Lost by Joy Fielding

This is another one of those books that I could read over and over again... and I have.

Joy Fielding has this amazing ability to present female characters, that are in bad situations, and seem weak, but when faced with these situations, they fight back, and will do anything to improve their situations, and fight for happiness for themselves and people around them.

This seems like a common theme in all her books.

I am not a mother, so a book about somebody with two daughters (one young adult and one teenager) that has been through a divorce, isn't something I have experience with. It's not really needed when I read her books though. I experience things through the characters. I don't always agree with the way things are handled, but I pretty much know things will be better in the end. It's a nice feeling some days.

Not My Daughter by Barbara Delinsky

I am behind on my book blogging.

I read this one in summer. The most interesting part about this book was the back of the book. I really thought I was in for a wonderful read.

It personally wasn't my kind of book. I can't remember it all exactly now, but I won't be giving it a second chance. I think the phrase 'ohmygod' was used too many times. Exactly like that. I know that's a silly thing to judge a book about, but I am anyway. Believe me, if that was the only thing, I could probably deal with it.

It was about three teenage girls who decided to get pregnant. A pregnancy pact. I think that actually did happen somewhere. To be honest, the idea of the novel sounded good to me. I just didn't like how it played out. I thought at times it was preachy. I also was really annoyed by the teenagers. Possibly because I'm not a teenager anymore, and I can't put myself in that selfish mind set, but I hope not all teenagers are like those girls, and it was over exaggerated.

It was a quick read, and I did finish it. Mostly because I hate quitting things when I've started them. Even bad books.

I'm pretty sure I've read something else by that author and enjoyed it, but I wouldn't read this one again. I actually feel bad writing that, but it's true.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

I have finally read the third and final book in the Hunger Games Trilogy. It was starting to get to me. I didn't mind waiting, but really wanted to find out what happened to the characters. I'll admit it, I wanted to know who Katniss chooses to be with as well. (If any were to survive).

This last book made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me angry. I also couldn't put it down. I read it on a weekend, which was good because work didn't interrupt.

I know part of the point of this novel is loss of life, and the unfairness of the situation, but one of my favourite characters was killed, and I am still a little upset about it. This isn't really a spoiler, as characters continued to die or be killed through the entire series.

I'm not going to go on about this one. You'll either read it or not. Chances are, if you were going to, you have already. I really enjoyed them. I'm looking forward to the movies, even though I know they won't be as good. I actually don't think I'll read them again. I'm not sure why, I just don't see it happening. Who knows though.

So, that's it. Finally finished the series, and I'm happy I did. I'll admit, I wasn't sure about reading any of them because of how popular they were. Glad I didn't make my decision based on my snobbery.

twenty fragments of a ravenous youth by xiaolu guo

The story follows Fenfang Wang during some of her years in Beijing. She moved there from an isolated village.

It was an interesting read... also an easy read. I read it on a walk (stopping to read one fragmented chapter at a time). It was bits and pieces of her 'youth'. Starting at age 21. Each chapter focused on something new, but still connected to the rest in some way or another.

I feel like she was pretty isolated in Beijing as well as her small town. It was interesting. I know nothing about life in China, and enjoy reading books that explain more about what people are going through or have gone through. Even if it's not about a 'real' character, that doesn't take away from the true history in the book. It was translated from Chinese to English.

I've usually read books about people who end up in other countries, so this one was a nice to change. I'll definitely save it for another read.

The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly

I can't remember if I've read any books by him or not. I quite enjoy lawyer novels (or shows or movies).

This one didn't disappoint. Although, by the time I got to the end, I felt like I had read it before (or watched the movie, but I've since found out that the movie ending isn't the same as the book ending, so I didn't see the movie). I just seemed like a plot line that maybe had been used before. I'm not sure. I'm still confused as to how it was so familiar. I borrowed the book from my dad, so it's not even like I picked up a book that I own to read over.

I guess there are more than one books about the Lincoln Lawyer. I actually wouldn't mind reading a couple others just to see how he evolves as a character -and a human being. The main character is one of those characters that you probably love to hate. Like a 'bad-ass' soap opera character. You don't trust them, and know they'll make a bad decision, but they still have heart, and feel guilt for things.

Anyway, I don't think I'll read it again, but would read more by the same author. I can't read it again, if I felt like I had already read it, it would really get to me if I re-read it.

Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery

I'm really taking my time reading these. There are a lot to go through. I've now read two. It took a while to get through this one. Not because it wasn't good, but because I kept picking up other books. It seemed easy to just pick up and start where I left off even if I read a book in between.

This one was less like the movie. I know I should have been expecting that, but the first one followed pretty closely (the movie followed closely). Maybe the third book will have ties to the sequel as well. I think it will have to. I just have to say that Gilbert Blithe is the most patient man on earth, and I would be very excited to actually see a Gilbert Blithe type man someday. Unfortunately, the jaded part of me, doesn't believe he exists. Oh well.

The book introduced all new characters that I've actually never heard of. I enjoyed that. It's nice reading a book for the first time, and not knowing everything that happens before hand. (harder to imagine these new characters though).

I don't really have a lot to say about it. Just another book to add to the pile to read to my imaginary kids someday. I'll read the rest this year, but I have a lot of books on my list to read, so they'll come when I'm ready. As usual though, Anne takes me into her world, and makes me wish I had an imagination like her.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

First of all, I liked the first one better. This one was gripping, and impossible to put down, but the first was more gripping, and harder to put down. Also, the first one was sad and what these kids had to go through was terrible. In the second one, it was even worse, but almost at an unbeleviable level. Maybe I'm seeing things wrong.

I still enjoyed it. I just enjoyed the first more. The first also ended better. As in, it left me hanging, but not to the extent that made me rush out to buy the next one. This one actually made me a little angry when I put it down because I didn't have the next one with me. That's probably a good point. Also a good selling feature.

I'm not sure when I'll read the third. I'm waiting on my friend to finish it first.

I can honestly admit, I've never read any of the Twilight books, and I never will. However, the whole which guy should she end up with is something everybody knows about. (I know from the movie).

I think the same kind of thing is going on here, and since I haven't read the third, I don't know who she'll end up with -if anybody. Romance is in this book, but it's not the main thing. If it became the main thing, it would be a pretty sad situation, and I wouldn't like it as much. That being said, I am curious to know who she'll be with. I kind of feel like it will have a happy ending (or as happy as it can be).

Anyway, as always, I'm quite enjoying my teen novels. Between this and Anne of Green Gables, I'm not really sure the last 'adult' book I've read. Oh well. Next book will probably be 50 Shades of Grey. I'll admit it... all the talk about it has me interested. As much as I'd like to resist the urge to read it, I know I will.