Divergent

I just saw the new movie, Divergent. It was pretty close to the book, which is normally my pet peeve. It was just over two hours, but moved along nicely.

Most of the actors they cast were about how I'd imagined the characters, except Al. He wasn't quite what I pictured for that character. I thought Ashley Judd, was great as Tris' mom. *Spoiler Alert: The scene where she was killed nearly made me cry. Needless to say, I can't wait for the next movie.

This series is my second favorite compared to the Hunger Games Series.

I need another good book series to read. Any suggestions?

Allegiant

I'm a huge fan of the Divergent series. I've been dying to finish the last book, Allegiant. It was so different from the other two books. I feel like Allegiant really has a lot more twists than I expected. It pretty much had me on the edge of my seat. It's over 500 pages and a quite addictive read. :) I just finished it, last night. Wow, not the ending I expected! It leaves no room for an additional book. It doesn't quite end like I would've liked. I can't wait to see the movie now. The protagonist, Tris is brave, headstrong, and real. Her life experiences are beyond comprehension. Her relationships are all really complex. What drew me to the series was how she reacted in tough situations; she was incredibly selfless. I guess, I realize a little adventure and a story of a selfless person could be an inspiration for me.

I will say this series is similar to the Hunger Games series, but not quite as good. It's going to be a long wait for all three movies. :( Is anyone else planning to see this movie?

Spring Break!

I'm officially on spring break! I finished my mid-term this morning. I'm taking the week off work. I plan on reading, cooking, cleaning, digging out my summer clothes, a shopping trip to KC, going to the movies to see Divergent, and relaxing!!! I'll finally have time to finish the 3rd Divergent series book, Allegiant.:)

The Giver

While most people I know read the book, the Giver in high school, I was never required to read it. It was on the list of books that are going to be made into movies, this year. I read a little about the book and thought it sounded interesting. It was a really easy, short read. Roughly, 175 pages. Took me under a week to read it.

It's about a community where you get matched with a spouse if you want one, you request kids and get them (no more than two), and you're all told from an early age what career you'll follow. You're not allowed to ask questions and everyone blindly follows whatever expectations are placed on them in regards to their job. If an infant isn't progressing fast enough, they're "released." Everyone assumes that means they're turned over to another community, but no one really asks. Once someone gets old, they're also "released." Finally, someone accepting a new position challenges the "way it's always been." It had a decent ending, but everyone who knows me, knows I'd have liked more closure. :)

Also, on the list of books being made into movies was, A Long Way Down. I tried it and only made it a couple of pages in. It was a bit too dark for me.

Now, I'm reading, Allegiant, the last book in the Divergent series. Love those books; can't wait for the movie!

Are you reading anything new? Anything interesting? Share!

Divergent Series, Book 2: Insurgent

I breezed through this 525 page nail-biter in just over a week. The plot twisted and turned; I loved it! The main characters are likeable. The relationships are pretty intricate. It is pretty violent and nearly everyone you like ends up dying. That being said, I can't wait to read the third and final book in the series, Allegient and see the movie of the first book mid to late March.

What are you all reading? What's next on my reading list? I just started the Go-Giver. It's really short and so far kinda okay. Next, I'll be reading Traveling Light by Max Lucado. I love his books! Has anyone read those?

Born to Run

So, after trying to finish reading Born to Run by Christopher McDougall twice, I'm done. I really liked it. If you're interested in running at all, I'd recommend it. There's lots of detail about running, history, the characters, and the Tarahumara. It is a pretty long book at nearly 400 pages. Now I feel like running. I always have admired those runners who sprint by gracefully and look like they could run another ten miles like it's nothing. So, I will be running/jogging a little more. ;)

Now, I'm starting Insurgent which is part of the Divergent series. I really enjoyed the first book, Divergent. It kept my interest and I couldn't put it down. I'm excited to finally have the time to start Insurgent. The movie comes out over spring break!

Reading

When I was little and learned to read, it was like everything turned from black and white to color; it was literally a whole new world for me. It forever changed my world. As a child, I'd get lost in books, imagining everything I read. Still to this day, I can get totally engrossed in a book. I almost felt like I needed a therapy group while reading the Hunger Games series; it felt so real. I wanted to call people and voice my deep worry for Peeta and Katniss. Down with the Capitol! I still really want a Mockingjay pin and I really would wear it. My addiction with Hunger Games is so bad that I cried twice while watching the first movie; once because the reaping scene was so emotional and once because I was finally seeing the movie and so happy/overwhelming. Nerdy, I know. :)

I love when a book overtakes my life! I'm currently reading, Born to Run; I can't put it down! The author much like myself wanted so much to love running that he kept trying, but really hated it and started getting injuries due to running. So what does he do? He keeps going to the doctor and they pretty much tell him to not run anymore. Much like me, he's really stubborn. So, he goes to Mexico in search of the Tamahumara tribe who can run for days, through impossible terrain. He wants to run like them.So, he searches for them, but they're hard to track. He finds them and well, that's about as far as I've gotten in two or three night of reading.

I've already finished a guidebook on Europe. That Rick Steves knows what he's talking about. I'm close to picking cities and setting an itinerary for my trip to Ireland; exciting!

Next, I'll start the second book in the Divergent series and then start an Ireland guidebook. The Divergent series is really addictive too. Very intense like Hunger Games, but not quite as good.