Title of the Book: Author: # of Pages: Star Rating: ☆☆☆ ☆☆

Wyatt Ritz 

Literacy Nonfiction Review

Title of the Book: K2: Triumph and Tragedy
Author: Jim Curran
# of Pages: 206
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Review: 

Most people have heard of many climbers attempting to climb Mount Everest, and how difficult of a mountain that can be to successfully summit.  The mountain that most people have not heard about is K2, a mountain that is the second highest mountain in the world, known in the climbing world as “Savage Mountain”.  Jim Curran, the author of K2: Triumph and Tragedy, was a cameraman that recounts the heroic events that occurred during the summer of 1986 while he was accompanying a British expedition.  It has been known as the one of the greatest tragedies and triumphs in climbing history, where 27 climbers (men and women) reached the summit, but 13 tragically died.  Curran recorded all the events in such a way that he draws the reader to feel what the character is experiencing using visual descriptions, which creates hope in the reader. 

Throughout the book, I became engrossed with each climber’s treacherous journey and decisions they made, like when one climber had to leave their partner behind or else he would die on the mountain.  The parts when they could hear their own breathing as they slowly climbed up the mountain, not making much progress, the lonely feeling one gets when one is exhausted from lack of energy, burning legs and water.  I connected with this book in so many ways, and one moment stands out so clearly, it happened during our last backpacking trip down the Grand Canyon. My sister was walking ahead of us all, when we noticed that she was we walking like the “walking dead” and I ran to help her.  She was in a state of daze and completely red and hot in the face.  We were being so careful in drinking lots of water, but just like the author states in the book, “the margin of error is so slender” when you are climbing up or down, one misguided step could lead to tragedy.

One climber on K2 was so overcome from exhaustion she actually stopped and fell asleep and then proceeded erratically up the mountain. Curran describes these moments so vividly, you can almost feel the cold chill of the wind, and the pain the climbers endure in their tents as they wait out the storm.  The theme of man vs nature is what Curran, repeatedly engages the reader one tragedy and triumph after another. 

If you enjoy the challenge of feeling that you have beaten the odds, this book is for you.

Title of the Book: Angela's Ashes
Author: Frank McCourt
# of Pages: 368
Star Rating: ☆☆☆ ☆


Review:

Angela’s Ashes, written by author Frank McCourt begins by telling the audience about his mom and dad before he was born. Soon after, he is born and begins his journey through life living a typical “miserable Irish Catholic childhood.” He travels through life in Ireland as a boy who struggles with school, home, and friends. His father is an alcoholic, his mom is miserable, and his family are far beyond broke. As the novel proceeds, he explains his hardships, adventures, and decisions. As he grew to be a young man, he made plans to travel to America in hopes of a better tomorrow. He travels and finally makes it to America. However, this glimpse at a possible future is cut short as the book ends before you get to know his future. This book is about Frank McCourt’s path through life from the moment he was born until he makes it to America at the young age of 16.

The idea behind Angela’s Ashes is that of a unique one. Many people have struggled like him, but few have done what he has done before he was even 18. I appreciate his want to share his life and purpose with that of millions across the globe. He shows people what real struggle was and how even he could get away from it and make the best of his unfortunate situation. As I read, I noticed his perspective on his life never sounded as if he was angry at his past. He never seemed to write with hate or malice towards even his father. Even in Section 2, when he is angry about his father spending the money sent for his newborn brother. He never writes it from hate as an adult. It is written about his feelings at that time. Those words were just facts that had been said when he was young. At situations like that I found myself appalled and almost gasping at the things people have done to that family. Other areas, I found myself saddened by all the death. Lastly, all the death also surprised me, because everyone in the novel has experienced it so much that their reactions are that of veterans. It breaks my heart throughout the book.

One loose end I believed was his situation with his absent father Malachy Jr. He never announced what had happened to his horrible father. We know that Angela had slept with Laman and Frank was upset. However, his father was never once talked about. I questioned whether it was because he just did not care enough to know, or he knew but didn’t want to say anything. I believe that loose end might be because it could tie together with his sequel, “Tis.” I believe it stayed very consistent throughout the novel, telling fun stories, then unfortunate events. It slows down as he gets older because he is saving for America and not focusing on anything else.

