Reading Response Two

Starters





 
     This photo is real but it portrays the war zone America had become after the spore misiles had been shot.

     Starter's is an amazing book by Lisa Price. In the book there has been a war with the use of biological weapons. These weapons killed anyone who was not vaccinated. And thanks to shortages, only people under the age of twenty and above the age of sixty were vaccinated. This resulted in many orphaned, or unclaimed, teenagers who can not work because of a law saving jobs for those above the age of nineteen. The book fallows Callie, an unclaimed teenager whose parents died from a spore attack, as she tries to support herself and her little brother Taylor. She attempts to get money by renting out her body. No she's not a prostitute, she works for a place called Prime Destinations, or the body bank as it is called. They put the conciseness of an older person into the teenagers body and allows them to go out and do whatever they want. Besides anything illegal or having sex. She agrees to the job after the place she had been squatting at was bought and she was forced to leave. However, on her third rental something happens. She suddenly wakes up in a night club and doesn't know anything that's happened. All she knows is that her rental is far from over. From time to time her renter takes over or communicates telepathically. She learns of a plan to kill a Senator to end the body bank scandal. She attempts to stop her and later attempts to help in a less violent way.

     “Did Cinderella ever consider fessing up to the prince, that night she was enjoying herself in the fancy ball gown? Did she even think of telling him, oh, by the way, Prince, the coach isn’t mine, I’m really a filthy little barefoot servant on borrowed time? No. She took her moment. And then went quietly away after midnight.”

     This quote is talking about how she's not who she says she is and how she didn't tell her love interest that, but instead left when he wasn't looking. This turns out to be a big deal in the book as yu later find out information about him. He also becomes a big help to her. The love twist at the end is really big on this quote but I can't ruin anything. 

Reader's Response: Thirteen Reasons Why.

This is one of the saddest books I've ever read. It's the journey of Clay as he listens to the thirteen reasons why his crush Hannah killed herself. Let me explain, Clay isn't supernatural in the least. No, rather, Hannah recorded seven cassette tapes explaining the biggest reasons for her suicide. Along with the tapes he received a map with thirteen points starred. As he listens he goes from location to location trying to find out how he played a role in her death. At first I thought what Hannah had done was torturous, a terrible thing to have done. But as I continued to read her story I understood why she did it. To Hannah it was a final goodbye. And a final explanation, which could be a gift from heaven or a curse from down under. Depending on your role. The author did such a good job writing how some people actually act. I easily connected to some of the characters.

This book touched close to home for me. Not because any of my friends have killed themselves, but because those who've seriously wanted to turned to me and told me their reasons. I remember waking up one morning to a phone call from my buddy Chris, he was calling to say goodbye. I ran several miles to his house and stopped him but I can't help but think about if I hadn't been quick enough.

All in all, amazing read, definitely a downer though, ladies get ice cream, preferably chocolate with those little brownie bites, gentlemen you have something in your eye.

So I guess I should introduce myself to you all. Try not to make it seem as if I'm a robot. So let's start out with who I am. I'm a 16 year old boy who works at a burger place for a living. I on my own car(1996 Honda Accord) but I may not before to long as the timing belt has snapped and I'm not sure if the valve is bent. I'll find out in the next $250 or so. As for my name, It's River Day. No my parents aren't hippies. No it wasn't a pun on anything. Mom just wanted a kid named River. My father's name is Chris Day, he was 19 when I was born. My mom's name is Charmange Payne (her maiden name is Schmidt) and was 17 when I was born. As with many teenage pregnancies my parents split. Some people I know complain about their parents being apart but I don't. I see it as life, and I'll play the cards the best I can and so what to how it turns out. See, in my eyes, life is a game. Some bad people win, some good people lose. It's life. I'll play to the best I can within the rules and maybe I'll make a comfortable life, maybe I won't. Those who truly know me know I'm a kind of yin-yang, though I doubt they'd use those words exactly.  I believe you need more than just moderation, you need balance. What I'm trying to say is that I'm balanced. I'm very loyal and kind and sympathetic but screw me over to much and you'll lose that. Hurt someone I love you'll see the yin side of me. I'm a good kid, can go full on military for new parents or anyone who should be respected, but once they're gone my friends and I are more than a little devious.  Balance is pretty key in my eyes. I love dogs. I own an Alaskan Malamute, practically a wolf. He scares me at night, just running up out of nowhere very quietly. I can hear a chipmunk fart from the next house over I've gotten so used to trying to hear him. The rest of my family is really scared of him. He's bit my littl sister who claims to have done nothing (bull). And now dad gets scared when he barks or growls when someone continuously gets in his face after a few warning soft barks. Hardly audible. I mean, come on, he's practically a trained killer. He's made to survive off of very little and you thought he'd be a stuffed toy? Show him respect, and he'll respect you. He's got no issue with me. He tries his wolf bark or snip at me, but I get stern with him and he shuts it. No issue. He knows I am in charge. To clarify I don't hit or kick or even spray him with water. Just a stern voice and when I'm brushing him, gently push his head down. Not enough to injure, just pressure so he'll put it down. I love him to bits but I know he's dangerous. So I'm not sure how much I've shown you me but I hope it's enough for now. I will try to post photos later and if you have any questions please feel free to ask. I'd love to share my philosophical views on life. And I love a good conversation.