Lit.Circle #1. “A Walk to Remember” by Nicholas Sparks
SummaryLandon Carter, a 57 year-old man from Beaufort, North Carolina, narrates the story of his seventeenth year, the year that changed his life. He tells the reader how he takes part in the Christmas play at the urging of a strange girl he had known and teased for being different all his life. Her name is Jamie Sullivan and she is the deeply religious daughter of the local Baptist minister, who has himself been the object of ridicule over the years. Through his experiences with her during the play and other times that Jamie impacts on his life, Landon falls in love with her, only to discover that she is dying of cancer. In the seven months that he spends with her, he becomes a different young man forever.
Passage Picker
“I smile slightly, looking towards the sky, knowing there’s one thing I still haven’t told you: I now believe by the way, that miracles can happen.”
-The last sentence in the novel.
By this line stated by Landon Carter, I believe that Jamie Sullivan did NOT die.
Her death was NEVER stated in the entire novel. it was just a flashback narrated by Landon, which stopped at the scene of their wedding. Prior to that, Jamie’s sickness, as what they said, “only miracle can heal”.
And what is that “miracle” Landon is refering to?”
By this line stated by Landon Carter, I believe that Jamie Sullivan did NOT die.
Her death was NEVER stated in the entire novel. it was just a flashback narrated by Landon, which stopped at the scene of their wedding. Prior to that, Jamie’s sickness, as what they said, “only miracle can heal”.
And what is that “miracle” Landon is refering to?”
*smiles
Character Captain
♥..Landon Carter - He was amazingly changed from a rascal and rude boy to a one who is willing to take risks for his love Jamie Sullivan whom he used to mock with his friends and feel ashamed in her company. His love for Jamie is wonderfully great.
Artistic Adventurer
(Jamie Sullivan walking down the aisle in her wedding day. :)
Just a poem :
♥.. My Angel ..♥
I know you for so long, yet we are strangers.
We’re at the same Church, yet our belief differs.
I used to mock you, but now I am with you.
I used to laugh at you, but now I love you.
You are too godly, I am too rowdy
But still you’re there giving your company.
Disappointments about me, I know you have lots.
So receiving this Bible, I can’t find the guts.
Your cheerful presence is a blessing to man.
You always say “Everything’s part of God’s plan”.
And yes! God’s plan had brought us together.
But now, God’s plan will part us forever.
I can’t really find perfect words to say
Nor things to do to make you gay
Fulfilling your dream is now I am planning
I believe our marriage will give joy everlasting.
-A Poem from Landon to Jamie.
(There is an irony in this poem I made because in the novel, it was Jamie who called Landon her angel. :)
♥ Reaction
It was a compliment for me to be called as one
having an analytical observation when I put up my question, and at the
same time my passage as a passage picker. I shared to them my argument
regarding Jamie's death, whether she really died or not. I thought they would
argue me about it, but i just smiled when I saw that they were convinced and
that I am not the one who is suffering in this ambivalence anymore, but so do
they.
I really enjoyed that meeting of ours, especially
when Jaype Biore spoke. I liked his being so wordy and poetic in speaking but i
laughed when he connected, (for he is the connector), The novel "A Walk to
Remember" to the movie "A Moment To Remember". I asked him the
reason why the two are connected . Is it because they do have almost the same
title? haha! Yet, I also agree that both are indeed connected because the
female main character is sadly sick.
Lit.Circle
#2. “If Tomorrow Comes” by Sidney Sheldon
Summary
The ecstasy of marrying a wealthy Philadelphian cruelly vanishes when Tracy Whitney faces a prison term. Framed for theft and tricked into a guilty plea, Tracy wastes no time in planning to avenge her wrongdoers and ease the pain of her mother’s untimely death. A full pardon from the Louisiana governor frees her to effect suitable retributions.
Each white-collar swindle propels Tracy to another, allowing her to gain dubious skills as a remarkably clever, beautiful, and elusive woman. Lurking in her shadow, however, is Daniel Cooper, an insurance investigator obsessed with capturing Tracy and returning her to prison. His obnoxious demeanor weakens his credibility with officials despite the accuracy of his leads.
The only other match for Tracy is Jeff Stevens, whose exploits are woven around those of Tracy. In Madrid, the competition between them ceases as Jeff outwits Tracy by delivering her stolen painting to their mutual contact. This final finesse sparks her anger but also compels her unqualified love and respect.
With thoughts of becoming a respectable married woman, Tracy boards a plane to rendezvous with her fiance. Seated next to her is Maximilian Pierpont, known to everyone as owner of the best Faberge egg collection outside Russia and near-victim of a con by Tracy on the Orient Express. There the story ends, but the conclusion remains quite speculative.
