Monday, August 16, 2010

It's Monday, What Are You Reading?


Currently Reading:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Brief thoughts:  We are rereading the first two books in this series to get ready for the release of Mockingjayand I am amazed by how intense this book is even when I know exactly what is coming.  I am reading it aloud to my husband (who also LOVES this series) and every time a certain character appears on the page, I can't stop thinking about that character's fate in Catching Fire and I've have to stop myself from getting misty-eyed and trembly-voiced several times already.  It is kind of ridiculous how much I love this series!

The Tricksters by Margaret Mahy
Brief thoughts:  Saturday seemed to disappear in the blink of an eye and we spent most of Sunday at my husband's company picnic, so I am only a few chapters into this book, but I have read the line that inspired Kristin Cashore's blog title ("This Is My Secret") and that made me very happy.  Margaret Mahy's characters are incredibly realistic in such a beautiful, un-airbrushed way, and she quietly gives everything (from the wallpaper to the wind) personality and life.  The paranormal elements are woven into her stories with a natural and eerie frankness.  I already feel that tantalizing buzz of wondering where in the world this story is going to go.  It feels perfectly set up for so many different possibilities, and I love that I have no idea where it is headed.

The Silver Crown by Robert O'Brien
Brief thoughts:  Primrose is reading this aloud to me right now.  It captured her interest within the first two chapters, and she read ahead on her own while I was busy with other projects over the weekend, so she has been bringing me up to speed today.  At this point, she likes it significantly more than I do.

Swoon by Nina Malkin
Brief thoughts:  I started this book just before getting swept into rereading The Hunger Games, so I am only about ten chapters into it.  It is a bit racier than I expected, and I suspect I am not even to the raciest part yet.  Sinclair definitely has a strong reason to be violently angry about the way his life ended in Swoon, Connecticut.  I am curious to see exactly how he will exact his revenge, and it is looking more and more like Pen and Dice are going to be pulled into his quest for retribution.

Recently Finished Reading:


Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Brief thoughts:  Nora drove me crazy, Patch acted like an arrogant, libido-driven teenager (who just happens to have been that way for five hundred years), and Vee irritated me to the point of anger, but I still found myself inexplicably absorbed by this book. 

Willow by Julia Hoban
Brief thoughts:  This was an eye-opening book about a girl who turns to self-destructive behavior after her parents' tragic death.  It is a revealing portrayal of a grief-stricken girl and the boy who desperately wants to help her.

Up Next in my TBR (to-be-read) pile:  


Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Brief thoughts:  I can't wait to reread this book, but I know it is going to make the wait for Mockingjay even more stressful.

What are you reading today?  What's up next in your TBR pile?


This fun meme is hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books.

A quick contest reminder:  
We have two contests running right now, one is for a signed copy of Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy ENTER HERE  and the other is for a book thong of your choice from our favorite Etsy shop - Stupid Shiny Designs! ENTER HERE.

9 comments:

Chachic said...

Wow, you're reading so many books! I'm curious about Tricksters because I loved The Changeover. I wonder if it's just as good.

Anonymous said...

Love your reading list! I'm SO excited about Mockingjay being released. I recently got my mom and sister hooked on the series too! Have a great week!

detweilermom said...

I loved both the Hunger Games and Catching Fire. Can't wait for Mocking jay. Enjoy

Sheila (Bookjourney) said...

I wish I had time to reread the Suzanne Collins series - that would be great way to come into Mockingjay next week!

Enjoy all your reads :D

Stephanie said...

The Hunger Games is a terrific book, though parts are agonizingly painful to read.

sheisreading said...

Hi, I'm new to your blog.

I re-read The Hunger Games, and I could not put it down!!! I told myself I would just skim and scan it to refresh myself. Yeah right! It captured my attention the same way it did the first time!

I also re-read Catching Fire. I was able to skim and scan the beginning. But once they hit the arena, I read every word.

Heather

Violet said...

Chachic - I am really enjoying The Tricksters so far. :) The story and setting are very different from The Changeover, but I am just as impressed by Margaret Mahy's way of breathing life into every object and every character without ever seeming artificial or contrived.

runnersami - So cool that you got your mom and sister hooked on The Hunger Games! It is such a fun (and intense) series! :)

detweilermom - I am starting to count down the hours until Mockingjay. Can't wait!

Sheila - I am amazed by how many little details I'd forgotten. Like the mention of Johanna and little details about District 13 in the first book. I am so glad Mockingjay is the final book, so whatever happens we shouldn't be left with a huge cliffhanger as in the first two books. :)

Stephanie - I totally agree. I still cry like crazy through almost every mention of Rue, even when I've cried over it several times before. Definitely an intense read.

Heather - Hi and thanks for stopping by! :) I've been so surprised by how absorbed I still am in reading every word of The Hunger Games, even when I know exactly what is coming. I will be starting on Catching Fire tomorrow. Can't wait!

Jess said...

Hunger Games is awesome -- enjoy!

Candace said...

I've been wanting to see a review on Swoon so I can't wait to hear what you think when you finish.

I'm thinking when I get HG and CF back I'm going to try reading them aloud to my husband. He really does not read, but he recently asked me to read aloud to him. It happened to be a very very boring part of a book. So this might be the opportunity for me to read something much more intense. We'll see what he thinks though.