If I Stay by Gayle Forman Update

                    If I Stay is starting to catch up with my interests, FINALLY. When I first started it, I was contemplating if I should abandon it because it literally had no plot development, but now it is finally becoming interesting. This is because the author, Gayle Forman, is skipping around through the scenes, which include the past and the present. It is a bit confusing using this kind of plot structure, but I think it is actually pretty unique, because I get to witness the car crash at first, then I get to see what happened to Mia and her entire family during the car wreck, and the aftermath. I also get to see snapshots of Mia's relationship with Adam, and the dates and times that they spent together. These circumstances make Mia so overwhelmed when she realizes that she has taken the form of a spirit because all it took was one mistake, to lose everything that she ever loved.


                   I believe that teenagers are so drawn to this book for one reason, and one reason only: IT IS SO REALISTIC. Even though anyone could read this novel and be content with the message, the reason that only teens are perked by this idea is because it can relate to them on so many levels that it is endless! One mistake can either break you or build you, and as humans we always want to build from our mistakes, not shatter and cry about it behind closed doors, but at times, the only logical thing to do is cry for yourself. I have made so many mistakes in my life so far, and what I have found, is that trying to change that mistake into something good, is a mistake in itself, because things that happen in your life were meant to happen, and not just for you to feel sorry, but for you to learn from it and build your life on bigger philosophies than you ever had before. This is why it is good to live with no regrets, because you can't say anything bad about the incident  until it never improves.


                    If I had to change one thing so far about the novel, it would be a more dynamic character for either Adam or Mia that sparks a unique love, not a cliche one. I feel like Adam must be weird, or Mia must be shockingly  outgoing so that the car accident means more than just plain "death." It means loss and sorrow and confusion, but it almost seems like Mia was expecting this to happen as soon as she looked around at the aftermath. I certainly hope that the details about Mia's human body are rationally displayed at a steady tempo because if it is too rushed or too slow, it will definitely become boring. Gayle Forman should very much continue her journey as an author because her way of writing mixed up plot scenes, could definitely intrigue other authors to change up our top reads, and sell way easier to teens and other love story lovers.

 

 

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/stay-movie-review-article-1.1910768 

The First Impression of If I Stay by Gayle Forman

                I have currently started the novel If I Stay by Gayle Forman, and as of right now, I am nowhere near as impressed as I thought I would be. I get a pang in my chest for saying it, but so far, the author has developed absolutely no plot and no back round on any of the characters except to explain that it is a snow day for the protagonist or main character Mia, and her brother Teddy. And right after the family is introduced, the car wreck comes immediately afterwards, which ends her parents' lives, and leaves chances for Teddy to live very slim. But Mia is in the form of a spirit when she awakens and sees her family laying dead in the perfectly white snow. This was when I got desperately confused because I know almost nothing about the family, and now they are all dead from the very beginning of the book. I dearly hope that the author maneuvers around this confusion because I believe that this will be very hard to read without the proper information prior to the accident.

               Although I believe that there could be many improvements to the start of this novel, I truly believe that the characters sound very interesting and more complex than the plot itself! Mia seems to be an ordinary girl when you take a first glance, but when you look even closer than that, you see that she plays the cello, and that music and her boyfriend Adam, may be the only two things that make her happy anymore. I do not know much more about Mia or Adam, but I can tell that their relationship may be the only hope and suspense that builds the story attached to the car crash. My favorite part of the novel so far seems to be the car wreck scene because the author is so detailed and descriptive about the death of the family and what the paramedics do to attempt to save the two children. "I edge closer and now I know that it's not Teddy lying there. It's me. The blood from my chest has seeped through my shirt, skirt, and sweater, and is now pooling like paint drops on the virgin snow. One of my legs is askew, the skin and muscle peeled away so that I can see white streaks of bone. My eyes are closed, and my dark brown hair is wet and rusty with blood" (Forman, 17-18). This quote shows how detailed the author was to really help the reader visualize one of the most important scenes in the book.
              I would like to take a moment to talk about this new popular author named Gayle Forman. So far I can see that she is a very unique author, because she mixes up the order of events in If I Stay so that the reader is temporarily confused. I am not so sure that I like this kind of writing, but it does intrigue me to find out how she will incorporate this kind of writing into such a complex set of characters in an unusual plot. I have never read another book by her before, but I have a feeling that she will be publishing more novels soon, based on all the publicity she has for just a two book series. I hope that I can trust her to move the story along with ease and to keep me on my toes, because I am determined to finish this series with a smile on my face and suspense in my mind.

