How Do I Compare Thee, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I recently overcame my dread and watched “The Hunger Games.” I was terrified because how do you take one of the most wonderful books written in a while and turn it into an equally wonderful movie. The answer is you can’t. My dh watched it with me and had the” well its okay but,” attitude. I will admit I would have been completely lost at points without having previously read the book. Was it me or did they cut so much of the story out there were defiantly parts that didn’t make sense? I am glad they didn’t turn it into a blood bath thriller and kept the point similar. Overall, I was pretty disappointed but I would watch it again and I still can’t wait to see what they do for book two “Catching Fire.”
On a different note this series should be on every required reading list and taught in every school. The books are an amazing political piece, if you approach them that way. My final thought for you this post, its 2089 after a bloody civil war from 2012-2015 we have a “Capitol”- like government could your grandkids be in the Hunger Games?

Once Upon a Time, The Book of Story Beginnings by Kristin Kladstrup

The Book of Story Beginnings by Kristin Kladstrup is a cute story. It is one of the tales where the book characters enter the story. The spin on this was you wrote the beginning of the story and the story took off on its own. There are many adventures of other started stories and how they combine together and be come one story.
It was well written and the characters were easy to identify with. The biggest thing I disliked was the pace was very fast and fairly difficult to keep the story straight.

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Mystery and Mayham, The Advertures of Sherlock Holmes

I decided to round out my reading list a bit. Its time to add some classic novels to my repertoire. I will admit I chose “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle because of the movie. I love the movie. Now, after reading this installment of the Sherlock Holmes books I am a through and through fan. The character of Sherlock is spot on. He performs random experiments, does cocaine, plays with disguises, and is maniacally focused on the little details that others miss. Watson is sarcastic and every bit of a teammate to Holmes. In the cartoons when I was a kid they portrayed Watson to be fat and pathetic, like the lap dog that follows you everywhere. He is nothing like that. I was riveted! Kudos also goes to the writers of the movie, the dialogue was very true to the original and reading the book was much like watching the movie.

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Fight for What’s Right, Insurgent by Veronica Roth

I love this series. The second book is usually the book where everything slows down. The action still was there and the conflict was kept fresh. There were some slow down moments and you got to know the main players better. Tris makes some very difficult choices and risks the budding friendships and romance to do what’s right. You get a few shocks throughout the book that make this book a successful continuation of “Divergent.” Ms. Roth really impressed me with some of her decisions. The story would be very different without the plot twists. The ending is masterful causing readers to crave her next book.

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Fight For Life, Insurgent by Veronica Roth

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What Faction Are You? Divergent by Veronica Roth

Wow! Veronica Roth has totally blown me away with “Divergent.” I loved the world she created and the people in it. Ms. Roth has a way of description that brings her world to life without being wordy. I can picture the simplistic homes and faces of the people of Abnegation; the darkness of the Dauntless; the black and white of Candor; the glass dome filled with light of the Erudite; and the trees and gardens of Amity.

This story follows a girl named Tris as she shows aptitude in three factions during a coming of age process. They title her Divergent as everyone else only tests into one. She chooses Dauntless, and leaves her family. Faction before blood is the rule. There she struggles through the process of initiation. She also struggles to hide her divergence and her crush on her instructor. It is a beautifully written political piece about the need for more than one mode of thought. We need bravery and intelligence and truth and peace and selflessness to truly be wise enough to keep our country strong.
As I have said in other reviews of this book, “To those that think its a copy cat phenomenon, many people are worried about the state of the government and country. All it takes are those political leanings and an imagination to see the scary possiblities these books present. Hunger games, Matched, City of Ember, and Divergent all present a US post-war picture. Read them with the political climate in mind you’ll start to wonder too.”

Theological Musings, Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo

I finished “Heaven Is For Real” by Todd Burpo a few days ago. As someone who has a deep well of christian knowledge, this book brings up questions. It took a little bit to form an intelligent response.
This book is about a young child who has a near death experience. Over a undefined period of time “a few years” he talks about his trip to heaven.
My overall review is its a cute feel- good story. It is decently written although the lack of variety for their reaction to shocks got old “I almost drove off/into ________”; or “my jaw hit the floor.” Overall it was a sweet story that was a quick and easy read.
Then came the process of clarifying what I had just read. As a Christian with an evangelical background everything I read is in accordance with everything I have been taught my entire life. So simple I should believe the kid’s story right? Wrong, I don’t know what to think. Young children absorb so much information so quickly. It comes out so randomly that I doubt the whole out of body experience. Does a preacher’s son who has been surrounded with biblical information not pick up a few things? I think not, he probably heard christian radio and radio preachers talk of heaven. The books and Sunday lessons he had heard, talked of heaven. His parents spoke of heaven to others in his presence. That is the evangelical way, its either the glory of heaven or the heat of hell. The things he spoke of are very common fodder for christian sermons, books, and art. The family claims he’s never heard these things or seen these images, but I doubt that. The addition of the time period this story developed makes me doubt it as well. I also believe myself, this is a case of wanting to believe too much. Personal opinion here, a very young boy clung to happy images in terrifying moments. Then as he told these stories the attention he received created information gathering mentality for a little more attention. I gave it 3 stars because I feel so opposite about this book. On one side it was a very sweet book I am going to read to my kids. On the other side it is one more reason why christians end up the butt of jokes. So I figured my enjoyment and my ambivalence were about equal.

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This One is For The Boys, Artemis Fowl Series by Eoin Colfer

I just finished “Artemis Fowl The Last Guardian” by Eoin Colfer. I truly enjoyed this book and series. The world Mr. Colfer created was such an original take on the fairy world.

The series takes place in the present. The main premise is Artemis discovers that the fairy world exists. There are elf police officers known as L.E.P. Recon officers, a computer genius centaur, tunneling dwarfs that have explosive gas and glow in the dark saliva, fire breathing goblins, blood thirsty trolls, guns that stun, explosions, and super cool fairy shuttle ships. Throughout the books Artemis and his bodyguard Butler have run ins and eventually develop friendships with these otherworldly characters.
These books are YA fiction for boys. Believe me your sons, grandsons, nephews, and the boy next door will love these books.

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My Drug of Choice… Imagination

This is a hello from me. I am a mom of 5 crazy kids. The wife of a farmer. So when do I have time to read you ask. Whenever I can take a breather. I read about 130 to 150 books a year. So as far as reviewing books I have a deep well of comparisons. I will read anything! I enjoy most books I read. I “pre-read” books for my kids to be able to talk with them about what they read. I do have a confession though I sometimes pick out books because of a neat cover.