Maze Runner Trilogy

If you loved the Hunger Games, then you'll love Maze Runner.

That sounds like the print on the box of one of those knock-off perfumes doesn't it?

"If you love Escape by Calvin Klein, then you'll love..."

Well, this isn't a designer impostor.

If you loved the HG trilogy and are looking for a new book to read, you should definitely give Maze Runner a try!!

It falls into the same dystopian sci-fi category as the Hunger Games. The main character, Thomas, wakes up in this metal box...or a lift of some sort.  The only thing he remembers is his first name.  He can't remember where he's from or who his parents are...or what he was doing before he woke up in the box.  When the doors open, he is greeted by other kids of different ages.  They tell him that he's now in The Glade.  None of them know how they got there or why they are there.  Every evening, at the same time, the enormous concrete doors to The Maze close and no one wants to be stuck out there at night.  A new boy is delivered to the Glade every 30 days.  However, something different happens after Thomas gets there.  The very next day, a girl arrives.  It's the first time ever for a girl to be in the Glade and the first time they've ever got two new recruits in two days...and she brought a message.

No matter their differences, they have one common goal...to beat The Maze.

The second book, The Scorch Trials, hit the shelves today!!!

I'm so looking forward to diving into this sequel and learning more about the characters and the story line!  For those of you who love sagas and trilogies like me, there will be three books!  WOOT!

Have you read Maze Runner?  If so, what did you think of the book?

What book are you currently reading?

Mockingjay Review

It's been almost ten days since Mockingjay hit the shelves.

I'm so sad that it's already been released and I've devoured it. The end of a favorite book series is hard to swallow.  It's like when I was finished with Breaking Dawn...I just didn't want it to end. Ever. That's why I sent Steph all of those desperate letters.  Pleading with her to continue the story.  Wolves, half-breeds, vamps...I didn't care.

I feel the same way with Mockingjay.

I just didn't want it to end, but if the Hunger Games had to come to an end, Suzanne did a fabulous job tying up all the loose ends.

This third book was nothing short of spectacular.

She had all the important elements...suspense, thrills, romance.  It was all accounted for and present.  I loved the twists and turns of this final installment.  She kept the reader guessing until the very end.  I had a few possible endings conjured up in my mind and I didn't guess it.  I wasn't even close really.

To wrap up the high-lights, without giving any spoilers...

Katniss is still the fierce rebel,

girl on fire,

she's been from the beginning...

and she's still saving Peeta.

Gale is still at her side.

Haymitch still has her back.

Together they fight the Capitol until the very end.

The Mockingjay lives!

I cheered towards the end

and kissed my book.

I was in nerd heaven.

I definitely don't regret this...

 

I still feel just as passionate about it as the day I got it.

If you haven't read the series yet (even though I've told you to countless times), you should run out and buy the whole trilogy!  You won't be sorry!!

If you loved the Hunger Games, then I suggest you give The Maze Runner by James Dashner a try.  I read it last year after Catching Fire came out and I love it!  The sequel, The Scorch Trials, will be out on October, 12th!

What book or series of books are you into right now?

Cult Favorite

"Cult Favorite", those were the words on a shelf at Sephora last weekend when I had wondered in for some Lip Venom...Twilight "Blush" to be exact.  Ok, y'all.  I don't just use this stuff because they slapped "Twilight" on the label.  It's actually a great lip "plumper" and it's a stain.  It leaves a nice "blush" tint on your lips without all that oooey-gooeyness of some lip glosses.  PLUS, it's a FAB lip conditioner!  You can layer another lip stick or gloss over it.  I Love it!  And it doesn't hurt that it says this on the label:  "Twilight Venom should be shaken before use (to represent the blending of the human and vampire worlds) and can be applied repeatedly until desired intensity of color has been reached and lips are plumped and revitalized.  What else you need to know: With a customizable ruby stain that captures the blood red lips sported by fashionable vampires, Twilight Venom can let you play the part!"

