How does your book begin? First describe the events that start your story. Then tell if this is a good, effective way for the author to start the book. Explain why or why not. What would you change?
I am currently reading Boyd, by Robert Coram. This book opens up by talking about John Boyd's childhood. I think that this is a very strong opening to a biography. I think that because not only does it give you backstory and allow you to understand Boyd more, it also serves as a book hook, getting the reader interested in his life story.
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green The book starts with a child prodigy named Colin learning that his girlfriend, Katherine, had dumped him. The narrator, who is not Colin, tells us that Colin has been dumped by a 19 Katherines. Colin is sad and he talks to his friend, Hassan, and he concludes that they must go on a road trip. I think this is a good way to start the story because there is a good amount of information so that you know what is going on, but there are gaps in the story which are filled later on. The beginning of the story is a little bit confusing at first, but as you move on in the book John Green explains everything thoroughly.
I am currently reading After by Francine Prose. Tom the main character and also the narrator goes to Central High and is friends with Brian, Avery, and Silas. They are the kind of people that don’t do anything unless it’s in their best interest and no one expected anymore. A shooting at Pleasant Valley, a school 50 miles away has the teachers paranoid. They brought in a grief and crisis counselor named Mr. Trent and suddenly all of Tom’s and his friends’ privileges start to disappear, the things that used to not be a big deal became more seriously punished to the point they would be expelled with no chance of readmission. I think this was a good beginning because it gave enough information so the reader knew what was going on and also showed how the main character is reacting to the changes. It told me a little bit about their personalities so I knew what kind of person each character was. It explained the big plot without revealing everything about it. I can't wait to keep reading.
I just finished We Were Liars by E. Lockhart. The novel starts off differently than other books I have read. The narrator begins by describing the Sinclairs as a perfect, rich, athletic, and beautiful family from the outside. It doesn’t matter that there is heartbreak, divorce, unpaid credit card bills, and pill bottles on the counter; the Sinclair family still isn't going to be needy or wrong. The author uses short sentences and whitespace to give certain lines emphasize. The chapter ends in a cliff hanger and hooks the reader. This is a very effective way to start the book because it leaves the reader wondering what’s going to happen and who this family is. I wouldn’t change a thing.
I have just started the novel "The Martian" by Andy Weir. The story starts out by Mark Watney the main character realizing that he is trapped on Mars and his team is long gone. Panicked, he realizes his chance of survival is very small and starts figuring out what he can do to make his time a little longer. I love the beginning of the book because it really lets you know what's going on and makes you feel like your experiencing the story with the immense detail. The story so far is at the perspective of Watney and it's like the book is a journal explaining his issue and what's going on. I have never read a book where it takes place in space and so far I am really loving it. I really like how the author started the story and wouldn't really change anything. So far I am really liking the book and I am very excited to continue through this exciting, fast paced novel.
I am currently reading the book The Art of Racing In The Rain by Garth Stein. The book is narrated by a dog named Enzo. Enzo is old and does not want to die a humiliating death. He doesn’t want pain medication or “one of those little wagons I’ve seen on the street, the ones that cradle the hindquarters” (2). Enzo also believes, after watching a documentary about Mongolia, that once his time as a dog is over, he will be reincarnated as a man. In the first scene of the book Enzo introduces his elaborate plan to get his owner, Denny, to let him go. The book then goes into Enzo and Denny’s past and how they have stuck together through thick and thin.
I am currently reading The World According to Bob. The book starts out just where Bob the Street Cat ends. Now that Bob has played a role in the author, James Bowen’s life, he has a more positive outlook of things. He has more opportunity after Bob came in. A new bike, more money, a job, fame, and a movie are the bonuses of having his cat side kick with him. He and Bob are having a new adventure every day. This was a good way to start the book because it started just where the last book ended. I wouldn’t change anything about the beginning because it was already good on it’s own.
I am reading Anne of Green Gables written by L.M. Montgomery. The book begins with a description of the setting as well as a description of Mrs. Lynde who is the first character we meet. The first event that happens is Mrs. Lynde goes to Green Gables where Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert live. I think that describing the setting and the characters and getting a strong foundation for the setting as well as the atmosphere is a good way to begin the book. I think that it lays a path for following events well.
Let it Snow: The Jubilee Express by Maureen Johnson starts by painting the scene how the story is going to layout. The author introduces the main character and what she is like. Maureen also introduces her parents and where they live. Although not creative, this is a good way to start a book. This is not creative because it is like every other book when it says what the characters are like. It is effective because it is setting a good scene. You what the characters are like right off the bat, which is good so you don’t have to wait to understand what the are characters like.
