Books

Ive been on a roll ever since I finished The Hunger Games trilogy...almost like I had forgotten how much I loved to read. It is good for the mind and soul. So here's what I have been reading the last month or so:

Emily Giffin's heart of the matter: good romantic-ish novel. Some difficult subject matter, but an easier read after the intensity of The Hunger Games!  (thanks theresa for the correction, you are right, it was NOT a light read) :) 

Garth Stein's The Art of Racing in the Rain. I've had this book on my Nook for like 2 years since I first got my nook! I finally read it and it was worth the wait. Sorta marley and me-esque...I laughed and cried. And was happy/sad when it ended. A very good read.

Lisa See's Dreams of Joy. so good! But ALL of Lisa's books are good. If you've never read any, start with her first, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. She uses some of the same characters in new stories. I have loved them all and this did not disappoint either. Interesting look into the Chinese culture and just a great novel!

Cathy Marie Buchanan's The Day the Falls Stood Still. I've had this on my list since I read about it in Barnes and noble recommends awhile back. It's a love story set in Niagra Falls in the early 1900s. I enjoyed some of the historical aspects of it and along with the love angle, the subject matter was just interesting!

Not sure what I'll read next. Our book club is reading The Little Princes so I may start that...or I have several Christian parenting books I've been wanting to read as well. So we shall see! I'll keep you posted! Have you read anything good lately??

The Hunger Games

My love and enthusiasm was reignited this past weekend.  From lunch time Friday afternoon....to Monday afternoon, every free moment I was reading the Hunger Games trilogy!  The Hunger Games was selected for our February Book Club book.  I had heard a lot about it but based on the description and that it was in the Young Adult genre....I wasn't sure if it would be something I would like!  I was thinking it would be a series like Twilight, totally different subject matter, just meaning so hyped up and one I never got into.  But boy was I wrong.

I devoured the first one.  The characters are so well written.  Every chapter ends on a cliff hanger making you want to know more.  And then, the book just ends.  I don't know how people just read the first book and not finish the series.

And each book is just as good as the next. I cried when I finished the last one.  Partly because of the story but also because I was sad it was over!  It has been a long time since I have read like that.

Best thing about it?  I remember how much I absolutely love to read.  I used to be such a voracious reader, but once kids came along, I just read less and less.  And then things like sleep, Pinterest, Facebook, tv take over too...and the time to read becomes less and less.  But honestly, I didn't miss them all that much :) 

So now onto the challenge of finding some more books that will keep me going.  I have several on my Nook library that I have downloaded on not read yet so I may start there.  I really enjoyed a series though so am pondering starting The Harry Potter series.  I have never read any of them or seen the movies so maybe that would be a good place to start?  Any suggestions are appreciated!

If you have NOT read The Hunger Games yet...go read it now.  If you have...what did you think?  Did you love it too?

Books

I have ALWAYS been a reader. I love to read.  I love getting lost in books, staying up way too late past my bedtime because I can't put a book down.  But this last year...my reading has struggled.  I am not sure if it is finding something I connect with or the simply the time, but I miss reading.  And one of my "new year resolutions" is going to be start reading again.  Which coincides great with forming our 2012 Book Club list! 

It is getting close to that time when we figure out our books for the year.  We need some killer ones that will get us reading, thinking, and discussing more!  And that is where I come to you, dear readers!  Anyone have some great books they have read recently that they would like to share?  We read all different genres so definitely open to anything!

Here are a couple that I know I want to read:
Loving the Little Years- recommended to me by several good friends :)
The Night Circus- read an expert in a magazine while at the hairdresser....the reviews are ALL awesome!
Two Kisses for Maddie- followed Matt's blog from the beginning, would like to hear the rest of the story.
A Vintage Affair- Another one that has just been on my list and great reviews!
Have you read any must-read books lately?