The Bean Town Reader

I am about 6 chapters into The Rest of Us Just Live Here and so far I am really liking it. Its very different. The story follows Mickey, his family, and his group of friends. In most stories when something goes wrong (for example, vampires take over your town and people start dropping dead left and right) the story is told through the voice of the hero. This story however, is written in the perspective of everyone else. Your every day person who is just watching the event happen and not able to do anything about it. 

I really love Patrick Ness's writing style and everything I love about it reflects in this book so far! 

So far I would recommend this book to you, but stay tuned for a review.

Being a child of the 90's, and being a child that grew up loving books, of course this series would win my favorite series. Harry Potter is what really got me into reading. I had a lot of trouble reading when I was in grade school. I was a very slow reader and couldn't comprehend what I was reading and could retain any information. I went to special classes that helped my get through that and Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone was the book I chose to practice with. I remember sitting in bed every night with my mom reading. It was such a magical moment when I finished the first book and realized I had captured the story. 

I instantly fell in love with this series and anxiously awaited every new book. I was so sad when the last book came out and it hit me that that was it. It was over. But! Harry Potter will never really be over.

As J.K.Rowling said "Whether you come back by page or big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home."

Okay now I wasn't completely disappointed in this book, but I was enough so that I never continued on with the series. I will say I really liked Scott Westerfelds writing style. I love the way he write young characters without making them seem juvenile and immature. I also really like the way he writes about love. 

BUT...I didn't like the story. It was an interesting concept but I just don't feel it was perfectly executed. It seemed like it was suppose to be a slap in the face to societies strict guidelines of what is beautiful, but I felt it was much to literal. 

Isn't that just such a beautiful cover! Its so bright and fun and happy. When I saw that todays challenge was favorite title, I knew it would be a Jennifer E. Smith book. She has such unique titles but this one is definitely my favorite. This is also my favorite book by Jennifer E. Smith.

This book is so freaking creepy! I loved this book so much! The end, if you have read it you will know, is crazy! I was floored. It was such a good twist to keep the reader hooked and ready for the next book in the series.

I have to say though..I haven't continued with the series. Ahh I know Im a bad reader! haha. I just have so many other books to read that I put it off. Also I usually wait to read a series until all the books are released. I love to marathon through series but I read this book right when it came out and then by the time the next book came out I had lost the awestruck feeling of the ending and thought "eh it can wait."

So by the time I get to reading the second and third book I will probably just reread this first book and marathon through the series.

Anyway I highly recommend this book!

Okay so I haven't actually read this book yet, but its the only book on my shelves with snowflakes on it. Im sure you have all seen/heard of this book a million times but again it was the only option I had for this challenge.

I have had the book for a few years now and really want to read it but every December my TBR just doesn't have the space for it and it doesn't feel right to read it any other month.

Perhaps this year I will be able to get through it. 

So there you have it. Those are my book photo challenge answers for the first week of December. I hope you enjoyed! To see my answers daily you can follow me on instagram. (linked above in my introduction)

Until my next post, Have a wonderful day!

What an amazing end to an even more amazing trilogy! In the final installment to The Hunger Games we join Katniss is District 13 where the rebellion is strong and ever growing. Katniss has agreed to be the face of the rebellion as the mocking jay. She spends a lot of her time filming propo films that they hack into the Capitals broadcast system. 

Peeta being a hostage in the Capital was such a devastating part of the story. I hated reading about his declining health and appearance, but it is what keeps Katniss going. Just knowing that he is alive and the plans to rescue him keeps her focused on what is important. As I said in my review of The Hunger Games I love that she isn't your typical heroine. She doesn't go looking for trouble, and doesn't want to be a part of the rebellion but sacrifices so much to save the people she loves. 

Once again, and finally, I gave this book a 5 out of 5 stars. So there you have it a 5 out of 5 series. If you still haven't read it, I don't know what else I can say to make you go read it. 

The Hunger Games is the story of Katniss Everdeen, a young girl who lives in a dystopian United States where the outer districts are ruled by the fearsome Capital. Every year each of the 12 districts is to offer up "tributes", one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18, at the reaping. These "tributes" are then swept to the Capital to train and participate in The Hunger Games, where they will fight to the death until a only one is left alive. The "victor" is then sent to live in the victors village and be taken care of for the rest of their lives. This year Katniss is 16 years old and her younger sister Primrose is 12, it will be Prim's first year to have her name in the reaping. Katniss is awestruck when Prim's name is chosen from the bowl of potential female tributes. She does the only thing she can think of, she volunteers so take her sisters place in the Games, along with the male tribute, Peeta Mellark, the bakers son. Katniss is thrown into the Games with some knowledge of hunting but doesn't hold much hope for herself.

I can't say it enough, I LOVE THIS SERIES. I have now read The Hunger Games three times, and every time I fall in love with the story and characters more and more. I think what I love most, and what makes this my favorite dystopian series I have read is that Katniss isn't the typical hero/heroine. She didn't go looking to be in the spotlight. The last place she wanted to be was in The Hunger Games and kill innocent children because of a war that happened over 70 years earlier. By volunteering for her sister Katniss starts a bit of a spark. She is the first person in her district, District 12 the coal mining district, to ever volunteer for someone. The scene when she hears Prim's name called after Katniss assured her there was no way her name could be called, was so powerful. Katniss did the only thing she could think to do to save her sister. 

I didn't find the fight scenes as gruesome as I had first heard. Of course the concept of The Hunger Games is revolting. Children being thrown into an arena full of weapons they are suppose to use to kill each other? Not so nice. So I wouldn't tell you to go into this story expecting happiness, fun, and fair governments. But I will say the love that I felt while reading this book was incredible. Suzanne Collins's style of writing love really makes that love jump off of the pages and work its way into your heart. Not only the love between Katniss and Peeta (which of course is swoon worthy) but even the love Katniss has for her sister and mother and best friend Gale. I truly felt the love seep into my soul as I read. 

I can honestly say there is not one negative comment I can make about this book. I loved every bit of it! I gave this book a solid 5 out of 5 stars. (if I could give it more I totally would) If you haven't read this book I strongly urge you to go out right now and pick it up...Go on your ereader and get it...however you can get your hands on this book right this very minute, do it! I will recommend this book to anyone of any age, or gender. It is an amazing story and you're missing out if you haven't read it!