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 Mockingjay, and 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. 

Read my full review here.

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.

Read my full review here.

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.