I am currently reading TTYL by Lauren Myracle. Throughout the entire book and as I read I began to notice unique writing styles the author used. As well, I began analyzing the characters and noticing the characteristics they have. The book so far takes place entirely through instant messaging between three friends (Angela, Madigan, and Zoe: SnowAngel, mad maddie, and zoegirl). The book shares all of the drama that goes on in their everyday lives along with all of the juicy gossip. This is my response to the observations I have made while reading.
One thing I noticed was that the entire book is in instant messaging. It’s really interesting to see what characters in the book really are like. Also all of the characters speak in slang. For example, instead of writing the word ‘you’ they use the letter ‘u’. Because the book is written in IM, I think it will allow me to understand and analyze who the characters really are and the way they may feel and think. It also helps me to understand the traits that the characters really have, not just what people may think they are like.
While reading, I also began developing opinions on the characters in the book. Zoe is the uptight one of the bunch who always feels like she has to follow the rules even though she doesn't want to admit it. She is constantly paranoid if her friends even bring up breaking the rules. For example, when Angela invites Zoe to a party, she gets nervous about starting to drink when all the others kids will be. The fact that she is so uptight is a flaw that Zoe doesn't like about herself. Zoe is so used to doing everything the way her parents want and following the rules that it has become natural to her. Angela and Madigan even notice it. Maddie says that even she is scared of Zoe’s mother. According to Maddie, when the weather was bad and Zoe didn’t walk by herself to Starbucks where her mom told her to go, her mom got really upset. Most likely because her mom is so strict Zoe is scared of what her mom or parents might do if she broke the rules, as a result Zoe is afraid of taking risks and answering the question we all ask --- What if?
Maddie, however, seems to be turning on her friends for people she thinks are her friends. This leads me to believe that she is unappreciative of her real friends. In the book when Maddie plans a big traffic jam where all of her new “friends” with cars to go exactly at speed limit in all of the lanes just to block traffic. Jana, who was supposed to ride with her, left her to ride with Rex and Tonnie. Meanwhile, when Rex and Tonnie weren’t there Jana only used Maddie to give her a ride. As a result ,she turned on the people she could really trust. Her real friends all along were Angela and Zoe. Then, when Maddie gets drunk a party, she ditches Zoe and Angela for Jana because that is what she thinks is the choice that will make her more popular. Meanwhile, Jana leaves her at the party to fend for herself. I think that just because something is the choice that will make you more popular, it doesn’t automatically make it the right choice. Maddie has yet to realize that because of her irresponsibility, she could have put herself in a dangerous place. Then, when her real friends tell her their concerns she turns on them. Maddie is truly irresponsible and needs to understand the difference between real friends or users.
Then, in the book, Angela leads me to believe she doesn’t have a lot of self esteem because it seems like she always has to have a guy or a boyfriend just so she can be happy. Even on the first day of school Angela has a crush interest. Not to mention, when she catches Rob (the boy she’s been dating) on a date with Tonnie, her mom tells her “obviously he only cares about looks” this makes her paranoid about the way she looks and the way she dresses. Someone with high self esteem wouldn’t doubt their beauty or the chance that they have of finding love.
Some decisions that Zoe may disagree with is Maddie’s decision to actually like Jana. For example, Maddie gives Jana a ride home and leaves Angela because Jana told her to. Zoe doesn’t like his because she feels like Maddie wants to be popular so badly that she is letting Jana take advantage of her. Zoe also disagrees with Angela’s decision to call Rob over and over and continue to be okay with the fact that he cheated. She even tells Angela that she thinks she shouldn’t send an email or make an effort to get back with Rob when he obviously wasn’t making an effort himself.
One thing I noticed was that the entire book is in instant messaging. It’s really interesting to see what characters in the book really are like. Also all of the characters speak in slang. For example, instead of writing the word ‘you’ they use the letter ‘u’. Because the book is written in IM, I think it will allow me to understand and analyze who the characters really are and the way they may feel and think. It also helps me to understand the traits that the characters really have, not just what people may think they are like.
While reading, I also began developing opinions on the characters in the book. Zoe is the uptight one of the bunch who always feels like she has to follow the rules even though she doesn't want to admit it. She is constantly paranoid if her friends even bring up breaking the rules. For example, when Angela invites Zoe to a party, she gets nervous about starting to drink when all the others kids will be. The fact that she is so uptight is a flaw that Zoe doesn't like about herself. Zoe is so used to doing everything the way her parents want and following the rules that it has become natural to her. Angela and Madigan even notice it. Maddie says that even she is scared of Zoe’s mother. According to Maddie, when the weather was bad and Zoe didn’t walk by herself to Starbucks where her mom told her to go, her mom got really upset. Most likely because her mom is so strict Zoe is scared of what her mom or parents might do if she broke the rules, as a result Zoe is afraid of taking risks and answering the question we all ask --- What if?
Maddie, however, seems to be turning on her friends for people she thinks are her friends. This leads me to believe that she is unappreciative of her real friends. In the book when Maddie plans a big traffic jam where all of her new “friends” with cars to go exactly at speed limit in all of the lanes just to block traffic. Jana, who was supposed to ride with her, left her to ride with Rex and Tonnie. Meanwhile, when Rex and Tonnie weren’t there Jana only used Maddie to give her a ride. As a result ,she turned on the people she could really trust. Her real friends all along were Angela and Zoe. Then, when Maddie gets drunk a party, she ditches Zoe and Angela for Jana because that is what she thinks is the choice that will make her more popular. Meanwhile, Jana leaves her at the party to fend for herself. I think that just because something is the choice that will make you more popular, it doesn’t automatically make it the right choice. Maddie has yet to realize that because of her irresponsibility, she could have put herself in a dangerous place. Then, when her real friends tell her their concerns she turns on them. Maddie is truly irresponsible and needs to understand the difference between real friends or users.
Then, in the book, Angela leads me to believe she doesn’t have a lot of self esteem because it seems like she always has to have a guy or a boyfriend just so she can be happy. Even on the first day of school Angela has a crush interest. Not to mention, when she catches Rob (the boy she’s been dating) on a date with Tonnie, her mom tells her “obviously he only cares about looks” this makes her paranoid about the way she looks and the way she dresses. Someone with high self esteem wouldn’t doubt their beauty or the chance that they have of finding love.
Some decisions that Zoe may disagree with is Maddie’s decision to actually like Jana. For example, Maddie gives Jana a ride home and leaves Angela because Jana told her to. Zoe doesn’t like his because she feels like Maddie wants to be popular so badly that she is letting Jana take advantage of her. Zoe also disagrees with Angela’s decision to call Rob over and over and continue to be okay with the fact that he cheated. She even tells Angela that she thinks she shouldn’t send an email or make an effort to get back with Rob when he obviously wasn’t making an effort himself.
