Independent Reading by Gabrianna Arrighi

garrighi27 — 2023-10-03 12:31:10 UTC

So far, I've read about 20% of this book. I'm enjoying it a lot. It is very lengthy and slow paced but I've just started to reach some of the major events. The language used is challenging to read as this book was published in the 1920's. Nevertheless, it is beautifully written, and the story is very well told. I'm excited to read more.

An American Tragedy- Theodore Dreiser- Page 110

garrighi27 — 2023-10-18 13:56:05 UTC

During my time reading, the character Esta was reintroduced. Early on in the book, she mysteriously leaves Kansas with an actor she had met just before. As months go by after her disappearance, Clyde notices his mother worrying less and less about Esta. He also notices his mother acting strangely. She asks Clyde to raise $100 dollars for her, purchases a room in a different house for a "sick friend", and conceals the letters that have been sent to her. Clyde puts two and two together and thinks that Esta is back in town. A few days after he makes this conclusion, he thinks he sees her at an intersection. I think the reintroduction of this character is important because the way she is coming back into the story is very mysterious. "She must be back in Kansas city again. He could have sworn to it. He had seen her near Eleventh and Baltimore, or he thought he had. Had his mother heard anything from her?"

An American Tragedy 11/1/23

garrighi27 — 2023-11-01 13:49:37 UTC

Recently, I haven't made much progress on my book. I'm not finding it very engaging due to its slow pace. I might start a new book and abandon this one due to its length and slow pace.

In today's reading, Hortense asks Clyde to buy a $125 coat even though she has no romantic interest in him. She makes it very clear that she is using Clyde for his money. Clyde is stuck on the idea of having a future with her so he gives in to all of her desires. He discovers that his sister Esta is back in Kansas City, abandoned and pregnant. She is not able to return home due to the judgment that she would face from the rest of her family. Clyde's mother asks him for more money in order to support Esta. Clyde lies and tells his mother that he has none. In reality, he has over $50 that he plans on spending on Hortense.

An American Prayer- Theodore Dreiser

garrighi27 — 2024-01-04 18:11:27 UTC

Yesterday during my time reading, the plot of my book shifted. At the end of the first section, Clyde and his friends hit a little girl with their stolen car, crash, and run from the police. Many of his friends are injured but Clyde uses his wit and escapes from the situation before being caught. In the second portion of the book, Clyde's aunt and uncles living situation is described. It shifts gear and gives insight into how they live. I think that Clyde might leave his family and move in with his aunt and uncle because of the foreshadowing and situation being told.

The Doors Of Perception- Aldous Huxley 1/17/24 Page 52

garrighi27 — 2024-01-17 14:51:16 UTC

So far, I have been enjoying this book. It's my first time reading philosophy and I find it very interesting. "The Doors Of Perception narrates author Aldous Huxley's experience with the drug mescaline. In 1953, Huxley was contacted by a science research facility to help them gather information on this newfound drug. This experience taught him a new outlook and the importance of paying attention to the realm of objective fact.

The Doors of Perception- Aldous Huxley

garrighi27 — 2024-03-07 18:06:21 UTC

Recently, I have been continuing the book "Doors of Perception" While conducting research on the newfound drug, Mescaline, author Aldous Huxley discovers perspective and opinion on the world around him. He finds that in perceived sameness, there is difference. He tells the reader how this experience changed his outlook on human life and its purposes.

The Myth of Sisyphus- Albert Camus

garrighi27 — 2024-03-07 18:07:15 UTC

This week, I started reading "The Myth Of Sisyphus. I'm about halfway done with the book and really enjoying my time reading it. In this book, difficult life questions are given meaning and possible answers. Using the works of Franz Kafka, author Albert Camus explores different after death philosophies to educated the reader on his knowledge of the world around us.

garrighi27 — 2024-03-21 17:17:20 UTC

Holy moly! The way Maya Angelou writes about her childhood is suspenseful and makes me crave more detail. I love the way she describes her surroundings and observations. Learning about her lifestyle makes me grateful for the life I am living

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

garrighi27 — 2024-04-03 13:46:30 UTC

In "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou, Maya and Bailey recently were taken from their home by their father. It was their first time meeting him. They resent him but are grateful to meet him. The siblings also share insight on their perspective of their mother, telling the reader about their emotions and thoughts. The description of events makes this book truly come alive. I can't wait to keep reading.

1984- George Orwell

garrighi27 — 2024-04-24 13:47:32 UTC

In "1984" the primary character, Winston is trapped in a dystopian society where everyone is constantly being watched by "Big Brother" I have just begun this book and am enjoying it thus far. In the first chapter, Winston begins a diary that documents his day to day life and the injustices he faces in it. After an event known as the "Two minutes of hate" he writes in his journal repeatedly "Down with Big Brother" Even though he knows that this type of rebellion against his leader is punishable by death, he accepts that someone will discover his feelings about the society sooner or later.

1984- George Orwell

garrighi27 — 2024-05-07 12:19:26 UTC

So far, I've enjoyed reading 1984. I've made little progress on the book during shop week, but I'm excited to keep reading. In the segment I have read, Winston foreshadows an alliance with a coworker to overturn Big Brother. Winston also accepts that he will most likely be caught by the thought police before this ends up happening. I like the dystopian style of this book and cant wait to keep reading!

1984- George Orwell

garrighi27 — 2024-05-30 17:10:48 UTC

As the story continues, Winston forms a broader opinion on the world around him. He looks down upon the hierarchy that society holds and is eager to make a change. While writing newspapers as a part of his job, he encounters new ideas about how the world might look in the future. A new language has been proposed that will eliminate all synonyms and antonyms. Winston doesn't agree with these changes and continues writing in his diary about these propositions.