The BIG TBR Pile

Just to give you an idea of how many books sound interesting to me compared to how many I can read and have read recently my Goodreads profile now tells me I have read and reviewed 133 books and I am currently reading 3 books and my to read folder has 201 books in it. If you're interested I am posting the widget for my Goodreads TBR list below. It is constantly changing, but this might give you an idea of how big "My Pile of Books" is!

Stacey's to-read book montage

Stacey's favorite books »

Review CATCHING FIRE by Suzanne Collins

CATCHING FIRE
by Suzanne Collins
Published September 1st 2009 by Scholastic Press
Hardcover, 391 pages
PLACEMENT IN THE PILE: Top Picks!

WARNING: IF YOU HAVE NOT YET READ HUNGER GAMES DO NOT READ ON AND GO READ IT!

ABOUT:
Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

REVIEW:
Firstly I have to say this is the best book I have read and reviewed for this blog so far. It is fascinating, makes you think, and has some incredible twists that I didn't expect!

I hope I gave you time this weekend to read the book. If you have not don't worry, I am not spoiling anything in this review. But you may want to avoid comments as I think those might get more book specific.

My first impression was that the voice is a little less minimalistic, and that Katniss is explaining a lot more than she used to. Honestly the beginning of the book is written so that it would be possible to pick up this book and read it without reading the first one, but I think you would be missing a lot of the emotion.

It made me cry, it shocked me, it introduced me to new characters that I love, and included all of my old favorites. Peeta surprised me in this novel. I no longer picture him the way I did before, and neither does Katniss. There are moments where I figured things out before Katniss did, but I think that it not only stays true to her character but develops her in a way that we the readers never imagined.

My biggest complaint with this novel is it is the quintessential middle book in the series. The book ends in a big cliffhanger because it is obviously not finished. The first book I felt like I NEED more, this book I felt like the story needs more. There is a big difference.

Suzanne Collins is simply brilliant. Her novels could not be more poignant for the world we live in today. I cannot wait for the next book!

If you are interested here is an interview with Suzanne Collins where she discusses where she got her ideas for the Hunger Games books. HERE.

Review SHIVER by Maggie Stiefvater

SHIVER
by Maggie Stiefvater
Published: August 1st 2009 by Scholastic Press
Hardcover, 392 pages

PLACEMENT IN THE PILE: Reaching New Heights

ABOUT:
For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever. (from Goodreads)


REVIEW: (By SaraJ!)
I really liked this book a lot. The writing is beautiful, hauntingly so at times, and very emotional. The love story is moving and believable. It is an interesting take on the werewolf and I'm interested to hear the discussion at my book club. I was slightly disgruntled by the ending - because I wanted more! :-) As a mother, I found some of the situations/scenes described as somewhat disturbing and emotional. But overall, it was definitely worth the read. I’ve heard people say if you like Twilight, you’ll like it – I think that is true to some degree, but not completely. This has a much more melancholy feel to it than Twilight.

I know many readers out there are moms and want to know the content of books (to know whether they want to let their kids read it or not), so here’s my way of “helping”. I like to give books a rating, as if they were a movie. SHIVER would be PG-13 for violence, disturbing images/situations, language and sexual content.

The sequel, LINGER, will be published in 2010, also by Scholastic.