Feed #3

To start off, I found a few similarities between Eleanor and Park and Feed. A major theme going on was the idea of fitting in and following social norms. Violet is a good example of someone who stands out from the crowd, as well as Eleanor and Park. They all see things differently, and don't care so much about what others think. Overall I didn't like feed all that much. I was disappointed that Titus couldn't see eye to eye with Violet. The fact that he just wanted to fit in with his friends makes me angry. They're all brainwashed by their feeds, and I was expecting more of an outcome in the book, but it ended pretty much how it began. I also wish he had been more sympathetic towards Violet when she had gotten sick. I wasn't surprised by how he acted though. He's a teenage boy and probably doesn't really know what it is he wants, and Violet was just too different for him. But you would think someone would care just a little bit more. I was glad he ended up talking to Violet's father and was able to see what Violet had to go through. I feel like it had opened his eyes. I feel like the overall message of this book is that this is what has come or will continue to come of our world if we continue the way we do. In the olden days, some of the things we do today for beauty and to feel good, would be appalling and unthinkable in their time, just like some of the events that happened in Feed is disgusting to us.

Feed #2

As I continued to read Feed, I found it a little easier to follow. It became more interesting, but it still isn't as good as I would have hoped. One thing I completely don't understand in this book is the lesions. Why do people think they look good? It's basically cuts and sores on your body. When Quendy came into the party with all the lesions all over her, I was disgusted. It makes me think she should be in constant pain or something, nothing about it seems good. I think the Feed has major control over these people and their perception of things. They try to make lesions seem "cool". As well as convincing you of all sorts of other things. It reminds me of our world today and how consumed we are by technology. Obviously our world today isn't as bad, but the media does have control over what we see and hear and can try to change our perceptions of things. The book just multiplies that by a hundred.
The fact that Violet wants to fight the feed is awesome. I just wish more people around her would see it the same way. She's not like everyone else, she sees what the feed has done to everyone. I'm curious to find out who all turns against the feed, if anyone else does. Another random moment that I thought was interesting was when Titus mentioned taking a few vacations in the ocean. Did he literally mean IN the ocean? I've come to realize I can't really put anything past this book. It continues to surprise me. I can't imagine how that could be sustainable and work. But if that was realistic, that'd be pretty cool. He also said there was a lot to do there, and I can't think of many things to do in the deep waters.

Feed

Feed by M.T. Anderson, I've found to be very interesting. It's not quite like any other book I've read. At first I found myself really bored with the whole story. It took me a little while to get into the book, but after the first 70 pages or so, I found myself being able to follow the book more easily. I was confused in the beginning as to what was going on. The way they speak sometimes is strange and I'm not sure what they mean. I also don't completely understand the 'feed' and how it works. I wish the book had gone into more detail about how their world works in the beginning. But the further I read, the more of an understanding I got. It's kinda cool how they are able to do these things on the moon and it makes me wonder if one day, we will have the technology to be able to prosper on the moon that way. 

I like Titus' and Violet's relationship a lot. Titus is completely intrigued by Violet in the beginning of the book, and I was excited to see what comes of their relationship.  It isn't typical and they started out as friends which I like. That way they can learn more about each other before jumping into anything. The way they interact with each other gives them this sort of connection that stands out from everyone else. He doesn't hit on her like the other guys do. And I like that Violet is different than everyone else. It makes the story more interesting. Another thing I like about the book is although it isn't realistic at this moment in time, the relationships and the 'feed' are realistic. The relationships are like any relationship nowadays. And in my opinion I feel like the 'feed' represents our government. They control everything. So far I can say I enjoy reading this book and I'm curious for what is going to happen next. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys some sci-fi or fantasy.

Eleanor & Park

A lot started going on in the end of Eleanor and Park. Richie finds out about Eleanor and Park and goes completely mad, searching the city for Eleanor. This whole scene I was pretty anxious about what was going to happen. Eventually Eleanor and Park decide that going to Minnesota to live with her uncle would be the best option. Park gets permission from his parents and they begin their trip. I was a little shocked that his parents were so okay with Park driving that far, but I'm glad they were. It was sad the moment Park dropped her off, because you could tell neither of them wanted to accept what was coming next, but they had to. Saying goodbye to someone you care about is never an easy thing and I really felt for them in that moment. I was completely surprised that Eleanor and Park didn't end up together. I thought for sure that they would. But I feel as Rowell did this because in most situations today things don't seem to work out, and that's just life. I still was expecting a happier ending. I was glad Eleanor finally said something to her mom about the situation at home. It's about time someone said something so the other kids don't have to continue to go through what Eleanor did.   I just hope it makes a difference. I was annoyed with Eleanor for never opening up Park's letters and never sending any of her own. I feel like Park deserves better than that after everything they went through. Overall it was a book I definitely enjoyed reading. It was easy to follow, and Rowell did a good job of keeping the content interesting. There's many important themes throughout the book and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good read!

Eleanor & Park

I'm surprised by how much I've enjoyed reading this book. When I first started out I wasn't sure if it would be something I could get into, but it definitely was. The further I read, the more of an understanding I get of Eleanor and Park. When Eleanor calls the police on Richie, I was hoping Richie would get taken away. However, that wasn't the case. It makes me mad how awfully he treats his family. And I wish someone would stand up to him, or do something to make him stop. I don't understand how someone can put up with that for so long when they have the option for things to be better. We finally figure out what happened to Eleanor the day she was kicked out by Richie. Eleanor blames herself for edging Richie on to make him react the way he did. When in reality, it's not her fault at all. She was simply using a typewrite to type lyrics and the noise bothered Richie. It's not her fault he is the way that he is. There's so many moments I want to just jump in the book and tell Richie off.
So far in this novel I've come across many themes. It seems Rowell is portraying a theme of family and isolation to name a couple. Eleanor's and Park's families are worlds apart. And she shows us the struggle families goes through. Clearly some have it worse off than others. The theme of isolation is shown to us through the fact that in the beginning both characters feel alone. They feel different and like they don't fit in. Eleanor especially considering her home life. I like how this story is relatable and it really makes us think outside the box and pay attention more to our surroundings.

Eleanor & Park

The story starts out with Park sitting on the bus trying to ignore his peers who made nasty remarks on his ethnicity. The story then switches to Eleanor's point of view. I think this is an interesting way to tell a story because you not only get one person's perspective, but two people's perspective for the same story. Eleanor and Park both seem to be misunderstood individuals. That gives them something in common. They continue to sit on the bus next to each other, but the ride consists of silence. Eleanor appears to be quiet and holds a few secrets of her own. Eleanor's home life seems to be depressing. The family had just moved and they are struggling. I feel like Eleanor feels somewhat neglected. She doesn't get much recognition from her family at all. Her step-dad is a negative aspect of her home life. Everyone seems to be afraid of him, and the kids don't want anything to do with him. Eleanor's mother picks her up from school one day, and Eleanor pretends to not notice the bruises on her mom's wrists. While Park on the other hand appears to have a steady home life with a loving family. So far in this book we are continued to be presented with new aspects of their life. The two live completely different lives, however, they have more in common than they think. Eleanor and Park continue to not speak very much for a good portion of the book. They silently watch each other and are learning things about one another without even realizing it. The way the interact seems a bit odd, but they don't seem to care that they haven't talked. I feel like they have an inner connection that no one else knows about, and that's pretty awesome.