My Review: MOCKINGJAY by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In the third and final installment of THE HUNGER GAMES trilogy - MOCKINGJAY - Suzanne Collins delivers yet another poignant - albeit much darker - storyline.

The book opens with Katniss now a member of society in District 13 - a district once believed to have been obliterated by the Capitol.

Life in her new district becomes a series of robotic movements, as everyone is required to adhere to a strict schedule, which is imposed to help mandate all resources. President Coin is in charge of the District and with her firm hand, persuades Katniss to become the Mockingjay - the iconic symbol needed to band all district rebels together, to fight back against the Capitol.

Armed with Gale at her side, a list of requirements in order to become the Mockingjay - which includes immunity for all prior Hunger Game tributes, amongst a host of other needs - Katniss accepts the position of her new role as the Mockingjay...and yet again, is thrown into the spot light - constantly being televised to spread encouragement across Panem and trigger the rise of the Rebels to fight back against President Snow and his army of PeaceKeepers.

And in order for President Snow to retaliate against all that the Mockingjay represents, he uses Peeta - who was captured at the end of the last Hunger Games, when Katniss was rescued - against her, controlling everything about him, from what he says, to how he acts. However, a small part of Peeta still exists, as he manages to get out a warning to District 13, about an impending attack - saving the lives of all those in the District.

The story continues with a successful rescue of Peeta, as well as several other captive Tributes - only to find that Peeta has been the victim of being "hijacked"...a process in which the Capitol inflicts severe torture along with chemical enhancements, in order to turn him against Katniss. It now appears that the once loving and admiring Peeta, is gone for good.

Coming to grips with a new Peeta that has so much anger and hate towards Katniss, she opts to leave District 13 and hit the front lines of the Rebel attack in the Capitol.

Facing a constant uphill battle, Collins' flings every assault imaginable, our heroine's way...making it almost impossible to believe that anyone will be left standing. By the last few pages, I found myself upset many times over, at the ease in which she'd killed off those that Katniss loved - however, I will admit, survival of all involved, was never something Collins' promised.

Collins' tale - while sometimes extreme - unfolded a realistic story of what one could expect during war...the bitterness Katniss experiences, along with the harsh reality of how life changes. And all of this kept diligently to the overall theme that she set up from page one of THE HUNGER GAMES.

MOCKINGJAY was beautiful in all it's anger and masterfully written - and I know my stalling to read it, was only because I didn't want it to end. Overall, all three books in this trilogy, have made it into my top 10 of all time. And all three are a definite MUST read, without a doubt.

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September Writing Challenge - Are YOU Game?

What's Your Writing Goal?

I recently joined a fabulous on-line writers group: The Write Brained Network, which I'm absolutely loving! 

Every month, they start a new discussion called WordWatcher's, where anyone who wants to participate, sets a writing goal - be it number of words for the month, by week, day, amount of time, etc. - it doesn't matter how you measure it, only that you do in some way and that you actually try to obtain it. 

Last month, I started to do this on my own (it was before I'd joined the WB Network). And it wasn't about cramming to get as many words on the page - but instead, it was all about working towards a realistic goal of getting quality words into my WIP (work in progress, for those that might not be aware of that acronym). Setting a goal, striving for it, then finally achieving it - it equates to the same feeling of finally checking off one of your "To-Do's" on the long list of To-Do's (for all of you "list" people, you know exactly what I'm talking about...and I know you're out there!).  

Besides, who would I be, if I didn't compete against myself?

So, with that - here are my stats for August: 

Week of 8.1 - 8.8: 4,548 
Week of 8.9 - 8.15: 6,091
Week of 8.16 - 8.22: 15,849 (12,877 completed just between that Saturday, to Sunday night)
Week of 8.23 - 8.29:  8,617

Total Word Count for August: 35,105

Now granted, the third week of August was something of a phenomenon for me - especially to hit almost 13k in just TWO days! But who am I to argue with my muse, when she finally decides to pop in for a visit? Truly, this is something that's only happened three times this year...to be able to write without wanting to stop. Not even wanting to get up for food - and having to be reminded by my fabulous critique partner, to not forget my day to day job of living (and yes, a BIG thank you to Heidi - my CP - for sending email reminders to actually pry my fingers away from the computer every once in awhile!). It was the thought that I'd become one of "those writers"that finally got me up - well that, and I really had to use the restroom!

Either way, I blew my writing goal out of the water...in fact, I pretty much quadrupled it. 

Considering the huge success August was for me - what is a realistic goal to set for September, you might ask?

Well - again, I'd like to make sure that I'm not just writing down words, just for the sake of writing them down...but instead, I'd like to see if I can continue to keep my muse entertained enough, to stick around for the next several weeks. So, my writing goal for September is going to be 10,000 words / week. Still way up there, as far as I'm concerned...but hopefully obtainable, considering my efforts last month.

