Making the Most of Your Life

Making the Most of Your Life is a book that has impacted me because now I know that I am not the only one with problems. I should just look at the bright side of my problems. I have been stressing too much since I started college because all of the work I have to do. The classes I am taking have taught me many things I did not know from high school; and sometimes I feel like I never even went to high school because everything seems so new to me. Now, I am able to understand math, English, and writing, and I am reading a lot better. What I have learned from this book was not to give up in school and that problems are a part of life. I should just have a positive attitude, READ, and try to do my best. This book, Making the Most of Your Life, has motivated me a lot since I have read it. Angelica

The Yellow Ribbon

The Yellow Ribbon is a story from a book of stories. It is about a man who had been in prison for quite some time, and he had asked his wife if she would still have him. If she still wanted him, she should tie a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree in their town. To his surprise, there were hundreds of ribbons tied to it upon his return.
The effect this story had on my life is more to benefit my personal feelings. I have been married twelve years to my first love. Throughout this time, we have hit some very rough potholes; but with the amount of love that we have, and the friendships that we share, we have stuck it through – no matter what. In the same way, the wife in this story had always loved her husband, and no matter what the situation, her devotion to this man was strong enough to ask him back into her life again. After reading The Yellow Ribbon, I felt like I was the wife in the story, because my love for my husband is just as strong. Rebecca

Brothers in Arms by Paul Langan and Ben Alirez

Brothers in Arms was a very touching book because I have a little brother who would have done the same as the little boy in the book did for his older brother. He would try to protect me no matter how mean or how much I tried to push him away. I related to this book because this is how much my brother loves me. Teresa

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, helped me understand abuse. I learned that abuse can take many forms and can follow you from childhood until you become an adult. Sometimes being unable to express how you feel and what is happening can make you feel that abuse is your own fault. It was rewarding to read from a woman who overcame it with a positive outcome, and it helped me to manage my own feelings and accept that what happened was not my fault. Sometimes the ones that were supposed to protect you and watch over you were not good people, but they are all only human. Tanya

Coldest Winter Ever by Soolja

The book I read, The Coldest Winter Ever, written by Sister Soolja was interesting because it is about the ups and downs of being involved with a drug dealer. Street life can be rough. The book showed me what I can expect if I were to get involved with someone who is a big time drug dealer. The book also changed the way I look at things. Stephanie

One Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury

Tuesday Morning was a book that made a difference in my life. It brought back so many memories about that tragic morning of September 11th. . . It also reminded me that even though bad things happened that day, there will still be good things that will come out of it. Victoria

Frederick Douglass: A Slave Narrative

Fredrick Douglas: A Slave Narrative was the book I read. I learned about his hardships as a slave. I liked how he was able to share his hard life by writing a book about himself. Michael

The Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglas made me aware of how bad life as a slave really was. I have lived in the south my entire life, and I never really understood what privileges were taken away from slaves such as reading, writing, eating, clothing, and more. We take our simple pleasures for granted every day. Katey

The book that changed my life was The Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglas. It taught me about the source of much of the racism that is present today. I saw how other races were treated . . . I learned that some races were treated very harshly. That is why this book changed my life. Evan

The book that I read which had the most influence on me was The Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglas. It gave me a better outlook on life, and explained slavery. Thinking on what those before us had to endure to get us as black Americans the freedom that we have today, makes me appreciate my life more. Often we complain about so much today, but the truth of the matter is, there is no comparison of our lives with those of our ancestors. We as white and black have come so far, but we still have so far to go. A book like Fredrick Douglas can teach us to learn to live with one another and to have respect for all mankind. Clint

The story about Fredrick Douglas’ life really inspired me. This book taught me that no matter where you come from no matter what your background, no matter what your race, if you keep believing and keep driving on, despite the hard times you encounter, everyone can succeed . . . Julian

Someone to Love Me by Anne Schraff

I read a book called Somebody to Love me. It was a truthful story about what can happen in real life. Domestic violence and drug abuse is something that has haunted many families. Though I have never experienced something of this nature, I still and always will feel for those people. Jasmine