The consistency is what gives it such a smooth read. It is a novel you can read any time of year, month, week, or day. It is just a memoir about a typical, “Irish Catholic child,” growing up in a tough world. I recommend reading Angela’s Ashes. It makes you think about all the things you take for granted and appreciate the small things. 

Lucas Robbins

Book Title: Into Thin Air

Author: Jon Krakauer

# of Pages: 301 + a prelude and Author’s Note /  Postscript

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

           

            Imagine the cruising altitude of a passenger jet, soaring through the sky at around 30,000 feet. Now imagine being able to feasibly touch said airliner from the ground as it travels over the land. Tucked away in the high plateau of Tibet, a giant waits: Sagarmāthā. Better known to the general public as Mt. Everest, 29029 feet high; otherwise known as the highest point on Earth.

           

            Jon Krakauer begins the story observing the surrounding landscape from the summit of Mt. Everest where all he can see through the ice-ridden goggles is white and grey landscapes and the tumultuous clouds rumbling towards the mountains. Then the reader is taken back to the events leading up to this surrealistic moment. An experienced mountaineer from Seattle who was currently a writer for Outside Magazine lands the opportunity for a fully funded trip to climb Everest with the infamous Rob Hall of New Zealand.

            In 1996, Krakauer climbs back into the saddle of mountaineering and heads across the world to Nepal where the adventure begins. As the weeks leading into the main ascent unravel, a larger theme starts to develop. A theme of greed and ego driven expeditions continually grow throughout the story and hits in full effect when some climbers are just summitting three hours after the given turnaround point with the ominous storm looming just off the side of Everest.

            Krakauer continual use of uncensored detail and tone set the tone for the course of events. From the heart-felt stories that were told in Base Camp to the many near death events, including hypoxia led lies and little oxygen intake memory, that happened further up, one can truly put themselves in the place of Krakauer as he chronicles his climb to the Summit. Through this use, no works of literature can compare to the vast chronicle that is Into Thin Air.

            As long as people are knowingly willing to experience the full might of Everest within two covers, and some semi-graphic content, any reader will find that this account is well worth the read. If not read for the deeper message, then one can still find enjoyment in the retelling of a successful Everest Summit.

Title of the Book: The Last Gunfight: The Real Story of the Shootout at the O.K. Corral- And How it Changed the American West
Author: Jeff Guinn
 # of Pages: 377
Star Rating: ☆☆☆ ☆☆

At one point in time many youngsters wanted to be cowboys. The Last Gunfight by Jeff Guinn brings you into the moment and makes you feel as though you are back in the 1800’s living in the west. Jeff brings the west to life in sharing the account of the O.K. Corral shootout with Wyatt Earp and the cowboys.

The Last Gunfight is one that was written for all people to love. It shares not only the ins and outs of the O.K. Corral gunfight, but it also shares the background of Tombstone and the background of all the people involved in that time period. The author does a remarkable job combining all these great things together to make an outstanding book. After reading this you will know more about the Earp’s as well as all about the west and how life worked back then.

Jeff Guinn being a journalist really shows it through the facts he shares through the book. He shares information that anyone with a quite curious mind would want to know about the time. He has such a great way of presenting himself through his writing. All of it is very sophisticated and doesn’t leave you wondering. Throughout the book you can see just how intelligent this man really is. Through his word choice and all the information he includes. He really knew what he was talking about and made sure we didn’t leave without knowing everything about the old west and the one and only Wyatt Earp.

I found this book one of the most interesting I have ever read. I was hooked throughout the whole book. As I read I could picture every situation and I could almost see myself there with the Earp’s. I have always been a big fan of the old west and Wyatt Earp. This book didn’t disappoint on the cowboy and outlaw excitement. What really made this book so great was the fact that you not only get to read about the main event but you get a background on every person involved. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great book about our American history.