This latest novel by Sidney Sheldon furnishes enough sustained action to satiate even the most avid adventure seeker for a few hours of escapism. Action indeed is all; the characters serve merely as vehicles with which to drive an ongoing series of swindles under unbelievably perfect circumstances. Even Sheldon’s graphic description of life in a women’s penitentiary and a flashback to Daniel Cooper’s childhood do not lend any depth to character development. Yet silent applause swells for the heroine as that seemingly invincible woman sustains her escapades and receives exhilaration and wealth from them.
Each white-collar swindle propels Tracy to another, allowing her to gain dubious skills as a remarkably clever, beautiful, and elusive woman. Lurking in her shadow, however, is Daniel Cooper, an insurance investigator obsessed with capturing Tracy and returning her to prison. His obnoxious demeanor weakens his credibility with officials despite the accuracy of his leads.
The only other match for Tracy is Jeff Stevens, whose exploits are woven around those of Tracy. In Madrid, the competition between them ceases as Jeff outwits Tracy by delivering her stolen painting to their mutual contact. This final finesse sparks her anger but also compels her unqualified love and respect.
With thoughts of becoming a respectable married woman, Tracy boards a plane to rendezvous with her fiance. Seated next to her is Maximilian Pierpont, known to everyone as owner of the best Faberge egg collection outside Russia and near-victim of a con by Tracy on the Orient Express. There the story ends, but the conclusion remains quite speculative.
This latest novel by Sidney Sheldon furnishes enough sustained action to satiate even the most avid adventure seeker for a few hours of escapism. Action indeed is all; the characters serve merely as vehicles with which to drive an ongoing series of swindles under unbelievably perfect circumstances. Even Sheldon’s graphic description of life in a women’s penitentiary and a flashback to Daniel Cooper’s childhood do not lend any depth to character development. Yet silent applause swells for the heroine as that seemingly invincible woman sustains her escapades and receives exhilaration and wealth from them.
Connector
This book is somewhat
having resemblance to the classic novel “The Count of Monte Cristo” by
Alexander Dumas and the movie “Catch Me if You Can” starring Leonardo de
Caprio. The first part of the novel by Sidney Sheldon is of almost the same
plot with “The Count of Monte Cristo” (though the protagonist is a girl). It is
where the poor and helpless heroine was abducted of the crime that she actually
never did. She was abandoned by everyone, even his fiancée whom she relied so
much. She was imprisoned by a set-up crime and inside the prison she
experienced the cruelty of his inmates. She really had a hard time struggling
for survival inside the correctional. But the same as Dumas’ novel, she
regained her strength and dignity, busied herself on escaping from that “dungeon”
she’s into, and above all, to avenge herself from those who put her to that
situation (the lawyer who gave her false hopes; the mastermind of all her
sufferings) and those who abandoned her (her elite fiancée who’s parents
dislikes her). As what we can foreshadow, after getting out of prison, she
fulfilled all her plans. Yet, the way Sheldon unfolded the story was amazing.
Justice is finally given to the heroine, just as what is said by Monte Cristo: “wait
and hope”, and “God will give justice”.
The second part of
the book can be connected to the film “Catch Me If You Can” starring the
dashingly handsome, Leonardo de Caprio. When the heroine was done with all the
avenging part of her freeing from prison, she had nowhere to go. Her former
employee did not accept her because she’s already an ex-convict. So out of
tough times, she rather chose to be a hired thief, and sometimes, a swindler. She
finds it hard at first, but sooner she became fond of outwitting cops and dignified
men in the society. It is described that she felt nervously excited to her new
track of life. But as always, the heroine managed to escape and acquit herself
from the evidences and traps laid on her with the use of her ingenious ideas.
Vocabulary Enhancer
knuckles - finger joint
strode - (past tense of stride) : walk with long steps
verbatim - in the same words; word for word
burglary - forcible entry into a building especially at night with
the intent to commit a crime.
penitentiary - a state or federal prison
hash - chopped meat mixed with potatoes and browned
fickle - not firm or steadfast in disposition or character
protocol - a preliminary memorandum of diplomatic negotiation
Lit.Circle #3. “Follow My Leader" by James Garfield
Eleven-year-old Jimmy Carter doesn't know what to do with himself when he is blinded by a firecracker in a freak accident. The usually energetic boy, who loved playing baseball, and going camping is quickly taken out of commission, and left to live the rest of his life in the dark. All alone. But that notion is quickly swept out of Jimmy's head when he begins working with Miss Thompson, a therapist who opens up a whole new world for Jimmy, one where he can walk by using a cane, and read by using the method of braille. But when Jimmy is given the chance to have his very own guide dog, he's ecstatic. He quickly packs up his belongings, and heads to the School for the Blind where he will learn to get around without his cane, cut food by himself, and, best of all, get his very own guide dog! But getting used to working with Leader - his dog - isn't as easy as Jimmy originally thought it would be. In fact, sometimes it can even be a bit complicated at times. But Jimmy knows that if he wants to make it in this cruel world he'll have to try as hard as he can to make things work with his eyes, Leader.
