WELCOME!

Welcome to the MORE Program's book blog. This summer we will be reading the University's One Campus, One Book selection by Steve Lopez, titled The Soloist. As we read the novel, we will encounter various themes and topics which will allow us to reflect on our own personal backgrounds. You will be asked to write about some of these themes discussed in the novel in order to more fully internalize such concepts. Some of the concepts you will be asked to comment on include, but are nor limited to, homelessness, mental illness, friendship, inspiration, music, passion, and redemption.

BLOG #1

Listed below are two questions based on the first portion of the book, pages 1-119. Respond to one of the two prompts and express your thoughts and opinions on the matter. Your response should be a minimum of 500-750 words.

1. In The Soloist, Nathaniel finds his solace and escape in music. How do you escape? What talents do you possess that help you escape? What benefits do you gain from escaping into your world? What opportunities do you miss out on when you do?

OR

2. Write an article about yourself, written in third person. It needs to be in a positive tone, describing any obstacles or hurdles you've overcome and accomplishments you've achieved. Pretend it will be published on the front page of the Sunday L.A. Times. What do you want the world to know about you? No obstacle, hurdle, or accomplishment is too small.

BLOG #2

Listed below are two questions based on the second portion of the book, pages 123-286. Respond to one of the two prompts and express your thoughts and opinions on the matter. Your response should be a minimum of 500-750 words.

1) Find two incidents in The Soloist that you find particularly important in terms of its message about homelessness and mental illness. Summarize each incident and indicate how they contribute to the theme of the book.

or

2) Why do you think there are homeless people in the United States? Can something be done about this issue? Finally, who do you think is responsible for dealing with the problem of homelessness?