And may the odds be ever in your favor...

I have tried this before, the whole book club thing. And it was with only ONE person I personally knew, and I felt this overwhelming pressure to read and felt almost intimidated by the level of participation that some members were contributing. Plus, we were tackling the 101 Books to Read before you die - a little too heavy for this point in my life. (With 3 little kids, a full-time job and a full-time husband, LOL)

So, on to attempt #2. 'For the Love of Reading' is what it is called, until (and if) we ever come up with a more clever name. July has been our first month and we read THE HUNGER GAMES! The Facebook group has been casual and laid back. A good amount of book chatter and I am excited to visit it when I have the extra time. It is made up of 5-10 people who all know each other personally or through someone else. I think this time we found something that works for us. And if you ask me - I could not be happier.

On to the book.

I worked at Borders for years, and was there during the Hunger Games craze, and apparently - I am too cool to follow the popular crowd, and read what they are reading. This makes me both sad and relieved. Sad: How did I wait so long to read this? Relieved: I would have never made it through having to wait for the 2nd or the 3rd one to come out! I would have been in a straight jacket with padded walls. For real! Suzanne Collins is a genius. This genre has never appealed to me, but the emotions I felt for the characters in District 12 and the others I met throughout the 74th and 75th Games. Brilliant. It was a roller coaster for 3 solid books. There was little to none when it came to smooth sailing with this series;  even with the main character, Katniss, was all alone in a tree with just her thoughts - you were on edge. I felt like I was Katniss. I felt the confusion that young love brings. I felt the pain she felt when Primrose's name was called at the Reaping. I felt the anger and the excitement as she prepared for the Games. I felt myself fall for that damn bread boy. I felt it ALL. And I couldn't take my eyes off the pages until I knew what happened next!

I felt right with Katniss and the rivaling emotions with Peeta and Gale. My mind goes back to a conversation that Peeta and Gale had, where Gale tells Peeta something along the lines of "Katniss will choose who she needs the most." I was torn with this statement for many reasons:

1. Throughout the trilogy, Katniss was the stronger of the 2 tributes. Peeta is smart with regards to the camouflage, but a warrior - no.
2. Gale is a provider, a hunter and a "man's man."
3. I thought this statement was meant as a blow to Peeta at the time. I felt like Gale knew he was the smarter choice. The one (in a survival state of mind) that Katniss would need the most.
4. Peeta is a more privileged Baker's son. I feel like they always thought they were beneath him.

In the long run, I think Peeta was always the one. She never forgot what he did. He has this unending desire to take care of her. It might not be in the way she is used to, with the coal miners - but she is not the normal girl either. There were little cues throughout the book that were unspoken signs of her feelings for him. With Gale, it was more of losing her best friend.

I looked throughout several discussion questions that were given in regards to these books. And I just relived them all over again. What happened to Cinna, the Avox's, the controlled environments of the districts, and the raw emotions. The one thing that killed me, even more than the death of Rue; was Prim's seemingly unnecessary death. It broke my heart on so many different levels. And the fact that it was left unanswered as to who was at fault. I know that was a pivotal point in the relationship of Gale and Katniss - I just hated it.

Finally, overall, I give this entire series a FIVE. It was so well written, and I cried and died a little inside for the characters.  Even though this series had an epilogue, which I despise - it was what the readers needed to have closure. I wanted a book about how Peeta and Katniss got to that point. I love the details, the background and more.

Our 1st book club meeting was at Cheddar's! (Nom nom nom, Monte Cristo!) It was fun, casual and very laid back. We talked about who we loved, the differences in the book and movie, which characters were your favorites and not so favorites, saddest point and how we would have done it differently. It was only 4 of us this time, but still a blast!

For the month of August, we are reading Life of Pi and having book club at Mugshots! :) Cannot wait!

My imagination has ran WILD!

When I started reading the Stephanie Plum series, I swore to you I saw Ranger and his endless supply of Rangeman vehicles in their signature black EVERYWHERE I drove. (Mind you, I do not live in New Jersey, and I am sure he has zero reason to be in Mississippi.) I dreamt of Dublin for weeks while reading the Fever series, and saw flashlights and headlights (MacHalo) everywhere I turned. I am definitely more sarcastic when reading Darynda Jones, my co-workers would vouch for that. And the list could go on. I take on what I am reading with FULL FORCE. I don't think it I mean to. It kind of reminds me of when certain people go on vacation and come back sounding Canadian. (Eh?)

That is me with books. When I visit new towns, countries, dimensions - I lose myself. I spent 6 books with Richelle Mead in Montana and a few other places like Russia. Currently, I have to concentrate really hard to find a gateway so I can visit the Shadowlands with Michael and Nikki. (Thanks Michelle Rowen) I need to invest in a world map, and place thumbtacks where I read-visit. :)

I am starting the Hunger Games book as the start to our "For the LOVE of Reading" bookclub. It is our first choice, courtesy of Katy! I just love that a group of almost and barely 30's WANT to take the time out of life to talk books. It just warms my heart like nothing else quite can. I am so excited for the end of the month for when we first meet up!

Reading has also caused me to find PINEREST-like crafts for bookcases and such. I am gathering supplies for some awesome stuff. I am LOVING life, even with all its bumps. I will see you soon blog! Very soon!