Discussion Director
1. What is this book about?
2. What is the basic situation?
3. Describe the setting and the maincharacters. What do you think will happen in this story?
This book is about a blind boy name Jimmy. The basic situation is that Jimmy is blind because of a firecracker, andhe will have to get a guide dog. The story takes place in the baseball field,Jimmy's house, training school and at the camp. The main characters are Jimmy, Leader, Miss. Thompson, and Mrs. Carter. I think Jimmy would get a giudedog and he would get to go anywhere he want with the dog.
Passage Picker
"How?" Jimmy challenged. "Can you make me see again?"
"Not with your eyes," she said quietly. "I told you there are many other ways of seeing, and you will learn to use them."
"Were like beetles with a lot of feelers, and you only lost two of yours."
"Not with your eyes," she said quietly. "I told you there are many other ways of seeing, and you will learn to use them."
"Were like beetles with a lot of feelers, and you only lost two of yours."
Vocabulary Enhancer
Braille--writing system for visually impaired people: a writing system for vision-impaired or sightless people, consisting of patterns of raised dots that are read by touch.
Connector
I have been interested in seeing eye dogs for as long as I can remember, and have dreams of training a seeing eye dog for someone in the future, which is why I couldn't have been happier to find James B. Garfield's FOLLOW MY LEADER at a used bookstore, sitting all by it's lonesome on a shelf, just waiting to be picked up and read. I purchased the book, and when I got home, quickly began reading it, finding it hard to put down. Jimmy is a wonderful character, whose adjustment to living life blind was a heartwarming tale. While he goes through the seven stages of feeling grief, depression, and more, Jimmy comes out on top, and overcomes the challenges that his blindness has caused him to face, making him a wonderful literary character for readers of all ages. This is a must read book for readers young and old who are looking for a triumphant story to delve into.
Artistic Adventurer
Summary
Ever since her father died, 16-year-old Rose Ann Marstead's mother and grandmother waged a tug of war to gain her love, attention and affection. However, with Grandmother Glory's latest and greatest pull -- a free ticket for Rose Anne to cruise the Caribbean -- Rose Ann's grandmother appears to take the lead. Rose Ann can't bear to pass up the chance to enjoy such an exciting summer vacation, even if it makes her mother mad, really mad.
Before Rose Ann inhales one breath of sea air, she smells something fishy, and it isn't the fish. It turns out Glory doesn't really need a roommate for her bridge tournament, she just wants a chance to set Rose Ann up with her bridge partner's brainy grandson, Neil. Of course, no sparks fly when Rose Ann meets Neil, despite her grandmother's promise that she will find Mr. Right on the ship and fall in love the way Jack and Rose did in the movie Titanic.
While trying to inch away from both her Grandmother and the "statistic-quoting" Neil, Rose Ann runs into a boy named Ricky Diago, who gives rise to a whole new set of suspicions. Rose Ann can't help but wonder why Ricky purposely avoids getting his picture taken by the ship photographer, then runs from the ship before it sets sail. Even Jose Diago, Ricky's uncle, seems to be hiding something.
Determined to get to the bottom of Ricky's disappearance, Rose Ann explores the ship, keeping her eyes and ears open. She overhears strange bits of personalinformation from both staff and passengers. Yet no matter where she looks, she finds no sign of the illusive Ricky. When the ship stops briefly at the Port of Haiti, a handsome boy appears who claims to be Ricky Diago. But Rose Ann knows better.
Soon, Rose Ann's curiosity, as well as her romantic attraction for the second Ricky, entangle her and her shipboard friends in a complicated net of danger. But Rose Ann won't stop until she gathers the last essential clue and solves the mystery.
While trying to inch away from both her Grandmother and the "statistic-quoting" Neil, Rose Ann runs into a boy named Ricky Diago, who gives rise to a whole new set of suspicions. Rose Ann can't help but wonder why Ricky purposely avoids getting his picture taken by the ship photographer, then runs from the ship before it sets sail. Even Jose Diago, Ricky's uncle, seems to be hiding something.
