Blog 3- A Million Little Pieces

                                      I enjoyed the turn out of A Million Little Pieces by James Frey even though it was a surprise. I like how James has become! He pulls himself out of the darkness even though the girl in his past tries to contact him. By burning the pictures she sent, James shows that he is distancing his old, bleak life from his new, sober one. I was also surprised that right after he left the clinic, he ordered Jack Daniels and proceeded to pour it out! This surprised me because I thought he would instantly revert back to his old ways. Also I was taken aback by the deaths of Lily and Leonard! My prediction of Lily and James actually going through with their plan to live in Chicago was sadly wrong. Overall this book left me satisfied and it is rewarding to the reader that James remains sober today!

blog 2- A Million Little Pieces

                        I am currently on page 123 of A Million Little Pieces by James Frey. I have recently become proud of the author because he has progressed! Previously, James did not make any sort of effort in the treatment center, but he has finally pushed aside some of his pride and made a compromise with Leonard to stay for 24 more hours. Thankfully, Leonard stopped James from leaving the center and committing suicide. James has described darkness before, but not nearly as vivid as when he walks outside and plans to take away his own life. This portion of the book has made me think about some stubborn people in my life. I'm a very open person and associate with all types of people, so this instantly made me recall some moments with of some friends of mine that have chosen to go down a bit of a darker road. Though these friends of mine sometimes choose to consume themselves with substance, this part in the book reminds me that I am like Leonard in being the voice of reason. Leonard was adamant about caring for James, no matter if he reciprocated that back or not. This is a reminder to me that I can be that friend. Thus far A Million Little Pieces still tickles my fancy and the author is finally making an effort to come back to the light!

blog 1

I agree with the statement that an author’s greatest gift is a tortured childhood! Though James is telling his story from the place in his life that he is in now, his childhood was the whole influence on the life he lives now. He briefly describes that as a child he was a loner and no one made the effort to be his friend. He is haunted by his memory that his only friend was killed, and he helped her lie to her parents. That fact didn't necessarily drive him to drinking or doing drugs but it still foreshadows how lonely his life was and still is. I like this memoir so far because it is so outlandishly raw. Though it doesn't seem likely at this point, I just have a gut feeling  that James will get clean and let people in his life again.

blog 3

                             My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult left me feeling sad, angry, inspired, and more ranges of emotions. During the trial; I was so anxious to read what Anna would testify while on the stand, and she blew me away. The whole time I did not expect for Kate to ask Anna to kill her. I could imagine that she was tired of all the medical treatment and was in pain, but I didn't ever think she would voice to Anna that she wanted to just die. I was very angry that after it took so much for Anna to finally get out that information, her mother tried to say it was not true. She tried to tell the court Anna was lying and that if Kate felt that way, she would have told her, her precious mother. Who knows, maybe I just got huffy reading that though because I hate their mother and all of her logic. Nevertheless, I am so happy that Anna got her justice for once by the help of Julia and Mr. Campbell  That being said, I am still taken in utter shock that Anna died in an accident right after receiving her medical emancipation. I did not predict this ending whatsoever! I honestly thought Kate would die. I feel guilty for thinking that maybe I would have liked it better if Anna finally got to live her life and Kate would die. But at the same token, I guess Kate really didn’t get to live much of a life either, other than being favored 24-7. Overall, even though I was taken aback by the shocking ending I am so glad I read this book and felt all of the emotions that came with it. 

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Throughout the midsection of My Sister’s Keeper I know have a better understanding of the parents thinking. From the moment after Anna was born, her umbilical cord was given to Kate for things that she needed in her body. I don’t like Anna’s mom at this point because she claims that Anna just called a trial for attention, but she cannot get through her stubborn skull that she has never let Anna truly live. Whenever Anna tried to live, she was bogged down by medicinal responsibilities. Her mom didn’t even think to let her go away for a week to a hockey camp that Anna received a paid-in-full scholarship for because she thought Kate might need her at some point. On the other hand, I am warming up to Anna’s dad, Brian, because he admits willingly that as a parent he doesn't know if he has made the right decisions, and maybe Anna is right. He also admits that on a few occasions he was extremely hesitant to sign any of the consent forms concerning Anna’s health because he knew that Kate was going to die soon anyways. In the midsection of the book I am more reluctant to support Anna and her dad, opposed to her begrudging mother.