Hi Everyone-Intro Post?! (I am not your mother! ;)

How are you? My name is Amy. I would like to be referred as "Golden Rose," if possible. In order to keep "technology out of my life, or not get too personal." But, I don't mind being called Amy. It is fine! Either way is fine!

I am just reusing these 2 blogs from my English 09 and 10 classes in my high school year to share to the world about the amazing things books can do to you! I know you!

This blog will give you some ideas of how books makes reader read! ^^ I know shocking! I used to dislike or hate reading but now it is just fine! I can handle it! Yay me!

Well, I would like to share to the people that reading is not wrong it is natural as you speak with friends! I want to make those hidden readers to come out and be a better person!

So yeah, reading gives you...
"A new world with a totally different perspective of what you thought about the world" My very own reflective quote filled with passion and "wise judgment."

See ya and drop by anytime;
Amy The Golden Rose

PS: I am not a geek and I almost failed Spanish okay! This is just to help people out if they fear or hate reading! I am just a normal college student who wants to help the people out in many ways. E.G. Youtube Account and Golden Rose (Amy)! and Community Service Hours at the Library! As well as tutoring children math! Cool Right?

The Face on the Milk Carton (Page 137-184)

Title: The Face on the Milk Carton
Author: Caroline B. Cooney
Page 137- 184

Summary
About two months had passed, Janie’s life “returned” back to normal. Taking with friends and dating her boyfriend seem natural. But, in reality, Janie’s conscience stills bothered her more and more as time goes by. All the stress was building up by the secret that caused the short break up of Janie and Reeve. The main cause of the verbal fight between the couple was that Reeve told his older sister about her situation. Without his girlfriend’s consent, the furious Janie took all her stress out to him. For that short time period (of 2 weeks), Janie came to her senses and reflected the fact that the secret must be divulge. After the conciliation of the teens, Reeve told Janie the discovery his sister found. The truth the big sister found was that Hannah stole her; her “parents” were actually innocent. That part could be considered to be the resolution. The anguish Janie felt disappeared and her courage returned to tell her parents about her secret. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson’s reaction were logical. They could not believe the fact her precious daughter did that to Janie’s family and herself. At the end, Mrs. Johnson decided to contact the Springs about Janie being with her. Mrs. Johnson said, “If I could have any wish, it would be that no parent on this earth ever suffered a missing child” (Cooney 180). She felt guilty to have someone else’s child. Therefore to stop the suffering of another mother, Mrs. Johnson was fine to return Janie to her real home. Even though, Janie preferred to stay with the Johnsons. The book concluded with Janie on the phone calling the Springs. The dénouement was, “Hi. It’s..your daughter. Me, Jannie” (Cooney 184).

Quote
“In the velvety silence of the room Janie, Lizzie [Reeve’s older sister], Reeve, her mother, and her father listened to the telephone ring in New Jersey” (Cooney 184).

Reaction
Throughout the book, Cooney uses suspense to make the reader even more interested in the story. The outrageous plot of a girl being kidnapped is extreme. In addition, the denouement ended with a hangover. Due to the fact, there is a sequel, which makes most people to keep reading her novellas. Her writing style is just full of suspense and mystery. The quote above supports my statement. Quotes like this keep the reader in tension. The quote was taken in the occation where the Johnsons were contacting the Springs. To me, “velvety silence” has a huge connotation that makes me think of the silence of a haunted house. The book is just full of many connotations that make the people wonder what will happen next.

