kite runner review

For once in my life, I finally read a book that I could not put down. Kite Runner is a story of a child named Amir whose life changed the day he ran away when his friend, Hassan, really needed him. Amir grew up feeling guilty, but seemed to show no remorse for his actions. He was in constant need of approval from his father, Baba. When Amir and his father moved to America from Afghanistan, they seemed to live a normal life, only with different standards. Baba was diagnosed with cancer, Amir got married, and there were even some infertility issues thrown into the mix.
The one thing that captured my attention was mostly the fact of how it opened my eyes to the way Afghanistan was, and how the Taliban had completely demolished it.
It was a place of beauty, happiness, and even a place where you could particiate in a kite running contest. It then turned to a fear filled "holocaust-like" area that turned women into useless beings that had no rights whatsoever, and men into cringing animals. When the Taliban rode by in their red trucks, eye contact was not allowed to be made or else you'd get the butt of a gun to the face or beaten to death. Not only was the morbid areas fascinating, but also the areas where the irony just jumped out and smacked you in the face.
Amir's friend Hassan was born with a cleft lip, and after the years of wishing that he had not run when Hassan needed him, he got into a scrap with an old "villain," and got a split in the lip that left him with a scar that resembled that of a "cleft lip." And there was another part where... well, maybe I shouldn't spoil too much for you, so go ahead and pick up a copy for yourself.

Wiseguy book review

This is the most exciting biography you'll ever read. The only book you ever need to read about the Mafia is Wiseguy, by Nicholas Pileggi. Wiseguy is the amazing true story of Henry Hill, as told to Pileggi, who wanted, as far back as he can remember, to be a gangster. His house in New York City was directly across from a taxi depot run by local mobsters. As he started running errands for the taxi depot, his life as a gangster began.

Hill then recollects his meeting and befriending of Jimmy Burke and Tommy DeSimone, how he joined the army (and hustled while he was there), and his life with his wife Karen. The best part of the story is the before, during, and after of the legendary Lufthansa heist, in which over six million dollars was stolen in a little over an hour. The story ends with Henry joining the witness protection program, in order to save himself from his good friend Jimmy.

Anyone will enjoy this book, and I dare you to give me one reason as to why this book isn’t a classic. It was later adapted into a 1990 Martin Scorsese film entitled GoodFellas, which is one of the best films ever made. This book will give you many reasons to want to be a gangster, but just as many (and more important) reasons to not be a gangster. These are people who kill someone because they ask them for a shoeshine.

The Things They Carried Book Review

The Thing They Carried, by Tim O'Brien, is a masterpiece of war literature. It has everything one looks for in a good read: adventure, love and suspense, to name but a few. It doesn't have a definite plot; being more a compilation of short stories, each with their own point to get across. Tim O'Brien is a master of being able to pinpoint so eloquently the feelings that are always so difficult to explain, and does so with a beautiful, almost deadly grace.

"He says cooze. Then he spits and stares. He's nineteen years old—it's too much for him—so he looks at you with those big sad gentle killer eyes and says cooze, because his friend is dead, and because it's so incredibly sad and true: she never wrote back" (pg 69) is an example of O'Brien using his poetic way with words to get his point across softly and yet have a less-than-pleasant meaning. His stories never have truly happy endings, but in the end you feel better having read it.

O'Brien has a certain way with words that gives off an emptiness reminiscent of "Okay, I've just fought in a war, now what do I do?" It's not a glorified story filled with words to boost his own ego. Instead, he tells the same story multiple times, always from a different angle and perspective, adding in or taking away a certain detail.

It's O'Brien's spectacular storytelling skills that make this book what it is. It's not a terribly long collection, but it feels complete. It's truly a masterpiece that shows the horrors of war without being dull, and is also a work of art which is a good tool for aspiring writers to use to become better.

On Writing, by Stephen King

On Writing, by Stephen King, is a half-memoir, half writing manual. It serves as an informative, yet often funny, description of his life and then a guide on how to write. While some of the content in the first half and the language throughout is a little crude, it’s all in all an interesting read.
The first section is about his life in general, but only about how it’s been influenced by writing. He talks about the stories he published in high school, and working as an editor for his older brother’s newspaper. He also seems to enjoy recounting exactly how certain ideas came about, and how the plot bunny developed in his mind
Stephen King, next, delves into his idea of what’s important to budding authors. He can be a little harsh when it comes to adverbs and believes one shouldn’t plot excessively to oneself. He gives many good tips on how he thinks the mindset should be when sitting down to pound out a novel: focused, and that a plot loses life if it’s been sitting around for more than three months.
In some places he deviates a little too much, but it’s altogether a good book, at least for someone able to take the harsh barbs aimed at them.

