Catching Fire

I know it's been out for a week, but don't forget to see The Hunger Games: Catching Fire in theaters while you still can! I've seen it twice already, and it's was so good. It was a very nice adaptation in my opinion. Though some of my favorite scenes and elements did get cut out, (the electric fence and some foreshadowing of District 13) it was still very faithful and evoked the same themes and emotions as the novel did. I don't know which film I like better, the first one or the second. The first book in the trilogy is my favorite, as I just thought there was something so special and unique about it. I thought Gary Ross, the director of The Hunger Games, did a great job with capturing the essence of what the novel represented. When I heard he dropped out of directing the sequel, I was a little nervous that it wouldn't be as good as the first. After seeing Catching Fire though, all my worries and concerns were diminished, as the adaptation was beautifully filmed and widened the scope of the source material. Viewers are able to see more scenes with Plutarch Heavensbee and President Snow, which is great fun, since both actors are incredible and talented. It definitely was bigger and better than I could have ever imagined. The sequel is definitely on another level than the first film. The special effects, acting, even the costume design is very much enhanced and adds more to this world that Suzanne Collins initially created. Everything about this story almost seems real, even though it is purely fiction. The themes are so relatable to today's audience, it truly will make you want to stand up for what you believe in. Anyways, go see it! And if you haven't read the books yet, you are missing out! They're amazing.

Quote of the Week

Sorry that this week's quote is a little late. Since I'm still obsessed with all things Hunger Games, (Did you see Catching Fire? Amazing!) this week's quote is from the book version:

“You know, you could live a thousand lifetimes and not deserve him.”
― Suzanne Collins, Catching Fire

 

 

Updates

Hey everyone! I'm sorry for the lack of updates recently. It's just been a busy time lately with school and with the holidays coming up now, things don't seem to be lightening up. Don't worry though, as I'll be doing my best to get new posts out there. I plan on releasing a few new book reviews and some favorite lists of mine. I'll also keep up with my quote of the week and perhaps some other new ideas will pop up too. Check back soon, and I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving tomorrow!

Quote of the Week

Since The Hunger Games: Catching Fire opens this Friday, this week's quote is from the 2nd book in the trilogy:

“I wish I could freeze this moment, right here, right now and live in it forever.”

― Suzanne Collins, Catching Fire

 

Song of the Month

"Atlas" by Coldplay

  I just wanted to let you guys know that I recently added a new gadget to my blog. It's the Spotify Play Button, which allows you to listen to music while reading my blog. Each month, I'll switch up the song. It will usually be a song that reflects a novel that I recently read, or something that I just like to listen to! This month's song is "Atlas" by Coldplay. It's featured on The Hunger Games: Catching Fire official soundtrack. Since the movie comes out this Friday, I thought it was fitting to choose this song. I read the book about a year ago, and it's amazing. I can't wait until the movie comes out. If you haven't read it yet, you definitely should and don't forget to check out the film when it hits theaters! 

My Favorite Books by Ann Brashares

Here is my list of favorite books by Ann Brashares:

1. The Sisterhood Series

I decided to combine all 5 of the Sisterhood books into one, since it's a continuous story. These are definitely my favorite books by Brashares. They are the epitome of what summer is and means, as they are filled with love, friendship, adventure, and finding your own self-identity. All five books are so hard to put down. I went through them so quickly! You'll fall in love with all of the girls and their love interests. Even though each girl is different, I found myself relating to all of them, in one or another. I do have my favorite girl, which is Lena. However, all the girls are likeable, which is what makes these novels so special. For Brashares to create 4 different girls, with 4 different personalities, and to have them all be attainable and interesting to read for the reader is astounding. I do have to add that the last and possibly final book, Sisterhood Everlasting, was somewhat dissapointing. The whole plot and focus of this particular book felt unnecessary and pointless. Although I do like the idea of catching up with the girls 10 years later, couldn't it have been a different event that brought them together? I hope I didn't spoil anything there for those who haven't read the 5th book. Still, I encourage you to read the Sisterhood books, just maybe skip the last one.

2. The Last Summer (of You and Me)

This is another strong work by Brashares and should surely be read in the summer. It's a little more adult than the sisterhood, but all the more compelling and addictive. It has all the elements that you've come to love from her previous novels, but Brashares expands on them and pushes her boundaries. There's summer love, sisterhood, and friendship. But there's also a darker side to this story, one that makes you question how far you will go for love, and what you will sacrifice in the process. This more serious take on Brashares' similar themes and storylines is appreciated and admired. The only thing I was missing was a connection between the main characters. I didn't have that same bond with the girls in this story, as I did when reading The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. However, The Last Summer (of You and Me) is a great beach read, and is very enjoyable.


3. 3 Willows: The Sisterhood Grows

I liked this book, but it definitely wasn't my favorite. It's written  in the same vein as the Sisterhood novels, but this group of friends isn't as compelling. They are younger, and surely less wiser. For most of the novel, they're not even friends. They went through a fall-out at the beginning, so each girl gives their own account of the summer, with little connection to the the others. They kind of just felt like separate stories, but ones that were sort of  amateur. I mean, one girl spends her summer going to modeling camp. While I appreciate delving into a story that deals with one's idealized image of themselves, did Brashares really have to have her go to modeling camp to complete her journey? I didn't even know there was such a thing and it just seemed a little absurd to me. All in all, their summers are dull and not as enticing as the original Sisterhood we know and have come to love. This just seemed like a knockoff, a story trying to emulate the magic of it's predecessor, but with little to no success. Overall, I would just say, read this at your own risk, and prepare yourself for disappointment.

4. My Name is Memory  

This is probably my least favorite book by Brashares and it's probably because of it's over-complicated story that never seems to find a balance between romance and science fiction. The whole thing is just really confusing and kind of messy. The scenes that are set in present-day are definitely what saves it, as we see a glimpse of who Daniel and Lucy really are, and how they are connected. When Brashares dives into Daniel's past lives, it gets really boring, and it's not stimulating enough to capture my full attention. It felt like she was trying to hard for the story to be the next Twilight love story or something, and it just wasn't. It doesn't help matters when the third act takes a drastic departure where a new villain arrives in town to stir up trouble for this couple. It was kind of predictable, the way the story unfolds, which is disappointing. I wouldn't waste my time with this book. When you get to the end, you'll be asking yourself, what was the point?

Quote of the Week

“That's how you know you love someone, I guess, when you can't experience anything without wishing the other person were there to see it, too.”
― Kaui Hart Hemmings, The Descendants