Pin Pointing Change-Anne Frank

As I was reading, I completely stopped short at this one part. For approximately two pages I was really amazed at how much Anne has changed throughout this book and furthermore throughout her life. She reflects upon 1942 before she went into hiding when she was always carefree; she used to be constantly surrounded by 'friends' but realizes that they were really admirers, and she would rather have true friends than phony admirers. That she would rather have "[p]eople who respect [her] for [her] character and [her] deeds, not [her] flattering smile" (210). To be able to come to that conclusion takes great maturity and insightfulness into human nature--something Anne didn't have when she first began confiding in her journal. She goes on to reflect on how in 1942 she would try to enjoy herself as much as possible but inevitably, consciously as well as subconsciously, attempted "to fill the void [that was inside her] with jokes" (210). Here Anne is able to find fault within herself; to look back on yourself and reach an inference as deep as that, for me, is just mind-boggling. As a person--on all levels including mentally and physiologically--Anne has made a full 180 twist over the course of writing in her diary.

Me Giving Advice to Anne

Knowing Anne's fate, there is so much I'd like to share with her and advice I want to give her. I'm currently at the point where it's March 1944 in the book, so I know that at this point Anne only has around five more months left to live; although I don't think I'd tell her that she's going to die as a victim of the Holocaust, I would tell her to try to make amends with people such as her mother and Mrs. van Daan. Since I'm not quite sure on how she should go about making these amends, I wouldn't be able to give her that piece of advice.... Furthermore, I would tell her that every day is precious and to treasure each day because each one's a gift. I also have the hindsight of knowing that millions of people have read her diary. However, I wouldn't mention that someday millions would have read her diary in fear of that affecting what she writes and the manner she writes it in. That's one of the aspects I enjoy most about Anne Frank's diary: she writes exactly what she thinks and doesn't worry about how people may judge her based on these thoughts. And lastly, I would tell Anne to warn everyone living and helping in the Secret Annex to be careful--to burn garbage causing smoke infrequently, to be extremely quiet, and do everything with even more caution. Who knows, maybe that advice right there could have altered history....

Book Covers

First and Final Entry for Boys R Us

Boys R Us is currently the newest novel in Lisi Harrison's series The Clique. In comparison to the book as a whole, this ends on a very different note. (However, I won't tell you what that note it because then I'd have given away the ending.) Throughout Boys R Us, the Pretty Committee ("The Clique") is in the biggest fight they've ever been in, and none of them will admit that they want to be friends again. Although this book is filled with shallow characters, it carries a message that anyone can apply to their own life--don't loose friends over things that are insignificant and try to do whatever you can to get them back. On a scale of one to ten, I would rate this book a seven. Boys R Us is one of those books I feel bad liking because it's all about gossip and status, yet I truly enjoy the book; that being said, it wasn't so good that I want to read it again and again.

First and Final Entry for My Sister's Keeper

If you've already seen the movie based on My Sister's Keeper, don't let that stop you from reading the book. First of all, as always, the book includes so much more detail and insight into what the characters are thinking and their motivations for doing what they do. My Sister's Keeper consistently throws unexpected twists until the very end; however, the final twist is by far the largest catalyst. The book picks up more and more as you go along and gets to the point when it is near impossible to put down. On a scale of one to ten I would give this book a nine; it has all the elements a book should, and for me its only flaw was not completely wrapping up all loose ends at the conclusion of the book. For people who don't like sad books that really pull at your heartstrings, I would strongly encourage you not to read this book. Finally, the most important part of this book is the message: hold onto what you have and never take anything or anyone for granted. Furthermore, you should enjoy every moment and life and live each day as though it is your last.