Determined to get to the bottom of Ricky's disappearance, Rose Ann explores the ship, keeping her eyes and ears open. She overhears strange bits of personalinformation from both staff and passengers. Yet no matter where she looks, she finds no sign of the illusive Ricky. When the ship stops briefly at the Port of Haiti, a handsome boy appears who claims to be Ricky Diago. But Rose Ann knows better.
Soon, Rose Ann's curiosity, as well as her romantic attraction for the second Ricky, entangle her and her shipboard friends in a complicated net of danger. But Rose Ann won't stop until she gathers the last essential clue and solves the mystery.
Discussion Director
1. Should Rosie, Neil, and Glory be punished for abetting Ricky's illegal entry into the United States? Why or why not?
2. How do the relationships between Rosie, her mother, and Glory seem predictable? What interactions between any of the generations surprise you?
3. How does Rosie's disinterest in foreign locales seem contrary to the fact that she had never been out of Texas or seen the ocean before the cruise?
4. How well do you think Nixon presented the clues to solving the mystery? In what ways did any of her red herrings seem too obvious?
5. What aspects of the cruise ship experience seem essential to the plot development and characterization? What details were unnecessary?
2. How do the relationships between Rosie, her mother, and Glory seem predictable? What interactions between any of the generations surprise you?
3. How does Rosie's disinterest in foreign locales seem contrary to the fact that she had never been out of Texas or seen the ocean before the cruise?
4. How well do you think Nixon presented the clues to solving the mystery? In what ways did any of her red herrings seem too obvious?
5. What aspects of the cruise ship experience seem essential to the plot development and characterization? What details were unnecessary?
Passage Picker
"You blamed me for not
being independent and not standing up for what I believed in."
This is what Rosie told to her mother during their fight
about independence. I found this quote interesting because it gives a great
blow to Linda, Rosie’s mother. Her mother became dependent to Rosie’s
grandmother since the death of her husband. There is an irony of situation
happening in this part. Rosie is said to be dependent to what her friends would
say or do, where in fact, her mother is also doing the same thing. So whatever
the grandmother would dictate to her, she cannot argue anymore.
"Neil had said he was willing to take the risk (saving Ricky from the Cuban authority) because no one could trily live without freedom."
"Neil had said he was willing to take the risk (saving Ricky from the Cuban authority) because no one could trily live without freedom."
This passage is talking about friendship and freedom. Friendship,
because Neil, a close friend of Rose, unhesitantly took the position of Ricky
as a prisoner and where the Cuban Government would fetch Ricky to send him back
to Cuba. In this action, we could truly tell that Neil is a true friend who is
willing to take risk just to save a life of a friend. On the other hand, it
talks about freedom as what Neil said, “no one could truly live without freedom”.
In a government where the leader is the one whom always to be obeyed, it is not
a question why would some of his people rather choose to go somewhere to find
the freedom they are looking for. Neil understands the eagerness of Ricky to
escape so he helped Ricky without any condition.
"The skin on my upper arms prickled, as if it still felt the grip of Ricky's fingers, and for an instant it was hard to breath. I had never felt this way about a boy. For the first time I understood how Rose Calvert could believe with all her heart that Jack Dawson was her true love. Rose Calvert and Jack. Would it be Roes Marstead and Ricky?"
"The skin on my upper arms prickled, as if it still felt the grip of Ricky's fingers, and for an instant it was hard to breath. I had never felt this way about a boy. For the first time I understood how Rose Calvert could believe with all her heart that Jack Dawson was her true love. Rose Calvert and Jack. Would it be Roes Marstead and Ricky?"
How romantic those lines are especially to those who had
watched the movie ‘Titanic’. Probably, (I’m not really sure because I have
never experienced it before) this kind of feeling is generated out of the
romantic connection Rosie and Ricky felt for each other. Rosie even imagines
herself in the place of Rose in ‘Titanic’ who felt love for the first time.
Connector
Nixon often writes about grandmothers and grandchildren, usually in the mystery genre, such as the grandmother who accused her granddaughter of faking her abduction in The Kidnapping of Christina Lattimore. Other books for young readers have been set on cruise ships. Richard Peck's Those Summer Girls I Never Met, depicts Drew and Steph getting to know their grandmother on a Baltic Cruise. In Cynthia Wall's Disappearing Act, babysitters Kim and Marc use their ham radio skills to rescue a kidnapped toddler. Josh and Tank investigate a mysterious computer disk that a stranger hides in Josh's bag in Lee Roddy's The Case of the Dangerous Cruise. In Gertrude Chandler Warren's Boxcar Children series, the Aldens and their grandfather observe strange events in The Mystery Cruise.
..♥ .♥ .♥ ..
My Literature Circle
