The Circle=Nazis? Something to think about....

So.  As I'm reading, my brain keeps drifting to our Holocaust Unit that we are studying in class...The Shadowhunters and the Underworlders....The Circle and The Clave....

In my mind, The Circle are the Nazis, and Valentine is their leader (Hitler).  They want to rid the world of everyone who doesn't fit their perfect little ideal...and the Shadowhunters and Underworlders are two races who align with each other but don't want to get too close to each other.  Prejudice. 

This book is so interesting and yet relevant to today's society!  It's killing me!!!!

Somebody tell me what you think.  I'm not sure I know how this whole comment thing is set up, so I'd like to test it!!! 

Anybody who follows the blog and leaves a RELEVANT comment gets 5 point extra credit (IN THE TEST COLUMN....insert evil laugh here).

What was that!?

Ok.  I'm really frustrated.  I finally sat down for a good span of reading last night, and I find myself at school WITHOUT MY BOOK!!!!  I'm going to have time to read today after school, AND I HAVE NO BOOK!!!!

It's the apocalypse.

I still love Simon.  I think Jace is probably good.  I'm having that moment that I had when reading Twilight, when I wanted Bella to date Jacob but knew she would choose Edward in the end. I eventually agreed with the decision...but....well....you know....

I want Clary to choose Simon....but feelin' like she's gonna go for Jace....Booo.

Mom.

Clary's mom knows more than she's letting on....

City of Bones

Having overcome my compulsion to finish the last book, I've now started City of Bones. So far, I'm intrigued. Didn't realize until recently (when I gave it to a student to read) that it's a vampire book. And, since then I blocked that out, but it came flooding back as I read about the blue-haired boy getting caught by the three shadowhunters.
I like Simon. He reminds me of Harry Potter...which is an instant "in" for me.
Ok...."cold" day is almost over....I have to go read some more.
Later.

The Readers' Contract

Well, now would be a great time to discuss what I like to call the "Readers' Contract."

Everyone who knows me, knows that I suffer from a number of mental disorders, the least of which is OCD, or Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder.  This is defined by the National Institute of Mental Health in the following way:  Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD, is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Repetitive behaviors such as handwashing, counting, checking, or cleaning are often performed with the hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Performing these so-called "rituals," however, provides only temporary relief, and not performing them markedly increases anxiety.

One of my obsessive behaviors has to do with reading.  I am fueled by a compulsion, once a book is started, to FINISH IT!  I often have a very difficult time setting aside a book I do not like.  And, I will often not read at all, rather than begin a new book which I DO want to read.  It's a very frustrating state of being for someone who genuinely enjoys reading! 

So, I was genuinely thrilled when I was told by another teacher that she has her students sign a "Readers' Contract" at the beginning of the year, and that rule number one in the contract reads as follows:  Every reader has the right to stop reading any book at any time if he/she is not enjoying the reading of the book with the exception of text books, books being read for research of a particular subject, as well as books assigned by the teacher to serve a specific purpose (for example: a class-required novel).

In other words, if you're reading for enjoyment, and you're not enjoying the reading....STOP IT!!

SO, with that said...I did not enjoy reading The Sweet Far Thing and have thus, STOPPED READING IT!!  It's a big step for me.

I am beginning City of Bones by Cassandra Clare today.  I'll keep you posted.