Week 14: FINAL POST

1. This project has changed my views on reading. Now I know that it isn't unhealthy to read. I used to be fearful of it and cowardly hide from it. I actually don't get surprised looks when I walk into the library anymore!

2. I will be an avid library visitor and reader....hopefully.

3. Throughout this project I read....
Seriously... I'm Kidding- Ellen DeGeneres
The Funny Thing Is... - Ellen DeGernes
My Point...and I do Have One - Ellen DeGeneres
Doormat - Kelly McWilliams
Kissing Doorknobs - Terry Spencer Hesser
Jerk - Jonathan Friesen
My Cat Ate My Gymsuit - Paula Danziger
The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks
3 Days - Donna Jo Napoli

I FINISHED MY GOALS FROM WEEK ONE!!!
..but Jensen read more books than me..........
:(

Hours Read Since Last Post: 4 hours
GRAND TOTAL HOURS READ: 46 hours

Week 13: changed thoughts?

Throughout this project, I have actually become a more advanced reader. I always used to pick shorter books with shorter chapters and easier plots. Now, I choose longer books with longer chapters and plots that actually make me think. It was a good experience for me to learn that there's more out there than I Spy books and Where's Waldo. I know I will continue reading more detailed books as I step into Mrs. Jahn's AP English class, but I know that because of this project, it IS possible to read many books in a short period of time.

Hours Read Since Last Post: 0 hours
Total Hours Read: 42 hours

Week 12: inferences

I started reading the book 3 Days. I am not too far into it, but already alot has happened. The girl's dad has suffered a heart attack on their way home from a restaurant in Italy (where they are vacationing). A car keeps driving slowly by, and that's where I stopped. Now, I'm just spit-balling, but I'm going to assume that they kidnap her. And, going by the title, in 3 Days, I think that the little girl will escape. I don't know how or when, but I feel it coming.

Hours Read Since Last Post: 1 hour
Total Hours Read: 42 hours

Week 11: Celebrities

If The Last Song would be recreated into another movie, I think Dolly Parton should play the lead of Ronnie and Robin Wilson should play Will. I think this will help the book/movie appeal to a broader age group, rather than with Miley and Liam it mainly appealed to only the younger generation. The older people will LOVE it. ...maybe.

Hours Read Since Last Post: 0 hours
Total Hours Read: 41 hours

Week 10: SPRING BREAK

Over Spring Break I finished The Last Song. It was super long and definitely a chick book. But I put up with it. It was about a girl who hates her life, moves to her dads in the summer, meets up with the wrong crowd, falls in love with a rich boy, finds out her dad has cancer, then the dad dies. SO MUCH HAPPENED IT WAS HARD TO KEEP TRACK OF. But it's okay. Good book overall.

Hours Read Since Last Post: 9 hours
Total Hours Read: 41 hours

Week 9: Expectations

This week (over spring break) I am planning to read The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. I am only a couple of chapters in to the book, but so far it is really good. I have heard alot of great things about him and his writing and this is the first book of his I have read, so yes, so far, it has not let me down!

Hours Read Since Last Post: 2 hours
Total Hours Read: 32 hours

Week 8: Antagonist

This week's theme is to name and explain the Antagonist of our book.  In my book, The Cat Ate My Gymsuit, I think the biggest antagonist would be Marcy herself. She always puts herself down and prevents herself from going anywhere. No other character in the story influences her in sucha negative way like she does. She really needs to stop being so dumb and just have some confidence! COME ON MARCY!
Okay, that's all.

Hours Read Since Last Post: 7hours
Total Hours Read: 30 hours

Week 7 Theme: Plot Change

This week I finished reading Jerk and read My Cat Ate My Gymsuit by Paula Danziger. This book went through the life of a girl named Marcy Lewis. She hated school. She hated her family. And she hated her body. Then along came her new english teacher, Ms. Finny. She was willing to actually listen to Darcy and became a mentor and role model to her.  When the school board found out about her different teaching styles, they were very eager to get rid of her. Marcy stuck up for her and in the end, she was back.

A plot change that would have changed the whole book would be if Ms. Finny wouldn't have come. Although the book would be completely pointless then, Marcy would still be that quiet, awkward, chubby kid in the corner. Ms. Finny is a miracle worker.

Hours Read Since Last Post: 7hours
Total Hours Read: 30 hours

Week 6 Theme: Newspaper

Jerk by Jonathan Friesen


It was a sad day in the Carter household. Sam Carrier had been diagnosed with Tourettes at a young age and ever since he has been forced to live the hard life of a teenager while living with this terrible disease.

Carter has adapted a love of running. He says that loving is an escape from the nightmare he lives every day. Recently while going for one of his daily runs, he ran into a girl. The girl, who wanted to be anonymous, was intrigued by his unique personality and wanted to learn more.

Carter came to school the next day with hopes of running into this girl. She stayed clear of the path and has yet to introduce herself as a person and not just as 'the girl on the run.'

We will keep you updated on any news on this mystery girl and the struggles Sam faces living with Tourettes.

Hours Read Since Last Post: 2 hours
Total Hours Read: 23 hours

Week 5 Theme: Friendship

This week I read  "Kissing Doorknobs" by Terry Spencer Hesser. It is a book about a girl finding herself while struggling with OCD.

Reasons why I would be friends with Tara:
1) She is nice and always means well.
2) She wants so bad to have a normal life and normal friends, so I semi-feel bad for her.

Reasons why I wouldn't be friends with Tara:
1) She is a lot to handle.
2) She takes things too literally.
3) She pushes people who love her out of her life.

