Paper Towns by John Green

Paper Towns by John Green is a satisfyingly unrealistic story, describing the journey of a graduating senior following the clues to find a girl he thinks he knows better than he actually does. The title in its self, a metaphor and recurring theme for the entire book, drew me in immediately. “Paper towns” are made up towns placed on maps, to prevent copying a company’s map; if the map design is stolen, the original company can identify because their imaginary town, or paper town, is on the map. When Quentin, a social outcast, sets out to find his neighbor, Margo Roth Spiegelman, a dizzying, rebellious and popular girl, who has mysteriously disappeared (and not for the first time), he recalls the one night she took him on an adventure. He remembers she said that Florida, where they live, is all just a paper town—it looks beautiful, yet plastic from far away, but so full of flaws and destructible when you take a closer look. This term, paper towns, has multiple meanings, creating confusion in the search for Margo. The book leaves the reader awakening to realism—you can’t always have what you want. The only aspect of this book that was disappointing was John Green’s characters were identical to those in his other book, Looking for Alaska, just with a different setting and plot line.

Under the Big Top

“Under the Big Top” by Bruce Feiler was an excellent read, revealing the intricate social hierarchy of the circus. Feiler joined the circus and over the course of that one year, went from being a complete outcast to becoming an accepted insider. Throughout his time with the circus, he interviewed every performer. I found what each performer had to say fascinating. They each differed from each other on many levels, but there were always several ideas tying them together. Most of them had a love/hate relationship with the circus. The remaining few just hated it—it was their back-up plan, their alternative, and they had many places they rather be, but had neither the will nor the money to leave. One character I found particularly interesting was in this group. However, what set him apart from the rest is that he did find a way out. He left the circus. But, he came back, not telling why he really left or returned. It was unspoken, yet understood, that although he grieved about the circus, he couldn’t live with out it, which is a theme repeated throughout the book. Feiler captured the spirit and character of the circus, by getting to know the performers, who had a life time of experience to share with him.

A review on a review for Under the Big Top

After reading a review by Sarah Rachel Egelman about Under the Big Top by Bruce Feiler, I do not feel as if she captured the more important aspects of the book. She discusses what it’s about, how it’s honest and fun, but ends up giving more of a summary than writing about the meaning, moral, and significance of events. However, she does a great job in describing the tone and mood of the book. For example, she wrote “All the circus employees knew he was writing a book about them, but he was also allowed to travel as a performer. Thus the perspective of this book is unique, both insider and outsider”. Feiler’s status in the circus is indeed fascinating. In fact, the book is equally about him fitting in to the circus hierarchy than the hardships and joys of the circus. On the other hand, Egelman did not pick on Fieler’s subtle hints of his opinion. In fact, she even stated that he “refrains from taking sides on the issue” of animal rights. I found that Feiler makes his views quite clear, not through his own words necessarily, but through the quotes he chooses to include in his novel, and through actual incidents. He does this so sneakily and effectively, that he leads the reader to believe that animal rights activists are all lunatics and that animals should be a part of the circus. Egelman’s reviews on Under the Big Top do tell the book’s story, but she neglected to read between the lines, and discover Feiler’s attitude, which I view as the most interesting part of the book.

Feed, by M.T. Anderson

Feed by M.T. Anderson was an intriguing book, describing the possible consequences of allowing media to infest themselves into our lives. Bringing the situation to a fatal extreme, the eerie novel leaves the reader knowing the importance of being unique. The book also provides a peek into the future—a place of flying “up-cars”, new slang, partying on the moon, and a personal shopper, instant messenger, and reference book, installed into almost everyone’s brain (called “the feed”). However, what seems to be amusing era of awesome technology turns out to be a manipulating and deadly one, especially when malfunctions occur. Anderson creates a tone and mood that makes the reader feel like they really are in the future. His theme, of nonconformity, can be applied to any decade, but it is the setting that really makes the book wonderful. He concentrates on every aspect of the time, from house design, to technology, to fashion, to education. However, he maintains connection with the reader, by showing that, despite all this, people will always act the same towards each other. Anderson’s interesting outlook on originality and the results of giving in to “the system” is combined with a thrilling tragedy to make for a page-turner.

The end of Toby Tyler

Toby Tyler, by James Otis describes the adventures of a young boy who ran away from home to join the circus. What is a simple story of “The grass is always greener on the other side” can be dissected further through analyzing symbolism throughout the novel. For example, Toby’s pet monkey, whom he befriended at the beginning of his journey, symbolizes naivety or immaturity. During Toby’s first day at the circus, he latched on to this monkey (named Mr. Stubbs) that he was sure could understand every word he said, for what he needed the most at the time was a friend—this proves Toby’s initial naivety and simple outlook. However, at the end of the book, when Toby runs away from the circus, with a new perspective on life, Mr. Stubbs is shot, representing the end to Toby’s naivety and immaturity. One thing I never completely understood about the novel was why Toby ran away in the first place. At the start of the book, he described there being little to eat, and that he was not treated very nicely by his guardian. However, at the end, Toby is thrown into his guardian’s arms who expresses his love for Toby in an affectionate manor. But then, it is referenced that Toby’s friends predict that his guardian will whip Toby every day because he ran away. James Otis seems to jump around about Toby’s guardian’s personality, but possibly it is to demonstrate the imagination and exaggeration of Toby. Toby Tyler was a fun book to read, but, because of simplicity, it gave the reader an opportunity to examine and scrutinize the book more carefully.

Toby Tyler by James Otis is a simple story about a young boy who runs off and joins the circus, only to be displeased with his new life. Despite the simplicity, when one takes a deeper look at Toby’s relationships with those he meets along the way his journey, Toby’s inner feelings and traits are revealed. For example, up until a point, everyone Toby met was unusually cruel, so he resorted to befriending a monkey. The monkey, who he’s named Mr. Stubbs, does not judge Toby; the monkey does not threaten Toby; S/he does not do anything but listen to Toby, something no one else has done for Toby throughout his life. Toby is convinced that Mr. Stubbs understands every word he says. This shows Toby’s naivety and childishness. When Mr. Ben, a member of the circus with whom Toby travels with, attempts to convince Toby he is only imagining the monkey’s “responses”, that Toby claims to see (such as a tug at his coat, and a wink). He tells Toby that the monkey is completely oblivious to every word Toby says. Instead of being upset with the realization, Toby argues with Mr. Ben, holding true to what he thinks is right and standing up for his new friend. This displays Toby’s persistence. Although Toby Tyler tells a small tale about the American child dream—running away to join the circus—his small acts of immaturity expose his personality.

The Fortunes of Indigo Skye-- Up to page 200/298

The Fortunes of Indigo Skye by Deb Caletti brings the old expression “Money doesn’t by happiness” to a whole new level. In return for honest advice, a plea to stop smoking and some good coffee, a very rich man gives Indigo, an 18-year-old waiter at a local diner, the biggest tip of her life: two and a half million dollars. Being a down to earth and reasonable woman, Indigo is not yet changed negatively, but it has started to affect her family, friends and boyfriend. Her mother keeps pestering her about making plans, her friend calls her constantly, and her boy friend keeps buying things—like a paint job for his car named Bob. However, Indigo has acquired a streak of confidence, which she has used to tell off two rude customers at the diner. While reading, one starts to realize why it is said that money turns people into divas. It is not the person who changes, but the ones around them. The money itself does not change Indigo directly, but the people around her certainly will. So no, money does not buy happiness—it buys a bit of confidence and odd behavior from everyone you know.