Gone Girl

Unfortunately the last book I read, I have to admit, I read only because I had to for my Advanced English class. However I am in the process of reading other books, it's just that I'm very slow, so I think I failed my new years resolution to read at least one book a month. But I know I am reading more than I had been before, so that counts for something! 

Back in February we chose to read Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn throughout the semester. I hadn't heard anything about it, but it's a mystery/thriller and so I knew it could'n't be so bad. 

"Marriage can be a real killer. 

   On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer? 

   As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn’t do it, where is that beautiful wife?"

Gone Girl is narrated in two parts; from the perspective of the two main characters: Nick Dunne and Allison Elliot Dunne. At the beginning it's a little confusing because the two lines of thinking don't follow each other. You read excerpts from Allion's diary but then you're in the present time reading Nick's story. 

The beginning is very slow and the writing style drove me crazy. There was so much detail and it felt like it went on forever giving too much information which wasn't really important. However, as you continue to read, big curves are thrown your way and you really are surprised. And there is a reason for all the descriptions and over exaggerated details. 

Over half way through the book I had a hard time putting it down and when I finished it I was left with the feeling that I wanted to read more! I didn't want the story to end! 

I would highly recommend this book for a fun, summer, easy beach read. 

And I hear they are also apparently making a movie too! 

Life of Pi

For my highest English class, Advanced 3, I proposed reading a book through out the course instead of bringing in short readings and the students really liked the idea. So back in October the students brought in some suggestions and in the end we couldn't decide between Life of Pi and The Giver.

We ended up flipping a coin to decide which book to read and the lucky winner was Life of Pi by Yann Martel. 

When we chose the book, I wasn't even aware that the movie was coming out, and I also hadn't realized that it was so popular. I had heard of it before and heard it was good so I was ok with reading it in class. 

The book starts with a prologue that leaves you with the idea that the whole story might even be actually based on real life events, however it's highly unlikely.  The beginning is quite slow and I would say a little difficult to get into, but once you start it's hard to put down. 

Even though the majority of the book takes place on a boat and you feel like there are only so many things that can happen when you're stranded in the middle of the ocean, the story moves along and is interesting to read. Many of my students complained that they were tired of reading and reading and reading about the life boat, fishing, catching rain water, staying away from the tiger, that the story got very boring. This is completely understandable especially if you must read slower than usual and over a few months it feels as if the story just drags on. 

I was frustrated with the ending, because I was hoping for something much for climatic. When I finished the book I felt short-handed, like I wanted a sequel to find out what happens to the main character afterwards. So many pages of reading about life on a boat, just to finish the story so abruptly with no solid conclusion was disappointing. 

I would recommend this book for a light, enjoyable read, simply for pleasure. 

Student Visa

Since my only present visa option was a study visa, I looked into taking an intensive Italian course. I could have considered enrolling into the university but of course there are fees and I won't be in Bologna within the semester dates, so no luck there. I considered taking an intensive French course but you must study Italian in order to apply for a study visa in Italy.

I looked at a few courses that are offered in Bologna, and the best choice was ALCE.  

ALCE has been incredibly helpful, available, and kind with helping me get signed up well in advance, getting the papers I needed in order to present to the General Italian Consulate in Chicago. Not to mention they did all of this within less than week and the week right before Christmas!

I can already say I would recommend this organization to anyone wanting to come to Italy and studying Italian. Plus the irony of it is that I have a major in French and Italian studies so I don't really need to be taking an intensive course, however my language skills can always be improving!