Eleanor and Park

I absolutely loved the book Eleanor and Park, by Rainbow Rowell. This was because, the book pulled me in from start to finish. The book was funny, empathetic, and romantic. I had trouble stopping at any point in the book and just picking back up again because it was so good. I remember stopping at the part when Eleanor went over to Park’s house for the first time and he walked her home only to give her the biggest surprise of her life. I regretted it because I didn't want to stop reading. I always try to stop at the end of a chapter, but it didn't always seem to work in my favor. Picking back up again at that part also was something I regret I didn't start only because I wanted to take it in all at once.  Reading this book for pleasure made me focus in on the important ideas on Eleanor and Park, for example, how Park admitted his love but Eleanor didn't say anything back, better because I could understand it more reading by myself and on my own time without over analyzing and under-appreciating the book. Personally reading, I was able to track important events, keeping up with the reading, and make connections to other texts and life in general well. I also was able to track Eleanor and Park’s character development. Park started off embarrassed for Eleanor until he realizes how great she actually is. He loved Eleanor mostly because she was weird. He called her a work of art and said that she meant something. On the other hand, Eleanor, started off as friendless and alone, she doesn't remain that way for long. She was able to become friends with Park, and later on, closer. She always hided herself, however, like she’s leading a double life, so that Park wouldn't question her. Although she never does admit to him that she really does fully love him, she says it to herself hoping that it’s enough. Even though I did most things well, I need to work on identifying literary devices while I'm reading. I tend to look over them and pay no attention to them instead of putting them into context. Overall, I loved this book, and now I’m reading Rainbow Rowell’s other book, Fangirl, because her writing is so amazing.