http://www.amazon.com/If-I-Stay-Gayle-Forman/dp/014241543X

The Final Post for Paper Towns by John Green

                  As I near the end of the mystery, the plot is building more and more with the search for Margo Roth Spiegelman. Quentin has been extremely focused on being the first one to find Margo, that he completely hides useful information from his friends, until he figures it out himself first, which I find quite selfish and conceded. But I do understand his struggle to find a lost friend, even though he knows that what he thought was true about Margo, is completely incorrect and confusing. What I find so crazy near the end of the book, is that Quentin was willing to skip his graduation to go find Margo in his brand new minivan all the way in some un-existing town in New York! If I were in his shoes, I wouldn't leave my graduation to go find someone that I barely know, but Quentin did put so much effort into finding her, that I understand why he didn't want it to go to waste.


                  Although this seems to be a very well thought out novel, I find some of the components very confusing involving the clues and how Quentin feels. At the start of the novel, I felt that the clues were very interesting and fun to learn, but now it seems that the clues have absolutely no meaning because Margo isn't making them, but Quentin still manages to find the clues he needs. So to me, I feel that if Quentin were not as dedicated or brave as John Green makes him, the story would have no plot or meaning to it. I desperately hope that the very conclusion ends bitter sweet because that is how the entire novel was, and Margo and Quentin's relationship.

                I would like to take some time to explain the picture that I chose for this SPECIFIC blog. The picture reads "You will go to the paper towns and you will never come back." This quote is a deep representation of what Margo says at the beginning of the novel, when her and Quentin go on their rebellious exploration to get revenge on their former friends. She says this to explain Florida and how much she hates it. Then later on in the novel, she leaves this clue behind for Quentin in the mini mall where she was hiding for so long. This leads Quentin to believe that she is in New York because all she wanted was to run away from the horrible paper town and find herself in a sensation of escape. This is one of the most important lines in the book, and I hope that the very near ending of the book relates to this concept physically and emotionally. 

                       




http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/192/3/f/paper_towns_by_harpymarx-d56wmv9.jpg

On and on with Paper Towns By John Green

               Can you believe that they are coming out with another John Green movie, in addition to The Fault in Our Stars! I am so excited because they did some amazing things with one two- hundred page book, and I cannot imagine the magic they will do with an additional teenage story. I really hope that they include John Green in the making of this film because if he can make thousands of teenagers cry around the world with one book, imagine what he can do at every movie theater in America! He has definitely inspired me, and I have only read apart of his teenage dreams. In the movie, I hope that they understand the authors and the characters hopes for the plot, and if they do, then the movie should be a huge success.

               For the movie, it is crucial to have the perfect Margo. Not just any actress who walks in with darting eyes and a shaky voice, but the teenager that walks in saying "What's my line again?" Or the actress who walks in and as soon as you hand her the script, she smiles and yells "PERFECT!" She must be very adventurous, emotional, and indifferent about life, and not care what anybody else thinks of her. If the teenager acts this way all the time, then it should be easy for them to get behind a camera an do it the same exact way.

              Another crucial component to the movie must be the character of Quentin Jacobsen. This actor must walk in with a sly smile and a feeling of accomplishment. In the book, Quentin seems like a normal teenager, but when you give him an extra long glance, you notice that he seems more insecure than his looks. Quentin is almost nothing without the disappearance of Margo keeping him busy. I have very high hopes for the acting and characters in this movie and hope that the director meets my expectations.


