Fiction vs. Non-fiction

I have always thought of non-fiction as the whole truth. I would think text books, dictionaries, and encyclopedias.  If we start adding half-lies and twists to stories then is it really true? The more we add the less non-fiction it is. If we base a story on a real life situation it is still fiction because it is only based on that situation. If you change just a few details it could dramatically affect the plot. The plot is the main idea we want to keep. If we change that then that minor detail wasn’t so minor. If it doesn’t affect the plot then it’s just for show and effects. But changing anything about the book would make the audience skeptical. Stretching one thing in a memoir will change what people think their background is and give them the wrong ideas when they think they’re right. Three months in prison instead of several hours like in the book A Million Little Pieces can really change a person and their personality And the outcome of the story. Causing someone to die in a train accident, as said in the same book, is different than knowing about it and feeling for it. Causing death for someone else is mentally and emotionally scarring and they would develop differently as a character. And if that character were to develop differently, then the story from that point on would be different making it and untrue story. I wouldn’t consider A Million Little Pieces non-fiction because there is to many flaws.

Genre in the Classroom

                    I think we should teach genre fiction at a young age then move slowly towards literary fiction as high school nears. If we teach genre fiction to kids in 3^rd or 4^th grade it could build a foundation for a love towards books. This way we could show them the fun of reading without the stress of analyzing it. As they get better and better we could move towards literary fiction allowing them to not only like books but to get an understanding on how to read and write books as well. The further they progress through school the more literary fiction that will be taught. When they reach high school it will mainly be literary fiction but they still can incorporate independent reading for genre fiction.

                    Literary fiction is important for those who wish to go above and beyond in reading and writing. Genre fiction is more for fun and entertainment. There needs to be a balance between the two. Genre is for keeping people entertained and enjoying fiction while Literary is for teaching specifics and understanding.

                     I agree with Melissa Thomas’ idea to teach fantasy in classes but too much of a good thing isn’t a good thing. Fantasy can be taught at an early age for those who haven’t found a love in books or developed life lessons yet. Later years they would read on their own and wouldn’t need to be explained be someone else.

"Odd Thomas" Book Trailer

Adaptations

             The black room scene that we performed in class appears to be very important. I have not finished the book but the room seems that it will reappear towards the end of the book. Because of this I don't think this scene should be changed in any way. There is a scene where Odd is being chased in a church. This scene would not only be an action scene in which a movie can use be also mentioned later in a realization. That is another scene that shouldn't be changed. When he finds a dead body (not going to tell who) in his bathroom he must dispose of it before he gets framed by someone else. This scene creates shock, confusion, and excitement so it should be kept the same.
             The beginning of the book is a narration of thought which would be very difficult to reproduce in a movie. My guess is that they left it out of the actual movie and I don't blame them because they don't need it all that much. There is a moment after pisposing the dead body where there is a pack of coyotes in between him and his car. This scene is only used later as a simile during a stare down so I don't see much of a point to it.

The Book Thief

                 There was a girl named Liesel who stole a lot of books because she loved to read. "I try to ignore it, but I know this all started with the train and snow and my coughing brother. I stole my first book that day. It was a manual for digging graves and I stole it on the way to Himmel Street." At this point she couldn't read but once she reached her foster parents, her new dad taught her how to read. She got better and better until she was through the whole first book. She learns the value of words and now can't live without them.

                There was a library burning happening but she managed to save one book. "He reached over and grabbed hold of The Shoulder Shrug. "No explanation was required. It was obvious that the girl had stolen it from the fire." She had stolen her second book. This new book not only gave her another book to read and learn about new words but also lead her to be a thief. She stole a variety of things, mainly food though, but she would snatch a book when she'd get the chance. She and her best friend Rudy would try to get away with a bunch a small heists.

                She made a friend that had constant nightmares. He was a Jew (by the way this took place during the holocaust) so he lived in constant fear in the basement of Liesel's house. "The book was red, with black writing on the spine. The Dream Carrier. She thought of Max Vandenburg and his dreams. Of guilt. Surviving. Leaving his family. Fighting the Fuhrer." When she saw the book she thought it could help him with his dreams and so she read to him. Eventually he did get better and he thanked her when he did. When she got it she also thought about her own nightmares from when she was seperated from her family.

                All of these books were read by Liesel to improve her skills and to progress through her life. The resembled connections to her past and doors to her future. If the author could reproduce these fictional books the public could get in more depth what inspired Liesel to move through her unfortunate life. People could continue the series as they imagine Liesel thoughts while reading the trilogy. It will keep people reading because there are more books to become even more in depth than the original. The even make it a bit more appealing we could see them all four books together as a Book Thief Combo Pack.



This is an example of a what the trilogy

would look like.



               It could be sold like a trilogy just like   other series. And the combination makes it  cheaper, convenient, and affordable. This would not only make it an addition to the original but also possible a popular purchase for those how have read the original. For those who haven't heard of the book they'd probably hear about it after this.

What is a Book?

               A book is a tool. It is used for many different purposes. It is used to relieve stress and pain by getting away from it. It can send those who want to to go to other worlds and universes. It teaches information and knowledge for those who seek it. It can teach those who need it how to act in public and be friendlier to people. It can be used to get ideas and information to the rest of the world for those who write. It convinces and persuades others for those who advertise.

               Anyone could argue an E-book can do all of this but here is something about a regular book that is attracting. Turning the page instead of sliding a finger across a screen. Running around with a book instead of being careful and delicate not to break it. Clapping a book close when your done for the day instead of pushing a button. A book just feels more natural and simpler. Compared to an E-book a physical book can do so much more. E-books have there limitations. From some thing that happens often, everyday glitches, to something not as often, no electronics on a plane while taking off. E-books require power and batteries but a book use nothing but imagination to power it.

Why I Read

               I read for entertainment. I get to go on adventures or have powers I could never imagine. I could climb the highest mountain or explore the deepest sea. I could be anywhere and in my bed at the same time. I read to feel the rush of the action surrounding me. I read to past the time when there is nothing to do. I am someone who almost always have to be entertained and books are one method of doing it.

               I read for experience. I can learn what people do. I learn how actions have consequences and just how bad they could be. I learn about romance and the bounding between two people. I learn about other perspectives of families worst or better than mine. I learn the perspective of people who strayed on the wrong path and the consequences it lead to. I use the experience gathered from books in my everyday life when socializing with people or just trying to accomplish a task

               I read for knowledge. I learn what the solution to a math problem's answer is in a text book. I learn what the word "mercurial" means in a dictionary. I learn about the news in articles and documents. I learn about history and the errors mankind will not repeat. I read to learn origami in "origami for dummies". I think books where first designed for knowledge and the spreading of knowledge. Books can teach information in many ways in order to educate the masses. I used it to educate myself in subjucts, people, or events.