-Recently, I have read a total of two and a half (2 1/2)  novels for independent reading; Stephen Hawking’s Brief Answers to the Big questions during the first semester, The Great Gatsby during Christmas break, and finally the latest Klara and the Sun, by Kazuo Ishiguro. To be honest, although I just started reading “Klara and the Sun,” this book is absolutely unique in terms of plot & theme and is definitely, to my suggestion, #1 number one among the other two books. Nevertheless, all three books are action-packed and are very amusing to read; it’s truly worth the time reading these fantastic books and novels.

-I am currently reading Kazuo Ishiguro’s award-winning novel Klara and the Sun, about five chapters in. Klara and the Sun is set in a near-future society where technology, specifically Artificial intelligence (AI) has dramatically advanced. The story is told from the perspective of Klara, who is an “AF” (Artificial Friend) commonly “hired” by families in the future for assistance and help; Josie is a sick young girl who Klara helps in this novel. The text is very engaging due to Ishiguro’s use of multiple writing techniques and literary techniques, such as lucid structure, metaphors, diction, plot, characterization, description, etc. Ishiguro’s language in the novel is unambiguous and “to-the-point” and portrays characters with various descriptions both internally and externally. This allows me and readers to easily understand Klara and such feelings. The fact that AI already operates and “serves” on such a significant scale already shocks me; therefore, I do not have a particular assumption for the upcoming chapters. I only hope Klara is safe and avoids as much danger as possible, considering a world full of AI can be both good and bad at the same time.

-It was an exceptionally difficult decision to choose a specific book for my literary essay; however, I have made up my mind to choose F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, as of now. The novel generally illustrates the American society & culture and the theme of the American Dream. It includes many literary techniques suitable for an academic analytical essay, such as metaphors, similes, allusions, repetitions, direct & indirect personification, setting, and many many more. The techniques are employed on a great variety of focuses, including characters, setting-environment, dialogue, culture and history, and even objects-materials/colors to help present the theme.