MYP4 English 9

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

The Testaments is a sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale book written by Margaret Atwood  The Testaments is set 15 years after the original story in the dystopian scitety of Gilead and is narrated from three different perspectives Aunt Lydia, a powerful member of Gilead’s, Agnes, a girl raised in Gilead and finally Daisy, a young woman living in Canada who learns about her connection to Gilead. This book explores many themes such as power, resistance, survival and betrayl.

Quoute “Aunt Lydia said that silence, too, was a form of power.” (Agnes, Chapter 45, Page 218) This quote stood out to me because it shows how silence can be used as a tool of control in Gilead, especially in Gilead where speech is dangerous and silence can be a way to protect yourself or maintain your position of power.

Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a novel based on a woman who returns to her hometown, Los Angeles after many years. One night, she faces a decision wether to go home with her ex-boyfriend, rekindling their past romance, or to stay out with friends. Which would lead to new experiences and relationships, this moment created two parallel storylines, that alternate throughout the novel.

I can’t help but think about all the choices we make. How they lead us to where we are, and how we can’t see how it all plays out. What if I had made a different choice? What if I had taken a different path?

When I read that passage, it made me think about how our choices really shape our daily lives and how important it is for everyone to find a balance in what they do.

“The Sigma Protocol,” by the best selling author Robert Ludlum a interlacing story between espionage and conspiracy. when Ben Stalworthy a son of a holocaust survivor who is also haunted by his past, finds himself upon an organization known as sigma, Ben finds himself in a risky game of owl and rat. As he finds chilling secrets with his friend Anna Navorro about the shadowy corridors of power. Ben Stalworthy must race against time to revel the secrets that he found about the shadowy corridors of power while tracking the clues left alone by his brother. But along the way he is questioned by the police.

Ben glanced at Schmid, who was tapping at his keyboard and no doubt listening. “I’m beginning to see that. So what am I supposed to do?” “the way it works in Switzerland, they can you for up to twenty-four hours without actually arresting you.” “You’re kidding me.”                                                     “And if you tick them off, they can throw you in a dirty little holding cell overnight. So don’t.”               “Then what do you recommend?”                              “Hartman, you can charm a dog off a meat truck, buddy boy, so just be your usual self. Any problems, call me and I’ll get on the phone and threaten an international incident. One of my many partners does a lot of corporate espionage work, point being we’ve got access to some pretty big databases. (p.40)

This quotation it’s from when Ben is taken to be questioned and being held for more than 20 hours by the police, this is a good book and I do recommend the book.

“Stargirl” by Jerry Spinelli, is a weird yet captivating story. At first I thought it was really stupid and boring, but it is actually really interesting. It is an adult-fiction novel based on a girl that was different than anyone else. It takes place in a fake city in Arizona called Mica. It follows the life of a 15 year old boy called Leo, who meets this strange but fascinating girl called Susan, but she prefers to be called Stargirl. Leo and everyone else at Mica Highschool are puzzled by this girl who shows up with her pet rat and a ukulele, at first. But then Leo discovers that Stargirl liked him, so he started liking her too, and they started dating. Stargirl is an unusual girl, but she is really kind to everyone who stands in her way.

“She is one of us. Most decidedly. She is us more than we are us. She is, I think, who we really are. Or were.” p.g 32

This quote captures, the way stargirl acts, she is curious and she always stays positive. People were wondering if she was real for the way she acted, and that quote is the answer.

The book Nothing More to Tell is a mystery novel by Karen M. McManus. This book follows a girl named Brynn, who four years ago, left Saint Ambrose School following the murder case of her favorite teacher, a story that made the headlines after the teacher’s body was found by three Saint Ambrose students in the woods behind their school. The case was never solved. Therefore, Brynn wants to be the one to solve it.  

“Things’ll get worse before they get better”. 

My reasoning behind this quotation was because it shows when Brynn was trying to solve the case, she knew she would uncover some things she did not want to uncover before she got to the truth. 

