Vivian's Book Pavilion

The End of Oz By Danielle Paige   I finally found a place to call home, if only I can save it. ESCAPE the crumbling city. FOLLOW the road for answers. DISCOVER a way to be good and wicked. Before THE END OF OZ .   I can’t believe it has finally come to an end!!!!!   And I love it so much!!!!! How can I say goodbye to Nox??? He just becomes so cute in the book!!!!! I hope there will be other series after this, we definitely need it. I just keep laughing and crying while reading this book!!!! It gives me so much feeling!!!! Ahhh!!!! And that finale touch!!! I just love how all it come to an end, after all, this is Oz.   DING DONG—DOROTHY IS DEAD. I watched as the Emerald Palace crumbled to the ground, burying Dorothy, the Girl Who Rode the Cyclone, under the rubble. And now that the rightful ruler, Ozma, has been restored to the throne… ...

This is the script we made for an alternative ending of the movie Fireproof (2008) Fireproof script Actor: Celeb, Catherine (Cath), Dr. Keller (Gavin), Director, Mrs. Keller,   (Celeb and Catherine decide to have a talk)   Celeb: So you’ve decided to divorce, regardless that I have tried to change so much? Don’t you see the difference in me? I tried so hard, I even—   Cath: Yes, I’ve decided. I know you’ve changed, and I see that. But Celeb, once love was lost it was lost forever. I can never feel the same as I did before.    Celeb: Do you know what changed me? Doesn’t everyone deserve a second chance? Feeling can return once again, and I’ll wait, wait until you fall in love with me once more.   Cath: You do deserve a second chance, but not with me. And you know what? I’ve seen your notebook.   Celeb: My notebook? You mean--   (Catherine took out the 40 days notebook)...

Hello book lovers!!!!! First of all, I've decided to close Vivian's Book Pavilion Literature Page, and turn it into something else. So from now on, I'll add "Literature" at the title if the review is from my literature class. Hope you'll like them besides YA reviews!!!! Oh! BTW, those review will not be list in "A-Z" P.S. I'll tell you what I'm going to do with that blog in the future. Second, I'm also closing my Facebook Fanpage, since I don't seem to have enough time to read and take bookish photo and tweet and write review and manage fanpage all at once. So now the major sites I'm using: Blogger (Of course), Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads. And of course you'll still welcome to send me email if you have any questions or comment!!!! Third, Since we're reading The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova as our book club book. I'll post some of our discussion here as well. So hopfully that you'll like it an...

Sonny’s Blues John Baldwin     After I finished this story…I immediately compared it with Everyday Use by Alice Walker, I can’t help but associate the brothers with Dee and Maggie. The narrator wasn’t exactly the same as Dee, but in some way, they share the same situation. During their time, the inequality between black and white was easily seen. The narrator choose to blend in, that was his way of survive. On the contrary, Sonny decided to become a musician, yet not a classic musician, but a jazz player. They faced their life differently, and the story was about the conflict between the lives they chose. A really love those literature work, they always gave you hint about the story plot. For example, Araby (Arabia), A Rose for Emily (Well…you know my crazy theory) and a lot of examples for that. Now, Sonny’s Blues. There are different meanings for blues, yet all of them fit for the explanation. First, the Blues in music. In the past, Jazz and Blues are considered as “bla...

A Rose for Emily By William Faulkner     Oh my god…I hate this story so much…but then I love it so much. I’m such a weird person. So when I first finished this story, my classmates and I discussed it and we came out with some question. What does the “Rose” from the title mean in this story? Is it truly that the rose is only a mean of pity? I believe that there are other explanations. During the time when A Rose for Emily was written, American was really fond of making dry flowers, and in there house, especially lady’s dressing table, there must be a vase of dry flowers. Dry flowers can be used to preserve the flowers you love, and wanted to cherish forever. So, we believe that the dead body in Emily’s house was actually a dry flower to her. Only by preserving his body in her house can she stayed with him forever. It’s so creepy. But I love this theory. Now, but why Emily kept H.B. like this? Why don’t let him stay alive?   And then this comes out with another ques...

The Yellow Wallpaper By Charlotte Perkins Gilman        In The Yellow Wallpaper, readers can see a woman lose her sanity and gradually insane. However, behind the process of sanity, the entire story hides a more important message. Should we truth the authority entirely? Throughout the story, the wife was forced under the rest cure, which wouldn’t allow her to anything but rest. Yet, at the beginning, readers can see that the narrator tried to rebellion and write, which is strictly forbidden by her husband. And till the end of the story, readers can see that doing nothing didn’t solve her problem, instead, it intensified her illness and caused her illustration of the creepy wallpaper. “ If a physician of high standing, and one’s own husband, assures friends and relatives that there is really nothing the matter with one but temporary nervous depression—a slight hysterical tendency—what is one to do? ” Readers can see that the narrator tried to speak out about...