I rate this book 4.9/5-too much suspense almost gave a heart attack ;). (Recommend this to bibliophiles who love the genre of mystery)

The Face on the Milk Carton (Page 63-136)

Title: The Face on the Milk Carton
Author: Caroline B. Cooney
Page 63-136

Summary
With the doubt of living with the Johnsons, Janie began to research about her case. The first step to determine whether the Johnsons had kidnapped her was to look around her house. Janie went to the place where no one went, the attic. In the desolated area, Janie found many boxes with labels on it. The peculiar thing about the labels was that one of them was labeled Hannah. Janie thought who’s Hannah? (Cooney 67) With that box labeled Hannah, Janie discovered a small cloth of the polka dots dress in the milk carton photo. After some time, Janie began to avoid looking at the Johnsons. All her doubts even made her have “daymares” or bad daydreams. Her eating habits were deteriorated. Until the curiosity of who’s Hannah, was released by Janie’s “parents” asking her what was wrong. The response was the question of who’s Hannah. For a short moment, her parents were surprise to hear that name. All the Johnsons had told her was that Hannah was their real daughter. To make the story short, Hannah was taken by a cult’s beliefs. The parents told her that in the 1960’s to 1970’s, the Hare Krishna movement enticed people to joined them and leave their family back. The Johnsons experienced the lost of a dear one. That’s explained the part about Mrs. Johnson being strict to Janie, to avoid losing her. Ironically, the mother was still losing Janie. After losing Hannah for some time, the parents felt lonesome. Once, suddenly Hannah appeared with a child in their house. That child was the 3 year old Janie. Ever since then, they took care of her and Hannah became missing- due to the cult. To Janie, the story was fabricated. Deep in her mind, Janie knew that the lost of a daughter led the lonely Johnsons to kidnap another child to replace Hannah. Though, Janie decided to keep living with them. As for the relationship of Janie and Reeve Shieldses, they became closer enough to the point of kissing each other in public. In addition, Reeve became an accomplice to hide her secret from her parents.

Quote
“We’re related, it’s okay, she’s all but my mother, there’s no daymare, no nightmare, no demons, Hannah just had an illegitimate baby and it’s me and that’s all there is to it” (Cooney 81).

Reaction
The internal conflict stills goes on. Janie decided to be Janie Johnson, not Jannie Spring. However, her conscience mortifies her every time she looks at the milk carton. The feelings Janie had after the story of Hannah are reflected in the quote above. To me, that quote shows the self denial she got to face about the Johnsons having a reason to have her/kidnap her. The part of the quote, “we’re related,” shows the fact that Janie’s desire to be a Johnson, even though she’s not. For some reason, Janie wants to hide the truth about her being kidnapped. The troublesome part about this quote is that there’s ambiguity. The quote might not be self denial of her being kidnapped but a resolution to maybe accept her fate to live with them. She had accepted to be her daughter and leave her original family back in New Jersey.

The Face on the Milk Carton (Page 1-62)

Title: The Face on the Milk Carton
Author: Caroline B. Cooney
Page 1 to 62

Summary
Almost no one looks at the back of any milk carton. If you do, then you might have notice some advertisements of some famous celebrities, interesting life facts, and pictures of missing children, right? The book’s exposition begins with the act of looking at the back of the milk carton. The life of Janie Johnson changed dramatically since the moment of looking at it. Janie Johnson is the average 16 years old teenager, a sophomore, wanting to have a driving license. Her close friends are Sarah-Charlotte Sherwood and Adair O’Dell. Her childhood friend is the unreliable yet friendly Reeve Shieldses, also her neighbor. He is a senior in her high school. Janie and Reeve develop a sense of attraction which led to be a couple. So, there is romance in Janie’s life. One day, in lunch time, Janie drank her milk carton and saw a missing girl. That girl had a huge resemblance of herself. The milk cartoon stated that Jannie Spring lost at a New Jersey Shopping Mall at the age of 3. Ever since then, Janie pondered whether Mr. Johnson and Mrs. Johnson were her really her parents or just some kidnappers. Throughout the story, she faced an internal conflict to whether to tell everyone she was kidnapped or just ignore that fact. It is unbelievable to know that her loving caring parents were some imposters and criminals. A major mental and emotional impact Janie felt all over the fact that she might had been kidnapped for over 13 years, without knowing. Janie had to choose a decision to whether live on in a fake home or just return back to her real family and her genuine home. By just dialing a phone call reporting her location and abductors, her life could be alter.

Quote
“I have a mother and father…I have a childhood…I was not kidnapped…kidnapping means bad people… I don’t know any bad people…therefore I am making this up” (Cooney 14).

