Life Lessons

          In our Death and Dying class we were assigned to read Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. We had to read the book and relate it back to what we had learned this semester. I had many different opinions on this book. First off, the book was very sad. I mean Morrie is dying which puts a damper on how upbeat and lovable he is. But, once you get past the depressing fact that he is dying the book is actually very good. This book is a quick read because of the dialogue and the fact that ere aren't really chapters. It is a story about one man who has a special bond with his professor and he learns the true meaning of life.
          The lessons that I learned from this boom are amazing. Who would've thought that a little old man would be able to teach all of us the greatest lesson of all. Morrie talks about things such as love, compassion, family, aging, forgiveness, and many other topics that make up our lives. The biggest thing that made an impact on me was Morrie's signature statement that you can't live until you accept that you are going to die. This book showed that death is not a bad thing. If we all just accepted that we are going to die than maybe we wouldn't be so afraid all the time. According to Morrie we need to accept death and embrace our lives as a blessing. Hearing it from this man who has a degree in Sociology and who is dying has more of an impact then any other person telling us.
          Through this novel you fall in love with Morrie. You can't help but see how kind and loving he is as a person. When I read the novel I felt as though I have known him forever. He felt like a friend. I think that's why this book is read all the time. You identify with Morrie, you feel sad about his death, and you learn the greatest lesson of all. The true meaning of life and death.

Percy Jackson

          During the past summer I came into possession of the first two Percy Jackson novels by Rick Riordan. The reason that I began reading these books is because of the movie made on the first book of the series that I had recently seen and enjoyed. When I read the first book I came to realize that the movie was not only completely different than the book, it also did not give the proper justice to how amazing the book is. The first book in the series (The Lightning Theif) is more action filled and interesting than the movie showed. I also recently saw the second movie, which I had already read the book beforehand, and thought that it followed the story line a little better, but it left out some key parts such as a different ending. I am currently reading the rest of the series and I await the rest of the movies as well. This has just taught me the value of reading before you go to the movies.
          Also, it has occurred to me that this series is frequently known as a children's book. I disagree with this statement because I am a senior and high school and I would recommend this book to anyone to read. The thrilling and action packed scenes keep you feeling alive throughout the entire story. Also, there's a love story in the midst of this action between Percy and his companion Annabeth that keeps the reader wanting to know what happens between them. But, my all time favorite part about this series is the endings at the end of each book. At the end of each book Riordan throws a twist in that you were not expecting and that changes the entire storyline and your expectations of what is supposed to happen. My favorite ending was at the end of the second novel (Sea of Monsters) when Thalia, daughter of Zeus, returns from the dead. This made such an impact because it changed the whole prophecy and how Percy was viewed. It through a twist in a story where you could pretty much predict an outcome. The books also provide me with an interest in Greek mythology which I probably never would have thought to be interesting. It teaches you different gods and different mythological monsters and stories about them. It basically teaches the reader without them knowing. I would recommend this series to anyone because I have fully enjoyed the entertainment and the time that I have spent reading them.