Movie Review: Catching Fire

Last night, I went out to see this movie and it was AMAZING! I loved it. There were parts that I had forgotten about the book and I loved the way the movie captured my feelings on the book. I loved the twists and turns that I didn't remember. I think this book was my favorite in the trilogy, the movie made me fall in love all over again. The movie was perfect. It was strong with bits of humor, sadness, and fierceness. 

My favorite smaller role characters were back including Cinna and Caesar.

I even grew to like Effie in this movie.

The final shot took me by surprise, and I'm intrigued to see where this might lead. 

Did you see it yet? What are your thoughts? 

Catching Fire Teaser Trailer

This looks SO good! I can't wait until November!

Sunday Matinee: Hunger Games

I've been waiting for this movie for forever it seems. I couldn't wait a minute more and went to the midnight showing on Thursday night.  While there were some differences from the book, I really thought it was well done. I loved it.

Differences my husband and I noticed:  
the introduction of the pin
The saluting of Katniss
Prim (was she so terrified at the reaping in the book?)

Moments they tried to include but lost significance: 
The bread moment
The long talks between Peeta and Katniss both before the games and during the games
Haymitch's drinking problem and the deal he made with Peeta and Katniss

I heard teens in the library talking - most loved it. There was one girl who didn't like it because she felt it missed the romance of the book.

My husband and I talked about that too. I thought the romance seemed forced from Katniss's perspective, but that it was supposed to feel that way. Chris remembered her being unsure in the book - but feeling something. I thought that didn't happen until the second book.

We also had different viewpoints on the Cinna/Katniss relationship. the movie didn't show the development of the relationship - how he was unique in the Capitol, more human.  With the style team not in the movie, it made it hard to see how different he was from the others. Aside from the gold on his eyes, he didn't share the crazy fashion of the Capitol. They were close in the movie, but the relationship seems more significant in the books.

Moments that stood out for me:

The scenes between Katniss and Prim (I teared up at these scenes)


Rue's scenes:

Caesar - was great for comic relief

The Capitol costumes were amazing

How the games were controlled:  a great addition to the movies that was not detailed in the book - really cool!

Overall:
I thought it was true to the book. I loved Katniss and Peeta. I thought all the characters were well done.

 I thought the violence was handled really well - it wasn't too gruesome, but it wasn't cut out either. It was significant but not graphic.

All in all - a great movie. I hope to show it at the library. Everyone I know is buzzing about it - if they've seen it, when they're going, and what they thought of it.

What did you think of it?

Proof that I really Am a YABookNerd

This morning was our Halloween party for the kids at the library. Check out a video here to see some the fun.

Some of our staff dressed up, my self included

Here I am: In all Katniss's glory

Here I am posing under a picture of Katniss herself from the Hunger Games movie:

Note the duct tape quiver, the reed and paper arrows, and my tree branch bow - all environmental friendly and costing nothing.

Hunger Games poster reveal

Just released and looks AMAZING!!!!!

Meeting Suzanne Collins!

Last Friday, I met Suzanne Collins during a signing of Mockingbird. I even waited to read the stamped book, which was hard as it kept me off blogs and most of the internet for days. It was hosted by RJ Julia's but held off site. This bookstore always has amazing authors. I've met so many great ones there!

In honor of the event, I wore a special shirt.

Here she is waiting in the wings before coming up to the stage









Here she is on the stage where she read a little bit of Catching Fire for the audience to fully appreciate Katniss's voice before diving in and reading in the first few pages of Mockingjay.









Then we all waited in line. Here she is stamping my friend - a fellow librarian's - book and chatting with her. There wasn't much time to chat, but it was awesome nonetheless.

I wish there had been a Q&A as there were several questions I wanted answered, but it was still great fun. Plus I won a door prize! - a Hunger Games bag clip, which I think I can alternate and use it as a necklace or bracelet!


