10 Truths I Learned While Re-reading The Hunger Games Trilogy

Book lovers the world over know that re-reading your favorite book (or series) is something special. There's nothing at all like cracking the spine of a cherished read and falling back into a world you've been missing, seeing old friends struggle and triumph throughout the pages, reveling in the excitement you know is waiting just around the corner.

Another great thing about re-reading old faves? You sometimes learn something new.

Which is what today's post is all about: 

10 Truths I Learned While Re-reading

THE HUNGER GAMES Trilogy

1. Suzanne Collins is a true genius.

2. Katniss Everdeen is a true badass.

3. Gale Hawthorne is so sincere and loving and gives 

Peeta a real run for his money (I kind of overlooked

this on my first read. Blame Peeta.)

4. The world created in these books is something

to behold. (Again, missed on my first read. Again,

blame Peeta.)

5. Real love doesn't come by surprise; it's earned.

6. Sisters are the best.

7. Friends are the best, too.

8. There really is no place like home.

9. I could read these books over and over

and never tire of them.

10. Suzanne Collins is a true genius.

(just in case you missed that one.)

Waiting on Wednesday...ONYX by J L Armentrout!

The lovely Jill (a fellow Alabamian!) over at Breaking the Spine created the Waiting on Wednesday meme for us bloggers to showcase books we're waiting on.

This week's pick is a sequel to one of my favorite reads. The first book of this series was super hot, sexy, action-packed and full of win. So I know that the sequel is gonna be just as awesome and I can't wait! If you haven't already, be sure to add to your TBR lists...

ONYX
by Jennifer L Armentrout
pub date 8/14/2012

product description from goodreads.com

Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…

Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarre connection. I’ve sworn him off even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But against all common sense, I’m falling for him. Hard.

Our relationship issues aren’t out biggest problem…

The Department of Defense is here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we’re linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And when a new boy shows up a school with a secret of his own, things get complicated fast. I need to choose between my own instincts and Daemon’s.

But then everything changes…

I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. Daemon’s never going to stop searching until gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies.


I'm so so excited for this book! It comes out next week and I can't wait to snag a copy!

Teaser Tuesday...HOLLOWED by Kelley York!

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!(make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Like slow motion, Blondie's eyes roll back and her attacker shoves her to one side. She hits the muddy ground to my right, where she twitches once and goes still.
~pg 42, ebook of HOLLOWED by Kelley York

Monday Must Reads!...THE ELEVENTH PLAGUE!

Not familiar with this little feature? It's simple, really. Monday Must Reads! is a feature I created to showcase books that I think you, well, Must Read (ha!).


I haven't posted to a Monday Must Reads! for a while (not sure why, lol) but thought I'd bring it back to help showcase some books I've truly enjoyed--and I think you might, too!


This week's choice is YA (shock!) dystopian, and one that I didn't want to end. It's gritty and powerful and very very possible--apocalyptic fiction at its best!

THE ELEVENTH PLAGUE
by Jeff Hirsch
pub date 9/1/2011


product description from goodreads.com


In an America devastated by war and plague, the only way to survive is to keep moving.

In the aftermath of a war, America’s landscape has been ravaged and two-thirds of the population left dead from a vicious strain of influenza. Fifteen-year-old Stephen Quinn and his family were among the few that survived and became salvagers, roaming the country in search of material to trade. But when Stephen’s grandfather dies and his father falls into a coma after an accident, Stephen finds his way to Settler’s Landing, a community that seems too good to be true. Then Stephen meets strong, defiant, mischievous Jenny, who refuses to accept things as they are. And when they play a prank that goes horribly wrong, chaos erupts, and they find themselves in the midst of a battle that will change Settler’s Landing--and their lives--forever. 


Seriously you guys, this book is a must for dystopian/apocalyptic lovers. Grab a copy now--you won't be sorry!

TGIF at GReads!

The awesomeness that is Ginger (or G, as I like to call her!) over at GReads! has created a great meme that is tons of fun. Each Friday, she poses a question for anyone to answer. Go check her out and join in the fun!

Book Olympics:

In the spirit of the
Olympics, which books
 would you give the gold, 
silver and bronze?

This has got to be the toughest of all your TGIF questions, G--now we know a tiny fraction of what the Olympic judges must go through! Picking three books that we are to award medals? Impossible! 

But, in the spirit of the Olympic events, I'm gonna give it a shot. And since the plethora of novels is so overwhelmingly huge, I'm limiting my choices to YA dystopian (mainly because that's what I'm currently writing and reading, lol), just to help simplify things for me. :)

Here are my top three picks...

MONUMENT 14

by Emmy Laybourne

BRONZE, YA Dystopian Olympics 2012

This book was a most exciting read, filled with very plausible possibilities that could bring on the apocolypse that many people feel is imminent. It's written in a fun, unique style, and brimming with exciting tension. It fought hard for the Silver Medal, but fell short due to a few too many characters that could have been pared down a bit.

DELIRIUM 

by Lauren Oliver

SILVER, YA Dystopian Olympics 2012

When I first read this book, I fell in love with everything about it. Beautiful prose, outstanding characters, a touching yet terrifying story of love. The reason this one almost got bronze instead of silver is because I felt a huge disconnect in the sequel. Though it was still a beautiful story, it felt too different from the original, like the members of the olympic team were not all on the same page (ha!). 

And the winner is...

THE HUNGER GAMES TRILOGY

by Suzanne Collins

GOLD, YA Dystopian Olympics 2012

Honestly, when it comes to dystopian, all others have no choice but to bow down to this stunning series. THG is the Michael Phelps of YA dystopian. Filled with amazing characters, brilliant writing, spot-on descriptions and gut-wrenching tension, THE HUNGER GAMES TRILOGY definitely deserves to stand on the upper tier of the medal podium, waving to the crowd of well-wishers and wannabes!

There you have it, my choices for the top winners in YA dystopian. I admit that I haven't read all the dystops out there, but from what I have, I feel confident in my selections. If anyone would like to challenge me, I gladly accept cash bribes. ;-P