Shannan's Review of "Matched"

I read this book a month or so ago, but liked it and thought it would be one you would all enjoy. It reminds me a little of "The Hunger Games". It isn't quite as gripping, but still fun. The main character is a 17 year-old girl and the government controls everything, your occupation, who you marry, even when you die. The story is about her and dealing with being matched. I won't tell you much more, just give it a try. I think you will like it. It is also part of a series, but I think the next book won't be published until November of this year.

So the book is "Matched" by Allie Condie.

And does anyone have any great suggestions? I feel like I am dying for a great book, but haven't found one in a while.

Ideas for Book Club

Okay, girls. Are any of you still reading out there? I am trying to come up with a book for our book club next year (or I guess now it is this year!) and have no ideas. Anyone have any fabulous suggestions?

Finished Mockingjay

I finished Mockingjay a few weeks ago and just haven't posted about it. I actually liked it more than I thought I would since I heard a lot of people say they didn't really like it. I was a little confused at first because Collins kept referring to people from the Capitol that I didn't remember (it had been a few months since I read "Catching Fire" so I didn't remember all of the little details). I also found the part about what happened outside Pres. Snow's mansion confusing. It all moved so fast and I had to go back and read it a couple of times. I don't know if I really liked that Peeta seemed to come out of his negative reprogramming so quickly. At first it seemed like he'd never be the same and then a few chapters later, he is pretty much normal. But I'm glad she ended up with him instead of Gabe, although I think it was a little unreasonable that the reason she couldn't be with Gabe was that his weapon may or may not have been the one to kill Prim. That being said, I like the twist at the end and how she was able to change everything from just being the same. I thought Collins did a good job at planting doubt as to whether Pres. Coin would be better than Pres. Snow and I like that even thought Katniss hated Pres. Snow she could see that he was right about how things would just be the same. I like Hunger Games the best out of the three, but I'd have to go back and read the last two to decide which one I liked better. All in all, I wouldn't mind owning the whole trilogy someday.

Shannan's Review of "She Walks in Beauty"

I know we talked a little about this book, but I wanted to write my review in case anyone wanted to read it. It is called "She Walks in Beauty" by Siri Mitchell. The story is about a girl in the early part of the century in New York who is going through her debut, which is where the girls are presented to society in order to find a husband. It is a great story about being happy with yourself and not trying to be something you aren't. I would highly recommend it.

Mockingjay

Has anyone else read Mockingjay yet? I know Erin is reading it right now. Just wondering what anyone else thought about it. We had our book club discussion about it last night.

Shannan's Review of "Drowning Ruth"

I bought this book, written by Christina Schwarz, at the library on their 3 for $1.00 table. I didn't know anything about it other than the book looked fairly new and taken care of and that it had been an Oprah's book club choice. Usually that deters me from reading a book, since I am not an Oprah fan, but I bought it anyway.

That being said, I really liked this book. It is a story about two sisters and a tragedy that happens between them. You don't find out the answer to the mystery until the end of the book, and up to that point, you are given bits and pieces of the story and have to put them together yourself. The book is written from different characters perspective, as well as in third person, which gives it an interesting twist. I would recommend it and give it 4 stars.

Meghan Read "Hunger Games"

After hearing that so many people liked this book, I figured I'd give it a try. I really liked it (and Jay ended up reading it in about 2 days once I finished it and he really liked it.) I did think it was a little barbaric that the Capitol makes 24 kids fight to the death and broadcasts it for all of Panem to watch. It really bothered me that they made it seem like it was an honor to be a tribute by dressing them up and parading them around for all of Panem to see. The whole time they were in the arena I just kept thinking, "what would the Capitol do if they didn't all kill each other? Would the Capitol kill them off themselves?" I'm excited to read "Catching Fire" as soon as I can get it from the library. I thought it was very intriguing and was an easy read. Did all three of you read this book already? I can't remember...