Reading Log 4

I heard some good things about this book so I thought I'd give it a try. I found Tuesdays with Morrie to be an extremely touching story. The narrator, Mitch Alborn was Morrie's former student at Brandeis University. After having abandoned his dreams of becoming a famous musician, he pursues his desire for financial success and material wealth. Morrie was Mitch's favorite professor from Brandeis University. He was diagnosed with ALS, an incurable disease which ravages his body and leaves him intellectually lucid. As Morrie begins to degenerate one day at a time, he keeps his spirits soaring. Each Tuesday, Morrie teaches Mitch how to reassess his life, and to value love over money, and happiness over success.This book touches the reader deep down and really makes one question the fulfillment of their life

Notes 2 and 3

The Legend of Bagger Vance

In this sequence of The Legend of Bagger Vance, Will Smith plays a mysterious yet wise caddie for Matt Damon. After the great Walter Hagen sends his drive screaming down the fairway, Bobby Jones sets to tee off. Smith encourages Damon to study and analyze Jones' approach to his shot. Jones' relentless focus on his practice swing makes it seem as if he's "searching for something." The harmony of the swing clears his mind of the atmosphere around him, directing all focus to the next shot. As Jones delivers a powerful blow, his ball is flown through the sky and falls to the fairway. While Damon meanders to his ball, he conducts the same focus and attention to his "perfect shot." The surroundings seem to disintegrate from his view as the wind streams over the hills. The melodious music creates a solemn and majestic tone to the atmosphere. The world silences, awaiting the "perfect shot."   

A Step Forward

Tom Rinaldi's essay A Step Forward illustrates the excitement after Tiger Woods' latest victory. The desperation Woods had to win another tournament was unimaginable since he hadn't won in 923 days. Rinaldi stresses that in golf the importance lies on the "next". "The next swing, the next lie, the next read, the next stroke." The repetition of the phrase "the next" emphasizes a golfers need for a short term memory. Tiger's desperate yet confined expression leading up to victory hinted at his longing for the current moment. Woods' continuous ability to strike the accurate shot, eluded to the trust he had built into his swing. The beautiful spring Sunday symbolized what could be the resurrection of the greatest golfer ever lived.

Reading Log 3

The Hunger Games had an ending just as fast as its beginning. By the time I got to the homestretch on this book it was impossible to put it down. The action that the author is able to pack into each and every page astounds me. This was a novel that truly got my heart rate up due to the extensive imagery that made the readers feel like they were actually there. I felt having both Katniss and Peeta winning was a unique twist to the plot. I look forward to reading the next 2 books of this series. 

Reading Log 2

Since my last reading log post I've made some promising progress. I keep having that recurring issue with this book, where I start reading and just can't seem to stop. The thrill and excitement that this story has is unmatched by any book I've previously read. I really appreciate the characterization in The Hunger Games. The imagery used to express both major and minor characters gave me a keen visual of each one of them. Descriptions such as "my long tangled braid fell at ease upon my shoulder," really created an image that I could hold on to for the course of the book. The author also had a unique way of building up a particular scene. Specifically in an action scene, through intense language you'd find your heart racing as you read line to line as if you were in the book. The story is able to consume the reader in this way.  Well I'm glad I'm reading this book and look forward to reading more of the series in the future.

Reading Log 1

Just this week I started the infamous book, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I've had this book recommended to me by many people so I thought I'd give it a try. After the first chapter, I knew I had been hooked. This book has had me going to bed much later than I would like because I just can't seem to put it down. I find myself thinking, "oh just one more chapter" until I end up reading into the next day. The fast-pace intensity that The Hunger Games provides practically stimulates your heart rate. The description of the settings and people in the story allow for the reader to develop a truly fascinating visual. Such imagery includes, "Men and women with hunched shoulders, swollen knuckles, many who have long since stopped trying to scrub the coal dust out of their broken nails, the lines of their sunken faces." This quote gives us readers the image of these men and women rambling down into the depths of the coal mines. Details like these really make this book stand out from others I have recently read. So as the plot begins to really escalate I can only look forward to the adventure I am about to embark on.

Reading Goals

1) Read 17 minutes each night
2) Read 3 books by the end of the year
3) Continue reading over Spring Break

Anthology: Theme Statement

I'm planning on basing my anthology off the game of golf. Golf is much more than just a sport to myself and those who play with the raw passion for the game. Life lessons of patience, perseverance, and dedication are found beneath the membrane of the sport.

I've already brainstormed for ideas of what I could put in my anthology. Instantly one of my favorite movies, The Greatest Game Ever Played came to mind. There's an abundance of literature about the aspects of golf that go beyond the simple swing of the club. I'm anxious to start my exploration into literature and film from the greatest game society has to offer.