So, back to the "Cult Favorite".  I have been a devout fan of Black Honey since I was 16.  I seriously used to spend more money on Black Honey than I did on gas.  My BFF and I thought there was no other lipstick other than Black Honey.  A few years ago, I don't know how many to be exact, I lose track, dipwads the powers that be at Clinique decided to quit making the beloved Black Honey.  However, just as I was saying earlier...I was meandering through Sephora and a sign caught my eye..."Cult Favorite"...

"Clinique brings back Black Honey"...the angels started singing and there was this soft glow coming from behind the makeup counter...Elvis was even there.  Wait.  There was no Elvis, but all that other stuff totally happened.  

Did I buy some?  You bet your almost lipstick I did!  Anybody else ever a fan of Black Honey?  Do you have your go-to make-up product that you would be/have been devastated about, if it wasn't made anymore?

Hope you guys are having a great week!

P.S.  We just found out last night that the beginning of school has been pushed back an entire week!  WOOT!  Makes me a happy girl!

P to the double S.  Change of plans.  It looks like we'll be making a family trek to Indiana after all.  Not technically a vacay, but we'll be getting away from the house, work, and daily life for a few days.  

Catching Fire Review

I just finished reading Catching Fire. It is written by Suzanne Collins and is the second book in The Hunger Games trilogy. The third book won't be out until next year. The first two books have been so good. I really love them and I can't wait for the third one to be out. Suzanne is a YA author, but these books are so much more in depth than most YA books. They have an amazing plot and she keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. I can never put them down once I start. They have a love twist to them and are full of suspense. She's created this whole new country called Panem, which used to be the United States, and she pulls in a lot of political undertones. I just can't say enough good things about them!

I am a sucker for twisted, undying love...can you tell? Seriously, if there isn't romance I don't want to read it, BUT if there is, it really does not matter what genre it is...I want it! Peeta's undying love for Katniss is so human and real. During the book, I can feel the anguish, the longing, the guilt, and the way that Katniss is torn between two loves. It's so strong and Suzanne delivers it so well. It's like it just jumps right off the page. No longer is it just words on a page, it's real. There is also a survival part of this book that I just can't get enough of. Katniss and Peeta are put in an unreal situation where they must survive the most gruesome of circumstances. You must read The Hunger Games first and then Catching Fire. They are not stand-alone or companion books, they must be read in order.

I promise that if you love romance or fantasy....you'll LOVE The Hunger Games!

Weekend Ramblings and Book Review

I just wanted to let you guys know that the Twilight Party was SO MUCH FUN! I'm serious. My husband thought I was completely crazy for wanting to go (well, he already knows I'm crazy, but crazy to a higher degree). My mom went with me. She's not a big Twilight fan, in fact she thinks I'm crazy too, but loves me so much that she tagged along and helped me with Isaiah...and stood in line so we could have another copy of the Borders Special Edition. Which by the way, was well worth it!! It came with not only the 2-disc DVD set, but also a set of these FABULOUS Twilight scene cards...they call them postcards, but they're so much more than that! Oh.My.Goodness. Ok, can you tell I'm still excited. I know, pretty ridiculous. I just love me some Twilight. I was introduced to a new term/acronym that is right up my alley...OME...Oh My Edward. Love that!

This is the only picture I thought to snap of the group...and this is just a small portion of them from when we were all sitting down to play a Twilight Trivia game. I know it looks like I'm surrounded by 12 year olds, but there were some there that were over 30.

Here's my coveted copy of the Twilight DVD! Not a very good picture, but the DVD itself is AWESOME!

Now, on to another little tid bit of information. I joined the Literacy Sisters Society. It's a blogging book club. Our first book to read was The Host by Stephenie Meyer. What an EXCELLENT choice. You all know how fantastic Stephenie is already. She, of course, wrote the saga most of us love and adore...TWILIGHT! I knew I would love this book, but I did not know how much I would love this book. Let me tell you...I love it a lot! The book is basically a sci-fi book for the non-sci-fi reader. It's about a girl, Melanie, who becomes the host body to a soul from another planet...or planets. I thought perhaps this book might go against everything I believe, but that is so not true. The book really speaks about humanity and love. It's about accepting people for who they are, and once again Stephenie introduces us to an unconventional kind of love. It's wonderful! I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who would like to read it, so I won't say too much more.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week!!