Mockingjay

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.

Summary
The third and final installment (The Hunger Games and Catching Fire) follows Katniss Everdeen in her most demanding challenge yet as a representation of the revolution against The Capitol.

Source
I was eagerly awaiting to read this and was still on the waiting list at the library but was able to borrow it from a friend.

My thoughts
I thought it was a proper conclusion to the series.

Room

Room by Emma Donoghue.

Summary
The narrator is Jack, a 5 year old boy who only knows the 11' x 11' Room that he and his Ma have lived in. Emma Donoghue came up with the premise of the book from the horrifying real story of the Austrian woman who was held for 24 years by her father.

Source
I heard about this book from Q107 in the morning and subsequently Lainey also reviewed it.

My thoughts
I was rather apprehensive about reading this book because of the gruesome premise. As I read about Jack and his Ma, I thought it was innovative how we get to understand their everyday life in Room, but at the same time kept looking at how thick the book was, worried that I wouldn't be able to read that much of their live in one room. I hope I'm not ruining the book for anyone, but I did feel an immense sense of relief that there is an "after" section.

One of the issues that I had with the book was with Jack being the narrator. Reading a 5 year old voice, you have to accept the lack of language skills but at the same time he would use really big words. I was glad to read that Lainey observed the same thing. I could say the same thing about Jack's thoughts; sometimes it was really hard to believe that a 5 year old would have such deep and observant thoughts. I kept wondering how realistic it was? Would a 5 year old in the same situation think, feel, say the same? They didn't seem like fair questions but the thoughts persisted in my mind.

Catching Fire

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins.

Summary
The second book following The Hunger Games picks up after Katniss Everdeen wins The Hunger Games. She now has to deal with the consequences of winning and inciting rebellions.

Source
I was lucky to be able to read Catching Fire right after finishing The Hunger Games. Unfortunately, I am #164 waiting for the final book, Mockingjay, at the library.

My thoughts
I didn't think this was engrossing as The Hunger Games but it does draw you in. I don't want to say too much but I didn't expect to be pulled back in a second time. This one definitely ends in a cliffhanger, leaving you desperately wanting to read Mockingjay.

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

Summary
The heroine Katniss Everdeen, a modern day Theseus (I only found that out once my boyfriend A explained pointed it out), finds herself in The Hunger Games in which to win, she must be the sole survivor. The Hunger Games is an annual televised game held by The Capitol, as a reminder to the 12 districts that they lost their rebellion. Katniss must struggle against players 23 other players, including a potential lover.

Source
My sister was reading it while I was visiting although I suspect she heard about it from Lainey.

My thoughts
The book is so fast paced I could not put it down; I read the book in two days. I particularly liked the world that Suzanne Collins built. I could vividly imagine the different worlds she built: Katniss' District 12 specializing in coal production, the evil and futuristic Capitol and the arena where The Hunger Games are held. If you're looking for an engrossing read in which you get to live in another world and consider the role of government, this is the book for you.

Life on the Refrigerator Door

Life on the Refrigerator Door by Alice Kuipers.

Summary
Claire and her mother are both very busy. They exchange notes on the refrigerator door while going through the mother's struggle with breast cancer and a teenage daughter-mother relationship.

Source
I had heard about this novel and its novel premise for a long time. It's always been on the back of my mind. Trivia: Alice Kuipers is married to Yann Martel, who wrote one of my favourite books, Life of Pi.

My thoughts
I read the book quite quickly because of its short format. I was very impressed that a whole story could be incorporated in such an innovative way. At the same time, I just wanted to scream at the two main characters to stop leaving notes on the refrigerator door at such a crucial time in their lives and spend a significant amount of time together.

Miss.Adventure Reading: First Post

Unlike my other blog, Miss.Adventure at Home, which I write to share recipes and restaurant reviews, this is a personal blog on books I've read.