I am currently reading Sunrise Over Fallujah. It is about a 19 year old named Robin Perry that joins the military not really knowing why. Robin is stationed in Kuwait as part of the CA (Civil Affairs Team). His job is to make friends with the Iraqis to show them the U.S was on their side. Soon his squad get’s an order to go into Iraq, since the Marines have cleared out that area deeming it safe. As he enters Iraq he sees bodies and body bags. He is dumbstruck by the sight of all the death and destruction, and his image of what he thought war was disappeared. The author makes you jump right into the story, not even mentioning his family, friends, or anything back home. You do eventually learn about those things, but that is later on. It is a fast moving start which makes the reader interested to read more, and what to know what happens next. At some points I would've added more information because it was almost too vague, and I didn’t really get to know all the characters real well at the beginning. The beginning of the book does not give you the information to understand some things, such as military units, drills, and operations that could get you confused. I would have kept it as the same speed it was, but added more information to the beginning, so the reader has more of an idea of what is going on.
I have just finished the book Hatchet by Gary Paulsen over the weekend. My book begins with Brian, the protagonist, sitting on a small bush plane getting ready to visit his father up north. The author describes how Brian's parents have recently gotten a divorce, which forces Brian to visit his father. Also, once the pilot takes off, he begins to feel sick and he starts vomiting. This is a very effective way to start the book, because it grabs the reader. This grabs the reader, because you want to know what happens to the pilot. So, I would not change anything about the way Gary Paulsen started this book.
The book I'm currently reading is called An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. The story begins with the protagonist, Laia, catching her older brother, Darin, sneaking into the house late after curfew. With him he carries a notebook. Laia later reveals to the audience she knows what's in it, and she's going to confront him about it. Later, she admits to him she saw what was in his notebook: drawings, which you don't find out what they're of until later in the novel. Apparently, if he is caught with those drawings, it will put their entire family's lives at risk. Their mom, dad, and sister were all killed by the Empire, which is their strict government that raids, jails and kills, for those types of crimes, so now the siblings have to live with their grandparents. Laia suspects because of these drawings, he must be working for the Empire. Then, as they're arguing about whether or not he is siding with the Empire, their conversation is disrupted by soldiers coming into their house for a raid. A raid during the daytime is common; they want everyone in the village to see the house be raided and see the family be humiliated, but when they raid a house at night, that means they don't want any witnesses. Darin states that the soldiers were only there for the notebook, which Laia then hides. Right as the chapter ends, Laia and Darin find out a Mask, the most dangerous, stealthy, and unforgiving type of soldier, is at their front door. I think this was a thrilling way to start the book; it left you wondering if their entire family will escape and survive, or be jailed and or executed. By opening in such a way, you will get a feel for how the entire book is going to be. It's not going to be all flowers, unicorns, and rainbows, so if you don't like war or murder, you should stop reading. I also like how it introduces the characters right away, and it's not just some long intro about the weather. The author is to the point, and gives a clear idea about where they are and what's happening. I love how she started it, so I can't think of anything to change.
The School for Good and Evil The Last Ever After by Soman Chainani starts off with showing Sophie's P.O.V.(point of view). In the beginning of this book Sophie, one of the main characters, is shown trying to reject the schoolmaster who is known as the villain to her and Agatha’s fairytale. She keeps rejecting him telling him that their never after and there true love’s kiss was not real until the end of the chapter. This is an effective way for the author to start the last book of the trilogy. He did this well because he displays Sophie's character development in only one chapter and gave us a reason to side with her. In the previous book, Sophie is seen as the villain who tries to get between Agatha and her lover Tedros, in the current book it drastically switched the roles of Agatha and Sophie, introducing Agatha the villain while presenting Sophie the queen of her own story. I would not change anything because we, the readers, have become hooked to the book even without having to read to the next chapter.
I just started my book, What the Spell, so far the story is not very intriguing. I am in the middle of chapter two and all that has happened is the author has introduced that characters. In my story there is a girl named Brooklyn who thinks that she in not noticeable. At her school there is a group of kids named the elites. All she wants do do is join the elites but she does not no how to put herself out there. I don’t like how the author started the book because it does not grab the reader. I think that the start of this book is a little boring and does not have fast enough.
I am currently reading Boyd, by Robert Coram. This book opens up by talking about John Boyd's childhood. I think that this is a very strong opening to a biography. I think that because not only does it give you backstory and allow you to understand Boyd more, it also serves as a book hook, getting the reader interested in his life story.
ReplyDeleteCan you include some specifics? What about his childhood was intriguing?
DeleteAn Abundance of Katherines by John Green
ReplyDeleteThe book starts with a child prodigy named Colin learning that his girlfriend, Katherine, had dumped him. The narrator, who is not Colin, tells us that Colin has been dumped by a 19 Katherines. Colin is sad and he talks to his friend, Hassan, and he concludes that they must go on a road trip. I think this is a good way to start the story because there is a good amount of information so that you know what is going on, but there are gaps in the story which are filled later on. The beginning of the story is a little bit confusing at first, but as you move on in the book John Green explains everything thoroughly.
