Anyway, one of my new years resolutions was to read more. I LOVE to read, but I feel like I haven't been reading as much as I use to since I got my house. I feel like I spend more time watching TV or doing other random things, and to be honest, I miss the different worlds and places that my books always take me. So I started this year by making a list of the books I read and decided I would give you ideas for different books to read as well if you're interested! Here is my list from January:
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
I really liked this book. It starts pretty slow, spending time developing the characters and situations. Once you got through about the first 100-150 pages, I felt like it really picked up. Warning: there are some intense and graphic violent attacks against one of the characters! I didn't know if I wanted to continue after this part of the book, but I'm so glad I did. This book combines murder mystery, family saga and financial intrigue into one good read. Stacey's rating: B+
The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks
Okay, I must admit, I read just about every Nicholas Sparks book that comes out. Sometimes I don't know why. I always end up bawling my way through the endings and this book was no exception. This is a story about two high school sweethearts that reunite after they've grown up. They both come back to their small home town after an important figure in both of their lives passes away. I did like this book, but it's what I've come to expect from Mr Sparks and I wish for once he would surprise me. Stacey's Rating: B
The Hunger Games Trilogy: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, & Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
I loved these books. I read the entire trilogy in a weekend. I'm serious. I could not put them down.
Let's start with Hunger Games: Imagine a world where all of North America was destroyed and in its place is the nation of Panem, a central capitol and 12 outlying districts. In order for the government to control the people in all the districts they basically starve them and each year they host "The Hunger Games". In the hunger games, each district chooses one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to compete to the death. The winner's district wins extra food for their district for the next year. In this book we're introduced to Katniss, Peeta, Gale, Prim and all the other unforgettable characters. LOVED THIS BOOK!! Stacey's Rating: A+
Next in the trilogy was Catching Fire: The winner of the Hunger Games has to go from district to district on basically a winners tour. During this tour, the discourse among the people of the districts can be felt. They are unhappy with the capitol and tensions are rising. Change is coming and the capitol is trying desperately to defuse the situation. This was probably my least favorite of the trilogy, but was still good. Stacey's Rating: A-
The final book of the trilogy, Mockingjay, sends us back to the hunger games. The capitol is pulling out all the stops. They want the face of the revolt among the districts dead and in order to do that they've devised a new plan. The contestants for this year's hunger games will come from past winners. But the story doesn't end there. Read this to see how it ends!! Stacey's Rating: A
Lovers and Dreamers by Nora Roberts
Okay, here's a secret I'll let you all in on...I like the occasional romance book. And Nora Roberts almost never disappoints me. There's love, there's a fight that breaks up our favorite couple, and then they get back together. The reader is happy, upset, and feel for each character. Mrs. Roberts just has a way with words. This book is actually a compilation of a trilogy of hers, following three girls that grew up in the same house. It was good, but nothing really special. Stacey's Rating: B-
Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich
If you haven't met Stephanie Plum, I strongly encourage you to take the time to. I've read all 17 books that follow this crazy bounty hunter and am honestly never disappointed by her stories. There are some many lovable characters in this series. Stephanie is a bounty hunter for her cousin Vinnie, she lives in New Jersey and is partners with a retired prostitute Lula, who is hilarious! Stephanie's grandmother lives with her parents, in the same town as Stephanie, and Grandma Mazur will have you rolling on the floor with her antics. Stephanie also has two men in her life, Ranger and Morelli, that keeps the story interesting. Join the gang as they hunt down bad guys and dodge people who are intent on killing Stephanie for things she usually gets inadvertently involved in. These books are light, fun, and require little thought as you join the fun. Stacey's Rating: A-
Divine Evil by Nora Roberts
As I stated before, Nora Roberts rarely disappoints me in her stories. This was one of those rare exceptions. I read this book, hoping it would change or get better through the whole story, but alas that didn't happen. I was not a fan of this book and wouldn't recommend reading it unless you want to be creepedStacey's Rating: D
Alrighty, there you go! There's the list of the books I covered during January. I'm in the middle of baking cookies that are suppose to taste just like a "good old fashioned chocolate malt" so I'll try to pop back in during the week to give you all the recipe and tell you how they turned out. Happy reading!
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