The Format
* Each post will be the book title. Therefore, I will post as frequently as I read.
* I've already jotted down notes from the last couple books I've read. I will include these, dated before this post. Any future books will appear after this post.
* Posts are not supposed to be book reviews. I may try to summarize it in a couple sentences.
* I will include why I wanted to read the book in the first place/ the source.
* I'll write down my thoughts on them. Simple as that. I'm not a very "deep" person when it comes to literature and I don't want to feel bad for not going deeper. I want to make my intent clear from the get go if anyone is reading.

My Goals for this Blog:
* My main goal is to keep an up-to-date list of books I've read and that I want to read.
* My secondary goal is that I'll end up reading more because of this blog.
* Finally, I hope to become a more active reader.

Lunch in Paris: A Love Story with Recipes

Lunch in Paris: A Love Story with Recipes by Elizabeth Bard.

Summary
Elizabeth Bard's recounting of falling in love in Paris and settling into a new life. At the end of each chapter are recipes that define each chapter in her life.

Source
I don't remember how I heard about this memoir but I know what drew me in: food, love and Paris!

My thoughts
The recipes appealed to me more than the ones in a similar memoir (Cooking for Mr. Latte) and I will probably try my hand at a few of them. However, what I thought was most interesting about this book was not the food. I was more interested in her experience living as an American in France, how she views the world differently from her husband. Knowing how to live the American dream, she pushes her husband with a more practical career to pursue his dream career. While she supports her husband, she loses herself a bit and ultimately figures out what she wants to do through food! Another interesting chapter was going through the sickness and death of her father-in-law and how the French medical system is different from the North American one (no questioning the doctor because he's always right).

Pearl of China

Pearl of China by Anchee Min.

Summary
A fictional friendship between future author Pearl Buck and a Chinese girl named Willow.

Source
I heard Anchee Min discuss this novel on cbcradio's Writers & Company.

My thoughts
I thought some of the plots unrealistic: how Willow ended up marrying a top Communist, having a child so late in life, meeting Nixon, etc. Really? After all that, I still didn't feel much empathy for Willow. I would have wanted to learn more about Pearl Buck, but I think a more factual account of her life. I might look up a biography or re-read some of her novels. I was also intrigued by Madame Mao and may try to read Anchee Min's Becoming Madame Mao. I also learned a new word: proletarian, which is a key movement in the book.

Twenties Girl

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella.

Summary
The heroine Lara Lington is at a crossroad in her life and serendipitously meets her great-aunt Sadie. While Sadie can be very annoying, she also helps Lara find her way to true love and a successful work life.

Source
While I have read all of the Shopaholic series, I read about "Twenties Girl" Red Vines for Breakfast.

My thoughts
The premise is rather silly but Sophie Kinsella makes it work. I can always empathize with a heroine who struggles with her love and work life! What single woman can't?

Prairie Tale

Prairie Tale by Melissa Gilbert.



Summary
Melissa Gilbert discusses her life from her days on Little House on the Prairie as Half-Pint to her adulthood that included a nose job and an addiction to alcohol.

Source
Lainey Gossip discussed the Shannen Doherty incident and left me wanting more.

My thoughts
I loved watching Little House on the Prairie and so I thought all the stories around the set very interesting. There are also many shocking incidents involving celebrities. If you love gossip and Little House, you will dig this book!

The Kids Are All Right

The Kids are All Right by Diana Welch, Liz Welch, Amanda Welch & Dan Welch.

Summary
Very touching account of four siblings going through the loss of their parents. Their father first dies in a car accident, then their mother dies of cancer. The siblings of different age are split up between different friends and families, until they ultimately reunite. The book alternates between the different siblings and how they remember events.

Source
cbc.ca's summer reading list

My thoughts
I was in bed tearing up and blowing my nose while reading the book. I was amazed by how some people are heartless even after such a tragedy, but at the same time how strong the kids were. Definitely made me appreciate my mom and made me ache for kids who grow up without parents.