Finally, I chatted with her and asked her to pose of a READ poster:

Spotted: Hunger Games 3

Looks awesome right?

Coming to you August 24th.

The day can't come soon even for me. I LOVE this series

Catching Fire

IS FINALLY HERE.

I was lucky enough to know someone who received an ARC and she shared it with me. And it's SO good. I'm watching the videos over at Borders with Suzanne Collins.

I thought this book was excellent. In the beginning, Katniss deals with the fame of winning the games and the fallout from her fake relationship with Peeta. But it's not easy to let go of that relationship for personal reason (the nightmares at night) and the political reasons (their story is the reason they won the game). Nor it is easy for her friends at home - particularly Gale. She can't be seen in public with him too often and never emotionally involved. Instead, she's Peeta's girl...only she's not. And she's so confused about the two boys. Secretly she wants to start a rebellion and end the games. As she travels to each district for parades, she's aware of discontent in the districts and it's only a matter of time before a spark sets everything off and there's a full blown rebellion. However, President Snow's not happy with the ending of the games and he's made his position quite clear to Katniss. If he thinks going to make her marry Peeta and sit quietly while her friends suffer, he doesn't know Katniss. Before she can put any plan into action, the Hunger Game rules are announced. This year for the 75th anniversary, they will draw the contestants from the winners in each district.
Now Katniss and Peeta need a new plan - because they're going back again. This time they're each a bit smarter and craftier and they each have a hidden agenda. Can they outsmart the games a second time?

I loved this book and it did surpass most of my expectations. There were things I wish Katniss had seen earlier and that frustrated me. Plus the first part of the book, there wasn't much action, except her comparing her feelings towards Gale and Peeta. However, once the games were announced, I was glued to the edge of my seat. I can't even begin to guess what will happen next and I'm desperately waiting for the next installment.

Best Books of 2008

Purge (I know this comes out next year, but It's AWESOME. Everyone should read it.)

Hunger Games: Crazy Good

Audrey, Wait: funny, very funny

Skies over Sweetwater: great historical tale -about a little known piece of history

13 Reasons Why: tapes from a girl who committed suicide

Monday Update: books, tv, sneak peeks

Last Night, I got my 24 fix after 2 years. But it wasn't nearly enough of the show. I don't really remember the last season and this was a short, in between seasons update. It was heartwrenching, but very different from the usual episodes.

Over the weekend (really on my day off on Friday) I finally finished the Hunger Games
which I started earlier in the week and was extremely hard to put down - very problematic when you're require to be at work

It's set in a world where the government reminds the districts who attempted, but failed to overthrow the government, that they are in supreme control. They set up an elaborate game where two children from each district must travel to the Capital and fight for their survival while the whole worlds watches the Hunger Games. There is only one winner in these game, it's either kill or be killed.
In an unlucky drawing, Katniss's sister is chosen, but Katniss volunteers to take her place. The other chosen one from district 12 is a boy Katniss owes a debt. He once threw her some burnt bread, when she and her family were in desperate times. Now they're training together. Katniss has been secretly hunting for years to feed her family, which gives her an edge when the talent judging begins.
These games are not just fatal - they're also entertainment. The contestants have sponsors based on their rate for survival. The sponsors can get them anything they need during the games. Katniss and Peeta know this, and they're starting to play a game to gain more favor points with the audience. But is the game turning into reality for one of them? And how will it help them in the long run, when they come face to face in the game? Who will be the ultimate winner?

I'd heard many people (mostly librarians) talking about this book - which prompted me to read it. And I'm ever so glad I did. It's amazing, one of my favorite books all year. I simply can't wait for the next one.

Another book I'm interested in reading. (comes out in June)

Waiting to get our hands on Envy after the cliff hanger ending of Rumors?
simply check out this snippet in hopes that it will last you to January.


The 5th and last Jess Darling book comes out in April. But you can out find out a bit more here
while I'm interested in the ending, the last book disappointed me a bit. Still, I do want to find out what happens.