Monica+Woods

December 6, 2010 Blog 3: I'm still reading Along Came A Spider. But to be honest, I have not found time to read this week! I have read Julius Caesar in class. I adore Shakespeare's work. Somehow I was given the gift of understanding Shakepearean language, and I have an easier time analyzing his work than some. I think that's why I like it so much. It's hard to really enjoy something when you're confused the whole time. I've read lots of Shakespeare on my own in the past, but this is my first time reading Julius Caesar. So in this play we have discovered that Cassius along with others are plotting to kill Caesar in the ides of March. They hope that Brutus will agree to it, which we know he does. I got bored in history class and actually finished the play, so I don't want to give the ending away! I was completely shocked at first, but then I remembered- It's Shakespeare. Drama! So fellow classmates, beware!

November 18, 2010 Blog 2: Aside from my very busy schedule, I have found time to read a little more from __Along Came A Spider__. When I last wrote, I had just started reading. A lot has happened since my last blog. First off, the kidnapper, Mr. Soneji, drugged Maggie and Michael. Meanwhile Alex Cross and his partner Sampson went to Mr. Soneji's apartment. They found an immense amount of books and magazines about crimes. On the walls were newspaper articles about famous kidnappings and murders. But the one piece of data that really stood out was the writing on the bathroom mirror that said, "I WANT TO BE SOMEBODY!" During the time that the kids were knocked out, Mr. Soneji put them in a coffin and burried them alive. I left off when Maggie woke up and realized what was going on. I honestly got shivers just thinking about being in that situaton! James Patterson does a good job of scaring you when you're reading. Whenever I pick up this book to read, I get a feeling in my gut like I shouldn't. Something about the suspense is so addictive, yet I can't read before I go to sleep for fear of being kidnapped. However, he's an amazing author, and I unquestionably will finish this book!

November 4, 2010 Blog 1:

So since I finished __Suzanne's Diary For Nicholas__, I had to find a different James Patterson book to read. I decided to read the first of one of his series called __Along Came A Spider__. I've read __Run For Your Life__, which is toward the middle of the series, but it doesn't matter. This series is about an investigator names Alex Cross. It starts out with he and his partner getting called out for a murder of two prostitutes, but it quickly changes when a school teacher kidnaps two students. In the book, Alex makes it clear that he wants to be on the murder case, but everyone around him thinks it's more important to focus on the kids. I'm not far into the book, but I really enjoy James Patterson's work. I'm excited to see what happens in this book.

My name is Monica and I’m reading Love, Stargirl  by Jerry Spinelli. He’s always been one of my favorite authors, and I’ve read many of his books. This is actually the sequel to Stargirl , so if anyone decided this book sounds interesting, I’d read that one first. Love, Stargirl picks up where  Stargirl  left off. Stargirl is now living in Pensylvania and has met quite a few interesting people. She writes to her “ once (and future?) boyfriend" Leo everyday about the world around her. The book is basically her journal. She’s homeschooled and spends a lot of time riding her bike around looking for new meditating spots. Stargirl has a box that she keeps her ”happy rocks” in, but since she moved she’s been taking more and more out. Stargirl met a five year old named Dootsie who loves pretending she’s invisible and getting into trouble. Dootsie reminds me of my sister Stephanie when she was that age. I would turn my back for one minute and the next she’s gone! So I can really connect with Dootsie and Stargirl’s bond. She also met an agoraphobic named Betty. Agoraphobia means fear of the marketplace, but Betty is just scared to leave her house in general. Could you imagine never leaving your house for nine years? So Stargirl and little Dootsie visit Betty and eat doughnuts. That brings me to the next character, Alvina. Alvina is the eleven year old who delivers the doughnuts to Betty’s house. She’s mean and a bit misunderstood, but Stargirl gets through to her eventually. I don’t know how she finds time between meditating and keeping up with Dootsie to write letters to Leo! When I read this book, I play it like a movie in my head. It’s so realistic! The other thing is, this book’s not super boy-crazy either. That’s probably why I like it. Sometimes she’s happy, sometimes she’s not. I don’t know a girl who couldn’t find something in Stargirl that they can connect with. Love, Stargirl is a great book, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves to read.

The novel I just finished reading is called Suzanne's Diary For Nicholas by James Patterson. I decided to read it while on vacation in Galena, IL and i absolutely loved it! My step-mom is a huge James Patterson fan, so that's how I got into his books. This is a book that is in the perspective of two separate people. Katie, a woman whose boyfriend Matthew broke up with her a day ago. She recieved a package in the mail the next morning. It was a diary. The diary was written by his wife, Suzanne. It's very confusing at first, because Suzanne talks about how she and her husband met, and later about their son, Nicholas. Katie started to realize why Matthew wanted her to read it. It seems easy to guess what comes next, but you can't. I don't want to give away the ending, but believe me it is so worth reading! I can honestly say it's one of the best out there. During the time I was reading this, I was doing some soul searching myself. I really connected with Katie, and throughout the events in the book, I really felt like it was happening to me. I couldn't put it down, and I almost cried when i finished it. I would say this is more of a girly book, but that's just my opinion.

November 4, 2010 Blog 1:

So since I finished Suzanne's Diary For Nicholas, I had to find a different James Patterson book to read. I decided to read the first of one of his series called Along Came A Spider. I've read Run For Your Life, which is toward the middle of the series, but it doesn't matter. This series is about an investigator names Alex Cross.