Anticipating "The Hobbit"

I am really excited to read "The Hobbit"! I read it when I was eighth grade and thought that it was alright. I remember loving the hero's journey aspect of the book. The fact that Bilbo drops everything and just goes to the Lonely Mountain was such a cool thing to me as a thirteen year old girl. I also loved the companionship that was built among the group that traveled the journey to the Lonely Mountain. They started out not really knowing each other and finished the journey as a close knit group. There were a couple of things however that I did not enjoy about the book my last time through. Parts seemed extremely long and drawn out at times. It was difficult for me to focus on all the songs and tiny details that I was convinced didn't matter at all. I am excited to read it again seven years later and see how my maturity level and understanding of the world effects my view of the book.

This time through I'm going to focus more on symbolism. I now know as a college student that Tolkien used symbolism to connect his story with the real world in some way. I cannot wait to read parts that I all together do not remember. I also want to see the change in the characters from the beginning of the journey to the end. I think my analysis of their personalities will be much more accurate and interesting now that I am older. It's so refreshing to read good books! What a joy children's literature truly is!

reading preferences

Here are my reading preferences from greatest to least!

1. Historical Fiction - I love the escape into another world aspect of historical fiction! While you're intrigued by characters, you also learn about another time period...it's my favorite!

2. Adventure - Sometimes I feel like my life does not have much adventure in a pirate or espionage sort of way so books packed with loads of adventure always draw me in!

3. Fantasy Fiction - Yet again, I read to escape and get lost in a world that is not my own. Fantasy is the perfect way in which to do that...especially when you are tired of reality.

4. Mystery - Although I cannot handle too much suspense due to the sleep i lose because of the gripping fear someone is going to kill me, I do enjoy a good mystery every now and then. I usually read them super fast because I have to know if the butler or the sister-in-law did it.

5. Science Fiction - I have read probably two science fiction books in my life. There are parts that I enjoy and others where it gets a little too complicated. I feel like the majority of these books are too removed from reality for me.

6. Romance - I love romantic stories, but I do not ready the classic "romance novel". I enjoy books that are romantic but clean or PG rated. 

7. Horror - Never will I ever read a horror book. I tried a couple of years ago to watch The Shining and made it about 15 minutes and still hate to think about what my eyes saw. If I felt that way about a movie, I do not need to be reading horror details in a novel.

8. Nonfiction - As I have said before, my reason for reading is to escape. Nonfiction really defeats that purpose. I do love an occasional book that teaches me and helps me grow as a person, but that is really the extent of my nonfiction.

9. Poetry - I do not like poetry. I think that it's romantic and there are times I wish to be more free spirited and artsy, but the fact is I'm not. I like stories...not words jumbled together in the form of a puzzle/riddle. 

 

What I bring to the Table

I have loved reading since elementary school! As long as it's something that interests me, I will stay up all night reading. 

I read to escape. It is such a delight to curl up with a book and completely get lost in a story.

My best experience in a literature course was my senior English class. My teacher was passionate and made the books come to life. My  worst was this past semester in English 203.

I have only taken English 203 at A&M .

I expect it to be a great medium between easy and difficult due to the amount of reading we have and the love I have for what type of books we are reading.

I'm not sure if I look for any particular themes, but I do like books to end well. I look for hope and characters becoming better people through whatever conflict they go through. I also look for cinderella type stories...I just love seeing someone who is admirable but not honored by those around them become known by all. It's  my favorite.

I determine the "goodness" of a book by how much I can relate to the characters as well as how much I want to be in their world instead of mine. When I really enjoy a book, I find myself being discontent that I'm not their with them...silly I know...but true.

I love the idea of studying children's literature. There is something so special about reading a book as a child. It becomes a part of your identity as you grow up. The lessons taught and the character's journeys become so close to what you remember of your childhood. It's important to study because it shapes who people become which in my opinion is reason enough to take a close look at children's literature.

I believe that scholars study children's literature because the stories and lessons do have such a heavy effect on the children. It is important to study how the simple stories that captivate children can have a hand in who they become in the future.

When I think of children's literature, I think of books that I grew up reading. Anything from "Goodnight Moon", "Anne of Green Gables", to "Where the Red Fern Grows" and "Nancy Drew" (the original of course). I tend to stick to classics because that's what my mom picked.

When I look for a children's book I look for something that uplifts the audience while making them smile but of course has some life lesson.

I would look for a children's book because they are simply precious and captivating. The world seems so much simpler through the eyes of a children's book. I would read them myself or give them as gifts to others.

I adore "Anne of Green Gables", "The Chronicles of Narnia", "Where the Red Fern Grows", "Betsy, Tacy, and Tib", all fairy tales,  and so many more... 

The ones above were my favorites. I also loved Nancy Drew. I did not enjoy reading until I read "The Hidden Staircase" and then I was hooked on fiction.

I read for fun and also for school. My mom is an English teacher so I always had mandatory outside of school and summer reading lists.

I enjoy themes where characters learn a life lesson or they conquer a fear.

I do not prefer dark themes. I don't mind dark bad guys, but as far as the story being dark or hopeless is unnecessary in my opinion.

If it uplifts and teaches the child something without them feeling like it. They are so interested in the plot that they don't realize the positive effect the story is having on them.

I enjoy fantasy! It is even more of an escape. I enjoy how an author can parallel so many things through depicting it in a fantastical world. (ex. Narnia)

I'm really excited that we are reading fantasy! Many of the books I have not heard of but trust that they will be interesting. It's so refreshing to read good books!