The Hunger Games

A hundred years in the future, teens fight to the death in a contrived arena created by the Capitol. It's time for the Hunger Games. Suzanne Collins has written a very compelling story about Katniss Everdeen, who is one of two teenagers from her district chosen to participate in the Hunger Games. Katniss's story is gripping as she fights not only for her survival but ultimately her family's too. Although the premise is horrible and the citizens of Panem are poor, fenced in and afraid, this is an incredible story of a girl who challenges those who try to prove daily that they won't be challenged. Catching Fire and Mockingjay are the second and third books in this series.

In Between Good Reads

I love it when I'm in the middle of a good book, but the last week or so I'm in between books. I read a little of this and some of that and don't really commit. In my usual fashion I have a few books started but the timing or something is off. I just picked up Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz, on recommendation from a friend. Maybe that will be the thing I can sink into during my limited reading times over the next week.

Just Finished Lye in Wait by Cricket McRae

I just finished Lye in Wait by Cricket McRae in her Home Crafting Mystery series. Sophie Mae Reynolds, a work-at-home soapmaker, becomes an amateur sleuth when her neighbor and handyman is found dead in the work room where she makes her soap. As meddlesome as Sophie Mae is when looking into Walter's death, I can't say I would be any less curious.

I make my own soap, too, and I don't think I've read any fiction where the characters were soapmakers so that was an interesting aspect for me. This was a fun read and I'll likely pick up more of Cricket McRae's books.

Restricted at the Library Again

I got restricted at the library again for having a way overdue book. This hasn't happened in a while so it caught me by surprise. I looked everywhere for the book, since the restriction carried over to the digital checkouts and I had an ebook on hold that I couldn't check out until the overdue book was returned. After about an hour of seriously looking everywhere for that book, I finally found it. I returned it today and got my status as an upstanding library patron restored. The worst part: I hadn't even read the book...probably had something to do with the fact that it was pushed back on some shelf where I never put books. Well, almost never.

Finished The Writing Circle by Corrine Demas

I just finished The Writing Circle and was surprised by a couple of the twists and turns. Aside from the literary twist, I also wasn't expecting the book to end the way it did, which is good because it seems like I'm often able to guess where the story is headed and this time I wasn't. Well worth reading for the quirky characters and to listen in on their writing group meetings. Recommended!

The Writing Circle

I'm reading The Writing Circle by Corrine Demas (ebook from the library on my Nook) and some of the parts I like most are the scenes where the writers read to each other in their writing group meetings. Their insecurities about their writing and how they fit into the group come out. I'm surprised at how much I enjoy the annoying characters. I'm always waiting for the next gem that's going to pop out of their mouths. Entertaining and quick read.

Jack Reacher is the Best!

Fans of Lee Child and his character Jack Reacher know what I'm talking about. His latest two books 61 Hours and Worth Dying For were spot on as usual. If you haven't tried Lee Child and the idea of following an ex-MP drifter around the country as he gets involved in complicated and often dangerous situations appeals to you, give him a try. The first in the series is The Killing Floor.

Here is a list that includes a few more of my favorite main characters:
Top Five Main Characters in Modern Suspense Novels.

Link to Lee Child's website

Ways to Recycle Magazines

Magazines seem to multiply when I'm not looking. I love the temporary nature of magazines and that I can pick them up and read short snippets, in other words, I don't have to commit like I do with books.

I've been trying to think of other things to do with magazines when I'm done with them instead of taking them to the library or putting them in the recycle bin. I have found that I love, love, love to cut them up and make collages with all the different fonts and brightly colored images.

Here's a list of a few more things to do with those old magazines: Top Five Ways to Recycle Magazines.

Audio Books for Kids

My daughter loves books and is a big reader. She also has some books with accompanying tapes so she can read and listen to the story at the same time. We've started checking out more advanced audio books on CD for her at the library and she listens to them while she's cleaning her room, knitting or just relaxing. It's fun to see how much she enjoys the stories and characters. The library has a great selection of audio books on CD for kids, so there are lots of choices and we find that we make several trips a month just to keep her stocked in books and audio books on CD.

Cover Art

I can't help it...sometimes I buy a second (or third) copy of a book just because it has different cover art that I like just as much as the cover art on the first copy. I especially like books that are illustrated by one of my favorites. I love Ted Lewin's watercolors in a few kids' books that we have, for example. He also illustrated a reprint of Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell, one of my all-time favorite childhood books.

Here are photos of the four copies of Island of the Blue Dolphins that reside in our house.