Book Review (CM1145 #5)

February 2nd, 2012
We need to do a book review for our writing class, and quite honestly, I have no idea what to expect out of this project. I've never even considered writing a book review before, movie reviews yes, I suppose it will be similar? I'm really excited though, I picked the book "Still Alice" by Lisa Genova, and just from reading the description I cannot wait to read it! It's about a fifty year old woman who studied neuroscience psychology, and throughout the book, you get the follow her life as she lives through Alzheimer's! It's already got me hooked. I've started reading the first chapter, it's slightly dull for now, but most introductions are, as they introduce the characters, the story plot, the theme, etc. I can't wait to get more into details about her life and hopefully learn more about the disease. I think it will be interesting to read a story in the eyes of someone who's suffering from it rather than the usual story in the views of a family member or friend.

February 9, 2012
So I've gotten a little farther through the book. I am really enjoying it, so far she still has no clue she has Alzheimer's, but she's suspecting things! She thinks she may have a brain tumor! Reading through Alice's life makes me feel so bad for people with Alzheimer's. She completely forgets where she is and how to get home, she blanks out in the middle of speeches, and she forgot to go to the airport one time! Although it makes me feel complete pity for the people who are experiencing this horrible desease, it also terrifies me. Alzheimer's run's in my family in several different branches. Two of my great-grandparent's died from it. Reading what Alice is experiencing as this time in her life terrifies me to know that she has this deciese but has no idea that she has it. Hopefully she finds out soon and begins a treatment of some sort to slow it down. (Does that exist? I'm fairly certain it does.)

February 12, 2012
Wow. I am currently reading the chapter "July 2004" and the book starts at "September 2003". Page 414 out of 862 on a small iPhone screen. That's 48% done the book, and all I can say is wow. I am so extremely grateful that a book review is one of the required projects in CM1145, because otherwise I never would have  opened my eyes to such an incredible book. I literally just spent the last two hours reading, and I am starting to feel like I know the characters well enough to say that this family is in for a really bumpy road. Alice has finally been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and has started treatment. Her husband is traumatized and can  barely look at her, and one out of three of her children have been diagnosed with the gene which causes Alzheimer's aswell, while one of them has never been tested. I can't wait to finish the book and find out how poor Alice will end, clueless in an old folk's home, or dead from her suicidal thoughts. It's such a beautiful story, in such a horrifying manner. I would definitely recommend ANYBODY to read this book. So far it is definitely a 10/10 read.

February 17, 2012
This book is incredible. I can't get through a chapter without shedding a tear. I have a class now to work on one of my three projects: Book review, blog, or final research paper. Since the book review is due next Thursday, I am going to continue to read my book. I am in love. I think that after school this summer I am going to buy Lisa Genova's other books and read them, along with re-reading Duma Key by Stephen King if my friend ever gives it back (After three years). On to reading!

February 19, 2012.
I officially finished reading the book. All I can say, yet again, is WOW. What a heart breaking story, I felt pulled into the book, into Alice's life. With the book being written in Alice's point of view, I felt like I was actually in her head, seeing Alzheimer's in her eyes. So many tears were shed (yes, books make me cry. Surprisingly though, movie's do not. Guess I've always been a book worm at heart.) Along with the tears, I felt so much for Alice. Anger at what she's going through and how people begin to treat her, sorrow for her condition and how much she lost, happiness for all the times she felt like she belonging, pity when she tries to kill herself but forgets what she's doing, and so much more. The way the book ended broke my heart. The final chapter of Alice's life made my heart sink into my stomach and my eyes swelled with tears. I can definitely write and excellent book report on this novel, my only worry is containing it to 1200 words or less?! How is that even possible for such an incredible piece of writing! If I can do this and make it as amazing as the book was, than I am willing to be extremely arrogant and say that I am an incredible book report writer. There is no comparing to what this book made me feel, I have never read anything like it (Except Duma Key-Stephen King, which I have probably noted above a time or two.) In all seriousness though, I really hope to do well on this project, because reading that book took a lot of my time (worthwhile anyway, I would have never read the book otherwise and would have missed out on a lot) and I am extremely wordy and doubt I can accurately describe the book in 1200 words or less. (I have seriously just wrote five paragraphs about the book and how it made me feel, writing the academic version would be longer if I was able to do so.) Well wish me luck! On to the writing!!!!