Book review 2- A conversation with King

Book review 2- A conversation with King

Book Review #2
A Conversation With King

Ok, so Stephen King’s new book On Writing may not actually be a real conversation between you and him, but it’s pretty close. His newest book, a work of non-fiction no less, uses two distinct parts, masterfully put together, to help the reader on writing and it’s skills.
The first part he tells the story of his life and how it influenced his writing, but in such a way that it’s like one of his novels. Stories like a rebel paper, the green stamps, and his alcoholism make the first part a gripping read. His story will make you laugh, inspire you, and almost definitely teach you something about writing.
The second part is like a handbook on writing, decidedly less fictional, but still laced with King’s humor and soul that make his writing amazing. At times it can be repetitive, and he drills things in your head (like adverb usage), but it has many of the tools and aspiring writer needs. As a whole, this book will make you laugh, make you cry, and more importantly make you want to write (and maybe help you improve).

On Writing
A Book Review

On Writing, by Stephan King is truly one of a kind. A memoir on the life on the author born and raised in Maine which can be summed up simply as half autobiography, half writing advice. King’s approach is very straight forward. To quote him, “The shorter the book, the less the bullshit”. The first half of the book is a vivid retelling of his earlier years in life. The kids he watched horror movies with, the newspapers he wrote for, and all of the towns in between where he resided with his mother, who was quite the nomad, figuratively speaking. Not to mention his story of his struggle with drugs and alcohol. All of King’s recounts of childhood reinforce the style and form of his writing. It is detailed, yet precise and to the point.
The concluding half of the book goes on to give actual advice…on writing. King strongly urges two things; read and write a lot. According to him there is no other way to better yourself as a writer than doing those two things. He goes on to give other trivial advice, such as relaxing the use of adverbs and to write at least one thousand words a session. He even believes where you place your desk to write at plays a role. All of his suggestions are very specific.
The book is summed up by discussing his near death experience in 1999 when he was hit by a van. He recalls the entire incident with great detail, which I find rather surprising. He even remembers the price of a ring he was wearing at the time. A fairly minute detail to dredge up. This book has different values for different people. A bit colorful for those too politically correct and quite informative for those who want to be in “the know“. Again, truly one of a kind.

review

On Writing
Book Review

Though Stephen King may not be the all-time best writer out there, he is certainly one of the most prolific, and for that alone, this book warrants attention. The first section of the book is a memoir of his writing life, from childhood experiences that shaped him as a writer to the experiences that hindered him in adulthood, and in particular his struggle with alcohol.

Though King credits his prolificness to good health and a stable relationship, I imagine that his down-to-earth approach to writing also helps. This healthy attitude toward craft comes through in the second section of the book, which includes advice on everything from grammar to choosing an agent. He is also kind enough to toss in some bits of wisdom to make the novel as tasty as possible, such as

"Put your desk in the corner, and every time you sit down to write, remind yourself why it isn't in the middle of the room. Life isn't a support system for art. It's the other way around."

King also finds ways of explaining the craft that are perfectly understandable. He doesn't write to impress with vocabulary ( Unless four letter words are impressive to you) but writes what need to be written, and no more. According to him, creative writing is a process that while it can be made easier by outlining, planning, and preparation, does not always lead the writer to the best manuscript. He stress's the importance of writing, reading, assessing, and accepting rejection

It's obvious from reading On Writing that King loves to write and feels lucky to have done it for a living all of these years. This joyful approach to writing, and his real insights into the craft make you feel as though he's speaking directly to you, as if he was in the room with you. On writing is a book anyone can read, and should! If you enjoy a good story, and take pleasure in learning, on writing your ticket to ride.

final king!

As Stephen King allows you partially into his life, he doesn't just show you how he became the astounding writer that he is today, he teaches you how to become one yourself! All throughout the short novel, it feels as though he is just across the room chatting with you like you were a long lost friend. It seemed as though there was some form of comforting feeling when I read this book; a kind of laid-back, relaxed enotion that allowed me to get lost within the words and just block out the outside world for an hour or two.
He speaks of a certain "imaginary toolbox" that you could use as a guide to help you be on your way as a novelist or creative writer. I personally placed my bed, a bunch of pencils, paper, and a good attitude in mine, because that is all I ever really needed to create stories or essay assignments. Honestly, if you are the kind of person who is looking for some sort of advice on writing/ a not-so challenging read, then this book should be a great start!

