles

“Think about it. If you are single, after graduation there isn’t one occasion where people celebrate you … Hallmark doesn’t make a “congratulations, you didn’t marry the wrong guy” card. And where’s the flatware for going on vacation alone?"
                                Carrie Bradshaw, "Sex and the City"

"My Mamma always said, life is like a box of chocolates, you're never know what you're gonna get."
                                Forrest Gump, "Forrest Gump"


The winner of "sentence of the week" this week, is definitely by Alex from "Perfect Chemistry." Not only is the sentence funny, and absolutely relatable to my life, but, once I came across it during my silent AP lit english class, I laughed out loud, like one of those weird kids totally embarrassing myself. So, in a way my story kind of fits with the sentence. But, besides that, I know every single person has had an experience somwhat like Brittany had in the book. There are times when we're having an intimate moment with someone, anyone, and we are trying to be sly, or compassionate, and we have to do something that just completely kills the flow of emotion. I do this type of thing all the time. I'll be having a serious conversation with even my best friend and just trip over my feet, run into something, or fumble upon my own words. I've come to find that I'm pretty clumsy. Besides that though, I just thought this quote was so relatable to my life. And, it got a little laugh out of me. Humor is definitely something I always look for in every book I read.

"I've Got It!"

Okay, so I've continued reading "Perfect Chemistry" the past few days since I still can't put it down, and I think I've figured out why it is so appealing to me. The people are all so real. I can relate with both of the main characters, Brittany and Alex, and what's going on in their lives. At the same time, I can look around at school and I see couples that resemble Brittany and Alex all the same. Nothing about the book has been fake, it has all been an example and even maybe a growing experience for me, about high school, and the realities some people face every single day.
The next thing I've noticed and mentioned before, I believe, is that the language is so simple. It's easily understandable which adds to the connection I have with the story, I think. I hate when I'm reading a book that has some huge words in it in every other line and they just obfuscate the meaning of what's happening. After that, I just feel stupid and like it's a pointless read for me, because I've lost all sight of the theme. "Perfect Chemistry" takes the sentences straight to the point. There aren't any big "fill in words" that I don't understand (besides some of the Spanish). I think this book was meant for people my age to read, and maybe even adults, if high school drama is their thing. I hate reading books that aren't meant for people my age, or describe themes that I have no sort of relation to. I like this book, in a way, I think it speaks to me. It's like that wise, old cat that sits in the corner and watches everyone's every move.
And so I finally said "I've got it" while reading, because, I think I finally realized why this book has a special connection to me; it actually means something.

Perfect Chemistry

So, by indication of the title of this blog, I am still hooked on "Perfect Chemistry" by Simone Elkeles. This book and I are practically inseparable. I'm getting sad, because I'm realizing it's very close to the end, and I don't want it to stop. As I near the end of this book, I've noticed that the author wrote it in a way that all the secrets and answers to the questions floating around in my mind, are coming out now. Alex, the male main character, is finally finding out about the way his father died. His dad was murdered during a drug deal for the gang he was in, by his friend. All this happened right in front of Alex's eyes when he was only 6. Brittany, the female main character, has done a complete 360 degree turn around and her character's personality and outlook on life has totally changed. Just when I thought she was going to continue on being the stuck up, rich girl, she proved me wrong. She left her parents, after telling them exactly what was on her mind, and practically ran away just to be with Alex. Although she had shown some characteristics of a non-fake, caring person in the beginning, through her mentally disabled sister, now Brittany's attitude is definitely 100% real.
As I honestly admitted before, this book has been rather cliche but, there is still something very unique about it, that I just can't put my finger on. It is practically ambiguous in my mind. As I've said before, but not to come down upon the author's choice of style, it's so simple. The language is simple, the descriptions are vivid though, kinda adding a little spice into the images that arrive in my mind. It's interesting how the author also incorporates a little Spanish through out Alex's diaglogue. That part helps me keep up with my Spanish vocabulary, and sometimes makes me do a little research to see what the kids in the book are even saying to each other. Maybe because of those small points, the book does seem unique to me. I decide to conclude, that it's just a little hard to figure out.

Friday

So, today in class, after we were given our "Friday Menu," we were put to work. A personality test we provided, becaus, well,  I guess it's time to find out who we really are. This test consisted of about 80 questions or so, just giving general situations, and how one would respond to them. So, after finally filling out this questionaire, it gave me my conclusion. Apparently, I am 33% extraverted, 12% intuitive, 50% feeling, and 44% judging. What this means is that I am mostly like a guardian. Well, I'm not really sure how to take that. When I think of a guardian, I'm reminded of parents. I'm pretty sure, as a high school student, I'm not much like a parent. Yeah, I may be a responsible, experienced, mature, and a motivated student, but I don't really picture myself as a guardian figure. But, as this website explains it, a guardian is someone who is dependible, responsible, and independent. In reality, I do see myself as this type of person. The description makes a guardian out to be someone who is a motivator, someone everyone can depend on, and confide in. I definitely see myself as those kinds of things though. I love to talk, and talk about other people's problems and feelings, so in a way that kind of ties into the sites description of being a guardian. So, maybe this site does know me a little better than I know myself.

