Blog Post 2: Reflection

     After taking the survey, I am more excited to read fantasy fiction than I was originally because I associate reading with relaxing and enjoyment rather than to be informed.  I look forward to finding complex and deeper meanings in a story that appears to be only simple and entertaining from the surface.  I think I will enjoy books that have more than one dimension and stay balanced between all elements and themes.  I think my favor of the books will vary based on the themes as well as whether they contain adventure, romance, and mystery in a balanced manner.

Blog Post 1: Survey

1. What associations do you have with reading?  Do you have any personal history that makes reading seem more or less pleasurable?

              I associate reading with the ability to escape reality to enjoy losing myself in another reality.  Personally, I found reading more pleasurable when it was on my leisure time rather than required.  Many good books were ruined for me because of extensive projects.

2. Why do you read?

              I read for pleasure and for relaxation.  I do not enjoy reading to be informed.

3. What has been your best experience in a literature course? (high school or college)

            My best experience in a literature course was my AP English class in high school.  I enjoyed alot of the literature pieces we studied and found interesting opinions that my classmates introduced.

4. What has been your worst experience in a literature course? (high school or college)

           The worst experinece was the book Endurance that was assigned to us in high school.  I found no interest in it and could it took me a long time to finish.

5.  What college-level literature courses have you taken in the English department?

          I tested out of my first level english class and am currently taking Eng 203.

6.Compared to other literature courses you have taken, what do you expect will be the level of difficulty of this course?  Why?

         I expect it to be fairly difficult for me because I am a first year college student without the experience of very similar classes.  I am curious as to the level in which I will be able to participate.

7.  What themes do you look for when you read literature for adults?

         I look for romance, mystery, and an overall emotional effect.

8.  What are your favorite books written for adults?

        Pride and Prejudice and The Scarlett Pimpernel.

9.  How do you determine whether a book you have read is good?

         I find that I tend to finish good books faster, struggle to put them down, and find myself extremely emotionally or mentally attached.

10.  Do you think it is a good idea to study children’s literature?

           Yes because it teaches how a simple story can have deeper meanings and broader applications.

11.  Why do you think scholars study children’s literature?

           Scholars study children's literature in order to learn the best way to guide broader audiences.

12.  When you think of “children’s literature,” what comes to mind?

           Initially I think of books such as Dr. Seuss, Rapunzel, Mother Goose, and The Ugly Duckling.  However, I also think of books such as A Wrinkle in Time, Harry Potter, and Twilight.

13.  What do you look for when you search for a children’s book?

           Simple plots that intrigue the reader but at the same time have a deeper meaning that what is just on the surface.

14.  Why would you look for children’s books?  What do you do with children’s books?

          Normally, I would read them for my little brother.  I will occasionally read children's books for pleasure.

15.What children’s books do you most admire?

         Although I may not have enjoyed reading Animal Farm and The Lord of the Flies, I admire these books because they successfully portray a much deeper meaning than the surface appearance.

16.  What were your favorite children’s books as a child?

          A Wrinkle in Time and Harry Potter.

17.  In what contexts did you read children’s books as a child?

         I was required to read for school but I read a lot for pleasure when my schedule allowed.

18.  Are there certain themes that interest you in children’s books?

         I am interested in a variety of themes but I specifically am drawn to themes of appearance vs. reality as well as good vs. evil.

19.  Are there certain types of books that you think children shouldn’t read?

         No, I think that the exposure to any literary work is fair to all ages, with the exception of books that contain obscene descriptions of any manner.

20.  How do you judge whether a children’s book is good?

         I judge whether a children's book is good based on whether I was challenged to open my mind while at the same time, the audience of children was entertained.

21.  What do you think of when you think of fantasy?

          I think of Fairy tales and simple fictional books that are filled with adventure.

22.  Do you like fantasy literature? Why or why not?

          Yes because they provide an interesting perspective and are often intriguing for me because they are filled with adventure.

23.  Explain your reaction when you learned that this course would focus on fantasy.

          I was excited to read books that could be interesting while at the same time find a deeper meaning in them.

24.  Rank the following from most to least valuable:

1. • Nonfiction 4
   • Poetry 7
   • Historical Fiction 6
   • Romance   2
   • Fantasy Fiction 5
   • Science Fiction  9
   • Horror  8
   • Mystery   3
   • Adventure  1
   • 
     
   • Explain your choice for #1 and #9 in your rankings above.
   I find adventure most valuable because it is the element that most intrigues me to become interested with a high intensity.  I find science fiction least valuable because it is specifically targeted to a certain interest that I do not enjoy or find interesting like other readers.