Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins

This was one of those series/books that left me satisfied.  You know how some books either end it wrong or stupid or really not at all and you're left with that unsatisfied feeling? Suzanne Collins does not have that effect.  She chose the perfect ending.

I have to say, though, this book was a teensy bit slow-going at first... but I can see how it had to lead one into what was really going to be good at the end.  Also, I couldn't help but make a comparison to a certain vampire series - the oh-woe-is-me girl and two guys who differ greatly in personalities who want her... hmm...  In my last review, I said she should end up with Gale.  I'm so glad she didn't.  The way she and Peeta "warmed back up to each other" at the end was perfect.  Not too mushy, but realistic (according to the story) since she was anti-relationship and not sure who she wanted, anyway.  

Ok, onto the good stuff.  Can you believe she killed Coin?? I kind of saw it coming, but after her little "meeting" with Snow at the end, when he tells her what really happened with the bombs, I knew something had to happen.  I have to say, though, I totally saw Boggs taking the role as leader... up until he DIED! I hate when a movie or book sacrifices key characters... but it only made me wondering who would get it, so it was a nice twist.  I hate that Prim had to die, too, but again, had to happen to make the ending more workable.  I have to admit I was a little disbelieving when I read it... I had to keep rereading to make sure I read it right and that she really was dead, then rushed ahead to see if she magically reappeared.  Finnick's another I wouldn't have minded seeing live till the end, especially with a new baby, but that just made that whole chase even more intense.  I was also seriously beginning to wonder if it would end with Katniss's suicide, leaving behind a her legacy and a better world, but I'm glad Peeta stopped her and that she never really had another chance to succeed.  As I read about her struggling after (and even before) killing Coin, I wondered why the author would make her heroine appear so weak... but then I realized it just added to the reality of her character, having dealt with so much death and tragedy.  Very well done.

What a great bunch of books, so well-written, keeping one turning page after page and then making it near impossible to wait patiently for the next book to see what happens next. 

In the Dark Streets Shineth, as told by David McCullough

This was a sweet little Christmas book.  It took me all of 10 minutes (or something like that) to read, but it was really nice.

What I especially liked about this book is the message given by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on Christmas Eve 1942, right after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.  He spoke of hope and faith and Christ and prayer and God.  He said we have to pull together as a country.  He said we have to rely on this season, the Christmas season, and Christ and our Heavenly Father to get us through this tough time of war and turmoil....words Obama will never utter.  Words he should read and take an example from.  A message our country sorely needs now, more than ever.  We may not be at war with the world in the usual sense of the term, but we're at war with ourselves, in our very own country.  Everyone fighting for the right to be who they are but not being able to do so without "offending" someone else.  A reminder of why we have this country in the first place, why it was fought for time and time again.  A message about values that are all too quickly being forgotten. 

Anywho, that's my opinion, I loved the book.

Let's remember today the people who, once upon a time, fought and died for our freedom.

Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins

Oh.  My.  Gosh.

Could this book BE any better?? I think Stephanie Meyers might just have a rival... although I'm sure there are those that would have me hanged for even thinking such nonsense.  lol

If you haven't read this book, READ IT.  But make sure you read the first one, first.  

***SPOILER***

************************************************************

I knew it! I knew there were people in the Capitol secretly on her side! DUDE! I can't believe Peeta was captured, and why can't this girl just figure out her emotions already?? Gale or Peeta - make up your mind, woman! Who would you have her choose? I can totally relate to her not wanting to have kids to avoid the reaping every year but not at the cost of my own happiness with someone as great as either of them! I'm thinking Gale is the one she should ultimately choose.  Yes, Peeta rocks, but I have to wonder if she REALLY wants him... I don't think so.  If you've read the third one, PLEASE don't give ANYthing away... I have to borrow it from a friend because I'm sure the library won't have it for a while... but I haven't even checked yet, so who knows.

I just love the rebellion and intrigue in this book! I love how intricately woven the little details that make up the plot are and the twists that are clearly there but not fully realized until you get to the end.  Oh, I just love it! I so can't wait to read the next one! I'm just giddy with excitement and impatience!!

The Confessions of Catherine de Medici, by C. W. Gortner

Wow.  Another great book! I really do like historical fiction novels, they really bring what could've happened to life and leave me wanting to learn more about what really DID happen.

Besides the few parts where the author was a little too detailed on the love scenes, he told this story so well.  I kept thinking, first of all, that it had to have been written by a female, but also that it was so much like Michelle Moran's books.  The style, as well as the theme (royalty) was similar and all so fun to read!

The author's note at the end of this book leads one to believe that Catherine de Medici was not a favored queen, or one with happy memories tied to her story, but he writes it so that one can feel her pain, sympathize with her, but still see how others may not have liked her.  The trials she had to face in life and the decisions she had to make - all of which are similar to any woman of royal descent - make me so glad I live in the world as it is today, and that I'm just some nobody living in a free country.  I never knew much about this time when Rome was full of itself in power, and religion was either you're Catholic, or you're a heretic.  To be a queen and to promote tolerance of those of other faiths, is something I am glad I have the pleasure of reading about, and not living.  What a brave woman she was, to face what she did, to strive for power when she had to fight with everything she had to obtain it.  Amazing.

