2nd Quarter Independent Reading Reflection

I finished four books this quarter, including: The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, Sever by Lauren DeStefano, Maze Runner by  James Dashner, and The Heir by Kiera Cass. last quarter I read 5 books, which means that I read one less book this quarter than last quarter. The most rigorous book that I read this semester was The Glass Castle because I had never read a memoir before (other than The Color of Water) and it was a challenge to read a different genre other than ones I have read before.
The other books I read were obviously a different genre than memoirs, and in my opinion weren't as challenging. My favorite book that I read this semester was Maze Runner, and I enjoyed comparing the book to the movie. I tend to read dystopian novels or science fiction, but I am trying to expand my preferneces. I enjoyed the memoir I read this quarter, so I may try to read more memoirs.


Last quarter, my goal was to read more books in different genres. I read only dystopia besides 1 realistic fiction novel, and this semester I read 2 dystopia, science fiction, and 1 memoir. I achieved this goal that I set for myself, and want to stretch this goal further. Next quarter, I want to read at least one nonfiction/ memoir, and at least one realistic fiction book. Also, I'd like to read at least 5 books to exceed the number I read this quarter.

2nd Quarter Poetry Journal Reflection

My Pup

He ran through the dilapidated streets
Of what was once a New City,
But now just New York City.
He galloped along. not resting fro anything.
Only for one person, one friend, one caregiver.
Me.

He trotted along through Cleveland,
Kept going through Cincinnati.
He ran through Indiana, past Missouri River,
Through the Rockies, and finally to the one and only L.A.
Just to find who?
Me.

He sprinted, paws burning against the asphalt,
The thick substance not known by him, not Mother Nature's way.

He swam across the Pacific, to reach Asia. Through China, Afghanistan,
Through the war, and through anything.
To find me.

I'll be home for Christmas, but my childhood friend longs for me.
He runs, but only in the depth of his own mind.
A man's best friend, they say.
He'll be waiting.
For me.

I liked this poem from my journal the most because I like how it uses real life things, like geography, to relate to any person. (Even if I had to look up where places were.) I feel that it makes a deeper connection with a person who would happen to know geography. Also, I love my dog to death, and I'm his favorite because I am always the first one home to let him out of his crate. For anyone who has a dog, they know what it's like to be away from your dog on vacation, or on a trip, and it sucks. I tried to relay that as the dog would travel to these countries for me, I was actually in these countries and places, and not with my puppy. I also tried to incorporate the literary device of repetition of the word me. I also like this poem because it's different from what I normally write, which lean more toward a descriptive paragraph, rather than a poem.