Pages Read Since Last Post: 149 pages
Hours Read Since Last Post: 4 hours
Total Pages Read: 909 pages
Total Hours Read: 21 hours
Total Books Read: 5 books

Week 4 Theme: Song Playlist

Four songs that could be added to a playlist based on my recent book, Doormat, by Kelly McWilliams would be- The Climb, Miley Cyrus; Papa Don't Preach, Madonna; Sweet Child O' Mine, Guns 'N' Roses; and Baby, Justin Bieber.

The Climb - Miley Cyrus
This song describes how life is like am uphill battle and even though there are always troubles in our lives, our friends will help us through. Melissa was clearly going through a tough time with her pregnancy but Jaime was always there for were through the entire battle.

Papa Don't Preach - Madonna
Melissa refused to tell her parents until way at the end of the book. She doesn't know what they'll say about the baby. This song also says that Madonna WILL keep her baby no matter what the parents say, which is just like what Melissa was going to do.

Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N' Roses
The title of this one says it all. Even through all of the troubles Melissa and Jaime needed to go through, they loved the baby regardless.

Baby - Justin Bieber
Now I'm not the biggest Justin Bieber fan by any means, but with this songs title, I just needed to use it. Justin loves his baby, just like Melissa. Plain and Simple.

Pages Read Since Last Post: 342 pages
Hours Read Since Last Post: 8 hours
Total Pages Read: 760 pages
Total Hours Read: 17 hours
Total Books Read: 4 books

Reading Progess as of 2/5

Since my last post I have polished off two more books:


Ellen's first book, written in 1996, was her first of three collections of comic essays portraying life from Ellen's eyes. I didn't feel that this book was as well-written has her later two, but it still kept my interest at all times. Plus, I felt obligated to finish this book so that I could complete my goal to read all of her books.


The second book that I finished during this period of time was called 'Doormat' written by Kelly McWilliams who wrote this at age15 talking about teen pregnancy from the point of view of a best friend. She told an awesome story of a girl, Jaime, who needed to help her best friend, Melissa, go through such a tramatic time in her life while keeping it a secret. Melissa didn't want anyone to know and didn't even reveal who the father was until late in the story. Jaime, who lived through a rough home life as her father deserted her and her mother 10 years ago, has very low self-confidence while Melissa is an aspiring model and one of the most popular in school. Even though a lot of strain was put on their friendship throughout the book,  they were able to book Melissa a modeling job, find Jaime a boyfriend, and welcome a new baby girl into the world. This book just highlighted the importance of friendship and the special bond one shares with their best friend.

Pages Read Since Last Post: 342 pages
Hours Read Since Last Post: 8 hours
Total Pages Read: 760 pages
Total Hours Read: 17 hours
Total Books Read: 4 books

Week 3 Theme: 3 Questions

How Does Ellen Feel About Daily Affirmations?

Ellen says that daily affirmations are an important way to pick yourself up. She says that since you can never rely on your friends to boost your confidence, you need to let your ego do it. She even admits to doing them herself by frequently saying, "Ellen, you are a beautiful person!!"

Would Ellen Rather Cross The Street Or Fly?
Cross the street. She is afraid of plains and heights, and the people on the flight with her easily annoy and frustrate her. Not to mention that she doesn't understand how airports work.

What Two Things Does Ellen Say To Do When Life Becomes Overwhelming?1. Sit in your house and feel the doom and gloom and continue to watch the news, shaking your head in resignation and sayint to yourself, "Oh no, my life sucks. The whole world is ending, there's nothing I can do."
2. If you must watch the news, turn the sound off and imagine the news anchor people are telling you all about your day. Make up happy events, adding your name into the report every third or fourth sentenence.

Reading Progress as of 1/23

Today as I enjoyed the wonderful day full of snow and no school, I polished off Ellen's second book "The Funny Thing Is...". Just as her 3rd book that i finished reading last week, this was a collection of comic essays assembled by Ellen for the enjoyment of her readers. She gives heart-felt advice on what to do in awkward scenarios and guidlines on what to do in embarrassing situations. She also talks about her crazy family life and gives a walk through of the set-up of her house. Ellen is quite the character. I now wait in suspense until her 1st book comes in the mail. COME ON U.S. POSTAL SERVICE! DON'T FAIL ME NOW!

Pages Read Since Last Post: 177 pages
Hours Read Since Last Post: 4 hours
Total Pages Read: 418 pages
Total Hours Read: 9 hours
Total Books Read: 2 books

Week 2 Theme: Cover Art

Look at that cover! Doesn't it just make you want to sit down, drink some coffee, and just chill with THE Ellen DeGeneres!? This applies to what I read because it's about life and how she views things, just as she would tell you as you sit around the fire drinkning a hot cup of jo. She looks so friendly and inviting which she portrays through her words, too. She keeps the mood light but covers semi-serious topics. WHAT A GAL!

Reading Progress as of 1/19

Tonight I finished reading Ellen DeGeneres' third book "Seriously...I'm Kidding". It is hard to write a summary or description of this book because it is so random and covers such broad topics that you wouldn't think would go together, but Ellen, being the amazing person she is, figures out a way to make them flow perfectly. This book was 241 pages that I did not want to set down!  It's an easy read that keeps your attention throughout. Ellen covered topics such as self-confidence, health, bullying, and advice on how to just be over-all happy. She covered those (sometimes serious) topics in sincere way, while still throwing in plenty of comedic relief! If you like laughing, this book is definitely a good pick!
Pages Read Since Last Post: 112
Hours Read Since Last Post: 2.5
Total Pages Read: 241
Total Hours Read: 5

Reading Progress as of 1/17

Pages Read Since Last Post: 129 pages
Time Read Since Last Post: 2.5 hours

Total Pages Read: 129 pages
Total Time Read 2.5 hours

Week 1 Theme: Goals

I have one goal for this project: read every single Ellen DeGeneres book that she has written.
She is the best.