Huck Finn, Mark Twain 8 important quotes

Hunk Finn Wiki

Brittany  Birk

8 important quotes

The book “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”, by Mark Twain, is a classic loved by many. There are many very memorable moments, and insightful quotes. The book is centered around Huck, a little white boy is the 1800s. He takes an adventure with a runaway slave to help free him from slavery.

I think that during his adventures Huck feels brave but also uncertain and maybe a little afraid. He could get in a lot of trouble for helping a slave runaway. "We catched fish and talked, and we took a swim now and then to keep off sleepiness. It was kind of solemn, drifting down the big, still river, laying on our backs looking up at the stars, and we didn't ever feel like talking loud, and it warn't often that we laughed — only a little kind of a low chuckle. We had mighty good weather as a general thing, and nothing ever happened to us at all — that night, nor the next, nor the next."(Twain,12). I think if Huck were fully confident in his plan, they would be laughing and having a great time floating down the river. But, there must be some doubt in their minds that silence them. They probably feel lucky to have gotten as far as they have.

Huck than has a wrestle with what he is helping Jim with. Society has taught him that slaves are property and helping a slave runaway is bad. I think deep down Huck knows that it is wrong and Jim deserves to be free. "Conscience says to me 'What had poor Miss Watson done to you, that you could see her nigger go off right under your eyes and never say one single word? What did that poor old woman do to you, that you could treat her so mean?...' I got to feeling so mean and so miserable I most wished I was dead." (Twain,16).  Huck feels that he has stolen Miss Watson's property. But at the same time he doesn't turn Jim in because he knows he doesn't deserve that life.

This is another example where Huck is struggling with what to do. Turn Jim in or help him escape. "What's the use you learning to do right, when it's troublesome to do right and ain't no trouble to do wrong, and the wages is just the same?" (Twain, 16). Huck stumps himself with this question, what's the use of doing the right thing. I think in the end Huck chooses to help Jim, and do what he thinks is the right thing.

Huck is realizing Jim is just like a normal person even though he is a slave. "I do believe he cared just as much for his people as white folks does for their n." (Twain, 23). Just because of the color of one's skin doesn't make them any different. Jim is starting to realize that and wants to help Jim escape from that.

Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Cape Cod: Peninsula, 1996. Print.

Title of the Book: Shatter Silence  Author: Melissa Moore # of Pages: Star Rating: ☆☆☆ ☆☆


Happy Face Killer. The serial murderer who raped women and threw their bodies away. To be more personal, his daughter, Melissa Moore, the little girl who had to live the life of a serial killer's daughter.
In her book, Shattered Silence, Melissa shares her childhood with you and the experiences she had to endure growing up. Melissa shares the heartbreaking stories of moving from place to place, making you feel as if you're moving with her. She shares the hardships of how this can affect a child and her friendships, along with the stages any kid should go through socially. She shares with you the low times of her life by giving you the memoirs of her thoughts. She tells us how she overcame obstacles without much guidance, and also gives us some insight on her siblings lives. We find out how she discovered the secrets of her dad and how she dealt with them and even how she didn't deal with them sometimes. She proceeds to tell us about the good times also and what goals kept her motivated throughout her life.
I personally believe something about this book that gives it a sense of uniqueness is the fact that it's not an autobiography or biography about the serial killer's life but even more of an insight on how it affects the bystanders of his life. The book shows how detrimental our actions can be for the ones around us and I believe that is a lesson we should all know eventually.
Melissa is a little messy and maybe what some would refer to as 'all over the place' but I believe that contributes even more to the lesson of the story. It's a raw reading. It's someone telling their story how they felt it, and that's exactly how the text is written. It's heartfelt and the way Melissa expressed it and wrote it shows you that even more.
Some really memorable moments from the book are when Melissa makes her first move, tearing her little heart in pieces, when she found out about her father's habits, and when she finally decided to deal with all of it and take a step forward in her life! When Melissa moved for the first time it was hard for her. Not only was it far away from home but the living conditions weren't ideal, especially compared to before. Also, when Melissa found out about her dad you can only imagine the process of realizing what was going on and how to cope. Lastly, it was a miracle when events pushed Melissa to honestly face things head on and decide to step forward in her life.
I believe if you're someone who is compassionate, understanding, and hope to understand more situations to be able to help then this book is for you.