Do you feel any repetitiveness from other Green books? I got a bit fatigued on either this book or Looking for Alaska.
DeleteI am currently reading After by Francine Prose. Tom the main character and also the narrator goes to Central High and is friends with Brian, Avery, and Silas. They are the kind of people that don’t do anything unless it’s in their best interest and no one expected anymore. A shooting at Pleasant Valley, a school 50 miles away has the teachers paranoid. They brought in a grief and crisis counselor named Mr. Trent and suddenly all of Tom’s and his friends’ privileges start to disappear, the things that used to not be a big deal became more seriously punished to the point they would be expelled with no chance of readmission. I think this was a good beginning because it gave enough information so the reader knew what was going on and also showed how the main character is reacting to the changes. It told me a little bit about their personalities so I knew what kind of person each character was. It explained the big plot without revealing everything about it. I can't wait to keep reading.
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this book when you're done!
DeleteI just finished We Were Liars by E. Lockhart. The novel starts off differently than other books I have read. The narrator begins by describing the Sinclairs as a perfect, rich, athletic, and beautiful family from the outside. It doesn’t matter that there is heartbreak, divorce, unpaid credit card bills, and pill bottles on the counter; the Sinclair family still isn't going to be needy or wrong. The author uses short sentences and whitespace to give certain lines emphasize. The chapter ends in a cliff hanger and hooks the reader. This is a very effective way to start the book because it leaves the reader wondering what’s going to happen and who this family is. I wouldn’t change a thing.
ReplyDeleteI would love to hear what you think about this book as you continue. It's one of my favorites.
DeleteI have just started the novel "The Martian" by Andy Weir. The story starts out by Mark Watney the main character realizing that he is trapped on Mars and his team is long gone. Panicked, he realizes his chance of survival is very small and starts figuring out what he can do to make his time a little longer. I love the beginning of the book because it really lets you know what's going on and makes you feel like your experiencing the story with the immense detail. The story so far is at the perspective of Watney and it's like the book is a journal explaining his issue and what's going on. I have never read a book where it takes place in space and so far I am really loving it. I really like how the author started the story and wouldn't really change anything. So far I am really liking the book and I am very excited to continue through this exciting, fast paced novel.
ReplyDeleteI read part of this, and, honestly, became annoyed at the writing style. I thought the story was very intriguing, though.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI am currently reading the book The Art of Racing In The Rain by Garth Stein. The book is narrated by a dog named Enzo. Enzo is old and does not want to die a humiliating death. He doesn’t want pain medication or “one of those little wagons I’ve seen on the street, the ones that cradle the hindquarters” (2). Enzo also believes, after watching a documentary about Mongolia, that once his time as a dog is over, he will be reincarnated as a man. In the first scene of the book Enzo introduces his elaborate plan to get his owner, Denny, to let him go. The book then goes into Enzo and Denny’s past and how they have stuck together through thick and thin.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a crazy, great book. I hope you love it!
DeleteI am currently reading The World According to Bob. The book starts out just where Bob the Street Cat ends. Now that Bob has played a role in the author, James Bowen’s life, he has a more positive outlook of things. He has more opportunity after Bob came in. A new bike, more money, a job, fame, and a movie are the bonuses of having his cat side kick with him. He and Bob are having a new adventure every day. This was a good way to start the book because it started just where the last book ended. I wouldn’t change anything about the beginning because it was already good on it’s own.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little confused-Bob is a cat? Is James the author or narrator? I know you love cats, so I bet you're enjoying every page!
Delete
ReplyDeleteI am reading Anne of Green Gables written by L.M. Montgomery. The book begins with a description of the setting as well as a description of Mrs. Lynde who is the first character we meet. The first event that happens is Mrs. Lynde goes to Green Gables where Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert live. I think that describing the setting and the characters and getting a strong foundation for the setting as well as the atmosphere is a good way to begin the book. I think that it lays a path for following events well.
This is a great classic book to read. I hope you enjoy it!
DeleteLet it Snow: The Jubilee Express by Maureen Johnson starts by painting the scene how the story is going to layout. The author introduces the main character and what she is like. Maureen also introduces her parents and where they live. Although not creative, this is a good way to start a book. This is not creative because it is like every other book when it says what the characters are like. It is effective because it is setting a good scene. You what the characters are like right off the bat, which is good so you don’t have to wait to understand what the are characters like.
ReplyDeleteI'm not quite sure if you would prefer something more creative or not. What do you think? And are the stories similar as a whole?
