Tune in Tuesday (1)

Tune in Tuesday is hosted each Tuesday by Ginger at GReads. The idea is to share a song that you love, whether it's new or old, in order to spread some music around the blogosphere.

My choice is...

 The Hanging Tree (Hunger Games Arrangment) by adrisaurus

So normally, I wouldn't choose a fan arranged song/cover, but come on. I may barely remember anything about The Hanging Tree in Mockingjay (page 123), but this rendition is so eerie and amazing.
Gotta love bookish music ;)

Top Ten Tuesday (4)

For more information on how to participate in Top Ten Tuesday and this week's topic, visit The Broke and Bookish for details!
Top Ten Books On My TBR List For Winter
1. Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood - I think I might have died when I got this one in the mail. The gorgeous cover! And it's about witches! It can't go wrong. 
2. Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne - Odd occurrences, red stained hands, mysteries...I'm totally in.  
3. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater - I really want to see what all the fuss is about, because it seems like everyone is raving about this book. Deadly water horses? Beautiful prose? It just sounds amazing. 
4. The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey - Aylee's review convinced me to buy it, and the Printz Honor award on the cover was pretty convincing too, so it's sitting impatiently on my shelf until I get to it.
5. Article 5 by Kristen Simmons - I have very high hopes for this one, so I hope it manages to be unique in a sea of dystopians. 
6. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - I have read and reviewed this trilogy already, but with the upcoming movie, I feel like I need a refresher before spring. 
7. Harry Potter series by JK Rowling - Yet another reread I want to do, especially with a series I already adore. Magic, surprises, great world building and fantastic characters...you can't go wrong with a JK Rowling book. 
8. Forgotten by Cat Patrick - I love the sound of the plot, very Memento-like. I can't wait to see what happens.
9. Graceling by Kristin Cashore - I only vaguely remember this book, so I think it's time it got bumped up in my TBR pile (especially since Cashore's newest book will be out in the summer). 
10. Brightest Kind of Darkness by PT Michelle - After reading Melissa's review, this book got pushed up much higher on my TBR list. Any story with a great protagonist automatically gets me interested.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Book: Mockingjay

Author: Suzanne Collins

Release: August 24th, 2010

Source: Bought

My Summary (skip if you haven't read previous books): 

Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice, and she's still haunted by the experiences from both Games. Her home has been destroyed, most of the people of her district too, except for whoever managed to escape to District 13.

At least she has her family, and her friend. Yet there are still people that need to be recovered, and death is on every corner.

Katniss goes from being used by the Capital to being used by the rebels. They need their Mockingjay, and Katniss is what everyone expects. But she isn't so sure that she is who they want her to be, or if she can be. In the end, she has to decide who to trust, who to fight for and who to fight with. 

Review: I think I'm still in shock, and it's been more than a month since I read Mockingjay.

I remember thinking that Catching Fire was an "emotional" book, but this one takes that description very easily. Katniss is far more raw, broken and different than the fierce, protective girl she was in The Hunger Games. All of this war has taken its toll on her. I've got to admit, I really was annoyed with Katniss on virtually every page. She didn't make decisions, she just followed and let everyone make her decisions for her.

The relationships in this novel were more strained. The friendships, romance, and some of the outcomes really broke my heart. This isn't a happy story, its very raw and depressing. I had to put it down a couple times because it just got to be a bit much. At the end, you just might need a pick-me-up of some sort, so whatever perks you up (candy, cheesy movies, whatever), make sure you have it on hand because you'll need it.

In Mockingjay, the fire that began in Catching Fire has truly burned sky high, and not everyone will walk away alive.

Highlights: Plenty of epic, jaw-dropping moments. And honestly, this book really got to me. There were surprises, and characters I was sad to see go. I was up, I was down, I was thrilled, and I was pissed off. It got me to spiral through a series of emotions, and I have to hand it to Collins for making me care about these characters, this story, this trilogy. I'm sorry to see it end. 

Lowlights: There were some decisions, particularly one scene in the end where a vote takes place that I disliked. I felt it went against everything the characters were working towards. There were a few other things too, like how Katniss never actually chooses her own path, future, even a guy. It's all done for her, and that kind of bothers me.

Rating:  

Reviews of other books in this trilogy:

The Hunger Games 

Catching Fire 

In My Mailbox 34

IMM is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie. 

For review:

When I Was Joe by Keren David

Pre-ordered back in March:

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins 

(I think I'm still in shock about how it ended)

Borrowed from a friend:

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Received:

Swag from Denise Jaden

Thanks to Jessica (and Keren for contacting me), Theresa, and Denise! =)

What did you guys get this week? 

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Book: Catching Fire (Hunger Games #2)

Author: Suzanne Collins

Release: September 2009 (hardcover)

Source: previously bought

My Summary (SPOILER FOR 1st BOOK!):

After surviving the Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta both try to live their lives as normally as they can. Only problem is that everyone is supposed to believe they're in love, some Districts are starting to unsettle and rebel, and it all just might be Katniss's fault.