Into Thin Air (Jackie Walker)

Title of the Book:  Into Thin Air
Author: Jon Krakauer  # of Pages: 416 Star Rating: ☆☆☆ ☆☆

Entering the “death zone” and breathing only a third of the usual amount of oxygen sounds like a dangerous nightmare to most.  To a select amount of people, it means they are close to completing one of the biggest accomplishments of their life: reaching the summit of Everest.  On May 10, 1996 a tragedy unfolded claiming the lives of eight climbers, making it the deadliest season Everest had seen at that time.

 Jon Krakauer, a journalist on the expedition, gives his own account of what happened when a horrendous storm closed in around them in heartbreaking and eye-opening detail. He was along on the expedition for the purpose of writing an article about the commercialization of Everest, and this is quite an interesting topic explored throughout the book. The personal and thoughtful analysis of every contributing factor, and every stroke of bad luck that lead to the deaths on the mountain make for a moving story. This is definitely a book that builds more and more tension as it progresses, and keeps you interested in what can go wrong next. Krakauer makes his readers aware of everything that goes into an Everest expedition, the deep-seated beliefs surrounding the mountain, and the undeniably real possibility of death on Everest.

The extensive knowledge and facts presented, and elaborated on in footnotes, makes it easy for the reader to understand just how many things can go wrong in mountaineering. This is especially true in attempting to reach a summit of 29,029 feet. The author makes a point of keeping extensive tabs on the time, and specifying when certain events occurred. Not only is this required for an accurate recount of the tragedy, it makes a point of how quickly conditions can make a turn for the worse on the mountain. Many aspects of this story were very much an intriguing, and often alarming, learning experience for me.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good adventure book, and especially someone who enjoys reading the real-life adventures and disasters people experience and overcome. I wouldn’t recommend this to those who become impatient with slowly progressing storylines. Slow or not, Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer was a captivating story that provoked a lot of curiosity and thought, and it all takes place on the top of the world.

Title of the Book: Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
Author: Cheryl Strayed
# of Pages: 315
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Review: 

“How wild is was, to let it be,” says Cheryl Strayed, the author of Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. It took a long journey for her to come to this conclusion. This journey was filled with countless troubles, not enough money, and one tough hike. Strayed wrote this nonfiction story about her travels on the Pacific Crest Trail, where she backpacked for over three months from New Mexico to Oregon.

Why is she hiking? Does she have experience with backpacking? Did she do this journey completely alone? Was she afraid? These are a few excellent questions that are all definitely answered in Strayed’s novel.

The rawness and honesty in the words Strayed writes are contemplative on not only her own perspective and they don’t only ask questions that revolve around her life. Her tone is always clear and reflective of the past and her present. However, the themes throughout the story expose the reality of women as hikers, traveling alone, and even simply just being a backpacker. As interesting as these subjects might seem on their own, Strayed even ties in stories of her past to explain her motives, hopes, and dreams.

My favorite moments from the book come about as the writer met other characters and shared connections with them. It was eye-opening and encouraging to see the quick bonds they made on the trail, even when they met for the first time.

Although Wild was written by an English major, it was not formally put together until seventeen years after the adventure had taken place. This gives a unique new perspective to the story through Cheryl Strayed’s journals and memories. This also lets the audience see into both her past life, of before and during her time on the trail, and after, even how it felt to go back to it many years later.

Wild is full of hope, determination, and encouragement. No part of the story is romanticized, yet it is filled with excitement. Like Strayed mentions, “I didn’t know where I was going until I got there,” you don’t know where this book is headed or what its intentions are until you read it. For this reason, I must recommend this story for only very mature audiences, and I am pleased to rate it four out of five stars.

