2nd Quarter Annotated Reading List

Matheson, Richard. I Am Legend. New York: Tom Doherty Associates, 2007. Print.

The book I read, I Am Legend, is actually a number of stories by Matheson. However, in the main story, Robert Neville is the last man on Earth. The rest of the human race has been wiped out by what he could only describe as a vampire virus. Neville deals with the pain of losing his wife and child as he looks for something to do to keep himself from going insane. At times, Robert is enraged at himself and at others, he mourns the loss of his family. As my mother pointed out to me, Robert Neville goes through most of the stages of grief. Who wouldn't be a little unstable after realizing they were the only rational person on Earth who didn't want to drain the blood from people? Neville's story is a very interesting one that I found myself feeling emotions for and is a good book for just about to read (probably not small children). (two books worth)

Orwell, George. 1984. New York: Signet Classics, 2000. Print.

In the world of 1984 the three super states, Eurasia, Eastasia, and Oceania, are in a perpetual war. Each super state uses the war and other methods such as propaganda and even self-mind alteration (Doublethink) to control all aspects of their citizens lives, even their thoughts. This control was later compared to that of "a boot stamping on a human face--for ever." The duty shown by the residents of the super state of Oceania could only be considered fanatical by our modern day society. Something I always wondered was, "How can these people take this abuse?" The answer is, they don't know any different, if there isn't something to compare an item to, what you have originally seems best just because you have something. However, some of Winston's Smith's old memories begin to surface and he starts to remember what life was like before the Purges. This leads Winston down a path of "unorthodox" thoughts, which lead him to question everything around him. If you would like to find out what happens to Winston or if you like Dystopia/Utopia or fiction books, I would recommend this book. (2 books worth)