Katniss struggles with her feelings before she's off for the victory tour, unable to truly love Peeta, but things with Gale aren't going well either. Yet she has more important things to worry about, like just what does President Snow plan to do if she fails to help smother the unrest in the districts?

Review: More shocking than a bolt of lightning, Catching Fire lives up to it's predecessor.

With a slow-moving beginning, we find Katniss and Peeta both living in ease after surviving the Hunger Games. Yet, Katniss isn't happy. She's got a lot to deal with in this story. Everyone, and I mean everyone, is expecting something from her, and she just doesn't know if she has what they want and what it takes. The stakes, the risks, and consequences are so much higher in Catching Fire.

What I noticed the most was how Collins managed to make me really care about each character. I was on the edge of my seat, literally worrying about some of them, and whether or not they would be okay. I could connect better with them this time around. 

The pacing does pick up, and once it does, it's a non-stop thrill to read. I still cannot believe where this story went, I'm still stunned even months after reading it. I dare you to read Catching Fire, and to put it down halfway through (because it really just isn't possible without curiosity getting the better of you).

Highlights: The twists! The turns! The "Oh my gosh, did that really just happen" moments! Collins far exceeded my expectations of this story, and it's very obvious that she really does think about everything and plots it smartly. I can't wait to see where Mockingjay goes when I get it! :)

Lowlights: The beginning fails to really get going, as I said earlier. It was slow to spark my attention. Yet, I think the halfway point through the ending really made up for it. 

Rating:   

Reviews of other books in this trilogy:

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Book: The Hunger Games (Hunger Games Trilogy #1)

Author: Suzanne Collins

Release: now in paperback (July 3rd)

Source: Bought

My Summary:

In a futuristic society, the United States is no more. In it's place is Panem, and only twelve of the original thirteen districts remain.

Katniss Everdeen, a resident of the coal-producing District Twelve, prepares for The Reaping by making sure that her little sister Prim has as few entries as possible. Yet, against the odds, Prim is picked and Katniss volunteer's in her place to be a tribute for the yearly Hunger Games.

She knows the odds aren't good. 24 tributes in all, and only one can survive. It will be a fight to the death, against people she cares about, and only the strong and smart can survive...

Review: Action-filled, surprising moments, smartly plotted and equally smart characters...can this book get any better?

The Hunger Games is one of those series that is addictive, smart, and very well plotted. She uses the skills her father taught her about hunting in order to help her family survive (which is illegal). She hunts with her best friend Gale, to keep both their families alive and well. However, once Katniss becomes a tribute, she has to focus on one thing only: survival. Staying true to her character, Katniss doesn't become some bloodthirsty beast, she gets smart, uses her wits and skills in the arena, as well as forms alliances...but only one person can survive in the end.

Each character is well developed, with their own personalities. I didn't like every character, but that's what made them all more real to me, because you can't like everyone (although, I loved Haymitch! So funny!). 

The description flows perfectly, the surprises don't fail to shock, and the end gives you both fulfillment (there's nothing too cliffhangerish) and curiosity for the next installment, Catching Fire.

This trilogy is perfect for anyone who enjoys a good dystopia novel, with action, adventure, a dash of romance, and plenty of moments where you will be unable to tear yourself away from the book.

Highlights: In a game of survival, I didn't know what to expect next. I love how smart Katniss is, and she uses everything she has. The girl is smart, and focused, which is wonderful to read about. I enjoyed Collins' writing as well, it's very easy to fall into and get caught up in the story.

Lowlights: I'm not really a fan of the name "Katniss", but it's grown on me through the years. And really, it's kind of a petty thing to consider a "lowlight". 

Rating:   

Reviews of other books in this trilogy:

Catching Fire (to come soon)

Mockingjay (to come once I get it and read it!)

Waiting On Wednesday (time two!)

WOW is hosted by Breaking the Spine

Book: Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3)

Author: Suzanne Collins

Release date: August 24th, 2010

Summary: 

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss’s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins’s groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year.

Book: The Replacement

Author: Brenna Yovanoff

Release date: September 21st, 2010

Summary: 

Mackie Doyle is not one of us. Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, he comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement, left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is fighting to survive in the human world.

Mackie would give anything to live among us, to practice on his bass or spend time with his crush, Tate. But when Tate's baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem. He must face the dark creatures of the Slag Heaps and find his rightful place, in our world, or theirs.

Edward Scissorhands meets The Catcher in the Rye in this wildly imaginative and frighteningly beautiful horror novel about an unusual boy and his search for a place to belong.

I'm so excited for Mockingjay, I'd had my copy pre-ordered for months before I even read my copy of Catching Fire (which yes, I finally read back in April). Can't wait to see what happens next!

The Replacement sounds so different, I'm definitely curious about it!