And with that, I ask you - what's your writing goal for September? What are you going to attempt to achieve this month - and how will you do it? Come on, I know you're thinking about it! 

I'll post my updates every week, as I go: 

9.1 - 9.7: 4,926 - 5,074 short of my weekly 10k goal...but I'll make it up before the end of the month!
9.8 - 9.14: 
9.15 - 9.21:

9.22 - 9.28:

Are you ready?

New York Times Best Sellers: Children's / YA for Week Ending August 26, 2010

My apologies for falling a little behind on posting this!
As of August 26, 2010, here are the New York Times Top Selling Children's / YA Books.  


 For the week, Suzanne Collins managed to capture the #1 and #3 slots on the list, with her highly anticipated release of MOCKINGJAY on Tuesday, 8.24. And it will probably be no surprise, when that title pops up into the top 10 for this week - we shall see on Thursday!


On a side note, I happened to see Pitticus Lore's I AM NUMBER FOUR at Border's last week, when I was picking up my copy of MOCKINGJAY. I hadn't actually heard a lot about this title - hadn't been seeing a ton of talk going on about it, either...but as I walked by, something about it caught my attention. And after reading the description on the inside of the jacket cover, I knew without a doubt, it would be something I'd like to read. I have a feeling this is going to be one to keep an eye on - and an author that is surely on the rise. Being #8 on the NY Times Best Seller list, surely doesn't hurt, either?

I will continue to post the NY Times top 10 for Children's / YA - not only because I love to watch how all of the titles toggle back and forth for position - but also to keep the dream alive that I will someday, be on this list!

CHAPTER BOOKS
This Week
1	CATCHING FIRE, by Suzanne Collins. (Scholastic, $17.99.) The protagonist of "The Hunger Games" returns. (Ages 12 and up)
2	THE RED PYRAMID, by Rick Riordan. (Disney-Hyperion, $17.99.) Ancient gods (this time from Egypt) and a mortal family meet. (Ages 10 and up)
3	THE HUNGER GAMES, by Suzanne Collins. (Scholastic, $17.99.) In a dystopian future, a girl fights for survival on live TV. (Ages 12 and up)
4	TALES FROM A NOT-SO-POPULAR PARTY GIRL, by Rachel Renée Russell. (Aladdin, $12.99.) The further reflections of Nikki Maxwell on the agonies of middle school; a "Dork Diaries" book. (Ages 9 to 13)
5	LINGER, by Maggie Stiefvater. (Scholastic Press/Scholastic, $17.99.) The teenage werewolves of "Shiver" face a new test of love and loyalty. (Ages 12 and up)
6	DORK DIARIES, written and illustrated by Rachel Renée Russell. (Aladdin, $12.99.) Reflections of a junior Samuel Pepys of the female variety. (Ages 9 to 13)
7	HOT X, by Danica McKellar. (Hudson Street, $26.95.) A guide to conquering algebra. (Ages 14 and up)
8	I AM NUMBER FOUR, by Pittacus Lore. (HarperCollins, $17.99.) Unbeknownst to Earth dwellers, members of another civilization live among them. (Ages 14 and up)
9	SCUMBLE, by Ingrid Law. (Dial/Walden Media, $16.99.) Ledger Kale finally inherits the awesome magical power he’s long awaited, but something goes awry. (Ages 8 to 12)
10	FALLEN, by Lauren Kate. (Delacorte, $17.99.) Thwarted love at boarding school. (Ages 12 and up)

PAPERBACK BOOKS
This Week
1	THE HUNGER GAMES, by Suzanne Collins. (Scholastic, $8.99.) In a dystopian future, a girl fights for survival on live TV. (Ages 12 and up)
2	BEEZUS AND RAMONA, by Beverly Cleary. Illustrated by Tracy Dockray. (HarperCollins, $5.99.) The movie tie-in edition of the midcentury classic. (Ages 9 to 12)
3	THE BOOK THIEF, by Markus Zusak. (Knopf, $11.99.) A girl saves books from Nazi burning. Excerpt (Ages 14 and up)
4	THREE CUPS OF TEA: YOUNG READERS EDITION, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. (Puffin/Penguin, $8.99.) A former climber builds schools in Pakistani and Afghan villages. (Ages 9 to 12)
5	THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN, by Sherman Alexie. Illustrated by Ellen Forney. (Little, Brown, $8.99.) A young boy leaves his reservation for an all-white school. (Ages 12 and up)
6	THE FALLEN AND LEVIATHAN, by Thomas E. Sniegoski. (Simon Pulse, $9.99.) A half-angel, half-human hero girds for battle. (Ages 16 and up)
7	AERIE AND RECKONING (THE FALLEN, BOOK 2), by Thomas E. Sniegoski. (Simon Pulse, $9.99.) A boy comes to terms with his heritage. (Ages 16 and up)
8	THE FORBIDDEN GAME (THE HUNTER, THE CHASE, THE KILL), by L. J. Smith. (Simon Pulse, $10.99.) In this dark game, the humans prove to be the playthings. (Ages 12 and up)
9	SHIVER, by Maggie Stiefvater. (Scholastic, $8.99.) Love among the lupine. (Ages 13 and up)
10	SCAT, by Carl Hiaasen. (Knopf, $8.99.) An eco-mystery, with a dismal swamp and wild characters. Excerpt (Ages 9 to 12)

