Good read: Hunger Games Trilogy

I have to admit...I was slightly skeptical of these books when they first came out.

I work at a 5/6 grade building, so the kids definitely get in these crazes for popular books. For instance, the Twilight series. Now, I am most certainly a fan of anything that gets kids reading (like Harry Potter).....but I think the Twilight series--the movies and books--is a little vapid. To be honest, I've never read any of them....I guess I should read before I judge, right? 

Anyway...so, when the Hunger Games movie was coming out and the students were super excited about it, I decided to see what the fuss was all about. I asked the librarian if I could borrow a copy. 

I could not put it down. All three of them, I could not put down.

It is very thought provoking for adults and for kids. I had a lot of discussion about the book with the librarian. She said that both she and the principal read the whole series before releasing it to the kids to check out. I found it interesting that she said the kids don't really have a big reaction to the violence in the book. One of my friends said that her mom started it, but couldn't finish it because she found it disturbing to read about kids trying to kill each other. I could see how she could think that....but I think the books definitely say some things about our society.


I would highly recommend it.


So....I guess I should give some of those other popular series a chance? : )

Good reads: Iron Lace and Rising Tides

Lately, I've been super excited whenever my sister loans me books. She has picked out some gems lately and I love it when she shares books with me.

Two of the most recent reads of hers that I've enjoyed are Iron Lace and Rising Tides by Emilie Richards. The first, Iron Lace, is a novel about a New Orleans matriarch, Aurore, who is nearing the end of her life and she wants to share the deep, dark secrets of her life. It takes place in the 1960s. It definitely shows a glimpse of life in that area--for both priveleged and not-s0-priveleged. Racism and desegregation are huge themes in the book as well.

I really enjoy reading books about other areas of the country or the world and learning about how those people live their lives. We have so many different ways of life in our country....America is a big, diverse place.


The sequel is a follow-up novel to the first that tells the aftermath of Aurore's death as all members of her family must gather and hear the reading of the will. Many questions are answered and much drama, heartache and happiness ensue.


I truly could not put these down.


Thanks for the great reads, sis! I'm currently working on The Bells and I'm lovin' it!

Good read: On the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

As I've mentioned, my sister, my mom and I all pass books around between the three of us. I love getting a new read from one of them...and typically they come with a review as well. : )

Reading is one of my favorite pastimes. I think one of the only detentions I received in school was because I was reading a novel during class. Yes, I was a nerd. Am still a nerd.

The latest is called Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. It is written by Jamie Ford. Set in the 1980s, it tells the story of an older first-generation Chinese man who looks back on his childhood during World War II.

Henry, the main character, lives in Seattle and the novel starts out when an old hotel that is being renovated opens its basement. It is full of treasures of Japanese-Americans who stored their belongings there before being taken to interment camps. As the book progresses, it tells the story of Henry as an older man and also Henry as a boy. Key to the plot is the relationship Henry has with a young school friend, whose family is of Japanese descent.

I really enjoy historical fiction....I enjoy learning about the time period, as well as enjoying the story of the characters. Although I'm familiar with World War II, I didn't know much about how the war affected residents on the West Coast. Since Henry's family is Chinese, he experiences the war on the outside, being of a different ethnic group, but being relatively "fortunate" (as his family feels) to not be Japanese.

Plus, this book has a few MAJOR bombshell revelations at the end. I was so surprised!!!

Check it out....you won't be sorry. : )

Good read: Moloka'i

I've been reading some good books lately....one of them is Moloka'i by Alan Brennert. Although  my reading tastes vary--everything from trashy romance novels to gardening books--I really enjoy historical fiction. I love learning about different times and places in history.

Moloka'i takes place in the early 20th century in Hawai'i. I had no idea that there was a leper colony in Hawai'i at that time. To be honest, I didn't know much about leprosy OR leper colonies. 

The book is the story of Rachel, a little girl who gets leprosy when she is a young girl, about seven years old. She is taken from her family to live at Moloka'i at the leper colony. The story is about her coming of age there and her life and womanhood. Although Rachel is a fictional character, many of the characters are based on real figures and many of the happenings are true to history. There were still residents of the leper colony living there recently. Rachel certainly lives an amazing life.

If you enjoy historical fiction, this is a great book to pick up!

Good read: I Don't Know How She Does It

I've gotten through a few books recently and it's been lovely! I've always been a big reader...as a child, I had to be asked to not read at the dinner table. And sitting on the bench at softball games. And when I had friends over to play.

These days, between kids, school, crafts/DIY, blogging, etc....I don't have as much reading time as I used to. Seriously--I could be happy reading all day. I do love magazines as well, so keeping up with my subscriptions cuts into book time.

But...I'm lucky enough to have a sister and a mom who like to share books. We pass them around and it gives us something to talk about, too.

One of the books I recently read is a fine piece of chick lit. I finished I Don't Know How She Does It by Allison Pearson. You may have seen the movie for the preview.....Sarah Jessica Parker stars. I really enjoyed it!

It's about Kate, who is a mother and wife who works a high-pressure executive job. She is super stressed out, burning the candle at both ends at home and at work. She truly loves her job, but wants to be and be seen as a perfect mom.

I was intrigued with the plot.....it's kind of like watching a bad car accident--you can stop watching and you know at some point, something's gotta give! Plus, her point of view is freaking hilarious. As a mom who works, I can totally relate to her and I'm a teacher, which is not nearly as stressful as her job.

The "mommy divide" can be a pervasive thing for women. Each mom makes that choice for herself and as much as popular culture would have you believe one or the other is the right choice, it's important to remember "to each her own." Kate puts it in a thought-provoking way....she says, "All of the stay-at-home mums look at us like we've gotten away with something and we look at them and know that we haven't at all."

I'll probably check out the DVD when it comes out on rental! The book jacket describes it as Bridget Jones' older sister who is a married, working mom and I agree.