On Writng, A Review (Version 2.0)

Stephen King’s On Writing could be classified as nonfiction or memoir. The first part, the memoir, moves along at a brisk pace as it gives us a tour of how the Maine legend became the writer he is today. The prose is so friendly and personal that it feels almost as if you know him, and contains King’s distinctive style as well as his appreciation for bare reality--no sugarcoating things or censoring the swears. There are parts memorable for their quirky, bizarre hilarity, such as the retelling of the gassy babysitter who said “Pow!” as well as moments supremely moving, such as King’s account of his battle with drugs and alcohol. All in all, there is rarely a dull moment in the memoir, and the reader gets a very complete picture of how each thing in King’s development has led to how he is today.
The second part of the book is about writing. For the beginning writer, this could definitely be a useful section to learn about some the basic tools of the craft. However, what it contains could be found from almost any other writing book, and if you’ve already read a few, this may not be anything new to you. It could serve as a helpful reminder on some points, but don’t expect it to elevate you to a new level of expertise. However, this section is enjoyable merely because of the extra commentary from King, if nothing else. Funny and offbeat, he always creates a quality experience for the reader. On Writing is a worthwhile book that I would recommend to anyone, whether you’re a regular fan of King’s or someone looking for a new read.

On Writing, A Review

On Writing
A review

If you have a flare for four letter words, an affinity for Stephen King’s life, or a desire for comedic elements within any book you read, Stephen King’s On Writing is the book for you!
As all of Stephen King’s work, there is the inevitable propensity for an aimless tale. Thus making for a read in which one cannot let ones own mind wander from the page, or else one may become hopelessly lost.
The first half of the book, more or less, is devoted to the telling of Stephen King’s life story, coming standard equipped with more than his fair share of “oopsies” and “shouldn’t have done that’s.”
Yet, even with all its flaws, the first half of the book has odd ways of sneaking in tidbits of wisdom to aspiring writers, such as not to staple submissions, don’t take comments too personal, and people will like your writing more after you get a bit of success.
The second half, however, is actually devoted to writing… I know, with I title like On Writing who’d have thought that Stephen would actually attempt to teach us something. This second half is filled with bits of relevant and important information, not to mention stewing with memorable quotes such as “Writing isn’t about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end it’s about enriching the lives of those who will read your work. And enriching your own life as well.”
All and all, the book is useful for aspiring writers, so long as you are comfortable with curses and anecdotes, for the afore mentioned I would simply suggest you don’t read it, and to aide to the efforts of the latter half, just read the second half and it should help.

On Writing

On Writing, by Stephen King, is a fabulous half-memoir, half writing manual. He manages to capture his essence on the pages of this book and easily relay his message across.
The first section is a vivid retelling of his life, and mostly how it's been influenced by being a writer. He tells about the stories he wrote as a high schooler that he sold to his friends (and got in trouble for) and the many newspapers he was involved with. He wasn't afraid to delve into the darker side of his adult life, where he was an alcoholic and abused drugs at the cost of not remembering writing some of his books.
The second part of the book goes into his ideas of what's important to budding authors. He can be a little harsh when it comes to adverbs, and believes one shouldn't plot excessively to oneself. He gives many good tips on how he thinks the mindset should be when sitting down to pound out a novel, for instance, he thinks a plot loses life if its been laying around for more than three or four months. He gives strict rules for how long to let your finished novel sit away once it's done, and who to let read it first.
In some places he deviates a little too much, but altogether it's a good book for someone truly interested in writing.

Advice from Mr. King: Take 2

When Mr. King asks himself what writing is, his answer is, “telepathy, of course”; and his book, On Writing, is even better than telepathy. When I was reading this book I didn’t feel like King sending me images telepathically, I felt like he was right in the room talking to me. On Writing is one of the few non-fiction novels written by Stephen King, one of the most, if not the most, prevalent horror authors of our time. King has authored more than 40 books and 200 short stories in the last thirty-five years. On Writing is half a memoir of King’s life and half a how-to book on writing. The first half of the book is about King’s life, his childhood, unfortunate accidents with poison ivy and his run in with the otiologist, how he became a writer, and his later life. The second half is about how to become a better writer, even though King explicitly states,

“[…] it is impossible to make a competent writer out of a bad writer, and while it is equally impossible to make a great writer out of a good one, it is possible, with lots of hard work, dedication, and timely help, to make a good writer out of a merely competent one.”

