Recently in Reading Category

I can't remember what prompted me to read the first book from the Hunger Games Trilogy at the very beginning of this year.  I had dozens of unread books loaded on my kindle to choose from.  Nonetheless, I DID choose to make that my first book of 2012 and oh man, did I make a good choice.  I started reading it and read all through the night.  I didn't want to stop reading.  I didn't want it to end.  Ever.  When I finished the first book I wanted to start the second immediately.  Unfortunately I also really needed to sleep.  The book is incredibly engaging.  The characters were incredibly likable and relatable and the scenery was described so well that I felt as if I were in the "games" with them.

My friend notified me yesterday that the movie was going to be out in the theater on Friday, March 23rd and that we were going.  I contacted 2 other girlfriends today and said they had to read the book(s) and they had to come to the movie with us on that opening weekend.  In talking with one of my friends later she laughed at me and said, "You didn't take a breath the entire time you were writing that email, did you?"  Haha.  I think she was correct.  Yes, I am a wee bit excited.  :)

Here is some more info. on the 3 books (from amazon, affiliate links, download Kindle version for free if you are a Prime member!):

THE HUNGER GAMES - $5.39

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games," a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed.

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CATCHING FIRE - $9.98

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

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MOCKINGJAY - $9.95

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what's worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss's family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins's groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year.

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Wikipedia Article on the entire Trilogy - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunger_Games_trilogy

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Official Movie Trailer:

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 Amazon affiliate links:

The Hunger Games Trilogy - Kindle Version (Price: $16.85, You Save: 69%) 

The following is a list of thirty of my favorite books that I've read over the last 10 years or so.  As you will see, once I read something I like, I will make it a point to find other books written by the same author assuming I will like those as well.  I am rarely disappointed.  I hope you enjoy the list and find a good book or two to read!

1. The Help - Kathryn Stockett
2. White Oleander - Janet Fitch
3. Middlesex - Jeffrey Eugenides
4. In Her Shoes - Jennifer Weiner
5. My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult
6. The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks
7. Something Borrowed - Emily Giffin
8. Something Blue - Emily Giffin
9. Baby Proof - Emily Giffin
10. Love the One You're With - Emily Giffin
11. The Glass Castle: A Memoir - Jeannette Walls
12. Good in Bed - Jennifer Weiner
13. She's Come Undone - Wally Lamb
14. I Know This Much Is True - Wally Lamb
15. Eat, Pray, Love - Elizabeth Gilbert
16. Joy in the Morning - Betty Smith
17. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - Betty Smith
18. Life of Pi - Yann Martel
19. American Wife - Curtis Sittenfeld
20. Prep: A Novel - Curtis Sittenfeld
21. The Man of My Dreams - Curtis Sittenfeld
22. Little Earthquakes - Jennifer Weiner
23. The Secret Life of Bees - Sue Monk Kidd
24. The Notebook - Nicholas Sparks
25. Rise and Shine: A Novel - Anna Quindlen
26. The Pilot's Wife - Anita Shreve
27. Light on Snow - Anita Shreve
28. The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
29. Fall On Your Knees - Ann-Marie MacDonald
30. Angela's Ashes: A Memoir - Frank McCourt

 * Disclaimer: All link are Amazon affiliate links

Now it's your turn. What are some of your favorite books from the last decade?  Share your thoughts on any of the books above, I'd love to hear your opinions.

This past weekend I finished My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult.  I really, really enjoyed it.  I put the movie in my Netflix queue weeks ago but wanted to read the book first.  Now I'm really looking forward to seeing the movie, too.

The book started a little bit slow, but soon enough I was looking forward to reading a little bit before going to bed.  I had to force myself to put it down so I could get enough sleep before work.  I thought it was quite suspenseful throughout the second half.  And then the ending.  Wow.  Of course I'm not going to give the ending away in case you haven't read/seen it yet, but it was a surpise I totally didn't see coming.  It was fantastic.

I loved how each chapter was told from the perspective of a different character.  I liked how it kept the book fresh by switching up the perspective. I liked how it gave each of the characters more depth. Each chapter is in the first person, and each character has their own voice. 

The book made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me think.  All things, in my mind, that make a book a wonderful read.

If you've read the book or seen the movie, what did you think?  If you haven't, do it now!  What are you waiting for?!  :)  Anyone have any suggestions for the next Jodi Picoult book I should read? 

A couple of months back I saw the book The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks at the grocery store.  I was actually in need for a book to read, it was 40% off, and I liked the other Nicholas Sparks stuff I have read, so on a whim I bought it.

II read it fairly quickly, and I really, really liked it.  I didn't want to put it down.  It is probably my second favorite of all his books I've read, after The Notebook.  So I was quite excited when I saw the movie was coming out.  Even though I am quite a homebody, and am almost never the one to initiate an outing, I quickly sent out feelers to a couple of girlfriends to see if they'd be interested in seeing it.  I knew there was no way I was going to get my boyfriend to sit and watch this movie, let alone actually pay to see it.  Then I checked rottentomatoes.com.  And I kind of panicked for a moment.  It was given a rating of 13%.  13%!  I was embarrassed that I had started this thing in motion, and now people were going to hate it. 

I had one friend in particular that I thought might like to see it with me.  She was actually very interested, even though she hadn't read the book yet.  I let her borrow the book and she read it in a weekend.  She loved it as much as I did.  And she still wanted to go see the movie even though the ratings were pretty abysmal.

So I'm heading out shortly to go see it.  I'm thinking we'll still enjoy it, despite the critics.  We know it's not going to be winning any Oscars, and we've set our expectations accordingly.

Disclaimer: links are affiliate links to amazon.com

Are you a fan of Nicholas Sparks?  If so, what's your favorite of all his books.  Have you see this movie?  If so, what did you think?  Have you ever organized and outing or an event that was a complete bust?!

I finally created an account at goodreads.com the other day.  So far, thumbs up!  I like being able to easily track all the books I've read, and my to-read list so I don't forget.  I love lists  :)  It's also great for reading reviews and getting recommendations.  Hundreds of great suggestions right at your fingertips.

There is a downside, however. I am extremely tempted to spend far too much time reviewing books while at work.  I am sure TheBoss would not be very happy about that.