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” written by J.K. Rowling is the seventh out of seven books in the Harry Potter series. The series takes place in an world parallel to ours except for one twist; Wizards and witches (people who are capable of doing magic) exist among the people. The novel explores the life of a wizard boy who lives a miserable life with his aunt and uncle, who gets sent to the magical school of Hogwarts at 11 years old, where he learns about his past, why his parents are dead, and much more. He ends up in a massive feud and battle with a villain named Voldemort, and the final battle happens in book 7, the book where this quote is from

“Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and above all, those who live without love. By returning, you may ensure that fewer souls are maimed, fewer families are torn apart. If that seems to you a worthy goal, then we say good-bye for the present.” (p. 722).

In this quote, I mainly focus on the first sentence, and to me, this quote has a very deep meaning, I think it symbolizes different points of view or different outlooks on life, and it makes you rethink how you live your life.

I am currently reading the Gone Series written by Michael Grant and recently finished reading the second book in the series, Hunger. Reading this book has taught me a lot about how much we depend on other people. Especially adults. The book is about when one day all the people over the age of 15 randomly disappear and a giant 20 mile wide dome it created. However near the end of the second book the oldest kid there named Sam who had become their ‘leader’ because of a heroic act he did a while before the ‘FAYZ’. However since he is only a 15-year-old he was overwhelmed by the stress and all the problems. So at the end his friends forced him to take a break and do his favorite thing.

“Under arrest? What are you talking about?”
“You are under arrest for trying to kill a kid named Sam Temple.”
“Not funny.”
But Edilio persisted. “Trying to kill a kid . . . just a kid . . . named Sam Temple. By
stressing him out with the whole load of the world on his back.”
Sam didn’t find it amusing. Angry, he turned back toward town. But there was
Astrid, close on his heels. And Brianna. Quinn, too.
“What are you all up to?” Sam demanded.
“We voted,” Astrid said. “It was unanimous. By order of the Perdido Beach
Temporary Council, we sentence you, Sam Temple, to relax.”
“Okay. I’m relaxed. Now can I get back to work?”
Astrid took his arm and all but hauled him across the beach. “You know what’s
interesting, Sam? I’ll tell you what’s interesting. A fairly small disturbance in deep
water, creating a ripple, a surge, can become a pretty impressive wave as it nearsshore.” (pg. 609)

This shows that pressure and stress can change a person. It also shows that no matter how important or busy a person it we are all human and we all need breaks.

In J.D. Salingers the Catcher in the Rye Holden Caufield and his sister Phoebe Caufield got into an argument and Holden new that if they went to the zoo Phoebe would follow him. Phoebe did follow him but she still wouldn’t talk to him. They went through the zoo seeing all kinds of animals, and they kept getting closer and closer to the carrousel. And they had finally arrived at the carrousel.

That’s depressing, when somebody says “please” to you. I mean if it’s Phoebe or somebody. That depressed the hell out of me. But I put the dough back in my pocket. “Aren’t you gonna ride too?” she asked me. She was looking at me sort of funny. You could tell she wasn’t too sore at me any more (p.223).

This quote is important because it shows just how strong the relationship between Phoebe and Holden is. Phoebe could have stayed mad at Holden no matter what he did to gain her forgiveness but she didn’t. And Holden didn’t have to make her feel better but he did because he cares about her.

In the book We Were Liars, by E. Lockhart, follows a wealthy family who spends every summer of their private island, the main focus of this book is Cadence, after she suffered a head injury during one of their summers there, and has a hard time remembering almost anything from the past trips to this island. While there were there this summer with all of her cousins and friends they go around a circle and say their favourite mottos.

always do what you’re afraid to do p.122

This quote is from Ralph Waldo Emerson but is said multiple times by the main character Cadence Sinclair, as a part of her personal journey trying to get her memory back. I think this is an important quote to use because it is used so many times in the book. Including when Cadence does things she is scared of but it brings back her memories.