The entire book is written in this down-to-earth, completely candid style. King doesn’t flatter his reader, he tells it to them straight, so if you are easily discouraged or offended, this might not be the book for you. However if you are up for a good laugh you are in the right place because the entire book is dripping with Stephen King’s trademark dry wit and self-deprecating humor.

Despite the many positive aspects of the book, it is not perfect. There are some downsides that should be known about it; for example, Stephen King has a very rambling writing style, so when talking about grammar sometimes he gets very redundant. He also talks about some very basic elements of writing; the odds are that if you are reading the book you already know the basics. However, as boring as this part can be, King’s humor spices it up quite a bit. This book is also written for the average person. Stephen King peddles literature to masses, so if one begins reading this book looking for something sophisticated and thoroughly intellectual, it will not fit the requirements and they will be disappointed. It is insightful, yet very crude.

However, despite it’s simplicity this book offers a lot of excellent advice on life, and on writing. Small gems of wisdom like on topics like criticism: “After having a two-hundred-pound babysitter fart on your face and yell Pow!, The Village Voice holds few terrors”, fancy language: “Never use “emolument” when you mean “tip””, the importance of reading: “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write”, television: “I am, when you stop to think of a it, a member of a fairly select group: the final handful of American novelists who learned to read and write before they learned to eat a daily helping of video bullshit”.

So, if you want to learn more about Stephen King, read this book. If you are sick of boring handbooks on writing and want to learn a bit about writing in a funny and entertaining style, read this book. If you are offended by four letter words, do not read this book. Overall, this book was hilarious and helpful, but not for the faint of heart!

stephen's #2 (lol)

Throughout Stephen King's novel, On Writing, the first thing that caught my attention was his peacefulness. It seemed to wrap around me and let me drift off into a world unknown. I enjoyed this novel very much due to the fact that it was such an easy read, but with much to offer. I learned how to create my own writer's "toolbox," just by adding my writing knowledge upon anything new. In the beginning it seemed to be an auto-biography on his life, but when you read more deeper it was telling you the experiences and ideas that actually led to his stories and ultimately to his success.

when you see

When reading Stephen King's novel On Writing, it was like being placed right in front of him. The tone was set as mellow, chilled and laid back. Who would have thought that one of the greatest horror story tellers of all time would be so serene and down to earth? Throughout his novel, he spoke of how he came into writing, how much enjoyment he got out of it, and also how it helped realize that there is more to life than alcohol. He even lets you into his own personal idea of a writer's "toolbox" and shows you how to get comfortable with your writing and to just let it flow freely even though it may sound like crap in the beginning.

Book review 1- A conversation with King

Book Review #1
A Conversation With King

Ok, so Stephen King’s new book On Writing may not actually be a real conversation between you and him, but it’s pretty close. His newest book, a work of non-fiction no less, uses two distinct parts, masterfully put together, to help the reader on writing and it’s skills. The first part he tells the story of his life and how it influenced his writing, but in such a way that it’s like one of his novels. Stories like the farting babysitter, the green stamps, and his alcoholism make the first part a gripping read. His story will make you laugh, inspire you, and almost definitely teach you something about story. The second part is like a handbook on writing, decidedly less fictional, but still laced with King’s humor and soul that make his writing amazing. At times it can be repetitive, and he drills things in your head (like adverb usage), but it has many of the tools and aspiring writer needs. As a whole, this book will make you laugh, make you cry, and more importantly make you want to write (and maybe help you improve).

