Thursday, June 29, 2017

#25

The Art of Sign Language

Author: Christopher Brown

Summary: A reference book on how to use various vocabulary words in sign language

Personal thoughts: I took sign language classes in college and received my sign language certificate in 2002. It was so much fun not just to learn another language, but to have the chance to interact with deaf people! So this book was a lot of fun to read and even helped me brush up on vocabulary a bit. 

Rating on a scale of 1 to 10: 9

-Jessi

Saturday, June 24, 2017

#24

Fabulous Fashions of the 1930's

Author: Felicia Lowenstein Niven

Summary: Fashion trends and activities popular during the 1930's era

Personal thoughts: While it was sad that people were so poor, they'd likely have to wait in lines for free food, they didn't let that chance of that happening stop them from wanting to look presentable when it came to fashion. In fact, fashion actually grew and changed more during this time despite hardships.

Rating on a scale of 1 to 10: 10

-Jessi 

#23

Fabulous Fashions of the 1940's

Author: Felicia Lowenstein Niven

Summary: Fashion trends and pop culture fads during the 1940's

Personal thoughts about the book: I loved how inventive people were with clothing when certain materials needed for a lot of things were scarce because of World War II. I'm very obsessed with fashions, history, and films from between the 1920's and 1950's! :)

Rating on a scale of 1 to 10: 10 definitely!

-Jessi 

Thursday, June 22, 2017

#22

Through the Decades: The 1940's

Author: Michael V. Uschan

Summary: A history of events that occurred during the 1940's era.

Personal thoughts about the book: The book showed that life during the 1940's was often very difficult and tragic. Because of World War II, people had to struggle just to stay alive and make ends meet. While reading this book, I also thought back on stories my nan had told me while she was a child during that time period. She grew up dirt poor and was exposed to prejudice quite a few times. One of her brothers cut his palm on a broken dish and was refused a tetanus shot because of the fact that he was Hispanic! Eventually, the cut (all sewn up) became infected and a few days later he died of tetanus. Quite sad that poverty, rationing supplies, and prejudice happened one time too many during the 1940's. 

Rating on a scale of 1 to 10: Definitely 10

-Jessi

Thursday, June 15, 2017

#21

Dracula

Author: Bram Stoker

Summary: A man named Jonathan Harker visits the castle of Count Dracula to discuss real estate business only to discover that the Count is indeed a vampire that terrorizes him and others he's close to. Eventually Jonathan and some men he meets, including a professor named Van Helsing realize that the Count must be destroyed.

Personal thoughts: I remember as a kid my mom wouldn't let me watch anything that had to do with vampires, which was fine by me because back then, I wasn't a vampire fan. But years later, I watched Bela Lugosi's portrayal of Dracula and liked it. In my last year of high school, I discovered a book called Covenant With the Vampire, which I have read earlier this year, and enjoyed it. But I never got around to reading Bram Stoker's novel until in late May of this year. I'm very glad I read it. There was the "tell me more" feeling throughout the whole book! 

Character I liked best: It's a tie between Jonathan Harker and Van Helsing because both were brave enough to attempt to make sure the vampire was no longer able to terrorize anybody else. They didn't just back down from Dracula's power. 

Rating on a scale of 1 to 10: 10

-jessi