Let's Talk: Graduation and The Hunger Games

You know how I said that I wouldn't be around for the latter half of my senior year final semester?

Well, that time has passed. College is over.

AND I AM FREE! 

I am so excited to be a (mostly) free woman! Think about all the books I can read when homework isn't a thing?

I mean, I'm going to be working full time and all of that jazz, but I read for a straight three hours the other night. I don't remember the last time I was able to do that! 

Now, for the more pressing matter, I did a final senior project/research paper on a media theory look at certain Young Adult novels. 

I chose The Hunger Games as a focus and was greatly shocked to discover that my itty bitty like I had for the book upon first read has grown into an obsession. 

I read The Hunger Games years ago, and I liked it. I actually liked it a lot, but I never felt the need to continue which for me says a lot. Upon this second read I was so much more drawn into it and now I am eagerly continuing on with the series. 

After my first read I wanted to continue, as I had really enjoyed book one, but Catching Fire ended up being a DNF for me.

This goes to show that you can't judge a book completely even when you read it. I know this sounds odd, but at the point in my life when I first picked up The Hunger Games I didn't get it... but now I SO GET IT. 

I just wasn't ready then. Now I'm over here like... 

So, next time you think you aren't feeling something just give it five years.

 It will come eventually.

Have you ever read a book later on and felt completely different? 

Let me know in the comments! 

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine! 

Just read this synopsis and tell me how excited you are! 

Release Date: February 9, 2016

Blackbeard the pirate was known for striking fear in the hearts of the bravest of sailors. But once he was just a young man who dreamed of leaving his rigid life behind to chase adventure in faraway lands. Nothing could stop him—until he met the one girl who would change everything. This is their story.
Edward "Teach" Drummond, son of one of Bristol's richest merchants, has just returned from a year-long journey on the high seas to find his life in shambles. Betrothed to a girl he doesn’t love and sick of the high society he was born into, Teach dreams only of returning to the vast ocean he’d begun to call home. There's just one problem: convincing his father to let him leave and never come back.
Following her parents' deaths, Anne Barrett is left penniless and soon to be homeless. Though she’s barely worked a day in her life, Anne is forced to take a job as a maid in the home of Master Drummond. Lonely days stretch into weeks, and Anne longs for escape. How will she ever realize her dream of sailing to Curaçao—where her mother was born—when she's stuck in England? 
From the moment Teach and Anne meet, they set the world ablaze. Drawn to each other, they’re trapped by society and their own circumstances. Faced with an impossible choice, they must decide to chase their dreams and go, or follow their hearts and stay.

I know, right?!  

This one looks oh so promising, I can hardly contain the excitement! 

What are you waiting for this week? 

Top Ten Tuesday - YA Fantasy 101 Syllabus

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the Broke and the Bookish! 

I know this is coming a wee bit late, but this is one subject I can get behind! 

Here is what would be on my YA Fantasy Syllabus... 

Beginning with: 

Early Young Adult Fiction

Transitioning to... 

Mid-Century Young Adult

1980's to 2000's.. 

Late 1990's-Present day

Harry Potter (because you can't not have Harry Potter...) 

And..

All of these books I have loved immensely and I feel like they all have different bits of wonderful to add to a classroom. 

What is on your syllabus?