However, back to the point. The topic was transitions in life, and how we have come to change in these past few months, entering college life and all.
Most of my classmates had very clear-cut transitional changes. Physical and mental, as well as emotional. I mean, who can not expect huge changes in one's life when you move to Sunway from all over the country. Leaving your home, parents, siblings, pets behind. It's bound to be a life-changer. Starting life at Casa and Sunway, away from home should make you more independent. I agree. However, I don't live at Casa, nor do I stay at Casa. Once in a blue and yellow moon, perhaps so, but not that often. I live 11+ km from college. And it takes me just as much time to travel from home to college as Casa to college. So, I choose, for the moment to stay at home. Yes, with all the comforts of home, who wouldn't?
So, at first I thought that this wasn't a particularly big transition for me, in terms of being independent or "young adult". No, I pretty much lived the same way. However, what I failed to realise was the wider or deeper transitions taking place. The widening of my horizon. Broadening of my mind, to things I have never considered before. Encouragement to think more intellectually and radically. Persuasion and support to speak confidently. Yes, that's basically my transition. Something that cannot be seen clearly with the naked eye, but perhaps the microscopic scrutiny of some.
I have opened up my reading options from what limited genres that have dominated my bookshelf for the past few years. Reading classics or controversial and widely debated books are very interesting all of a sudden. But, I have to give due credit to my book-loving friends. Not that there weren't any at school, but most of my classmates (not generalisation with negative purposes) read chick-lit, which doesn't interest me. But here, I can have discussions on books with friends who share my likes or have opposing views on books. And now I am even more open to book recommendations by others.
So, imagine my joy at receiving a book report assignment. I am serious, no sarcasm involved. :D Most of the books are classics, or very thought-provoking books that have become best-sellers and sit on prestigious lists such as Top 100 books of the 20th century. I think that reading these said books can bring about change in perceptions on a variety of issues.
So lo and behold, I have siphoned through the list of books that was given, these few have caught my eye:
1. Lord of the Flies, by William Golding. Seems to be quite intriguing. It's about a group of boys, who try to maintain control over each other? I'm not so sure.
2. Atonement, by Ian McEwan. This is about a girl who aspires to be a writer, but makes a mistake, thus spending the rest of her life, well atoning. Haha
3.The Colour Purple , by Alice Walker. A books on the issue of racial segregation and persecution, from what I understand. Perhaps the same major theme as "To Kill A Mockingbird"
4. Life of Pi , by Yann Martel. Robinson Crusoe-ish? I don't think so. Is it about spritiuality?
5. The Catcher In The Rye , by J.D. Salinger. A teenage rebellion icon book. Veeeerry interesting and perhaps suitable for critical analysis.
6. The Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan . Seems to be even more suited to my assignment questions. Character development? Traditional values and conflicts.
Now these are the books that are interesting but I guess I am ruling them out for certain reasons. I have recently read tTo KIll A Mockingbird, and I found the story quite well developed. And the issues discussed were done so by the author very tactfully through the yes of a child. However, after having a discussion on whether is should be banned from schools or not, I think that this may become a popular choice. So, I am trying to opt for something different.
I have also read A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini. I found it to be rather depressing, and having said that, it is a very good book. Having achieved its aim perhaps? But I don't think that I want to analyse this book.
So yes, writer's block has struck me right in the middle of a post. I guess I'll just stop for now.
If you are taking EALD, what book are you choosing and why?
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