What I'm Reading: Mockingjay

So I finished Mockingjay, the final book in The Hunger Games series.

That is all I can say.  

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What I'm Reading: Classic Literature

I didn't choose to read these books, but I did read them, so why not put them up here?

I'm in a class called The Novel right now to finish up my creative writing minor. Unfortunately, it's not about the process of creating novels, but simply reading them and tracking "the evolution of the genre." Two weeks ago I read and finished The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe and this past week I finished Willa Cather's My Antonia.

Moll Flanders was surprisingly good. It's said to be one of the first novels (if not the first), so I thought it would be awful. I tend not to like 19th century literature, but I enjoyed this book because it was such a soap-opera. You follow Moll, an English girl born into poverty, through her life which includes numerous marriages, pregnancies, divorces, and crime. There aren't any chapters or quotations and Defoe uses the old style of capitalizing random words, so you just have to accept it early on and you can read it without trouble.

This was my second time reading My Antonia (first was in eleventh grade AP English class). I liked it when I read it the first time and I like it again. It was nice because the first time I was upset that Jim (the narrator) did not have a romantic relationship with Antonia. Now that I knew that wouldn't happen, I was able to fully enjoy the story. The Nebraska prairie doesn't normally sound interesting to me, but Cather creates such wonderful characters and paints a wonderful picture of immigrants in the Western US. It's an easy read and I would definitely recommend it.

Next up for class if Kafka's Metamorphosis, and I still have to finish up Mockingjay. I know, I know, I'm a horrible Hunger Games fan, but I honestly haven't had any time!

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What I'm Reading: The Hunger Games

There's been a lot of talk about The Hunger Games recently, even though the first book in the trilogy came out in 2008. Why? The movie, of course.

I admit, I didn't really know anything about The Hunger Games. I saw it come up occasionally when being compared to Twilight (all arguments said it was vastly better in all forms), but other than that, nothing. Then I saw this trailer:


Oh my goodness! Are you intrigued? I was. If you didn't watch because you don't want to spoil it for yourself, I'll give you a brief intro. Every year a girl and a boy from each of the twelve districts in the country of Panem (once North America) must participate in the Hunger Games, a televised fight to the death. When her younger sister is chosen, Katniss Everdeen volunteers as tribute to the Games. Cue danger, alliances, survival, and some conflicting emotion towards her District 12 male counterpart.

I devoured this book. It is so amazing I could see why both girls and guys love the series. The characters are so (what's another word for amazing?) spectacular, and the plot kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.

Half way through the book I wasn't sure how this could turn into a trilogy, but then a couple turn of events convinced me otherwise. I absolutely recommend that you read this book. Believe the hype, they are fantastic. I'm going to pick up the next one this week, so go read it!

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What I'm Reading: The Magnolia League

It took me forever, but I finally finished The Magnolia League, and oh my goodness, guys, it was so good. Like Dreaming Anastasia, I picked this up at a Borders going out of business sale. To be perfectly honest, I was taking a chance. I had no idea if I would like this book, but as it turns out, I loved it.

The story follows Alex Lee, a hippie chick who grew up on an organic communal farm in California. When her mother dies in a tragic accident, she is forced to move to Savanna to live with her high-class grandmother. Alex's grandma wants her (actually, tells her) she must join the Magnolia League, the society group she runs. Alex is the opposite of debutante, and finds that there may be more than meets the eye when it comes to the League.

Are you interested yet? Okay, let me keep going. The dialogue is hilarious (I'm going to go back and write down all of the things Ms. Lee says), and that "more than meets the eye" may or may not have something to do with black hoodoo magic and not aging.

The only critique I have is that I felt it ended a little too suddenly. A new plot twist showed up in the last few chapters and it wasn't resolved. However, since there is a sequel, I'll let it slide... into the next book. 

Basically, you need to read this book. Even if you're not big on the fantasy genre, there is so much more involved in the novel that you won't mind. I totally and completely recommend this, and I am going to put a ton of Katie Crouch on my wish list.

Up next, The Hunger Games!

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What I'm Reading

I just finished a fiction novel called Dreaming Anastasia. I picked it up in Borders during their going out of business sale. I’ve always had an interest in Anastasia Romanov, and I especially love the animated movie (I actually looked at a “Together in Paris” necklace on Etsy).

The book follows Anne Michaelson, a modern day seventeen year old girl who has dreams that connect her to the last Grand Duchess of Russia, Anastasia Romanov, who through magic and betrayal, is still alive. Ethan, a hot guy with a long history, shows up and tells Anne it’s her destiny to save Anastasia. 

It may not have been the best written YA novel, but I really enjoyed the story. It certainly stands out from every other Anastasia story. Joy Preble switches between first person narrations from three different characters very nicely, which can often be difficult to read. 

If you’re looking for an easy vacation read and have some interest in Russian folklore/Romanov stories, I recommend Dreaming Anastasia. Next up, The Magnolia League by Katie Crouch!

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