Books~~Hunger Games

I'm not sure if you've heard all the hoopla surrounding these books by Suzanne Collins, but I have a teenager that keeps me up to par on all the hot books and movies, so I just had to read these books so I would know what all the excitement is about! The books have been made into a movie, which is being released in just a few weeks, and there seems to be Twilight~like anticipation revolving the release of this movie! The premise of the story is super disturbing, but I decided to dive in anyway and would love to know what you all think of this series. Not to give too much away, the story revolves around a young girl named Katniss Everdeen. She lives in a futuristic Dystopian society, where the earth's population has been divided into "Districts" following a huge uprising against a cruel and unusual government. (SUPER CRUEL and UNUSUAL) To punish the people of the Districts for the uprising, the government holds yearly "Hunger Games" where each District has to choose a boy and girl, starting at the age of 12, to fight the other district's children to the death. It's really sick. But let me tell you, these books are white HOT. Teens and kids are reading them like crazy. Even my 12 year old wants to read them because everyone in her 6th grade class is carrying around the books like some badge of honor. I've so far been able to steer her away from them because, in my opinion, these books are NOT for middle schoolers. They are graphic and the content is just so sad and disturbing. I've just finished book two, Catching Fire, which ends with a HUGE cliffhanger. I have to say, I do like that the lead character is a super strong, smart female! That part rocks. And I will go see the movie, as I don't want to be the only one not able to talk about the hottest movie to pass through in months! It should be good but I'm sure as heck going to take along some Kleenex! (I'm a crier.) So have you all read these books? What do you think? Let me know your thoughts. Or what you're reading now. I need my next book to get me through my insomniac nights~~~ XOXO

Help Me Be Good!

A few weeks ago, I was laying in bed with my 17 year old daughter, and she jokingly said, "Mom, before you die, you have to tell me what you did to raise me, because I'm so awesome!" We laughed hysterically! Then after a few minutes she said, "No, really. What did you do?" We laughed some more. Apparently, she wasn't very fond of my strict ways while she was growing up, but now that she's old enough to realize that her morals and values are starting to serve her really well when she's faced with situations where she has to decide what to do on her own more and more, she's appreciative of the way we've raised her. She's able to be with her peers and love them, and understand them, and not judge them, but not feel compelled to join along with them if they partake in things that just don't feel right to her. I couldn't be more thankful.

One the tools that helped me with growing Godly girls are these "Help Me Be Good Books." I know it sounds silly but my girls LOVED these books when they were little. They'd beg me to read them over and over and over again. They touch on so many subjects such as Being Greedy, Cheating, Lying, Stealing, Being Messy (Come to think if it, that one didn't work so well. Maybe I should get it back out!) etc. I really suggest getting these books if you have little ones. They're fun yet powerful at the same time!!

http://store.joyberrybooks.com/index.cfm/product/22/help-me-be-good-series-box-set.cfm

A MUST Read

A few years ago, I took this book with me on a family vacation to Hawaii.  I have to admit that I'm pretty hard to please when it comes to books because if they take too long to get the storyline going, I won't keep picking them up.  Life's short!  I'll find something better to do with my time!  But THIS BOOK WAS FABULOUS!  I'm serious.  I couldn't put it down the whole vacation.  I've recommended it to a ton of my friends and now that the movie has been made with Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson, then I really have to give a shout out to all my new blog friends as well! Here's a synopsis of the plot:
Veterinary school student Jacob meets and falls in love with Marlena, a star performer in a circus of a bygone era. They discover beauty amidst the world of the Big Top, and come together through their compassion for a special elephant. Against all odds -- including the wrath of Marlena's charismatic but dangerous husband, August-- Jacob and Marlena find lifelong love.


So go get it and read it before the movie comes out!  Then we'll all convene here to discuss how the movie didn't compare to how fabulous the book was, like we always do! :)