Catching Fire

Catching Fire
by Suzanne Collins
Young Adult Science Fiction
5/5
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I am currently reading and am about half way through. I read Hunger Games very quickly. In a day and I really missed it so I am savoring this one and I love it! Its more political and behind the scenes then Hunger Games was. Giving more detail of the Districts. .... LOVE it and you must read to find out what happens to Katniss, Peeta and Gale!

A Wrinkle in Time

A Wrinkle in Time

by Madelenine L'Engle

John-Newberry Medal

Young Adult Sci-Fi

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I just did not want this book to end. I loved reading A Wrinkle In Time. Madeleine wrote such an imaginative book of time travels and worlds beyond our comprehension. With characters such as Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, Mrs Which and we can not forget IT and the Black Thing, I just wanted to read more! Meg who was thought to be flawed really was not without intelligence. Her very real human traits of anger and impatience would soon prove to be valuable in other worlds. Megs stunning and intelligent mother, Mrs. Murray. Her friend Calvin and her protective little brother Charlie Wallace are forever written in a timeless story of bravery. I really am no writer and can not explain what long lasting impressions this book has left on me. It is definitely one that I can not wait to read to my young daughter when she is ready. A well deserved and honorable book of imagination and creativity.

Breaking Dawn

Breaking Dawn
by Stephanie Meyer
Young Adult Fantasy
5/5
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I loved reading the Twilight Saga. Breaking Dawn the final book in the four book series was more then I expected. We all knew what was going to become of Edward and Bella but it was wonderful to finally read the conclusion. The book was lengthy over 700 pages but I was grateful for it. Stephanie has stayed true to her standards in this book and explored the love story from every angle. I did have my moments though. The book of Jacob almost made me fall asleep. It was long and detailed and I never was a team Jacob girl. It bounced back as the story went back to Bella's story and then... very seriously... something happened towards the middle end of the book that made me so upset I closed the book and almost threw it across the room. Yeah! Thats how much it sucks you in. But, I cooled and speculated the entire story line and thought. WOW! Stephanie really put together a fantastic fantasy love triangle. I would spoil the book if I wrote what had me upset but its definitely worth reading to find out. Some friends of mine won't let their younger children read the book due to some of its nature. The birth of Reneseme. I let our 14year old daughter read it and she was okay with it.

The Giver

The Giver

by Lois Lowry

Young Adult Fiction

5/5

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I instantly fell in love with this adventurous story! I finished all 179 pages in less then a day. Everything about it kept me turning pages one after the other and I did not want to put it down. Lois Lowry has quickly become one of my favorite young adult authors. This tightly written story takes me to a place where everything is perfect. No pain, No fear, no hunger and no war. Everything is under control and governed by the committee of Elders. All is in the sameness as everyone else. There is no color, no love, no choices and no one knows any different. Progression is placed in age and age only matters once you have progressed to twelve years. This would be the beginning of your adulthood. In your adulthood you are assigned a job given to you in a ceremony before the community. As Jonas sat with his group of twelve year olds waiting for his assignment, great embarrassment came across him as his number (19) was skipped over during the ceremony. Soon after the closing of the ceremony He was asked to step forward. Unsure and filled with anxiety, Jonas walked forward. He was reassured that he was not skipped intentionally by not being assigned but he was "selected" to be trained as one of the most honorable positions in his community. The Receiver. As Jonas starts his training with the Giver, he discovers all the true pain and pleasures of life that he must bare so that all of his community can live with security and order. He experiences the horror of war, pain, suffering and starvation from the passing of the Giver. As well as life pleasures, love, feeling, and happiness all which has been denied his entire life. Lois takes us through a fantastic journey of Interdependence in humanity and ends with Jonas discovering the true motivations behind the community of Elders. Jonas has to make a choice. Something he had never been able to do before. To leave his community and face the unknown and perhaps starvation outside his community or stay within the blindness and security of his community and starve in other ways. He would have to live a life hungry for love, color and feelings. My fingers gripped to the pages as I discovered Jonas's choice and you will too!

Eclipse

Eclipse

by Stephanie Meyer

Young Adult fantasy

5/5

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There is no doubt that I am a twilight addict! I am reading the books over again this year and finished Eclipse. Instead of writing a review because it just seems silly to me. I thought I would just list some of my favorite parts and quotes. If you have not read these books, please do.They are refreshing especially if you have teenagers in the house. My step daughter and I had so much fun running back and forth to each others rooms sharing our favorite parts. If you have seen the movie, please do not judge the books by it. We all know that books are Far better. These are only a few due to limited space but there are so many favorites.

1. You and Billy gossip like old women. (Bella)

2. If we could bottle your luck, we’d have a weapon of mass destruction on our hands. (Edward)

3. Did you seriously just stamp your foot? I thought girls only did that on TV. (Jacob)

4. As long as she wants me, I’m here. (Edward)

5. First, because you are bizarrely moral for a vampire. (Bella)

6. I’ve chosen my life — now I want to start living it. (Bella)

New Moon

New Moon

By Stephanie Meyer

5/5

Young Adult Fantasy

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Do I really need to write a review on this one? If it were possible to add more stars I would. I have read New Moon several times and it really breaks my heart when Edward leaves Bella Behind for her safety and for the safety of his vampire family. A lot of people talk about Bella and how her heart was broken and her frail human state But I can't shrug Edwards falling out. He had waited for Bella for over a hundred years and now he has to leave her! Ugh! its so sad. "It will be as if I never existed." Edward. In leaving Bella behind he makes her vulnerable to the predators of his world. Bella soon befriends her childhood buddy Jacob Black who has secrets of his own. Bella and Jacob are often viewed as more then friends but in the following books (Breaking Dawn) there is an unravelling or revelation you might find as a surprise and also explains their relationship. If you have not read this saga. Please Do! And for all those interested and have seen the Twilight movie, DO NOT judge a book by its movie. Books are far better in detail.

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games

by Suzanne Collins

young adult fiction

5*/5

Warning! Highly addictive. On the continent formally known as North America, sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen finds herself as a tribute in the 74th Hunger Games. Established by the Capitol as a reminder to the people of Panem and its surrounding districts of the Apocalypse many years ago. Devastating the lands and leaving districts in poverty. It is a game of survival. As all 24 tributes, two from each district file into the arena, it is either kill or die. The winner and their family to be set for life. But its not that simple. With the Capitol in control of the arena, food and water are scarce, dramatic temperature changes occur, and supplies moderated. The games are not just to serve as a reminder but also a source of entertainment. Katniss finds herself out numbered by the alliances of the careers, making out witting them and the Capitol her only means of survival. But this may cost her dearly. I enjoyed reading this book. My only regret was that I was not able to sit and read it in one day. It took me three days to finish and every time I had to put it down I felt edgy. I did not want the story to end. I am looking forward to Suzanne Collins second book. I recommend you set a day aside for reading and indulge!