I Read, Therefore I Am (A Mrs. Readalot Linky Party)

My favorite part of every day? Curling up in bed, teeth brushed and face washed, and delving into a really great book. In fact, if it's a really, really GOOD book, you're likely to find me face-first into it again as soon as I wake up in the morning. Truth be told, I'd rather be reading than doing just about anything else. It's a passion that started when I was very young, and has stuck with me these past 30 years. 

I've mentioned before that my love of reading led me to join the world's most fabulous book club. Well, ladies and gents, I'm here to tell you that I've actually found ANOTHER book club to join, just as awesome as the first!!! And today, I'm hosting January's linky party for Mrs. Readalot's Bookclub (found at GreatFun4Kids).

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When Mrs. Readalot (AKA Simoney) sent me an email asking me to participate, I jumped at the chance to share my love of books with my readers. January's assignment? 
"Share the book that kept you spellbound throughout the holidays." 
*moment of truth* I re-read the first half of the Harry Potter series over the Christmas break. There's something about twinkly lights and holiday feasts that make me yearn for Hogwarts. So...there wasn't much *new* reading that took place over the holidays, though I was just as enamored with the wizarding world for the 8th (9th? 12th?) time as I was the very first.
HOWEVER, there was a book I TALKED about more than any other book over the holidays. As in...pushed it like a drug dealer in a busy section of town. And that book is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

There are precisely 3 serials that I have devoured in my life, anticipating each book like a long awaited birthday party. I've already mentioned one: Harry Potter by JK Rowling. The second is the Dark Tower Series by Stephen King (there are actually 3 more books after the four pictured in the link.) And the third? The Hunger Games Trilogy. 
When I say that I could not put this book down, I truly mean that I Could. Not. Put. It. Down. I started it one evening back in October, stayed up until the wee hours of the morning, fell asleep with my Kindle on my chest, woke up and immediately kept reading until I got to the end.
Then I took a shower, ate some food, and downloaded the second book (Catching Fire) in the trilogy. Which was devoured in the same fashion as book one. The third book (Mockingjay) was no different. 
In case you live under a rock and haven't heard of the popular series (which Hollywood already scooped up and claimed for their own) let me give you a brief synopsis, in hopes that I can ensnare you into reading this amazing novel. 
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen has grown up in the post-apocalyptic  world of Panem, in the poorest of 12 districts, fighting to keep her family alive. Her father, killed in a mine explosion 4 years before, left Katniss with the skills she would need to poach game from the woods around the Seam, and keeping her mother and sister fed has been her only goal. So it goes, day in and day out, until the one day of the year every family dreads: Reaping Day. The Capitol, the ruling power over the districts, holds a lottery each year to choose 2 tributes from each district--one boy and one girl, both under the age of 18--to compete in the Hunger Games. In televised event watched by every member of society, the children are forced to fight in an arena to the death.  The last one standing is declared the winner, and becomes a celebrity in a world that thinks of death as entertainment.
Sounds pretty heavy, huh?
Truth be told, when I heard about this book, my immediate thought was, "Wow, that sounds cheery." (<-----Sarcasm Alert) But after being told by no less than 10 friends that this book was an amazing read, I found myself drawn to it. Ten pages in, and I was totally consumed. The world is so clearly defined you can practically feel the coal dust settling into your skin. The terror you feel for each child chosen is palpable. And the hatred that creeps up in your gut for the Capitol is all-consuming.
But what I love so much about this book is the author's capability of making you fall in love with the main character, Katniss Everdeen, despite her slightly prickly exterior. She's not the snuggly, weak, whiny teenager you find in so many other young adult novels. Love and romance are two words she's never concerned herself with. The only thing she has ever been focused on in her life is survival--and THAT'S what makes her such a fierce competitor in these games. 
For me, a winning book has to have three elements: 1) a compelling storyline, 2) an author who knows how to weave a good story (in a well-written sort of way) and 3) characters that make you want to love them, fight for them, cry with them, and cheer for them. The Hunger Games fulfills all 3 requirements and more.
I give it four thumbs up.

I'd give it five thumbs up, but...well....ya know...

Seriously gang, it's rare for me to love a book so much. (Just ask my book clubbies about "Dune.") I know it's one of those series I'll read over and over and over again.
As if THAT'S not exciting enough...they're making a movie!!!!


So...read any good books lately?Maybe you'd like to join my linky! Just write a review and link up below! If you're read The Hunger Games, I'd love to hear your take on it. If not, I'm always looking for another great book to read, so if there's a title that kept you mesmerized over the holidays, I'd love to hear about that, too. You've got a whole month to share!! And make sure you drop by GreatFun4Kids, and check out Simoney's gorgeous blog that's all about family, crafts, and fun.

Friday Grab Bag

The weekend is practically upon us, friends! I, for one, couldn't be more excited. (Not that I have anything in particular planned.)


I actually kicked off the weekend last night by hosting a book club meeting here at my humble abode. Yes, readers, I am a member of the awesomest book club in the land. We are, in fact, the Unpretentious Book Club of the Greater Charleston Area (More Commonly Referred to as My Book Club.)

This picture would be more accurate if we took out 
the coffee mugs and added a few wine glasses.

We got started a few months back and so far the list of works we've finished is quite substantial. We begged for Xanax after The Road by Cormac McCarthy. We complained about the lacking depth of character in Dune by Frank Herbert. We laughed about the silly protagonist in Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore. And we now find ourselves catapulted back in time with Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet.


I chose Pillars. It's on my top 5 favorite books I've ever read list. (And yes, there's a hard copy of that. Somewhere.)


Here's the thing about Book Club. We meet, we talk, we eat. And we drink. A lot. I believe 2 bottles of wine and at least 4 beers were consumed last night, between 4 people. And that was a tame evening, by Book Club standards.


Dana's boyfriend, Justin, says we've created a drinking club with a book problem.


I think it should be our official motto.

That's better.

At any rate, drinking a bottle of wine over the course of 4 hours on a Thursday night makes working Friday morning a little less enjoyable. After I publish this blog, I plan on sitting back and spending the rest of my day with Nathan Fillion. Thank you, Netflix, for delivering Castle, Season 2.

Oh Castle. You rascal, you. ♥

Yes, it's true. I have a crush on Nathan Fillion. (Um, Firefly? Hello???) It also shouldn't surprise you that I stalk him on Twitter. (Perhaps not as aggressively as I stalk Donnie Wahlberg, but it could be considered stalking in a court of law.)

Thanks to Stephanie at Love Life Project, I can now move immediately from Nathan Fillion to an Abby Gabs call to action! Thanks, Stephanie!


Readers, I have been invited to a linky party. And I really want to join! Problem is, I'm having a hard time making a decision over which post I want to link up. So, in order for me to participate in the brilliant "Show Your Work" linky over on The Woven Moments, I need some input from you guys.


I ask you, readers---what was your favorite Abby Gabs from the month of October?

I've chosen my 4 favorites from October in the survey above. I just can't pick one. It's like choosing between my four-legged children. I just can't do it. So here's where you come in! Vote for your favorite October Gabs above so I can make up my mind which one I want to use in Ryan's link-up party! (If you don't see your favorite above, leave me a comment with the title of your preferred reading, and I'll toss it into consideration as well.) Make your voice heard, readers! And make my decision for me!


...If this works out as well as I hope it does, these handy dandy little surveys might just make more appearances in my everyday life. I'll have to remember them next time I can't get Brian to make a decision about what he wants for dinner...