Pages

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Books I Loved in 2010 Part 3: The Late-to-the-Party Edition


I'll be the first to admit I am most often late to the party on popular books. (In truth, being part of the blogging community really keeps me on top of the new releases, which is awesome!) So, I know when books are coming out, and I know which ones intrigue me, but what I don't know is when I'll feel like reading it.

I'm an emotional reader.

No, that's not the right word....I don't even know what the right word is. Perhaps self-indulgent is better. Simply put, I read whatever pleases me to read at the time, depending on my mood. I wish I had more time to read, but I don't. So when I actually get to read, it's GOT to be something I really feel like reading.

Heavy books and dystopian books are kind of hard for me to read sometimes, especially when I am super busy. They require a brain-power investment and usually an emotional one as well. And sometimes there just isn't enough of me to go around.

But then the hand of fate stepped in, as fate is wont to do, in the guise of Target. Sure, I had heard of Suzanne Collin's Hunger Games series and was intrigued by the idea, but I hadn't felt like reading it yet. However on this perfect summer day, the kind where there is nothing that HAS to be done, I walked by the Hunger Games paperback on display for about 8 bucks.

"Okay," I said to myself, "I've heard about this. I feel like giving it a whirl today."

And the next thing I know, I'm counting the days until the midnight release of Mockingjay.

These books made me think. A lot.

And cry a little.

But mostly think.

They made me stay away from the internet so I wouldn't accidentally read a spoiler. They made me want to TALK with anyone/everyone else who had read them.

That's what makes a good story. One that stays with you.

For the record: I am Team Peeta and my favorite of the three was Catching Fire.

Anyone else late to the party on this one?

hrh

16 comments:

Kathryn Packer Roberts said...

I am slow to jump on the badwagon, too. I haven't read these yet, but I have heard a lot of good things, some bad, but mostly good. Maybe someday I will try them out, too =)

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

I was at the beginning of the line, but that was because my daughter was talking it up. She was working as a bookseller when the first one came out and I think she probably set a record for hand-selling that book. So I read it due to her enthusiasm and became a fanatic myself. I could hardly stand to wait for the second book.

But I'm not always that quick. There are sooooooo many books out there and not enough time!

Shannon Messenger said...

Hey, sometimes it's better to be late to the party. You missed most of the agony all of us were in waiting for Catching Fire and then Mockingjay.

Catching Fire is my favorite. And yes, Team Peeta FTW.

:)

Unknown said...

I read these right after Catching Fire released, so it was a long wait for Mockingjay. Wish I'd done it your way. :)

And ftr, I'm Team Peeta, too. But the first book was my fav.

Corey Schwartz said...

Oh, definitely me! I didn't even start Hunger Games until Mockingjay was already released! (which was kind of nice cause I didn't have to wait for it.)

I purposely stayed away from them because I am still traumatized by Shirley Jackson's The Lottery (after 30 years!)

But it got to a point where I couldn't stay away any longer. Curiosity got the better of me. And wow... it totally lived up to the hype!!!

Kelly Polark said...

Shelley, I kept hearing about Hunger Games and how great it was, but the premise didn't seem to be something I'd like. But finally I thought, I'd better give this book a try since EVERYONE raved about it. I'm so glad I did. I also read the trilogy this year (just finished Mockingjay last weekend), and it was amazing and made me think for days about it. Team Peeta here too.

Krispy said...

I'd heard so much about Hunger Games and I even had a copy of the book sitting in my house (on load from a friend), but I just never got around to it. My library books took precedence since I had to return them.

Then a month before the Mockingjay release, I finally jumped on the bandwagon. Glad I took so long though because waiting those few days for Mockingjay was pretty agonizing.

Catching Fire was my favorite too!

Laura Pauling said...

I didn't read the second one until right before Mockingjay came out because I wanted to know what the buzz one. As of now, Hunger Games is my favorite and went downhill from there, even though I still enjoyed them all. But that's mostly personal preference.

Susan R. Mills said...

Totally late to the party! I still haven't read them. I just have so many books already purchased that haven't been read yet. I'd feel too guilty spending the money until my pile dwindles a bit.

Shannon O'Donnell said...

Yay! I'm glad you finally had the feeling! I'm Team Peeta, too. I loved them all, but the first remained my favorite.

Jackee said...

Peeta and Catching Fire were my favorites too. This series was actually one of the few I wasn't late to the party on. I'd read her Gregor series and was even more excited about these new YA ones. Harry Potter I started in the same year it came out in the US as well.

Now to Twilight, I was way too late on the bandwagon. But it really isn't my style of book anyway.

You're only late to parties because you're such a hard worker, teaching and writing all the time. :o)

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

I bought them because Susan (Fields) pretty much insisted they were the best thing since the invention of the wheel...(blushing) I haven't read them yet. I will...

Julie Hedlund said...

I don't see how anyone could NOT be Team Peeta...

I was late to the party too. I read all three of them in August and was very glad I didn't have to go through the agony of waiting for Catching Fire or Mockingjay to come out. I don't know how people could stand it!

storyqueen said...

Kathryn-Just do it!

Tricia-I am glad I didn't have to wait long between the 2nd and 3rd. The last line of the second book is a killer!

Shannon-Shhh...don't tell Peeta, but I kind of like Finnick, too.

Karen-Yay! Team Peeta!!

Corey-Don't even mention the Lottery!! Most disturbing story ever. (Not a fan of those short stories with a TWIST that we all had to read in high school.)

Kelly-I know! Sometimes, the hype just doesn't live up, but I enjoyed these books more than I thought I would.

Krispy-YAY for Catching Fire!

Laura-Aren't you glad you read them? Such a different take on things.

Susan-Just check them out from the library! You won't be sorry.

Shannon-The first one has so many spectacular moments, but there was just something about Catching Fire....

Jackee-I haven't explored the Gregor series yet, but I think I might....when I feel like it of course:)

Sharon-Just do it. (I think I said that earlier.....) Anyway, I found them very easy to get into for the most part.

Julie-I KNOW! I feel pretty lucky my wait wasn't that long. Although Mockingjay went a different direction than I expected in some ways.

Sarah said...

I was late-ish with these. I read The Hunger Games a couple months before Catching Fire came out. I'd been resisting--even though I heard it was a good book--because, based on the summary, I didn't think I'd like it. But oh was I wrong.

And you describe the magic of these books perfectly :) They made me want to think and talk to other people about them, too.

Sherrie Petersen said...

I want to be Suzanne Collins when I grow up. That woman can WRITE!!