Into the Wild: Lea Carroll

Lea Carroll

Title of the Book: Into the Wild

Author: Jon Krakauer

# of pages: 203

Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Review:

Jon Krakauer’s novel explores the adventures of Chris McCandless, which are filled with love and happiness through the people he meets, and experiences he has.  This book started from Krakauer’s news article from The Outsider and then transformed to a piece in which Krakauer adds some of his own narration and connections while also telling the story of McCandless.  Krauker follows Chris’s journeys through the wilderness and recounts the people he meets on the way to create a story that portrays the importance of nature and finding happiness.

            This book in unique because of the way that Krakauer writes it.  He is the narrator and thus he includes many of his own stories, like climbing Devil’s Thumb, but also illustrates Chris’s adventures as if he was there.  This seems that is would be a difficult book to write because Krakauer has pictures and journals to piece together Chris’s life, but he wasn’t there with him in the wilderness.  There is a lot of inference that Krakauer had to do in order to create this novel, which he successfully did.  In the author’s note, Krakauer explains that he includes parts of his own story in an attempt to “throw some oblique light on the enigma of Chris McCandless” (Krakauer 2). 

One of the most memorable quotes in the book is the very last line: “…Chris McCandless was at peace, serene as a monk gone to God” (Krakauer 199).  This describes the last photograph that McCandless took and shows that he was at peace and was happy with the wilderness around him.  Another memorable moment from the novel was in Chapter Nine when Krakauer describes the adventures of other explorers, like Everett Ruess, in an attempt to create parallels with McCandless.  Krauker also describes that monks arriving in Iceland in the fifth and sixth centuries A.D. where drawn across storms and oceans because of a “hunger of the spirit” (97) and that “courage…reckless innocence and the urgency of their desire” can be parallels to McCandless and Ruess.  This is a memorable scene in the novel because it shows the hunger for the wilderness that McCandless had and the courage it took for him to follow that hunger. 

This novel is a great book for someone who enjoys the outdoors and can appreciate nature.  I would recommend this novel because it shows the lasting impact that people could have on those that they meet and the romantic qualities of the outdoors.

Into the Wild Review by Morgan Schell

Morgan Schell
Into the Wild Jon Krakauer
203
*****

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer is a book that takes the reader on a journey through the wilderness of deserts, oceans, and the unforgiving tundra of Alaska; it follows the life and journeys of a young vagabond named Chris McCandless, introducing you to the many different people he meets along the way. Starting with his affluent childhood Chris is always different, maybe a little weird but mostly a kid who has a call to the wild. As he grows up he begins to take more and more adventures that become surprisingly reckless, possibly trying to run away from the lies that his father had built the family on, or the calling he has to be different and to live on his own. 

What makes this book unique is that Chris McCandless has such a wondrous story to follow. It is so enjoyable to read of his follies and his forthcomings, and all through the perspective of the people that he meets along the way. The way that Krakauer writes the book is in an elongated PEA format where he pulls from many different texts, but also from his personal stories, for example his climbing of God’s Thumb. While reading some chapters it was easy to wonder how Krakauer was going to relate if back to Chris but it always did. Another key way that Krakauer grabs the attention of readers is staring every chapter with a quote or an excerpt that is a foreshadowing in what the chapter holds. “It may, after all, be a bad habit of creative talents to invest themselves in pathological extremes that yield remarkable insights but no durable way of life for those who cannot translate their psychic wounds into significant art or thought.” Theodore Rosak “In the Search of the Miraculous”. 

It’s not easy to forget some of the characters and people that are portrayed in Chris’ life, one of the best parts of the book is when Chris meets an old man by the name of Franz who becomes a friend and father figure for him. The impact he makes on the old man life is one that is incredible to even get a glimpse of. 
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an interesting read based on the life of a very interesting man and his story. People who are looking to relate with and to ride along with the ebbs and flows of Chris’ life and the lives of the people that he meets would be perfect candidates to read Into the Wild. 

