Attachments by Rainbow Rowell Book Review- No Spoilers

     I am not usually a romance novel kind of girl. However, yesterday, I was reading a few book blogs, and Rainbow Rowell's name was mentioned several times as one of the greatest new young adult authors. As I love young adult literature and was not about to miss out on what many claimed to be a great read, I went online and checked out this e-book from my public library digitally. 
     Once I started reading this book, I seriously could not stop! I stayed up much too late to see how the action played out. I have often struggled with finding books that I thoroughly enjoyed, and this book fit the bill as a refresher to my reading hobby. If you find yourself in a reading slump, the easy-to-read style of this book might be a great start on the path back to literary enjoyment!
     I enjoyed this book for so many reasons! The book opens in the middle of the action, a tactic I've always enjoyed. I love how I am instantly transported into the world of a new character. Readers are pulled into the main character's life, and are given just enough information to keep wanting more!
     Lincoln, the main character, is incredibly likable and relatable. We've all been at a point in our lives where we just can't seem to figure out what to do, and Lincoln clings to some of our deepest struggles while remaining personable. Lincoln is a guy in his late twenties who can't seem to move on from his college days. He lives at his mother's house, has obtained multiple degrees, hangs out with the same group of people he has for many years, and constantly reminisces about his high school sweetheart, Sam. As a college student myself, I am honestly worried that this will be me in a few years! I've been struggling recently with figuring out where I want to be, and I spent the entire novel hoping that Lincoln's problems would work out for the best, as a testament to my future post-college life! 
     Lincoln's honesty automatically gains him credibility as a narrator. His thoughts are thoroughly relayed to the reader, unedited. In my opinion, great writing comes from the reader's ability to picture a character and understand them as though they were present in the physical world. Rowell's description of Lincoln does this for readers. Also, Lincoln's character is also developed through the accounts of the other characters within the story, which deepened my affection.
     Additionally, the writing style was extremely smooth and sequential, which allowed for the reader to connect with the characters as individuals while also becoming wrapped up in their lives. "Attachments" combines this smooth style with a unique dual perspective from which the reader learns new information. If you have a problem with reading parts of a novel in the style of an e-mail, this is not the book for you. This style did not bother me whatsoever, and the plot moved quickly enough that I hardly noticed the style choice by the end. 
     I would highly suggest this book to lovers of any genre, as Rowell's simplistic yet profound themes are a joy to experience. I already have placed "Fangirl" on reserve, and I can't wait to dive into another Rowell read. 

Technology As A Means to Success

        Elementary schools are instituting anti-cell phone policies. More and more high schools are now boasting free laptops or tablets in exchange for enrollment. Thousands of people every year receive college degrees without ever having to set foot in a classroom. As the world changes and becomes increasingly technologically centered, the ways in which students engage in material, interact with their peers, and process information is becoming progressively centered on a screen of some sort.

        As my mom often liked to point out to me as I did my homework, “When I was in school, there was no Google. We had these bulky things called an encyclopedia and when we went to the library, we had to actually ask a librarian for assistance or try to wade through something called a card catalog.” As a 21st century student, we have access to millions upon millions of articles, journals, videos, and scholarly research literally at the touch of our finger. How is this increase in technology changing schools and higher education?

        As a university student, I am often exposed to groundbreaking technology in the classroom. My professors use an online tool to upload homework, grade assignments, dispense reading materials, and offer advice. If I have a question, I, unlike my parents, do not need to resort to office hours. While some argue technology is a burden or a means to an end, I know that the use of technology has many positive uses as a means to success.

        Hands-on, creative, and efficient are words that to me speak to the many benefits of technology within the world of education. Technology gives students the tools they need to succeed in the professional world and allow hand-on access and experimentation. For example, with access to online databases and technological instruments, I have been able to get my hands dirty and measure and record patterns of migratory species in the field and upload them to a classroom portal within minutes. Without the tools to quickly and efficiently track and locate wildlife, my course on conservation would have lost precious time and energy in the fields of Colorado. When students are given access to programs and pieces of technology that mimic professional tools, students are truly given a glimpse into the future and are more prepared for life after graduation.

        In regards to creativity, technology has allowed students today to be more imaginative than ever. With access to professional grade software, I have personally succeeded in turning ideas on paper into film scenes of sensory enjoyment in quite a few classes. With technology, I am able to bring my ideas to life for others to access and enjoy in the future. Most academic fields have been changed for the better in result of access to networks of connectivity. Technology allows educators and students to more easily share ideas and collaborate-simply with the touch of a button. Technology in turn is creates an accessible platform to discuss fresh and innovative concepts, which allows for the imagination to reach greater heights with endless possibilities.

        Unlike the students of my parent’s generation, I no longer have to whip out the encyclopedia next to my bulky typewriter to research information for a paper or project. I do not ever have to worry about a card catalog or confusing archives.  Technological innovation is beneficial and necessary because it creates efficiency among students. With an abundance of information available online, the world of academics has never had so much potential. We as students have already begun to shape our world, through our thoughts, discussions, posts, assignments, videos,online activism, blogs, film projects, and social media involvement.  With an abundance of technological resources, students are afforded the ease of cooperation, collaboration, and innovation with other students and teachers. As the world continues to develop, I know that today’s students will be able to shape the world into a better place through the triumphs of technology.

House of Night Series- Book 1- Marked

     Hey Readers! Nila here, and I've got a great one for all of you to check out. For the last few days I have been obsessed with The House of Night Series by P.C. and Kristen Cast.
The book series is about a girl named Zoey who is "marked" to become a vampyre (yes, that's how they spell it) and ends up having to go to a new vampyre finishing school or risk death.

From Wikipedia:
 "In the fictional world of House of Night, a small percentage of the world's teenagers are changed into vampyres when adolescent hormones trigger a strand of what is otherwise junk DNA. The change from human to vampyre takes four years, during which time the adolescents, known as "fledglings," must attend one of the "House of Night" boarding schools.While there, they are required to take the Vampyre Sociology 101 course to learn the dangers they face.If a fledgling is not in constant proximity to adult vampyres, the fledgling will die; so the fledglings rarely leave the school. About one in ten fledglings die anyway, since their bodies cannot tolerate the Change. For those who survive, there's a big reward: in the words of one of the authors, "Vampyres are like Superman. They’re super-gorgeous. They’re super-talented. They’re super-men."

     In the first book, Marked, while struggling to survive her Change, Zoey must also deal with a mean-hearted girl named Aphrodite who runs the school's most elite group. This first House of Night novel was a total winner and kept me up late a few nights because I couldn't put it down!

     Sure, maybe you're tired of vampire books. Maybe you think you're done with blood-sucking stories forever, but I promise that you will not regret picking up the House of Night Series. I'm in the middle of the second book now, and I can't wait to keep you guys updated on the next books to come.

Seriously, go read this book.