 Nat Wolff attempting for the role of Quentin Jacobsen!

http://www.justjaredjr.com/2014/03/26/nat-wolff-to-star-in-john-greens-paper-towns-movie-adaption/

Nearing the End of Paper Towns by John Green

             As a teenager, Quentin Jacobsen is experiencing a lot. Margo Roth Spiegelman's disappearance, finding clues to discover her again, while secretly lying to his trusting parents, and saving his friends from being drunk at crazy parties. If it weren't for the stress of High-School, then Quentin could have found Margo by now. But I believe that Margo wanted it to be hard to find her, because she has many philosophy's for life, and she makes it quite clear that she wants life to have a struggle, so when you accomplish something that you felt defeated about, then it will seem even better when you complete or accomplish it. I think that the further I get to the conclusion of this novel, I will see the philosophy that she see views as love between Quentin and her.

             As I go through the motions of Paper Towns by John Green, I always find myself wondering what Margo is doing while Quentin runs around frantically looking for scraps of her. Is she relaxing in the Caribbean trusting that Quentin has enough time and money to get a plane there? Or is she hiding from a demon within her that she needs help from Quentin to get rid of? Whatever it is, It is majorly effecting Quentin's teenage life. I think that being a teenager is important to develop important life lessons and goals for the future, and if Quentin is always looking for her, he will be underdeveloped for future life, whether that's with Margo, or another person. But if it does work out, I think this lost relationship will make them become closer, even if Margo may be so far away.

           Another thing that I always ask myself as I read this book, is how Quentin will react when, or if, he finds Margo. Will he be angry that she made him search the world for her? Or will he be grateful that she wanted him to find her, and that she obviously likes him? If I were in Quentin's shoes, I would be a mixture of both. This is because it would ruin my home life and my relationships with my actual friends, along with college and school. I would also be happy to see someone I loved after they left for such a long time. I feel the similar emotions that Quentin does, and I feel sorry and happy for him at the same time.











 http://jennyinneverland.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/paper-towns-john-green-1.jpg

Refresher on Paper Towns by John Green

              As I read Paper Towns more and more, John Green keeps putting me on the edge of my seat! The suspense in this novel never stops accelerating at very high speeds, and never disappoints me anytime I pick it up. I believe that every book, especially mystery romances, should always be speeding up the suspense, because suspense is what keeps the reader interested and visualizing what is going on around and within the characters. I really enjoy how John Green balances the ideals of mystery and love in Paper Towns. He does this by showing how desperate Quentin Jacobsen is about finding more clues, because he loves this rebellious side of Margo, which shows both Quentin's hunger for adventure, and his lust for Margo Roth Spiegelman. If there weren't a balance between these two main ideas, then one characteristic would overwhelm the reader in believing that one topic is more important than the other, when the author wanted the ideas to be equal.

             In my life, I have realized that hope and faith are the two most important qualities you can have to be successful. Likewise in Paper Towns, John Green makes it quite evident that hope and faith are helping Quentin have the determination to find Margo. If it were me that had to go find a reckless, rebellious person that I barely knew, I wouldn't even listen to the clues or try to find them at all, but since Quentin feels a connection with her, he is more encouraged to find her, because she is obviously not the Margo he thought she was. Quentin's friends, Ben and Radar, may be the opposing conflicts in finding Margo throughout the novel because they always seem to be the people who tell him to give up or to stop because the clues are too confusing and don't lead anywhere. But deep down, Quentin knows what Margo wants from him; she wants to be found by him, and him alone. Quentin also knows that he must move fast because time is running out more quickly than he can control.

