Feature Detail

READ/San Diego learner, Juan "Johnny" Santoyo, was selected as the winner of the Advanced Writers category for the 2008 Writer to Writer challenge.

The Writer to Writer Challenge is the annual statewide writing competition for adult learners in public library literacy programs throughout California. Adult learners are invited to read a book of their choice and then write a personal letter to the author of that book, sharing with the author their thoughts and opinions as to how the book affected them.

Read Juan's letter below:

Mr. Nicholas Sparks,

It's been four years now since I picked up your novel The Notebook but it has helped to change my life. To completely understand my story we have to travel back a few years to a time in my life that I would rather forget, you see I was a drug addict for most of my adult life. Like a lot of people, my drug use started back in high school with beers and parties on the weekend. As the years rolled by it progressed to a crystal meth addiction, which I had no control over.

In the spring of 2004 all that changed. One lucky day there was a knock at the front door, and the police were there to rescue me from myself. While going threw the process of being arrested, I realized I was heading down a path that would lead me to prison or worse death, and I new I needed to make some changes in my life.

In jail is where I realized how much I enjoyed reading books, and the jail library became my second home. On my first trip to the library I noticed this book sitting on the shelf, but for some unknown reason I didn't pick it up. After about a week I returned to the library to get a new book and there on the shelf was the same book, daring me to come close. I noticed this book inch its way closer, and after a while this book The Notebook had me cornered. With no where to go, I finally gave in and picked it up. As I started to read, the book took me back to a happier time in my life, and the story reminded me of someone from a long time ago. The more I read, the more I realized all the great things that I was missing out on in life.

Today I have the life that I've always dreamed of. I have over four years clean now, and I've been at my job for over a year. I have a savings and checking account, and I'm a productive member of society. That special someone from so long ago, I finally located her, and we're getting to know each other again.

Like the novel The Notebook, I see the wonderful life that awaits me. Someday I hope to flip threw the pages of my own notebook, and read back to our family the story of our life.

Thank you, Mr. Nicholas Sparks for all the great novels you have written. I never imagined your book, sitting on that shelf, would help to change my life around.

Sincerely,

Juan Alberto Santoyo