New Book For August

After much contemplation and going back and forth, mulling over what our fearless leader, the beautiful Rachel mentioned about picking books when we were in charge, I decided that she spoke with a great amount of insight when she mentioned that she will pick a book that she has read for her choice next time-----rather than one that she hadn't read either. I agree with her on one hand and then feel like I am cheating myself on the other.


BUT......

I have, nevertheless, decided on choosing a book that I read about a month ago (yes, I was reading it right before I read The Gargoyle) and it has continued to haunt my thoughts, every once in a while-----still. It was powerful and moving and kept you wanting more!

That is the kind of book that I want to recommend that we read for August. Especially since it is still officially summer, and this book is an easy read----one that will pass the time and would be perfect for a day in the park or on the beach....(if you are lucky enough to have one near----like me----heh, heh)


So.....that said.......my choice for August is:



It is written for teens, but the writing is splendid and I think that you will not be able to put it down!

The story-----"In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. Collins's characters are completely realistic and sympathetic as they form alliances and friendships in the face of overwhelming odds; the plot is tense, dramatic, and engrossing. This book will definitely resonate with the generation raised on reality shows like "Survivor" and "American Gladiator". Book one of a planned trilogy." Quoted by the School Library Journey.

Hopefully, not too many of you have read it. It has been very popular of late, and I found it recommended on my GoodReads website, and was intrigued. The next installment comes out in Sept., I believe, so I am looking forward to more----in fact, the day that I finished reading this one, I WANTED to keep going and was so frustrated that I had to wait!


Well, happy reading......and I hope that you will agree. (I may just read it again...)

The New Book, So Far

I figured someone might as well get around to saying something about the new book (Running With Scissors) we are all reading. We are all reading it right? I know I am. It's going along pretty easily. It's light, and funny, and easy-going even though the subject matter can be a little morbid. But then every now and then it gets really gross. I don't mean to be a prude here, and I don't want to ruin it for you with description, but I wonder: Do we really need all the intricate details of what it feels like to be raped? I'm not sure that I do. I'm pretty sure it could have gone like this:

Chapter 8 (or whatever chapter)

I was raped.

Chapter 9...

I would have felt pretty bad already. That would have sufficed. I'm almost done with this book now. And I intend to finish it. But I really hope it's going somewhere. I wonder why there are so many books these days about how horrible people's lives are? Does nobody have a good life any more? Or is it just that nobody wants to buy books like that. I can't really say that I haven't enjoyed this one myself. Maybe we all do love watching the train wreck.

Just a thought.

Alright! Alright!

Shawn is super dramatic... thus the reason for my post. (Love you Shawn)

Sorry for the silence with my break going on I haven't had time to post. Everyone is asking what we do once the book and month is over. I say, lets post about it of course! And everyone can leave comments about anything they want to say as well as post their own thoughts. I will go first...

I didn't like it.

Go figure!

Sorry guys, I picked a very special book for our first month. Maybe my idea of reading a book for the first time the same as everyone else wasn't the best idea. Next time I'm going to pick a book I've already read and loved, so I can justify why I picked it when all of you tell me how much you hate it :).

At first I really liked the book. the main character was who I loved the most. His dry humor about this awful situation he was in made me wanting to go back for more. Marianne Engel is a strange characters and I loved reading her tragic romance stories although I always felt unsatisfied at the end of each.

I think with Marianne killing herself in the end was not my cup of tea. I can understand the concept of this book though. I think the entire book is about Marianne convincing our main man of her views on love. Each story is about a romance that cannot end the way everyone would like it too. In a way she seemed to be preparing the reader and him for what she was going to do in the end. I don't agree with her views. It's silly she died for no real reason. I feel like other then what I just said, everything else was never tied in. which is too bad.

So there you go. That's how I feel.

What do y'all think? Let's start posting!

P.S. - I am getting my copy of our July's book and start reading asap. I will post once I have something interesting to say about that one.

Need Some Clarification

Ok, kids.

Now we have finished the first book----well, like two weeks ago.

So----what happens next? So do we all leave our review or do we just comment?

I am trying to get the new one from the library, but have had WAY TOO much on my plate. Will we be able to finish the new one by the end of July or is it going to be rough to do this during the summer time?

I know, should be perfect----reading at the beach and all----but who the heck has time for that----with trips and family visiting, theatre for me and gigs on the weekends....

Let me know your thoughts.

Let me know SOMETHING!
(Did I mention that I was dramatic?)