Into The Wild

Into The Wild: Jon Krakauer: 224: Star Rating: ☆☆
Into the wild is a book about 2 men, Krakauer and McCandless, each on the same adventure at different time. This book was okay, but was kind of a hard read. This book had very challenging words, and was kind of hard to follow with the switching between the 2 stories. I did not find the book all that interesting, and would much like to have chosen a different book. This book was pretty dull, I would have liked more adventure in story story. I gave this book this rating mostly because of how dull it seemed, maybe if it had more of a flare, it would have been better.

90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper

Title of the Book: 90 Minutes in Heaven
Author: Don Piper
# of Pages: 256
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

On his long drive home from work one day, priest Don Piper is struck by a semi truck and flung from his vehicle. Not being able to recall this happening, his story begins with him standing in a bright white florescent room with his long deceased grandfather. As he becomes a little more aware of his surroundings, he is told by his grandfather the he had been in a terrible car accident and that he was in fact in Heaven. Starstruck and confused, Don is faced with the new realization that this is all very real. Stepping towards the pearly gates and into God's warm and loving arms, Don is very suddenly woken up to wailing sirens in the back of an ambulance.

With the thoughts of seeing his grandfather and the knowledge that the story he had told him was true, he knew without a doubt that he had just spent over 90 minutes in heaven. Coming to this realization, he is brought into the hospital and told that he will most likely be handicapped for the rest of his life. Finding all of this out at once, as you can imagine, is a lot to take in and is very hard for Don to wrap his head around. Why would God not want him in heaven? Why would he send him back to earth knowing that he is to be disabled?

Depression overwhelms Don as he realizes the amount of pain and recovery time it will take it to feel at least okay again. Deciding that since he is bed ridden anyway, Don begins to write a very detailed and uplifting book about his journey. Coming across many people who he never knew needed his help, he is finally aware of his new purpose. Don sets off to tell his story and offer his positive advice about, not only the accident, but about believing in and asking God for his help and guidance in the hardest of times.

There will always be controversy as to whether there actually is a God or if there is anything after death, but we will never truly know until we are faced with a situation like Don Piper went through. Whether it's a brief moment in heaven to be sent back down to earth for a bigger purpose, or if it is actually your time to go, all we have now is the amazing and inspiring stories that are brought to us from people like Don.

In my most honest opinion, this was definitely a challenging and involved read. Don has a way of pulling the reader in and it 100% hooked me in and made me want to keep reading until the very last page. I found it hard to put this book down as it was a read that really hit close to home. If you are looking for a book to maybe help you through hard times or even one to really get you thinking, this is a great reminder to always cherish and be thankful for what you have.

Title of the Book:A Child Called "It"
 Author: Dave Pelzer
 # of Pages: 172
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Review:
Dave Pelzer begins telling "A Child Called "It" in the eyes of a little boy. He was born into a family who didn't really care about him. He is going through life miserable. His mother had thought abuse was the best way for him to get through life. She had began by starving him. He was unable to eat which really got to him. She would have a family dinner, and let him sit and listen to them all eat. When they were finished, he was given a time limit to get the dishes done, and if he had failed to get them done in time, his mother would take matters into her own hands. This book has very clear images as you read. The way the author describes these horrible events really gets you thinking about them.
This book was heart breaking to read, because the discipline was getting worse and worse. He would start to believe that he was going to die. He would do anything in his power to show his mother that she wouldn't hurt him as bad as she thought. I had gotten to the point where he was fighting for his life. There was a ton of different physical abuse being used, as well as verbal and mental.
This book is very eye opening, and I do recommend this book to anyone. It gives you a clear understanding of how severe child abuse can be.

Title of the Book: Infidel Author: Ayaan Hirsi Ali# of Pages:350 Star Rating: ☆☆☆ ☆☆

 Infidel: a non-believer , not a Muslim.This single word title is at the heart of this book. Growing up Muslim, Ali learned you embrace Islam or you are an Infidel with all of its consequences. Ali takes the reader on her life’s journey from North Africa to Holland to America. Having survived war, oppression, extreme poverty, and persecution, Ali maintains an optimism that is breathtaking . She shows no resentment or ill feelings towards the people in her life who have wronged her;instead she tries very hard to understand the why of their behavior. At the root of Ali's discontent as a Muslim female is this statement: “ Because I was born a woman, I could never become an adult. I would always be a minor, my decisions made for me. “ As an adult she makes it her mission to free Muslim women from the tyranny of oppression that she herself experienced in childhood and young adulthood. She had no idea of the serious ramifications this would evoke in her life and all those who cared about her.

