Stacked: A booklog

The Hunger Games

"You here to finish me off, sweetheart?" 

Peeta, The Hunger Games

Title: The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

Publisher/Publisher Date: Scholastic/2009

Library/Bookstore: Borders

Date Borrowed/Bought/Read: January 2011

Rating: ****

What It's About:  In the land once known as North America, 24 boys and girls between the ages of 12 and eighteen are selected by lottery to participate in the annual Hunger Games.  In order to win the games, you have to fight to the death using any  means necessary and just like in Highlander, there can be only one.  The entire event is broadcast on live TV for everyone to enjoy.  It's basically Lord of the Flies meets Shirley Jackson's The Lottery meets Survivor!   

Why I Chose to Read It:  I may have chosen to read it because Andy Cohen talked about it on Watch What Happens Live a couple times.  Don't judge me!

Notes About the Book:

1. I loved the characters in this book.  One of my favorite quotes is by the drunkard Haymitch when he tells Katniss "You've got as much charm as a dead slug."   
2. Maybe it's the teacher in me or maybe I'm just showing my age, but I was surprised by how much violence there is in this book because it's meant to be read by young adults (not sad thirty-somethings who watch way too many of the Real Housewives series).   
3. It kind of makes you wonder if there ever could be a reality show where killings take place.  Nothing surprises me anymore.  And the way this country is going, I wouldn't be surprised if we end up at the mercy of the Capitol some day.
4. I'm Team Peeta all the way!   

Do I Recommend It?  Yes.  I pretty much read it in one sitting, if that tells you anything.  I can't wait to read the rest of the books in the series and watch the movie when it comes out (I think they're still working on the casting).

Links:

The Hunger Games

Suzanne Collins' Official Page

 

 

 

New Moon

"Shoot," I muttered when the paper sliced my finger; I pulled it out to examine the damage. A single drop of blood oozed from the tiny cut. It all happened very quickly then. Edward threw himself at me, flinging me back across the table... I tumbled down to the floor by the piano, with my arms thrown out instinctively to catch my fall, into the jagged shards of glass. I felt the searing, stinging pain that ran from my wrist to the crease inside my elbow. Dazed and disoriented, I looked up from the bright red blood pulsing out of my arm-into the fevered eyes of the six suddenly ravenous vampires.

Bella from New Moon

Title:  New Moon

Author: Stephenie Meyer

Publisher/Publisher Date: Little, Brown and Company/2006

Library/Bookstore: Borders

Date Borrowed/Bought/Read: November 2009

Rating: **

What It's About:  Bella is depressed because her vampire boyfriend, Edward Cullins, has decided to leave her for her own good.  Her best friend, Jacob Black, is all-to-happy to help her forget about Edward.  Bella finally has a chance to have a normal relationship, until she discovers that her new love interest may be a different kind of monster.   

Why I Chose to Read It:  Peer pressure.  My friends and co-workers forced me to read it.

Notes About the Book:

1. I don't like the relationship Bella has with Edward.  It bothers me how obsessed she is with him.  Other than the fact that he's super hot, what is there to love about him?  He's kind of boring.   Jacob would be a lot more fun to hang out with.
2. Bella and Edward are both self-centered brats who deserve each other. 
3. Edward is kind of MIA in this book.  After he ditches Bella, he doesn't show up again until the end.
4. I wish the books focused more on the Volturi.  That part with the tourists actually kind of creeped me out.
5. The vampires should probably be thankful that they can't read Bella's boring thoughts.  Um, unless they find Edward just as hot and perfect as she does. 
6. I found myself constantly rolling my eyes while reading this book.
7. Why exactly does this book have to be over 500 pages long?

Do I Recommend It?  Yes.  The writing is so bad that it's fun to just pick the book apart.

Links:

Twilight Saga Wiki

The New Moon Movie site

Twilight

"And so the lion fell in love with the lamb...," he murmured. I looked away, hiding my eyes as I thrilled to the word.

"What a stupid lamb," I sighed.

"What a sick, masochistic lion."  He stared into the shadowy forest for a long moment, and I wondered where his thoughts had taken him.

Edward and Bella from Twilight 

Title: Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)

Author: Stephenie Meyer

Publisher/Publisher Date: Little, Brown and Company/2006

Library/Bookstore: Inklings

Date Borrowed/Bought/Read: July 2008

Rating: **1/2

What It's About:  Seventeen-year-old Bella Swan is madly in love with the mysterious and handsome Edward Cullen from biology class.  There's only one problem: The dude's a vampire.  Will their love last or will it be torn apart by darker forces? 

Why I Chose to Read It:  I have an age inappropriate crush on Robert Pattinson.  Actually, my friends told me I would like it since I'm such a huge fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Notes About the Book:

1. I was kind of disappointed (okay, very disappointed) that the book had little gore and no hot vampire sex.  
2. It really bothered the feminist in me how Bella was always telling Edward how perfect and handsome he was.  What girl does that?  Gag me. 
3. Glittering vampires?  Jesus, Stephenie. 
4. The artwork for the book is gorgeous.
5. Native American characters!  Woo hoo!
6. I liked how Bella was so clumsy.
7. Is everyone in Forks, Washington a moron?  Didn't they find it a little odd how the Cullen children never seemed to age or move on from high school?  Um, and why the hell would vampires want to relive their high school years for the rest of eternity anyway?  That's just dumb. 
8. I liked the idea of a vampire baseball team.
9. I'd like to know more about Alice.
10. It creeped me out how Edward was always secretly watching Bella.  Stalking is so not sexy.
11. Did I mention that I was disappointed that there was hardly any blood and no hot vampire sex?  

Do I Recommend It?  Yes and no.  I'm torn.  I guess I will recommend this book because the ending did make me want to find out what happens next.  However, it would have been better if Stephenie Meyer had edited out about 50 pages of fluff.  Bella thinks Edward is hot and Edward thinks Bella smells nice.  Got it.  Don't need to read about it over and over again. 

Links:

Stephenie Meyer (Official Site)

Twilight movie (Official Site)

Bella and Edward (Fan Site)