AC Summer Reading 2015- The Glass Castle

I have just finished The Glass Castle, despite me not updating. My all time favorite part of this book is when Jeanette asked her father on her 10th birthday to stop drinking, because it is somewhat relevant. My birth mother used to be addicted to drugs, and I had asked her many times to quit without success. I no longer live with her, just like Jeanette moved to New York the moment the opportunity came. I have always loved this book since the first time I’ve read it and I'm positive I’ll be reading it many more times. 

AC Summer Reading 2015- The Glass Castle

I can't believe Rex would be heartless enough to toss a defenseless cat out into the sweltering heat of Arizona without any trace of regret. Whats worse, he did it right in front of all three of his children. Even when Jeanette started to cry, all that Mary said was "don't be so sentimental." That's so ridiculous!

AC Summer Reading 2015- The Glass Castle

I've read this novel numerous times, but every time I read about Jeanette's hot dog/fire incident I become very intrigued in that chapter just as I was the first time I read it. I always wonder why her mom would allow her to get even remotely near the stove at the age of three, let alone cook for herself. Let alone the fact that she doesn't feel the least bit guilty, and then wants to insult the nurses for giving Jeanette chewing gum. Naturally, when people are in the hospital, the families are solemn and realize it is not appropriate to be loud in this setting. Not the Walls'. Every family member who visited Jeanette was loud throughout the entire visit, and they had to be shushed by nurses numerous times. Another thing that angered me was how Mary (Jeanette's mom) told Jeanette how she had entered her name into a lottery, and that she had won a helicopter ride. After getting Jeanette's hopes up, she told her that she had already gone on the ride. In my opinion, that was really rude of Mary.

AC Summer Reading 2015- The Glass Castle

After continuing to read, I see that in my last post I had jumped to conclusions. I still feel the way I described, but Jeanette did not make it clear about her feelings until one or two pages later. She then described how ashamed she was of herself, and how she had tried to help them numerous times. I can tell that she and I shared the same reaction to the situation.

AC Summer Reading 2015- The Glass Castle

It must be very alarming to be dressed up for an evening out, and then to look over to see your mother digging through the dumpster. I know if I was put in that situation I would most likely feel sorrow and guilt. Sorrow, because who wants to see their mother digging through the garbage in order to live, and guilt, because I would believe I had done something wrong in order for her to end up there. I would have had questions running through my mind, all of which would be centered around the fact that she was out there and I was going out for the evening and was most likely overdressed. The guilt would be overwhelming. I don't understand how the only thing running through Jeanette's mind was the fear that her mother would look up, see her, and people would find out her "secret."

AC Summer Reading 2015- The Glass Castle

Easier To Run- Linkin Park

The third and final song I chose that relates to The Glass Castle is Easier To Run. This song explains the Walls' philosophy on how it was easier to run from their problems (i.e rent, neighborhood issues, work problems) instead of facing it head on. Rex even had a special word, "Skedaddle," for when he wanted to pack up and leave their home.

Linkin Park- Easier To Run

AC Summer Reading 2015- The Glass Castle

Breaking The Habit - Linkin Park

Another song that I believe relates to The Glass Castle is Breaking The Habit. Rex Walls was an alcoholic all throughout Jeanette's childhood and for her tenth birthday she asks him to stop drinking, therefore having him break his habit. This song explains the struggles of having to do that and definitely relates to Rex Walls.

Linkin Park- Breaking The Habit

AC Summer Reading 2015- The Glass Castle

Life is a Highway- Rascal Flatts

I think this song relates to The Glass Castle because it emphasizes how the Walls' were always moving around and would never stay in one location for very long.

Rascal Flatts- Life is a Highway

AC Summer Reading 2015- The Glass Castle