For two thirds of this book, Ali writes in a very detailed non-emotional manner. She describes her childhood matter a factly, even when horrific events happen. Her familial love shines throughout the book as does her loyalty to her clan. This book does not whitewash growing up a Muslim in North Africa . To put myself in her shoes- not literally-she did not own shoes as a child- for the first time I understand what extreme poverty feels like. The last third of the book chronicles her life as a young adult isolated and alone in a strange country. As she experienced life in Holland as a young adult, she began to write in an emotional manner, perhaps because of what challenges she encountered in this country when she found her voice for Muslim women’s rights.Her stark realization that she alone could not bring freedom to the Muslim women of the world caused the entirety of her pent up emotions bottled up since childhood to percolate and explode outward. Cast out of Holland, she seeks a new life.The reader is left hanging at the end hungry for the next chapter of her life in a new country.

This book is an uncomfortable read for those who do not wish to step into the culture of this Muslim child/woman's shoes. This book is filled with events that oppress Muslim women and worse.It is written with integrity and full disclosure of the author's failures as she perceives them. What strikes me most about this author is her unending love for her family and her Muslim clan even in the face of hostility. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who wishes to experience choosing love of family and friends when seemingly insurmountable odds are against them.

Title of the Book: Into The Wild
 Author: John Krakauer
215 # of Pages: Star Rating: ☆☆☆ ☆

Get ready to immerse yourself in one of the most thrilling and heart wrenching books you will read. Once you pick this one up you will not want to put it down! Meet Chris McCandless, a young man who is not afraid to leave everything behind for his once in a lifetime, life journey. As you immerse yourself in this book, you will feel as if you are walking with this young man as he crosses the country to find his own answers to life itself. From the East coast to the West coast you will not be able to stop reading as Chris meets strangers in what could have resulted in lifelong friendships. Chris leaves it all behind. Every materialistic thing he ever had was given away or left behind so he could find his answers along his soon to be journey.  His journey took place by car, by canoe and by foot. Mile to mile you will soon find out why some would call Chris a maniac and a idiot and why some would call him smart and brave, decide for yourself. No plans, no technology to travel with, just a man and his bare essentials. Nothing will ever be the same as Chris leaves.



      This book is unlike any other I have read. Because this book is a higher level read, it will make you question some of your own moral values and push your thinking to a whole new level. Jon Krakauer makes the book an enjoyable to read because he makes you feel as though you walk with Chris step by step on his journey. Jon's writing style is unique because of the way the story is told and also because of his word choice and attention to detail when writing this non fiction literature.  His through investigation into the subject left no rock unturned.
      Once Chris leaves his lavish modern lifestyle behind, his resolve to make this journey is put to the test.  Chris is very intelligent, but was he smart?  He leaves to take out on his own, no one is there to tell him he can't.  Chris is challenged in the Arizona desert, along the coast of California, and it is all up to him mentally and physically to journey into the Alaskan wilderness. Chris will tell why things went array in his life by clues he left and why this journey was something he had to do. What impact do the people he meets along the way have on him?  That is a part of the unfolding of this literary nonfiction novel.
     I give this book four stars because of the way the story is told and would recommend  it to anyone to read. It doesn't just make you reflect on the book alone, but on life outside of the book. It makes you grateful for every single item and thing you have been given in life. This book will be either very personal for you or it will give you insight on what life should be about. Perhaps, how you can strive to make changes to your life every day. As you connect with Chris, he might even change your day to day thinking as well. Although this book wasn't my usual style because of  my logical thinking process, is it does make me have a insight into why some people could potentially do some of the things they do. It also makes me wonder when you walk into the wild with minimum equipment and no contact with the outside world, who would provide safety or help if anything went wrong, would you survive Into the Wild?