In the first chapter, The story starts with Julian Mantle, a successful lawyer, that was experience a life with crisis after having a heart attack. That event force him to evaluate his life choices. He discovers that his wealth and status and also his unhappiness.

In the second chapter, Julian decides to leave his carrier. He also travels to India, there he meets a group of monks. He learns about the importance of the inner peace and mindfulness.

In the third chapter, Julian is introduced to a monk who shares to him about life, happiness, purpose, and personal maestry. Also, the monk teaches him the real happiness. Besides, he teaches him how to stay focused and have a balance life.

I recently reread the oxford school Shakespeare version of Romeo and Juliet, and I learned a lot of stuff that I missed the first time I read the book.

At the beginning of the book, Romeo is depressed about his wife to be, Rosaline, not being able to marry or have kids as she became a nun. Benvolio, Romeo’s cousin, tries to cheer him up and convinces him to go to a ball and meet a new girl, “Compare her face with some that I shall show, And I will make thee think thy swan a crow” (Act 1 Scene 2). He was unsupportive of the idea at first, but then he eventually agreed to go. He fell in love with Juliet, and she did too with him. Her dad wanted her to marry someone called Paris, and this caused problems. Romeo was eventually banished because of the death of one of the characters related to Juliet, and pretends to kill himself to make Juliet come to him. He didn’t wake up in time, and Juliet killed herself. Romeo wakes up, sees what has had happened, and kills himself too.

For never was a story of more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.
(Act 5 Scene 3)

I sourced this quote because the narrator really shows how heavy and beautiful this love story is. The quote literally means, “there” is no love story as sad as this Romeo and Juliet.

This is a very fascinating novel, it starts with Somers and Hazard two detectives in a small town called Waerdurah Hazard and Somers had such a past in high school but that seems to have been resolved. Now they are partners watching over one another. (I was reading this book over the summer, it was exciting, a murder mystery/romance novel. I picked up where I left off not quite done with the book)

                Jesus god no! Somers took a breath “I mean, no, let                              me handle this ok?”

Hazard managed to nod.

“You call and check in?”

“I don’t need you coming up busywork.”

“come on man somebody’s got to  call”

“Fine.” Hazard snapped. (Pages 103-104)

Context: hazard wanted to go into Lady Mable’s chambers, they needed information from her on a murder, (Lady Mabel did not wish to speak a word) then Detective Hazard called down to the office to tell them the difficult time they were having trying to get the information out of Lady Mable.

“The Light Pirate” written by Lily Brookes-Dalton is a captivating novel set in a near future world grappling with climate change. The story follows the life of a young girl named Wanda, who grows up in a Florida that is increasingly threatened by rising sea levels and severe weather. As she navigates her childhood and adolescence. The novel explores themes of resilience, family, and the bond between humans and nature. It delves into the emotional landscapes of its character, highlighting their hope and fears in a world where survival becomes uncertain.

“The passage of years could be assigned a number, but in this place, time has a different measure. its progression is marked by the smoothness of water where ruins once broke the surface. The thickening of a young grove’s canopy. The collapse of an old utility pole. It is marked by the end of one species or the beginning of another. Here, time sprawls and curls. The land returns to the way it was; it becomes something brand new.” (p. 315).

This quote captures the theme of resilience and renewal, emphasizing how, even amid loss, there is always the potential for new beginnings and the continuous transformations of the world around us.

“Coco Chanel, An Essence of Mystery” written by Isabelle Fiemeyer. Coco Chanel is the founder and namesake of the luxurious brand Chanel. She had a brief career as a signer before her first clothing shop opened in 1910. She grew up in a time when women were expected to wear confining pieces, but her goal was to design classy articles of clothing that were fashionable but also comfortable. Instead of offering corsets and lace frills, she designed wide-leg pants and sailor shirts.

“It’s not the appearance, It’s the essence.