Reaction
Caroline Cooney’s writing style is really intriguing. The plot is dramatic and unique. The narrator is in third person point of view. Oddly, the narrator is capable to read the main character’s thoughts, an omniscient narration. The quote above described the self denial Janie faced after reading the back of the milk carton. Notice all the ellipsis Janie’s reaction had, she became uncertain of whether thinking or not. Her reaction reflects the fact that her life was complicated from then on. The question is whether Janie will call the police or stay quiet and live on with a fake family and a fake happiness.

Stradivari's Genius (Page 167-219)

Title: Stradivari’s Genius-Five Violins, One Cello, and Three Centuries of Enduring Perfection
Author: Toby Faber
Page 167-219

Summary
The advancement in technology influenced the expansion of classical music to the New World. The main component that expanded classical music to other countries is the phonograph. It was invented by Thomas Edison in 1877. It facilitated people to hear a diversity of songs from foreign countries. Miss Marie Hall’s violin’s recordings were the first to be made in that time period. Via radio, more people became aware of the sweet tones the Strads were able to make. Ever since then, Strads became priceless relics throughout the entire world. Various collectors invested millions to get their hands on a Strad. There was one occasion a wealthy Cuban owned the Lipinski. The musicians owning a Strad were considered fortunate. One of the well known is “the ultimate wunderkind”: Yehudi Menuhin (Faber 173). Menuhin one of the most influential violinists in the 20th century due to his great debuts in America and Europe, his career started at the age of 11. Another virtuoso who still owns the Davidov is Yo-Yo Ma. For Ma, getting the Davidov became a huge dilemma since it was sold for “a relatively undemanding price” (Faber 201). As for the Viotti, Faber stated there was confusion of two 1974 Strads. The one Ms. Hall owned was not the Viotti, it was later on name the Marie Hall. The genuine violin was located in London in 1905. As the latest owner of the Viotti died in 2002, his will was to displayed it alongside the Messiah, which yet it haven’t been accomplish. With many copies of the Messiah, at one point people became doubtful of its originally. Already displayed in the Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum, many officials tested if was the real deal, which was at the end. Lastly, the 1680 Paganini remains in the famous Tokyo String Quartet. It’s still intact and heard by many in concerts and other great events.

Quote
“For fifty years it hung there in semi-splendor, its varnish pristine, its corners unworn, its purfling exact, the most perfectly preserved example of Stradivari’s workmanship from the very peak of his golden period” (Faber 210).

Reaction
The entire book is full of imagery. From the introduction to the aftermath, Faber writes in full details and his choice of words is understandable, mentioned in previous posts. It is amusing how his writing style can create a great picture such as mentioned on the quote above. The quote describes the Messiah in the Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum. This is another quote that lauds Stradivari’s craftsmanship. His instruments were so perfect that had been passed along with through many virtuosi. It is a fact, Faber persuaded me throughout the entire book that Stradivari is a real genius.

I rate this book 5 out 5. Admire Faber's writing style!

Stradivari's Genius (Page 132-166)

Summary
Over time, many virtuosi had own the five Strads Faber had mentioned. Charles Davidov encountered the great Strad cello, the Davidov, in the mid 1800’s. Davidov was “hailed as Europe’s greatest virtuoso before he was twenty-five” (Faber 140). There are many stories how he acquire the Strad. The most well known story is reminisced by Yo Yo Mah, which is about Count Wielhoski. In the winter of 1885-86, Davidov met Count Wielhoski. Both men celebrated the count’s birthday. Suddenly, the count decided to give his beloved cello. Since then, Davidov had gained honorific acknowledgments. The main one is to be entitled the “Soloist to His Majesty.” He was the main musician of the Russian Emperial Orchestra. However, there was a huge commotion over him in 1875. The story was that the Russian Court expected to entertain the Sweden monarchs. The problem was Davidov was in Finland, not Russia. Therefore, the Russian guards were looking for him until they found him and return back to Russia. It is comical since many people were looking for him, even Davidov had no idea what was going on. After his death in 1889, the Davidov, was purchased by an British for $230,000.

