Finishing The Longest Ride and Starting To Kill a Mockingbird

Finishing The Longest Ride

This week I finished my ride on Nicholas Sparks' emotional roller-coaster. I have yet to be disappointed by one of his romance novels, and this still stands true after finishing The Longest Ride. This may be a spoiler, however, to say the least, what is expected--happens. Here is a major spoiler; the old Ira Levinson, missing and craving to be with his wife, has passed away. Though this was expected, any death is bound to break the readers heart. However, you could take his passing on to be a positive event. Ira passed on, and now he can be with his wife. He relived all of his major events in his life and now instead of suffering, he is reunited with the love of his life, figuratively. As for Sophia and Luke; it is the happily ever after you would've expected from any romance novel. I commend Nicholas Sparks' ability to grasp a readers attention and truly make them feel something while they read. The two love stories-separated by time-will touch your hearts.

Starting To Kill a Mockingbird

Time for something new! I hear many conversations about To Kill a Mockingbird. I believe that this is due to the fact that it has to do with a controversial topic. I have researched a little bit about the book and I am prepared to make a few predictions. First, I found that this book has to do with racism or could have something to do with racism. Scout Finch tells the story of her father trying to prove the innocence of a black man accused of rape. The major part of being accused was that it was unjust! To me, this could've been the act of racism. Why else would the author feel the need to mention that it was black man being unjustly accused of rape? I think that what will end up happening will be that the father of Scout, Atticus Finch, will try to prove the black man's innocence, while everyone who seems to have a racist mind, will be set on the fact that due to his skin color, he committed a crime. This is an extremely sensitive topic. This book was set in the 1930's. I think that the author did this to show the prevalence of racism during this era. It was a sensitive topic then, and it still is today. This is the reason I would like to read this book. We have come a long way since the 1930's. People are able to live equal, as one. I think that Harper Lee will try to take us back to the era of racism, and show us what it was like. Thus far, I predict that Atticus Finch will successfully clear the black man of the crime he did not commit. This will set a precedence to the future-showing us that all races should be considered equal and should be accused for things they did-not things their society ASSUMES they did. The book already sounds so interesting, and I am anxious to hear the story of a black man's journey through a racist era-with few friends and many enemies.

Before reading, I looked into the controversy of racism during the 1930's. Racism is major symbol in this story, so I felt the need to examine more of it before reading the book. I learned that, commonly in the south, their was a persistence of inequality for those who had a darker skin color. This seems ridiculous to us now. Who are we to determine what rights people have based on their skin color? Skin color is something you are born with, it is unchangeable. Skin color is merely a pigment, it shouldn't define what rights people are able to have in the community. I think that this is what the book is going for. My prediction is that Atticus Finch will be there supporting the black man. He will be there to push for his rights. Atticus Finch will be the one to make it clear to the court that skin color should not matter and should not be  a factor in accusing anyone. I hope to see that racism will come to a slow stop towards the end. I know that predicting for a complete end to racism is a bit of a stretch, however baby steps could lead to a better future with equal men and women of all races!

These are some quotes from the book-They help to give you an understanding of some the sensitive themes and topics that are evident in this book- http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3275794-to-kill-a-mockingbird 

Spring Break Indulgence: Reading The Longest Ride

The Longest Ride trailer's have emerged in advertisements and on YouTube. I have begun reading the book and I would love to be able to make connections to the movie as the trailers air online. So far, I commend Nicholas Sparks as he has managed to make yet another tear-jerking novel.

This emotional roller-coaster starts with Ira. He tells us his back story, you learn that he is very old and that he has been injured in a car accident. Icy and snowy, Ira Levinson ends up in a steep embankment on the side of the curve in the road. He assumes he wasn't aware of the curve and is now stuck in shattered car. His head is bleeding and he is in bad condition. Then it is revealed that Ira lost his wife 9 years before the crash. "My life came to a full stop" (Sparks 9). This was Ira reflecting on her death. Ruth and Ira were in love, and Ira thought he lost her completely. But, Ira found his love in the car when he was hurt. He found her there when he seemed like he would be left alone, possibly to die. Look at that, even the predictions you are possibly able to make are heart wrenching. Well, Sparks doesn't stop there with his emotional roller-coaster. I believe that Ruth's goal is to help Ira to reflect on his life. Ira knows that Ruth isn't there in reality, but is there spiritually. Ruth is helping Ira relive his life, in a way. She begins to reflect on his family and on her family. Ruth is helping Ira stay connected to his life by letting him focus on major events. Ruth is showing Ira that he is strong and has lived through certain sorrows. Ira and Ruth lived through the days of World War 2. This impacted their lives, and the sorrow of this event hurt them. However, this shows that they were strong together and managed to uplift each other's spirits. She also looked upon their joyful events together. She speaks about how they met and all of the things they did; together. Ruth and Ira relive their past and reconnect. They are holding onto each other through these memories, and I am anticipating a sad ending, or surprisingly happy ending for Ira's life. Way to go Nicholas Sparks, you've pulled emotions out of me through a fictional book. 

Now, 4 months earlier, you meet Sophia. She finds herself at a rodeo. She originally didn't feel as though the rodeo was her 'thing', well ironically she may have found the love of her life there. Ironic, yet predictable. She has a back story involving a bad romance. This previous romance including a cheater named Brian. She's single and moping. Her friend decides to take her to a bull-riding area, to help her get her mind off of Brian and just 'cause she needed a wing man. At the bull-riding event, Sophia finds Brian. This quickly turns the whole rodeo experience into a bitter event. However, something sweet seems to make it a little better. Luke. Luke protects Sophia from the frat-boy, Brian. Luke isn't like Sophia. Luke is a country boy, and Sophia is a sorority girl. But, opposites do attract. They learn more and more about each other. They keep each other happy...like Ruth and Ira. One major part of the book is Luke having to choose what he wants to do with his life. He understands that bull riding is dangerous, but he's doing it for a good reason. Not for the glory, not for the fame but to keep his mother's farm going. However, he learns he can't have the life of a bull rider with Sophia. Sophia believed that she couldn't live with someone who she may lose, so she gives him a choice. The bull or her. This ultimatum may rip their romance apart. 

Ruth and Ira alongside Sophia and Ira. They are different generations, however they are connected. After reading deeper into the book. I anticipate that Luke will choose Sophia over bull riding. I also anticipate that Ira will pass away, to be with his love. So far, this book is based off of what you would give up to be the love of your life. I hope that my predictions will be proven right or wrong as I continue to read this book. 

I commend Nicholas Sparks for taking me on this emotional roller-coaster.

Link to the Longest Ride Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUS_Q7FsfqU