It’s not the money, It’s the education.

It’s not the clothes; It’s the class”

This quote is special because Coco Chanel would say it all the time. She has made a fashion staple and inspired many women to do the same. Her clothes have revolutionized the fashion industry. She may not be alive anymore, but her legacy still stands strong and holds value throughout people’s lives.

Cant Hurt me

The Author of this book is  David Goggin’s the book is a Memoir about a young black boy  who grew up in new York he was a only child and had a abusive father. Through out the book it shows how he is effected by his father and how hard it is to grow up in a household with that kind of environment. He would have to watch his mother get abused and he couldn’t not do anything about it because he was too small and young. After all of his trauma growing up he made a promises to himself to one day be bigger and stronger then his father. However when he started to grow up he forgot about his goal and lost control of his life he was depressed over weight lazy and not happy until he realized what he had said to himself as a child. The book showcases his life and journey on how he succeeded with his goals and went on to become a ultra athlete Navy Seal who became a huge inspiration to thousands of people around the world. He is now know as one of the hardest and toughest humans on the planet. I really enjoyed this book because it is a big motivate for me and it gave me lots of inspiration as an athlete. I also felt that the book has a perfect mix about his life trauma and his successes. One quote i enjoyed in the book was on page 6

” Even the best pep talk or self-help hack is nothing but a temporary fix. It     won’t rewire your brain. It won’t amplify your voice or uplift your life. Motivation changes exactly nobody. The bad hand that was my life was mine, and mine        alone to fix.”

This quote has lots of meaning to it and it really says how David Gogings personality is and how he was as a person.

 

In The Feeling of Greatness – A Moe Norman Story by Tim O’Connor, the idea of  determination and grind are explored quite clearly. Moe, a Canadian golfer, was arguably the best ball striker of all time. He never missed a shot. The consistency in him game was incomparable to any other player. He could sit on the range for hours on end in a day and never stop hitting golf balls. Whether it was the middle of winter or a scorching hot day in the summer, you could still find him there.

On some days, Moe would hit upward of fifteen hundred balls—to the point that he couldn’t hold a club any longer. Moe would retreat to the clubhouse and soothe his bloody hands in cold towels. sometimes, he threw the towels i n the garbage, which made tucker furious. The next day, with his hands covered in Band-Aids, he might hit inly his daily minimum of six hundred (p.51).

In the world of golf, Moe is an icon. The chances that we will never see a phenomenon like him again are slim to none. When I hear all the stories about Moe I begin to think to myself “wow, how are these real”. But that is what makes him so great. All his stories and unforgettable and thats how its the greatest of all time.

Good Girls Guide too Murder by Holly Jackson is a story based on a girl (Pippa (Pip) Fitz-Amobi) who lives in Fairview Connecticut where Andie Bell was murdered and was allegedly killed by her boyfriend (Sal Singh) who later killed himself in the fairview woods. He was declared a monster by the towns people, an example of this is when Pip was in an interview with Stanley  who mainly reported the case in the Fairview Newspaper the conversation went like this

Pip: okay in a lot your articles about the case you refer to Sal as a “killer”, a “murder” and even a monster you are aware without a conviction you are supposed to use the word allegedly when reporting crime stories.

Stanley: not sure I need a child to tell me how to do my job anyway it’s obvious that he did it and everyone knows it he killed her and the guilt drove him to suicide.

Pip: and why are you so convinced Sal guilty.

Stanley: too many things to list evidence aside he was the boyfriend right and it’s always the boyfriend or the ex-boyfriend not only that Sal was Indian.

 The conversation went on but because of this interview Pip had decided she is going to dig deeper into the case to find out what actually happened as she is still strong and believes Sal didn’t do it. She goes through phone interviews with some of Sals best friends and his family as well as Andies friends and family as well as teachers and people involved in the case and managing to get her hands one crucial bits of evidence and becoming friends with Sals brother Ravi Singh who starts to help in the case.