The next virtuosa to play the Viotti was Ms. Marie Hall. She was come from a very poor family. Many people were enchanted by her sensational violinist’s skills, performing in the English streets. With the level of penury her family was, she was limited to travel around the world. However, at the age of 15, Philip Napier Miles offered to pay her family $100 each week for borrowing her. The “chains” had been broken, bringing her full potential to become the violinist the world expected.

Quote
“Her career would indeed continue, and the Viotti would continue to be heard, but few would have guessed the changes the next few years would bring from all violinists” (Faber 163).

Reaction
With so many details, Faber has a great control of writing the book. He facilitates the reader with simple terms in order to not lose the reader in the large stream of information. The main reason may be the great sense of transition he has as the writer. I had notice Faber collaborates each chapter to ensure they support each other. If one chapter is not read, then the reader will be lost of the occurrence of events in the story. It is essential to read any book in chronological order to understand the main gist of the entire book, especially in a book of history. I also had notice the last sentence of every chapter ends up with the “to be continue” ending. Notice on the quote above, Faber states Ms. Marie Hall will impact other violinist with her playing. He foreshadows high achievements made by Hall. The “changes” that will revolutionize the classical music’s hearing or medium.

Stradivari's Genius (Page 81-131)

Title: Stradivari’s Genius-Five Violins, One Cello, and Three Centuries of Enduring Perfection
Author: Toby Faber
Page 81- 131

Summary
As many virtuosos over time play the same brand instrument, Stradivari’s masterpieces became even more lauded. Viotti’s influence on violin playing demanded the use of a modern bow. With the help of Tourte-a bow maker, both formatted the idea of a manageable and powerful bow that will improve the sound from any string instruments. Even though Viotti’s life seemed successful, he was not. The life of Viotti has been a tragedy. Viotti tried to become a business man but luck was not by his side. His life had always been affected by any political event such as the French Revolution, Realpolitik movement, and the assassination of the duc de Berry at his opera house in 1820. At the end of his life, Viotti remained with a huge debt. After his death, all his belongings were sold to pay up his debt, including the Viotti. The next violin, the Khevenhuller, was formally a gift from Prince Kehevehuller toward his second violinist wife, Guiseppina Strassoldo. There are not enough details about his wife and her talents as the owner of the Strad. According to Robert Schumann’s memorable phrase, Nicolo Paganini was “the turning-point in the history of virtuosity.” In the nineteenth century, Paganini’s most remembered by his “feverish talent, technical brilliance, and dramatic excess” (Faber 104). The narrator emphasized Paganini did not use the Strad but only thought as a part of his quartet collection in his late fifty’s. Death came at the age of 57 due to tuberculosis of the larynx, a sickness. As the Strads rose from forgotten instruments to famous, many luthiers replicated them. The most famous man to do that was Jean-Babtiste Vuillaume. He was a very skillful craftsman, but still his replicas could not be compared to the real things. His ownership over the Messiah was fatalistic since his friend Tarisio, a very wealthy dealer, owned it. After Tarisio’s death, Vuillaume purchased from his family members 150 instruments, which included 24 Strads. During his entire life, Vuillame sold most of his items except the Messiah. It has been said this particular Strad was so mystical that people do not sell it until they are tear apart by death.

Quote
“For the next hundred years Great Britain, as the most prosperous economy in the world, was to act as a magnet for Strads from around Europe” (Faber 85).

Reaction
Faber has a good sense of connecting historical events and famous European violinists. As many remember how talented a virtuoso was, sudden events ruined his economic life such as Viotti. Also, as Paganini was at his peak in life, the successful economy in Great Britain enticed him to travel there and perform. In the quote above, it gives the allusion of the development of the Industrial Revolution. Refer to the phrase “the most prosperous economy in the world,” meaning the Industrial Revolution, which began in the countryside of England. There is also a literary term know as a simile. The simile compares Great Britain to a magnet. The “magnet” hosting future virtuosos’ stages.