At the end will life have been worth it?

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Jacob Jankowski may be ninety-something and sometimes fears that he’s losing his mind, but his memories of the time he worked as the vet for Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth is as strong a memory as ever. The recent orphaned, homeless, and Ivy League college dropout has found himself on a circus train during the great depression. He not only finds a job with the circus, but along the way he finds friends in the least likely ways.

After reading that synopsis, I know what you are thinking, most boring book ever. But please hear me when I say, it was awesome! Even though my summary was boring, you have to believe me that the book was superb! Water for Elephants will have you hooked from the first page. Literally I started reading it late one night, not intending but to read a few pages to get me started, and by page 7 I didn’t want to put it down. Within the next couple of days I read it in its entirety and wished that it never ended. It’s a sit on the edge of your seat, can’t wait to see what happens next thrilling story of survival, love, and a life worth living.

I don’t want to give too many details in my blog because I don’t want to ruin anything for you if you are going to read it, which I highly advise you to do. But, I do just want to talk about the author for a moment. I was so entrapped by her writing, it didn’t matter what the characters were doing, she made the subject at hand the most interesting action ever. I don’t know why I should care that an ninety or ninety three year old man got corn on the cob, but man I wanted to drive and find him and give him an apple or corn on the cob, or both. Gruen has a way with words that is hard to come by. Every word of it was gripping and I could taste it, touch it, and feel it from the beginning to the end. Books like this are hard to come by, so read it!

The Name Carrots will Change her Heart Forever

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Anne Shirley, the unwanted orphan, adopted by brother and sister Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. Not the boy that they expected but through the years they fell for the creative, imaginative girl. This is a heartwarming story of life, love, and a small home called Green Gables.

When I grew up, I can remember spending hours, days even down in my grandparents basement watching Anne of Green Gables. I watched it many times, to the point of knowing some of the lines by heart. I loved her vivacious character and artistic flair. She was so imaginative and loveable. Little did I know that this was a book. I found out a few years ago and have had it on my to-read-list ever since. I have often searched the Library, but T-Town either doesn’t have it or something is wrong with the card catalogue. But to my surprise and delight, Half Price Books had it for cheap and I snatched it up.

Let’s pretend that for just a moment that Anne Shirley is a real person. Anne is the type of person that when you know her you become a better person because of her influence. I can imagine that Diana, Jane and even Josie became better people and more imaginative and more fun just from knowing Anne. Another great concept about the character of Anne is that she knew herself. She knew what she loved, hated, and everything in between. She may not have loved all there was about herself, but she knew all the little things about herself regardless.

I loved the battle between Anne and Gilbert Blythe. Their love was meant to be from the beginning. I know that Anne had that competitive drive in her and she drove herself to excellence through Gilbert. Could she have done it without him, probably, but would she? Maybe not. Either way, the ending is great and it made me want to keep reading the series. I have Anne of Avonlea and the blog will come soon.

So, what do you think? Is Anne of Green Gables a Classic? Have you read it? Do you think you may in the future? Let me know!

Mockingjay is not only a status symbol, it's a way of life

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

The country of Panem is a war. District 12 is destroyed, and Katniss Everdeen has been airlifted from the Quarter Quell, but her saviors have left Peeta behind. Not understanding her place in the rebellion, and not having faith in the new way of life, Katniss is in constant turmoil. She doesn’t know what to do without Peeta, she knows that she is being watched at all times, either the cameras are watching or the escapees of District 12 or the powers that be of District 13. Unable to place herself in the correct spot, she wanders until she has to make up her mind. Mockingjay is the perfect ending to one of the greatest series in young adult literature.

I recently reread The Hunger Games and Catching Fire in order to remember details that may have been lost along the way over the last year. This decision did not mistake. As I reread the first 2 books of the series, I relived the horror, suspense and phenomenon that was The Hunger Games Series. As this series is placed on the big screen, these books that already have a very large following will blow up. I anticipate the day that these movies come to fruition. This series teaches of politics and human nature. It is filled with love and longings that are magical. It also shows how important even the smallest player in the games can make a huge impact. Not everything is tied up in a nicely wrapped package at the end, but the ending was perfect. I wouldn’t have changed one single word. Collins had a vision and determination when writing this series and hopefully it will be effective in its message.

I love to read, especially on vacation. My friend Genie and I went up to Oregon to see my mom when Mockingjay was scheduled to be released, so I ordered my copy from Amazon, had it shipped to my mom’s house with 1 day shipping. It was expensive, but totally worth it. I finished Catching Fire for the second time, wrote my blog and dove into Mockingjay. I had it the last day of my vacation and then my travel day home. I read it on the first plane, the 4 hour layover in Denver, and then cracked it again on the 2nd plane that landed up in Dallas to end our trip (at 1 am). On the first plane leaving from Spokane, WA, a gentleman about my age pops his head over my seat and inquires about my book. Politely I tell him that I’m enjoying it. He then tells me that he has read the series and was excited that I had the last installment. Up to that point I was enjoying it, but during that first flight, craziness broke in the book and I just kept hoping that the guy in seat 13A would get his copy soon because it is an excellent read.

I really can’t efficiently give a detailed review without spoiling the end for everyone. I was happy with the way the series ended and felt that it was a great way to end a great series. I was upset with Katniss throughout almost the entire book, I wanted to slap her and was glad when Haymitch finally got through to her about how to best help Peeta through his horrible ordeal. I cried with Katniss as she relived the horrors of all the people she had lost, and I smiled as I closed the back cover on the last page. I will reread this series and I hope that you will give it a chance, email me if you want to chat about the details of the world of the Hunger Games, I would love to discuss! Leave me a comment! Are you ready to read, have you already read, or are you disgusted by the thought of the Hunger Games, I know Katniss would be.