The Story of an Hour By Kate Chopin        In The Story of an Hour, Mrs. Mallard’s emotion was extremely changed in a short period of time. At first, she was faced with disbelieve and sorrow, then happiness came to her, in the end, it was said by the doctor that “of joy that kills.” Why would a wife’s emotion changed so suddenly during a short time? It seemed to be a natural reaction for Mrs. Mallard to bury herself in sorrow and tears for her husband’s death. However, no one might consider the possibility that some part of her might also be happy. But why? During the time when the story was written, women’s right aren’t emphasized by the public, and even worth, women were considered as a possession of men, which might cause them to lost their freedom after marriage. Aside from that, their husband often regarded them as children and taken great care of them, yet at the same time, it meant that those women didn’t have their right to speak out for themselves. ...

Once Upon a Time By Nadine Gordimer        In this short story, the implied author had denied the function of fairy tales and refused to write a story for children, as readers can read from the first paragraph. “ I don’t write children’s stories ” said by the author. However, during the later paragraph, the author told himself a bedtime story to ease his nerve. What is the function of fairy tales? Personally, I believe that fairy tales are used as a way to release the children’s uneasiness during their sleep, and a way for parents to educate their children the good and evil in the world. “ I couldn’t find a position in which my mind would let go of my body—release me to sleep again. So I began to tell myself a story, a bedtime story. ” From this quote, readers can see that the author mentioned the point how fairy tales release the children into their sleep. However, the later part of the story was denying the part that “fairy tales educate the children.” In...

The Storm By Kate Chopin   Just when I though thing couldn’t get crazier…bang! The Storm comes. Yes, the storm and The Storm.   The entire story said about a housewife, waiting along at home for her husband and son to come back, since the storm was hitting the town. While the weather was hot and unbearable, her ex, Alcee came. He asked for a shatter to hide from the storm, and well…the storm was so heavy that he needed to get inside the house. When he went in, the every movement of Calixta kept drawing him mad, but he managed to keep as a gentleman. Yet, the big yet came. When they moved the clothes into the bedroom, their desire could no longer bear when they remember the passionate kiss. And…   After that, the storm stop, and Alcee left when Calixta’s husband returned. Everything seemed so normal and usual, but…   What I can’t agree with was that how can Calixta be so claimed after everything? And how can Alcee wrote that letter to his wife. Yes, both of...

Roman Fever By Edith Wharton   What am I actually reading??? Please can somebody tell me why all stories for this week’s literature class are so twisted???? So…Roman Fever…it’s a story about two woman, who happened to be childhood friend. Now, at first, when you’re reading this story, you’ll find it strangely enough. Mrs. Ansley and Mrs. Slade didn’t come out until the seventh and eighth paragraph, which was a questionable way to write. I personally believe that this is a way to bring out their past, while the beginning was mostly about the scenes. However, this are not the major point why I said it was soo twisted!!!! There are several hints for you to find in the stories, such as how the author described Mrs. Ansley and Mrs. Slade, their color, appearance… And I personally regarded as the most ironic part of all—the full-moon night. Moon? In Rome, as you might know, the goddess of moon—Diana, also the goddess of virgin, hunting. Yet, were Mrs. Ansley and Mrs. Slade that pure...

The Diary of Samuel Pepys The Diary of Samuel Pepys, 1666 By Samuel Peps   This…is going to be a short review…since I only read a few pages about this. The main part I read in 1666’s diary is about the great fire in London, how Pepys described it all. It’s an interesting thing, since his tone for diary is definitely different from our ages. “Dear Diary…” No, his diary is more like a list, how everything happened. A special note about this 1666 diary is that he didn’t really mentioned how the fire affected the people, rather he wrote the dove flew away from the fire in detail. However, personally, I think it somehow emphasis how terrible the fire is. From the movement of a tiny animal, how they left in a rush. That I think is a funny part of Samuel Pepys diary. He was not like other authors who purposely left his diary to be seen, but he wrote them down with his original idea about them. The Diary of Samuel Pepys, 1668 By Samuel Peps     What’s the main part...

Kew Gardens By Virginia Woolf   The first time I read this story…I had completely no idea what I was reading. It’s so…flat. You read people walking around the garden, telling their past, and a snail moving across a leaf. Besides, I read this story before I even took my first literature lesson, double trouble. But, after I had a discussion with my teacher and classmates, I can’t help but wonder how brilliant and interesting this story was!   Kew Garden was written after World War 1, so I personally think there are a lot of connection between them, especially we all know that England played an important part in WW1. There are a lot of metaphors inside the story, and only when you look deep down while you find the story interesting…otherwise? You will think this is just a horrible one, only with vivid description. Now, where should we start? Let’s start with the snail. You might ask…”Really? A snail?” Yes, it’s a snail, and we had discussed it for an entire class. What di...