Currently

Pages Read- 192

Read From- "Perfect Chemistry" by Simone Elkeles

1. "Desperate circumstances call for desperate measures."
                     -Brittany Ellis, "Perfect Chemistry"
2. "I'd rather be infected with love for the tiniest sliver of a second than live a hundred years smothered by a lie..."
                     -Lena, "Seventeen Magazine"
3. "Don't feel bad, a lot of people have no talent."
                     -It's all Humor, blog

My sentence of the week this week is definitely by Brittney Ellis from "Perfect Chemistry. After waking up after a rough night out, Brittany realizes she is at her crush's house. After a quick chat with Alex, her crush, Brittany sees her reflection in the mirror and is horrified. Make up is all over her face, making her look somewhat like a raccoon. Brittany rushes to the bathroom and realizing Alex obviously keeps no make up remover, Brittany must reside to soap, water, and toilet paper to try to clean herself up. But, in the process, she causes her eyes to become irritated in red, and this is where she says "desperate circumstances call for desperate measures." We all have those times where we must do something that maybe we don't neccessarily want to do, but in the situation, we have to. Normally, it is a little more serious than how to remove our make up, like Brittany's circumstance. I picked this quote mostly because I find it relating to my life more often than not. Also, it reminds me of all the weird situations I have been in where I have had to improv my way through, to make the best of the time, as Brittany did. So, in a way, this quote has the ability to give me a little laugh at myself, as I think of all of the times I've made a fool of myself trying to get through a "desperate circumstance" by resorting to my own "desperate measures."

"Perfect Chemistry" merely started out as a cliche love story, in which the simple cover caught my eye. As I started and continued to read, I realized I was all wrong about this book, and had ironically, "judged this book by its cover," as well as its name. This story has taken twists and turns down avenues no other book I've read before has gone. Brittany Ellis and Alex Fuentes, two high school students much like myself, are drawn to each other, despite all of their cultural differences. Alex, a Hispanic gang member, hides his soft heart behind his harsh exterior while Brittany, the wealthy cheerleader, keeps her family's secrets locked away behind her "perfect" look. Although "Perfect Chemistry" follows the complicated love story of Alex and Brittany, there's more to the book than just that. Brittany is from the North side of town where all the richest people with the most extravegant houses reside. Alex, is the exact opposite. His side of town, the South side, is run down, dirty, and plays home to the poorer residence in the city. The North side consists of people who flaunt their money, to make themselves feel better about their lives. The people are stuck up, rude, and react harshly to anyone who is not of their status. One day, Alex arrives at Brittany's house to work on their chemistry project (if you didn't get it already, Brittany and Alex are chemistry partners, hence the name "Perfect Chemistry") where Brittany's mother opens the door and assumes Alex to be a solicitor. Once he asks for Brittany, Brittany's mother swiftly dismisses Alex, lying saying Brittany was out. Later, Brittany's mother angrily confronts Brittany saying she should not converse with people of Alex's status. On the other hand, Alex's South side of town is a little more in tune with reality. Although these people do not own the materialistic items the North side does, they are incredibly more accepting to all different kinds of people. Alex and Brittany will come to many barriers during their relationship, but, the biggest complication is working around the barricades set up by their two sides of town. This book considers the theme of how two totally opposite people can so easily fall in love. But, like all great love stories, there are complications. Alex and Brittany must relinquish from their hierarchy to be able to come together.

This book has become a basic necessity to me, something I could never say about another book. Although it is not a hard read, or filled with difficult vocabulary, the insight of these two totally different types of people, keeps me wanting more. Every page holds a descriptive paragraph or pharse about something extra, just to set the scene and the mood, creating even more vivid images through my mind as I read. At the same time, Simone Elkeles has filled the book with obviously not only the English language, but there is also a little bit of Spanish throughout the book (good thing I took Spanish classes, or else I'd have no idea what was going on) to enhance Alex's character. It makes the book different, helps it stand out and keep the flow of the conversations between characters going. The author keeps the pace changing at times as well. Arising action will occur in one scene and then a chill setting will come right back the next, and everything in between. It seems as if there is never a dull moment. Every moment I'm reading, I seem to find myself caught up in the characters, the depiction of the scenes, or the drama that fills the pages.

As a high school student, this books theme is eminent in the halls of school. One is able to see the girls like Brittany, who keep the perfect exterior, but are really trying to hide their realities. Then there are the tough on the outside, soft on the inside boys, just like Alex, and everyone in between. These people, of complete opposite statuses always seem the ones to actually have that "chemical reaction." Everyday in the hall at school, we can find that couple who resembles Alex and Brittany. These are the people who are able to put aside their differences, for the ability to have a chance at love. Their hierarchy of either popularity or social class, has been broken down in order to experience the rush of a great love story.

Perfect Chemistry

Perfect Chemistry, written by Simone Elkeles, is a popular fiction novel covering the love story of Brittany Ellis and Alejandro Fuentes. Their story takes place in the outskirts of Chicago, through Fairfield High School where their "chemical reaction" of love, takes place.