Feature & Follow Friday (#3) + Book Blogger Hop (#3)

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read that encourages book bloggers to reach out into the community and get to know one another through creative questions.

Question: If you could change the ending of any book (or series), which book would you choose? Why and to what?

Wouldn't you know, I talked about this very thing with my writing critique group this evening!

LORD OF THE FLIES

Most of us were forced to read it in high school.

I hated it the first time in 10th grade. Then I moved to another country where it was 12th grade required reading. I hated it all over again. It's the darn ending.

SPOILER ALERT: I know not too many of you are jumping up and down at the prospect of reading this classic. I just thought William Golding wrote a total and complete cop out. Not everyone can get saved. I was sad with the way things were going...Piggy dying and also Simon. All the boys were siding with mean ole Jack because he had the force and the ability to hurt them. But poor Ralph. He's left alone. The bad boys set a fire. Then it's Ralph all alone, running through the grass, nowhere to turn and no one to help. He will surely die. The suspense builds.

Only then there appears someone to help.

The freakin' adults! The Navy has finally come to the rescue. They laugh at the silly games the boys play, at the paint they wear. SO anticlimactic. This is not real life. Not everyone gets saved. I guess it's a happy ending, especially for Ralph, but come on. Talk about perfect timing.

I totally didn't buy it then, and I still don't buy it now.

Phew. That mostly feels good to get off my chest.  I'm not sure how I'd change the ending. I wouldn't want Ralph to die, that's for sure. He was the only moral compass left on the island. Maybe the others would take him prisoner. Then Sam and Eric, the twins, would realize they must let him go because he has a good heart. Slowly, he'd convince the others to join him again and they could stage a rebellion against Jack. Someone could stab Jack with a spear. More death, but hey, he was the ultimate bully. His bullying resulted in the lost lives of others.

Okay, maybe not death by spear; I'm not that cruel. Just a pretty bad injury. 

I still don't think I'll be ever reading this book again. Unless I have to teach it. Then I'm pretty much out of luck.

Jennifer at Crazy for Books hosts a weekly meme for book bloggers to blog hop. Check out her rules and participate!

Question: What are you most looking forward to this fall/autumn season – A particular book release? Halloween? The leaves changing color? Cooler temperatures? A vacation?

I am most looking forward to coming up with creative new lesson plans, as crazy as that sounds! I'm mentoring a new teacher fresh out of college who has tons of great ideas. When we put our heads together, MAGIC happens. Literally, you can see the sparks zooming around the room like little fairies. And it's even better when you see how engaged the kids are as a result.

Oh, and also, going to visit Ashley in Minot, ND for Thanksgiving! It may be freezing temperatures and piles of snow up north, but my husband and I are willing to risk the elements. We need a roadtrip in our new car and quality time with great friends.

Tell me-- I need to know! What are you looking forward to?  What book ending left you disgruntled? Leave a link to your Book Blogger Hop or Follow Me Friday post.