DeleteI am currently reading Sunrise Over Fallujah. It is about a 19 year old named Robin Perry that joins the military not really knowing why. Robin is stationed in Kuwait as part of the CA (Civil Affairs Team). His job is to make friends with the Iraqis to show them the U.S was on their side. Soon his squad get’s an order to go into Iraq, since the Marines have cleared out that area deeming it safe. As he enters Iraq he sees bodies and body bags. He is dumbstruck by the sight of all the death and destruction, and his image of what he thought war was disappeared.
ReplyDeleteThe author makes you jump right into the story, not even mentioning his family, friends, or anything back home. You do eventually learn about those things, but that is later on. It is a fast moving start which makes the reader interested to read more, and what to know what happens next. At some points I would've added more information because it was almost too vague, and I didn’t really get to know all the characters real well at the beginning. The beginning of the book does not give you the information to understand some things, such as military units, drills, and operations that could get you confused. I would have kept it as the same speed it was, but added more information to the beginning, so the reader has more of an idea of what is going on.
This is a great book, and Myers is a fantastic author. You should consider reading another book by him--but be warned the topics are very different.
DeleteI have just finished the book Hatchet by Gary Paulsen over the weekend. My book begins with Brian, the protagonist, sitting on a small bush plane getting ready to visit his father up north. The author describes how Brian's parents have recently gotten a divorce, which forces Brian to visit his father. Also, once the pilot takes off, he begins to feel sick and he starts vomiting. This is a very effective way to start the book, because it grabs the reader. This grabs the reader, because you want to know what happens to the pilot. So, I would not change anything about the way Gary Paulsen started this book.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy this book. It's a quick, easy read, but engaging. It doesn't sound like you've made it very far. Keep reading!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThe book I'm currently reading is called An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. The story begins with the protagonist, Laia, catching her older brother, Darin, sneaking into the house late after curfew. With him he carries a notebook. Laia later reveals to the audience she knows what's in it, and she's going to confront him about it. Later, she admits to him she saw what was in his notebook: drawings, which you don't find out what they're of until later in the novel. Apparently, if he is caught with those drawings, it will put their entire family's lives at risk. Their mom, dad, and sister were all killed by the Empire, which is their strict government that raids, jails and kills, for those types of crimes, so now the siblings have to live with their grandparents. Laia suspects because of these drawings, he must be working for the Empire. Then, as they're arguing about whether or not he is siding with the Empire, their conversation is disrupted by soldiers coming into their house for a raid. A raid during the daytime is common; they want everyone in the village to see the house be raided and see the family be humiliated, but when they raid a house at night, that means they don't want any witnesses. Darin states that the soldiers were only there for the notebook, which Laia then hides. Right as the chapter ends, Laia and Darin find out a Mask, the most dangerous, stealthy, and unforgiving type of soldier, is at their front door.
ReplyDeleteI think this was a thrilling way to start the book; it left you wondering if their entire family will escape and survive, or be jailed and or executed. By opening in such a way, you will get a feel for how the entire book is going to be. It's not going to be all flowers, unicorns, and rainbows, so if you don't like war or murder, you should stop reading. I also like how it introduces the characters right away, and it's not just some long intro about the weather. The author is to the point, and gives a clear idea about where they are and what's happening. I love how she started it, so I can't think of anything to change.
This book sounds interesting-where is it set?
DeleteThe School for Good and Evil The Last Ever After by Soman Chainani starts off with showing Sophie's P.O.V.(point of view). In the beginning of this book Sophie, one of the main characters, is shown trying to reject the schoolmaster who is known as the villain to her and Agatha’s fairytale. She keeps rejecting him telling him that their never after and there true love’s kiss was not real until the end of the chapter. This is an effective way for the author to start the last book of the trilogy. He did this well because he displays Sophie's character development in only one chapter and gave us a reason to side with her. In the previous book, Sophie is seen as the villain who tries to get between Agatha and her lover Tedros, in the current book it drastically switched the roles of Agatha and Sophie, introducing Agatha the villain while presenting Sophie the queen of her own story. I would not change anything because we, the readers, have become hooked to the book even without having to read to the next chapter.
ReplyDeleteCool! Is this the final book in a series? Do you imagine it continuing?
DeleteI just started my book, What the Spell, so far the story is not very intriguing. I am in the middle of chapter two and all that has happened is the author has introduced that characters. In my story there is a girl named Brooklyn who thinks that she in not noticeable. At her school there is a group of kids named the elites. All she wants do do is join the elites but she does not no how to put herself out there. I don’t like how the author started the book because it does not grab the reader. I think that the start of this book is a little boring and does not have fast enough.
ReplyDeleteCan you give me some more specifics about why the book is boring?
Delete