I Stand Here Ironing By Tillie Olsen   I Stand Here Ironing, well…you cannot deny that we often trace back our past when we’re doing house chores. I Stand Here Ironing told a story about a loving mother, who couldn’t take care her first born during the age of The Depression, and her daughter’s personality changed throughout those years. I love this story, at first, it might be a bit difficult to understand if you just read the story. But, think of the age of Depression. Or any economic depression in every country every place. It’s always a hard thing to survive during those periods let alone taking good care of your child. Just watch the movie! Even we can’t and do not hope to go through those timing, it’ll be easier to imagine with film. What else? One of the heart-broken parts of this story is that the mother is so young and alone when she needed to take care of Emily, her first born.   Her awful husband left her when she needed him the most…only pay a tiny kindness ...

Everyday Use By Alice Walker   Well? From today began, as long as you see the category “Literature,” the review might be a little bit more serious. “A Bit.”   So the funny thing about literature is that you’ll never find it interesting unless you look into it. Everyday Use is a short story by Alice Walker, and…I figure if you know The Color Purple you’ll know her. But in case you don’t know, she’s a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and a “womanist.” This short story was given by my Literature class as a class material.   Narrative by “Mama,” it says the story behind a black family during 1960s. How they struggle to send at least one of their children for higher education and makes them better. Well…that’s the back ground. This story was about Mama, and her two daughters, Dee and Maggie, who had a complete different personalities in this story. While Dee was a confident, perhaps…selfish girl, Maggie is a shy one, embarrassed by her own burning scar. So after a lo...

7 Must-Read Authors   When a new book release, which the author do you buy without looking at the summery? Which author do you know you MUST buy the book without a second thought? Which author dragged you into her/his magical world within a second? I’m going to give you my top 7 Must-Read Author list!!!!! (I’m hoping to do this for so long!!!! Let’s do thi s!!!!!     No. 1 J.K.Rowling   Dah, do I need to explain? J. K. Rowling is the author that you grabbed the book immediately without second thought. (Although…I must confess…I never read her other series…I plan to…but not yet.)   Now…which book did our beloved author write? (In case that you miss any of them)

A Viscount’s Proposal By Melanie Dickerson     Really? I’m totally reading Pride and Prejudice. I don’t know whether I like it or not…but…somehow it interested me, but not impressed. I remember when I first read A Spy’s Devotion, I was pretty impressed, and to be honest, it’s one of the best books I’ve read from Melanie Dickerson. During that review, I also mentioned that it’s quiet similar to the setting of Pride and Prejudice, but, it wasn’t similar in that way. it got its own unique plot, its own adventure. And I love it, it’ll impressed every Pride and Prejudice lover. And…A Viscount’s Proposal??? Just wait and see!   Leorah Langdon has no patience for Regency society’s shallow hypocrisy and unnecessary rules, especially for women. She’s determined to defy convention by marrying for grand passion instead of settling for a loveless union like her parents—or wedding a stuffy, pompous gentleman like Edward, the Viscount Withinghall. But when a chance meet...

Wintersong By S. Jae-Jones    Does the crown serve the king or the king serve the crown?     As you might know…due to my numberless activities before, I’ve been active enough. But besides that reason…I was kind of facing a reading slump and didn’t know what to read or how to review…it was just…blocked.    Yes…so terrifying. But, but but but!!!!! When I was reading Wintersong…I felt the passion I haven’t felt so long since reading Heartless and The Fate of the Tearling. It’s just brilliant, I mean Wintersong.   Not to mention the gorgeous cover I’ve fallen in love with as soon as I lay my eyes on it. It definitely became a must-read book for my TBR list, and I didn’t regret at all. It simply lit the fire in me once again.   The last night of the year. Now the days of winter begin and the Goblin King rides abroad, searching for his bride…     All her life, Liesl has heard tales of the beautiful, dan...

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies By Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith      FINALLY!!! I’m finally doing review again!!! I’m so sorry that I was being less active recently, since I had two MUN conference in two weeks and tons of activities waiting for me to attend. But…I have done it!!! I finished Pride and Prejudice and Zombies!!!! And I’m now about to show you my review!!!!    So as you might guess from the title, it’s a book based on Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, one of the beloved classics among the world and the required book for every high school student in Taiwan. (And my current textbook for Novel!!!!) However…zombies? Interesting choice…but it definitely fit the original story.     “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.” So begins Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, a bold reimagining of Jane Austen’s classic novel. As our story opens, a mysterio...

  The couple lived a long pleasant live after the power of wind release from the princess. Until, trouble came again. It seemed, their lives were born with responsibility, until the things were done.   It’s a casual summer day, when the prince and the princess went on their journey, to explore, to light up the world. Their journey never end, not when the world was so wide.   They sat under the starry night, watched the stars lit upon the sky and enjoyed their moment together. They’ve been through so many difficulties. Their love was now beyond words, eternal as stars, eternal as moon.   The soothing wind brushed through the night, leaving the sound of whisper and their unspoken love.   Suddenly, a dark shade flew over the couple, shading all the light, until darkness fell upon them both.   The prince stood up without any hesitation, sword out, ready to fight. He hold no ordinary sword, it was an enchanting sword, only its true mas...