On Writing Uno

I thought Stephen King's On Writing was superb. The book is seemingly, and destinctivly, seperated into two parts: a hilarious yet revealing semi-autobiography and a straight forward handbook to aspiring writers.
I loved his tone throughout the book. It was like he kept on wanting to avoid the "bullshit" that other authors frequently put in their novels. It was like a favorite uncle sitting you down to recap bits of his golden youth and carefully explaining his craft. His attitude was very easygoing yet firm, on the intent of the reader obtaining this knowledge. Which made him all the more humanistic, relatable, to the reader. Which is quite obsolute in many pieces of literartue. This made the book an easy read versus if John Grisham or Tom Clancy had approached the book in the same mannner.
The fact that he talked at a great length of deeply disturbing personal characteristics/flaws. The stories made me anticipate his next downfall basically. Such as when he delves into his past struggle with drugs and alcohol. The subject matter and his deteriation is undoubtedly grim yet he also manageas to place a humorous attitude towards them. Like when his wife confronts him about drinking numerous bottles of Listerine, he denies ever doing such a thing because Scope has a much mintier taste. Examples like this which could have thrown the reader off entirely, are standout moments in the book because King embraces his flaws, unlike many others.
For aspiring writers King offers, seemeningly as much advice that he can give. He states that, "If you want to be a writer you must do two things above all others: read alot and write alot." Also that we should take in books in small sips as well as long drinks. We learn his taboos of writing: adverbs and the passive voice. When it comes to writing a writer does best in a place of his own. Such as solitude for the first draft when you are writing just for yourself, ignoring symbolism and what not. The next or final draft should contain such elements when it is to be analyzed by critical readers. He also goes on to describe the elements of a writer's toolbox. Common tools, vocabulary and grammar, are on the top shelf. The second level consists of elements of grammar and style as well as an understanding of the paragraphs as the basic element in fiction. The final step is a sythesis of all these with innate and developed skills. However, one of the most important pieces of advice regards a writers subject in a novel. Every great story starts off with a what if quality, what if a dog infected with rabies was stuck with a family...Cujo.

On Writing, a Review

Stephen King’s On Writing could be put in the genre of nonfiction or of memoir. The first part, the memoir, moves along at a brisk pace as it gives us a tour of how the Maine legend became the writer he is today. The prose is so friendly and personal that it feels almost as if you know the writer, and contains King’s distinctive style as well as his appreciation for bare reality, a.k.a no sugarcoating things or censoring the swears.
There are parts memorable for their quirky, bizarre hilarity, such as the retelling of the gassy babysitter who said “Pow!” as well as moments supremely moving, such as King’s account of his battle with drugs and alcohol. All in all, there is rarely a dull moment in the memoir, and the reader gets a very complete picture of how each thing in King’s development have led to how he is today.
The second part of the book is about writing. For the beginning writer, this could definitely be a useful section to learn some about the basic tools of writing. However, what it contains could be found from almost any other writing book, and if you’ve already read a few, this may not be anything new to you. Admittedly it can serve as a helpful reminder on some points, but don’t expect it to elevate you to a new level of writing.
In any case, this section is enjoyable merely because of the extra commentary from King, if nothing else. Funny and offbeat, he always creates a quality experience for the reader. On Writing is a worthwhile read that I would recommend to anyone, whether you’re a regular fan of King’s or someone looking for a new read.

Advice from Mr. King

When Mr. King asks himself what writing is, his answer is, “telepathy, of course”; and his book, On Writing, is even better than telepathy. When I was reading this book I didn’t feel like King sending me images telepathically, I felt like he was right in the room talking to me. On Writing is one of the few non-fiction novels written by Stephen King, one of the most, if not the most, prevalent horror authors of our time. King has authored more than 40 books and 200 short stories in the last thirty-five years. On Writing is half a memoir of King’s life and half a how-to book on writing. The first half of the book is about King’s life, his childhood, unfortunate accidents with poison ivy and his run in with the otiologist, how he became a writer, and his later life. The second half is about how to become a better writer, even though King explicitly states,

“[…] it is impossible to make a competent writer out of a bad writer, and while it is equally impossible to make a great writer out of a good one, it is possible, with lots of hard work, dedication, and timely help, to make a good writer out of a merely competent one.”

The entire book is written in this down-to-earth, completely candid style. King doesn’t flatter his reader, he tells it to them straight, so if you are easily discouraged or offended, this might not be the book for you. However if you are up for a good laugh you are in the right place because the entire book is dripping with Stephen King’s trademark dry wit and self-deprecating humor.

Also this book gives a lot of excellent advice on life, and on writing. Small gems of wisdom like on topics like criticism: “After having a two-hundred-pound babysitter fart on your face and yell Pow!, The Village Voice holds few terrors”, fancy language: “Never use “emolument” when you mean “tip””, the importance of reading: “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write”, television: “I am, when you stop to think of a it, a member of a fairly select group: the final handful of American novelists who learned to read and write before they learned to eat a daily helping of video bullshit”.

So, if you want to learn more about Stephen King, read this book. If you are sick of boring handbooks on writing and want to learn a bit about writing in a funny and entertaining style, read this book. If you are offended by four letter words, do not read this book. Overall, this book was hilarious and helpful, but not for the feint of heart!