Next I want to learn about Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots. 

I Capture the Castle, by Dodie Smith

I just wanted to tell a little about why I love this book.  I want to see if I can do it in short sentences, while still getting the point across.

• It's charming.
• It sounds like something I would write and how I would write it.
• I can relate to the main character's personality.
• Some parts are funny, some are romantic, some are wonderfully descriptive.
• It's a simple, quick, easy read.
• It goes well with the fall weather.  (Yes, that's when I usually read it.)
• The story never gets old or boring.
• Every time I read it, I "feel" it differently.

Love it.  Can't wait to read it again some autumnal season when I'm waiting for another good book to arrive.  :)

All about the three books I've read in the last three weeks...

The Cage, by Ruth Minsky Sender - Another excellent memoir from a Holocaust survivor, always a good category to choose from while waiting for another book in a series to BE RETURNED.

The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins (book 1) - Totally just read this because other people said it was so good.  And it was.  Really good.  Can't wait for whoever has it checked out from my library to RETURN IT SO I CAN HAVE A TURN.

Actually, I don't think there was a third before that... so, there.  I'm caught up.  ;)

I'm currently reading my OH!!! I totally just remembered what the third book was!!! DUDE! How could I forget?

Promise Me, by Richard Paul Evans - You know, I was sort of like, what? As I read this and finished it... truthfully, not one of his best novels.  It was still well-written but the plot was so unlike anything he's written - I guess I'm just holding him to his normally higher standard.  Huh.  Next April will bring another good one, I'm sure!


As I was saying, I'm currently reading my go-to book for Fall, absolutely one of my faves:

One of the greatest books ever.  I'm on my fourth time reading it.  It's basically written as the journal of a 17 year old girl who's family lives in an old ruined castle.  Her father was a famous author at one point but has seemed to lose his fire, her mother is dead, her stepmother is a former model, her sister complains of their situation a lot, her friend is in love with her and then two men come into their lives and change everything... that's all I'm going to tell you because I really think it's an enjoyable book that must be read by everyone.  Go on, read it.  I dare you.  ;)

3 books later...

Or was it only two... huh.  Yeah, I don't know but I'm thinking about not doing this blog anymore... I think there are only three followers and I just want to read.  ;)

The Sound and the Fury, by William Faulkner

I attempted to read this, only getting through a small section of the second "chapter".  I was left wondering, "Was William Faulkner on drugs when he wrote this??"

I read "The Catcher in the Rye" cover to cover simply to be able to say I've read it.  It's a classic, right? It was the biggest waste of my time.  This book was right up there with it, so I decided not to finish this one.  I was better able to understand it here, but still didn't have the desire to read the whole thing.  It was boring, confusing (due to the author's "technique known as stream of consciousness"), and didn't have much of a plot.  Again, how did this become a classic?? I should seriously write a book and send it to either of these publishers - apparently they're desperate for writers.  ;)

The Heretic Queen, by Michelle Moran

I cannot get enough of this author! I'm so bummed that I've read all of her books already. 

This book happens after the last book I read of hers, being told my Nefertari, the daughter of Mutny, who's point of view was the focus of the last book.  A lot more of this book was fiction, but still based on a lot of historical facts and characters.  The Pharaoh of this story is Ramsses II, husband to Nefertari.  It tells of his reign, Nefertari's love for him and his love for her, the birth of their first two sons, his other wife's jealousy, his famous war in Kadesh and so much more! There's even a touch of mystery linking everything at the end, creating an unforgettable ending.  I'm thinking this one was slightly better than the last two, but not by much.  The web of plots this author weaves is so well-done and creates quite the page-turner.  It's one of those books that causes you to have a love/hate relationship with the ending in that you love how it ends, but hate that it's over.  She paints such a romantic picture of Egypt and its rulers, and writes so well what very well may have happened.  Her knowledge of the time is impeccable, which is made obvious throughout the book. 

I sincerely hope this author comes out with more books as she has become one of my favorites.  I highly recommend all three that I've come across.

Nefertiti, by Michelle Moran

More applause for Michelle Moran!

This book is so well-written and so informative all wrapped up in intrigue and just a whole bunch of goodness.  I've not known much about anything Egyptian but have become highly fascinated by it because of these books! The way she portrays their customs and mannerisms is amazing!

When I was a kid, I had the opportunity to visit our local history museum while King Tut was on display... I wish I had known then what I know now, I would've felt a higher reverence for him and his life.  Nefertiti was the Queen to King Tut's father, a heretic king who attempts to overthrow Egypt's god and introduce another for worship.  Nefertiti is brought into the marriage in hopes to quell his desires.  Instead, she builds him up and eventually makes herself Pharoah along with him.  The story is told by Nefertiti's sister, who eventually is entrusted in the raising of King Tut because of his mother dying shortly after giving birth.  It's a story of love, herecy, tragedy, power... and so much more! I really enjoy reading her novels and learning more than a bit about the past.  I highly, highly recommend reading them! In fact, my next book is one she wrote, as well.  Love them!