Someone To Love Me “. . . this is a very good book to read because it is about a girl named Cindy and she thinks that someone really does love her . . . Krystal

The book Someone to Love Me made an impact on my life because it was filled with pain and suffering. The main character went through a lot with her mother, and a dangerous boyfriend, and she wonders if her family will survive. I too have been in the same situation with school. I was not always doing well; sometimes I would struggle to make it. But with people to influence me to do my best and to be all I can be, I made it through it all. Afterwards I felt pride, confidence and strength knowing that I could do whatever I put my mind to because I am smart and intelligent. In situations like this, you just have to be strong, pray, and try to do the best you can do to succeed. Kelsey

Someone to Love Me is a great book about a teenage girl named Cindy who faces many struggles in her life including problems with family, friends, drugs, and school. Through all of the challenges, Cindy managed to stay on top. Sierra

Letters My Mother Never Read by Jerri Diane Sueck

“The book Letters My Mother Never Read impacted me the most because it showed me how lucky I really am. Jerri, the little girl in the story, lost her mother when she was eight years old. I was five when I lost my own mother. But after reading this book and seeing the terrible things she went through, I can only be thankful. I was very fortunate to have a loving family that wanted me. (My dad’s) She went through the worse experience I think any child could possibly go through. After reading this book, I feel like I should never complain about my life again.”
- Casey

Letters My Mother Never Read “ . . . That book really touched my heart. Every night when everyone went to bed, I sat up alone reading. . . and cried. Reading it makes my own life seem like a happy fairy tale. . . and no matter what happens, stay strong and keep your head above the water.” - Colleen

Letters My Mother Never Read “. . . This book was very touching and emotional to me. I know what it feels like to lose someone very close to you. Reading this book has made me realize things happen for a reason and in the end, it will turn out okay.” - Suzan

Letters My Mother Never Read “. . . This book is significant because it teaches a great lesson. No matter who you are, what you are, or where you come from, anybody can be somebody.”
- Terica

Letters My Mother Never Read “. . . I hated they way the children were treated, but I loved how they overcame all odds. “- Frankie

The book Letters My Mother Never Read impacted me the most because it touched me in a way that a book never has – ever. . . Reading this book gave me more happiness to my own life. . . . I was able to see what terrible things this little girl went through, and I cried when her mother died. Though I can’t say I know how she feels, after reading the story, I realized that to be wanted is very important. Ashley

Letters My Mother Never Read . . . mother’s play a major role in a child’s life. When a child’s mother dies, it changes the child’s life forever. No one can replace the role of a mother . . . Cameron

Letters My Mother Never Read . . . This book was really a page turner. Jerri grew up in a childhood that on one would want; but she did not let it stop her from pursuing her dream. That is all that matters. Shayla
Letters My Mother Never Read . . . After reading this book, I was very grateful to have both of my parents raise me. Unlike Jerri, she just did not have the same blessings that I had. My mother plays a major role in my life. But Jerri did not have her mother. Jerri went through many hardships and tribulations. I do not know where I would be if I did not have my mother my side. Jerri’s story reminded me of what I have and how grateful I am. Dimeishea

The Story of Blima by Shirley Russak

“The book that I read that influenced me the most was The Story of Blima. As I was reading this novel, it made me realize how bad the Jewish holocaust really was. And I now know how strong the Jewish people were who survived. It taught me how to learn new things – even if you’ve never tried it; because you never know when you are going to have to use those skills. In the story, the main character, Blima had some help along the way. She got lucky. But the people in the work camps absolutely broke my heart. It just doesn’t seem real that people could actually be so cruel. Then I relate it to today, and with our economy. I realize that we have it easy compared to what happened in the past. That is why the story influenced me so much."
- Meghan

Story of Blima “. . . by the end of this book, I was crying at the thought of how people can be so cruel over a belief . . . " - Patricia