             As Quentin nears prom day, he despises his friends for thinking that it is more important than finding Margo, so as they get ready for a never- ending night on the dance floor, Quentin searches all around Florida for clues of Margo and what she wants him to know. As he goes back to the mini mall, where he found an address on the hinges of his door left from Margo, he searches inside for something to cling to and give him hope. That's when he finds Margo's nail polish bottle on an old desk with a calendar that has the date June 1986 on it. Quentin gets very excited about this because it proves that Margo was here, and that he is in the right place in the on-going exploration. As I turn each page of this book, I start to see how better off Quentin is when he is independently looking for clues, instead of having two people who drag him down as he searches. I believe that Margo wanted it this way, which is why Quentin is having so much success when he puts all of his trust in Margo to lead him into an eternity with her.    

                             http://www.embowman.com/2011/reading-paper-towns-by-john-green/

   BEING MADE INTO A MOVIE SOON!

                                                                                                 

     

Updated Paper Towns by John Green Review

                    As I dig deeper and deeper into Paper Towns by John Green, I realize more and more of the importance of developing a character through their actions. If a character falters in saving a fallen victim, like in Spider-man or other super hero movies, then the character is known and labelled as that falter. Likewise in Paper Towns by John Green, Margo is always a mystery and no one knows where she is or where she might be in the beginning, making her a label of unknown and lost in High-School society. But when Quentin, Ben, and Radar start finding small clues leading to her whereabouts, she becomes known as exclusive and detailed because every clue leads somewhere, and that place is somehow connected to Margo. As Quentin and his friends attempt to search for these certain clues, there are moments where they are completely frustrated and confused on what Margo wants them to find, and there are other moments where they hit the bullseye and know exactly what she is talking about, but as the plot progresses, it becomes harder and harder to interpret the clues correctly, and find the lost and mysterious Margo Roth Spiegelman.


                    Throughout my lifetime, I've noticed that the word "predictions" could mean so many things. Some of these things include what you think will happen in the future, and another is what you want to happen in the future, which are very extravagant answers considering that as we are reading, our brains already have an expectation of what we think would make it the perfect story or ending to a novel or narrative. In Paper Towns by John Green, the definition of "predictions" that is of what we want to happen, which is what is currently taking up space in my. Quentin, Ben, and Radar are all doing their best to unlock clues far above their heads, as they look for the next clue, which has something to do with un-hunging and looking deeply at doors to find another clue. The three get frustrated because they took an eternity getting the door off of the hinges, and find nothing behind the door. But later that night Quentin un-hinges his own door, and sure enough, a tiny piece of paper with an address that reads "8328 bartlesville Avenue". Quentin takes this as his ticket to finding Margo because the building looks like a trailer park that she could be leading him to. What I think will happen, is he will get there, and instead of finding Margo, he will find another clue leading him somewhere else farther away from the precious, which will make him very angry and discouraged. What I want to happen is he runs in and finds her asleep and waiting inside, and as soon as she wakes up, they have a reunion of love and later go to prom together.

              
                   I have a habit of thinking about another author writing the book I am reading, so as I read Paper Towns by John Green, I find myself wandering to Veronica Roth and Suzanne Collins and how Paper Towns would be altered if they wrote it instead of John Green. I believe that John Green creates a revolution of teenage people who think they are horrifically corrupted, but learn later on that they have much more to experience in life. An example of this is in The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, because Hazel Grace Lancaster feels that since she has lung cancer, her life will never be the same, and that meeting new people is unnecessary because she does not want to hurt them if she dies from her corrupted cancer. That's when Augustus Waters comes into her life, and changes her perspective on everything, but since he has cancer too, his corruptness ends up killing him, and Hazel feels a pain that she has never experienced before. I feel that this will be similar to Paper Towns because it involves teenagers, love, and choices. If Veronica Roth or Suzanne Collins wrote this, I believe that they would twist it into something that has a dystopian theme and a perfect society that affects all people, like in Divergent or The Hunger Games. I believe that John Green put together a perfect infinity for Hazel and Augustus, and I believe that I will soon experience the same with Quentin and Margo.
                   

        http://peaches-and-snow.blogspot.com/2010/12/paper-towns-by-john-green-review.html