Sunday, January 29, 2012

We Were Here....I am done but I wish I wasn't!

Ok, so I finished reading Matt de La Pena's We Were Here, and I must say...that book was amazing!!!!!!! It was shocking, both in its true to reality feel and it depth and complexity without feeling fake. It actually turned my stomach at times, and I was so emotionally involved while reading, that at one point I was reading it while waiting for the "car rider" release at my kid's school and there I am in a crowded but quiet cafeteria with dozens of other parents and I am squealing and bursting with "oh my god! I cannot believe this! I had to take deep breaths, look back at the page, take another break! all because it was so amazing and shocking!!! Wow.....all I can say....just crazy!! I want everyone to read this!!! One of my favorite things about the entire book is the coast and the waves and how symbolic the continuously crashing waves are...this idea that we are "just passing through" and how small our lives are in the grand scheme of things, the mountains and rivers, oceans and waves will long persist when we are gone constantly going and going....like a beat...but making peace with yourself and finding purpose in your own life is still crucial despite this, and Miguel learns that lesson! LOVED this book!! 9.1 outta 10!!! :)
Posted by at

4 comments:

  1. Dr. JonesJanuary 31, 2012 at 4:39 PM

    Love this entry Casey! It is a perfect draft of an entry for your Guest Blogger assignment.

    Before you get too far away from this book, I would love to know a little bit more about what you found particularly moving about the coast and the wavse and this idea of just passing through. This might be good fodder for one of your more extended entries where you use the questions from the ABC article to lead you through an indepth reader response. Just a suggestion.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dr. JonesFebruary 13, 2012 at 12:05 PM

      Casey, I forgot to mention this earlier (and then again when we met this afternoon) but I do so hope you are planning on volunteering at this year's Teen Book Festival???

      I know you would enjoy the entire day, but especially having the opportunity to hear Matt de la Pena speak!!!!

      If you haven't checked out the TBF website yet, be sure to read Matt's five fun facts: http://tbflive.org/?pg=AuthorBio&ID=21


      Also, if you are interested in volunteering at the Festival, use this URL to fill out a volunteer application online: http://tinyurl.com/tbf2012

      Delete
  2. Cassandra LoDolceFebruary 1, 2012 at 6:48 AM

    Well, I have ALWAYS loved the beach and waves. Sitting and watching the waves whether at lake Ontario, or in Florida or N. Carolina has always been a favorite activity, the ocean is so symbolic for many things. I don't care to get into now, but another time! Have you ever read Blackwater Lightship by Colm toibin? I took an Irish Lit class here at Naz during my undergrad and we had to read it, the way he talks about the ocean and waves is similar and very moving and symbolic.

    ReplyDelete
  3. PhilFebruary 2, 2012 at 6:17 PM

    Nice analogy Cassie...I like the sounds of this book. The whole life is short and enjoy it theme sounds like it may apply here much like it did for Deadline. Correct me if I am wrong. This sounds like a book that I would love to read myself. I wonder what Miquel is struggling with and how he is able to make peache with himself?

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)