Break Through The Stereotypes: Book 3 Review

Break through the Stereotypes

            Throughout a person’s life, a lot of things and ideas are put into their minds and are persuaded to what they should believe. However, in the end the ultimate decision is up to that person of what they choose to believe. The main basis of Christianity is this thing called faith, which in the dictionary is defined as a belief that is not based on proof. If one chooses to believe the things stated in the bible, that God has an unconditional love for us and that when we die there is a beautiful paradise waiting for is in heaven, there is always still a small hint of doubt; could this be too good to be true?

            Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo is a gripping true story about a little boys journey to heaven and back during an emergency appendectomy. Most non-religious folk might try and steer away from Christian books due to the fear of the “bible-bashers”, people who and try and force or scare you into being a believer; this book however, does the exact opposite. The innocence and complete vulnerability that Colton (Burpo’s son) has as he tells his father his experiences during the surgery, really helps you to connect with what he went through and the things he saw. There wasn’t a single part of this book where I thought that Burpo was trying to shove Christianity in my face, he simply just told the story of what happened to Colton and the things Colton saw when he went to heaven.

            When someone we love dies, the appropriate and self-comforting thing to say is “they’re in a better place now”.  “‘You saw Pop?’ I said. ‘Yeah, I got to stay with him in heaven. You were really close to him, huh, Dad?’” In Heaven is for Real, Todd hears Colton spit out facts and stories about “Pop” or Colton’s grandfather, whom he had never had the chance to meet due to an early passing. The story later on goes to tell how “Pop” had never been a religious man, but the day before he passed, went to a church service and gave his life to Christ; which explains how Colton saw him in heaven.

            This book helped me to shape and strengthen what I believe in, and it would do the same for someone who may not believe at all. Burpo simply shares with you the beauty of Heaven told by Colton, and the magnificent and unfailing love that God has for us. All in all I would give this book a 5 star rating, I believe that anyone who reads it, no matter what religion will enjoy the emotional story it has in store and really helps to shape what you believe there is after we die.

Book Trailer

Top 5

Blog About Truth

I believe that if an author says that their book is a true story, than I believe that the story should have indeed actually happened. However, I do understand that a majority of the time the whole reason for writing a book is so many of them get sold, and sometimes a story may need some tweaking in order for it to sound more interesting.  But, if the tweaking changes the story entirely, then I think that crosses the line from non-fiction to fiction.

            With the videos that are being posted about people getting refunds for “Million Little Pieces”, I think that these people are being highly overdramatic. Yes, some of the things Frey said weren’t 100% accurate of how they happened, but with those stories they only make up about 5% of his book, meaning that the other 95% is true. I feel that people need to calm down and stop acting like this 5% is a “back-stabbing” because in all reality it is still a true story of his life. However, in the case of Mortenson who bent the truth about his story and raising funds that supposedly go to helping build schools across seas, I think that is much more wrong. Especially the fact that when 60 Minutes approached him, he not only didn’t talk to them but he ran away as well.

Kitty don't like lying :(

What is a book?

A book is an escape from reality; in whatever form you wish that to be.  Life throws you a lot of rough patches and curve balls, and a lot of times the only way to escape from them is to momentarily get away into another land or someone else’s life. Many of times, the stories in books can help relate to your own life and can help you when you go through similar trials. It could also be the exact opposite, a far distant land where the water will kill you and the only food to eat are edible bricks, these places in books help people to forget about their current struggles and just fade away into the stories of the characters.

I think the essence of a physical book in your hands is way better than any Kindle or Nook. It shares a story of its past, and who has read it before you or if you are the first of many. Books offer margins for note taking or commentary, and just in general the physical aspect of a book is so much more satisfying. In Tom Piazza’s interview he says “If everything’s the same size, there’s no perspective.  Perspective, as in, you know, painting. Everything becomes two-dimensional, flat.” I completely agree with this statement in the fact of making books two-dimensional, they have no depth, smell, or meaning to them other than the message the author is trying to put across. With a two-dimensional book the same meaning gets put forward but I think that having an actual book itself is much more important. To me walking into a giant library filled with books is so incredibly overwhelming and exciting. To be able to search through all the different types of books and read their history by just examining the pages, is so much more invigorating than just one Kindle filled with hundreds of stories.

Readicide

Readicide is caused by many different things, but I think that the main reason that people are losing the interest to read is because of our school system. I think that books should be whatever you make of them, and if you read a certain book or poem and it affects you in one way, I don’t think the school has the right to tell you that you're feelings are wrong. Books are interpreted differently depending on who the reader is. One book could tell a tale of love and romance to one person, but to another it could all be about using perseverance to get what you want. Schools are way too focused on the idea of making their students into fantastic test takers, and so they don’t care if you get inspired by reading and are only taking away from the book what they want you to take away from it.

I find that this is especially true with poetry, a majority of the time the beauty of the poem is just in its simple self, however, when you begin to analyze every single word put into the poem, you begin to lose sight of how the poem is supposed to make you feel and the emotions that are packed into it.

Also the fact that teachers and schools force students to read certain books helps readicide to continue. Hamlet may be a fantastic tale of insanity, love, and revenge, and some students may be able to see that, but when you force reluctant students to read Shakespeare, for which can’t hardly understand, nor care about the content of the book, its meaning tends to dissolve. To students that want nothing to do with Shakespeare and his books’ that seem to be in Gibberish, this wonderful story of Hamlet is just turned into a monotonous assignment that wastes their precious time.

Adapting Your Book

Since the Hunger Games has so many specific details on everything, including Katniss's emotions, thoughts, and the environment around her, it can be hard for a film director to capture all of the elements that are included in the book. I think one scene that is crucial to keep in the film would be when Katniss and Peeta are together in the cave and are protecting one another. I think this because it shows the audience the connection and relationship that Peeta and Katniss begin to make. Another important scene is definitely when Katniss and Peeta are about to eat the poisonous berries so they dont have to make the decision of who will die. This is a vital scene because it is the main background for what happens in the next books and it also leads to the fact that both of them are the victors. The last scene that I think is very important would be the whole sequence of Katniss and Rue creating an alliance with one another. This scene is very intimate and important to the rest of Katniss's life in the fact of her love for Rue and wanting to protect her, which also gives her lots of motivation for other things she does in the next books.

If I were to cut out a scene it would probably be the endless amount of time when Katniss is in the woods looking for food or water. I think these are important things, but they are not vital. As a director I would portray in some way that Katniss struggled to find food and water but I wouldnt make it take up as much time. Another scene I would cut would be when Peeta's dad comes in to Katniss's room on the train and hands her cookies, although this scene helps to portray the strange helpfulness from Peeta's dad, it is not vital to the storyline. The last scene I would cut would be when Haymitch and Effie are privately coaching Katniss and Peeta on grammar and etiquette while they are training before the games. Once again, it is partially important but because there is no way to fit the whole book into one movie, it could be done without.