Bookworm 2013

Nothing like a "snowcation" to get me to write a blog post!

My goal last year was to read about a book a month, but I still read 10, so that's close enough, right?! Especially considering most of these were read before school started.

Of the ten books, no less than four are being made into movies, and two into a TV show. Does that mean I'm trendy or something?


THE BIG SCREEN:
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
      This was the first book I read in the new year and although it was interesting, it was SO DEPRESSING. It's about teenage cancer patients, need I say more? I can't say much without giving away the ending, but it was definitely emotional and tugged at the heart strings. If you're ready for a roller coaster, give this one a try. With that said, I'll probably skip this one in the theater.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
      Like many others, I absolutely loved this book... until the ending. I'm a sucker for thrillers, and this was all that and then some. What made it even more suspenseful was having to wait to finish because I had to turn it back in without having read it all and be put back on the waiting list! Pure torture. It is going to make a fabulous movie I'm sure. However, the one thing that will make me wary of seeing it is the same thing that makes me hesitant to recommend it to some: the "f word" was literally on just about every page of this book. I found it very distracting at times, and highly unnecessary to the story. Hopefully they'll tone it down a bit for the movie!

Matched and Crossed by Ally Condie
     Yes, I realize I read way too many dystopian trilogies. Which is funny, because in high school they made us read all kinds of dystopian fiction and I hated it! They just weren't as thoroughly intriguing as the ones now! Anyway, I have not finished this trilogy (these are the first two), but in these books, teenagers are "matched" with the person they are going to marry, and they have no choice in the matter. They are super fun reads, definitely page turners. I originally had this review in "the rest" section, but then saw they are making movies out of these too! Wow!


THE SMALL SCREEN: 
Requiem and Annabel by Lauren Oliver
     Requiem is the last book of the Delirium trilogy, which I have reviewed in previous Bookworms. After being rather disappointed by the second book, the third one was back to the standard of the beginning. It wrapped up the story very nicely and I will be interested to see how they make this into a television series! If you enjoy The Hunger Games and the like, this is another easy to read trilogy to hold your interest.


THE BEST:
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
     This is quite possibly one of the best books I've read. I could not put it down! The premise is deceptively simple-- a future dystopia, where most of their lives are lived in a "virtual oasis." A world wide video game contest begins and they must survive in the game, if they want to survive in the real world. I know that sounds super nerdy, and maybe it is, but I can't begin to tell you how great this book is. In addition to lots of suspense, there are tons of random pop culture references, which are vital to the contest. It was a completely fun read and by far the best book I read last year!


THE WORST:
The Last Summer (of You and Me) by Ann Brashares
     I had such high hopes for this book. This is the author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, after all. And I tried to like it, I really did. But I just didn't. The characters were annoying and their actions frustrating. The first two thirds of the book was way too drawn out and could have been cut in half. It finally picked up near the end, but by then I didn't care anymore. Don't waste your time with this book!


THE REST: 
The Aviary by Kathleen O' Dell
     The cover alone should make you want to read this book. Seriously. I read this book in two days over Christmas break. It started out a little slow but picked up quickly. It has a cool gothic feel, as well as The Secret Garden elements. I don't want to say too much, as I am hosting a book club in a couple of weeks on this very book! Good, easy read though.

The Top of the Rock: Inside the Rise and Fall of Must See TV by Warren Littlefield
     If you are a pop culture junkie like me, then you will probably thoroughly enjoy this book. Otherwise, you will most likely be bored to tears. I loved this behind the scenes look at the inner workings of NBC during its 'golden years.' You know, when they had shows like Seinfeld, Frasier and Friends, and were at the top of the ratings heap? There are contributions by many different producers, actors and writers, adding to the appeal. It's almost like an expanded version of Entertainment Weekly!