SERIES BOOKS
This Week
1	PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, by Sara Shepard. (HarperTeen, hardcover and paper) Four girls less perfect than they seem. (Ages 14 and up) (Ages 14 and up)
2	PERCY JACKSON & THE OLYMPIANS, by Rick Riordan. (Disney-Hyperion, hardcover and paper) Battling mythological monsters. (Ages 9 to 12)
3	THE TWILIGHT SAGA, by Stephenie Meyer. (Megan Tingley/Little, Brown, hardcover and paper) Vampires and werewolves in school. (Ages 12 and up)
4	DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, written and illustrated by Jeff Kinney. (Abrams, hardcover only) The travails of adolescence, in cartoons. (Ages 9 to 12)
5	ARTEMIS FOWL, by Eoin Colfer. (Disney-Hyperion, hardcover and paper) A criminal’s magical adventures. (Ages 8 and up)
6	THE 39 CLUES, by various authors. (Scholastic, hardcover only) A brother and sister travel the world in search of the key to their family’s power. (Ages 9 to 12)
7	HOUSE OF NIGHT, by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast. (St. Martin’s, hardcover and paper) Vampires in school. (Ages 14 and up)
8	RANGER’S APPRENTICE, by John Flanagan. (Philomel, hardcover and paper) A boy warrior battles evil. (Ages 9 to 12)
9	WARRIORS, by Erin Hunter. (HarperCollins, hardcover and paper) Four clans of cat warriors aspire to meet up with the StarClan. (Ages 10 to 14)
10	VAMPIRE ACADEMY, by Richelle Mead. (Razorbill, paper only) Undead boarding school. (Ages 12 and up)

Getting Out of Your Element - FOLLOW UP!!!

UPDATE, UPDATE, UPDATE, UPDATE!!!

As a follow-up to my blog entry on Getting Out of Your Element, back in July - in case you didn't see the season finale of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE - a surprise "dance super-star" stepped in to replace Alex Wong as a tribute to his phenomenal "Outta Your Mind" performance.

This. Is. Priceless.

And truly, 100% defines, what it means to get out of your element:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWXyTzFV41o

And here's the link to the original Alex and Twitch hip hop routine, if you'd like to see the "real thing".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLtSfYX8tJk

__________________________________________________

I know it's hard to sometimes break from the norm - to try something new that might be difficult - and to never give up, when what you're facing is so far out of your element, it's not even funny.

If you aren't a fan of So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD), you might just be after seeing this video clip. 

Alex is currently competing for this year's title and is a classically trained ballet dancer - and he's absolutely amazing to watch in his natural surroundings.  However, what would the show be, if they didn't shake things up a bit?  This week, Alex was paired up with All-Star season 4 - 2nd place finisher, tWitch - who just so happens to specialize in freestyle / hip hop dancing. 

Performing what's known as a Nappytabs hip hop choreographed routine, watch what it truly means, to be out of your element...and what happens, when you actually realize, that you can do anything. 

UPDATE:  Because of copy right issues, YouTube has been either pulling down all videos or trying to request that the videos only be viewable on YouTube itself (no embedded links allowed).  The link below may or may not work - so if it doesn't, just click on the link in the middle of the YouTube screen below, and it will direct you to the clip.  You can also click on this link, to go directly there YouTube - and you can search by Alex Wong and tWitch for all videos.  Sorry for the run around!

NEW: Here is the link to watch Alex perform what is considered, more his "element"...it's absolutely beautiful to watch:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHiwmZj1Wbc

UPDATE 7.12: So if any of you are fans of SYTYCD, you know by now, that Alex suffered a major injury to his ACL last week.  As a result, he was automatically placed in the bottom 3 for last week's show, and subsequently, released from the show since his injury will require surgery and months to heal.  What devastating news for someone that would've won it all!  I'm not sure what higher entity keeps pushing Alex away from performing on this show (he was forced to drop out last year, since he wasn't allowed to break his contract with the Miami City Ballet) - but hopefully he will return again next year to take the title that is so well deserved.

From season 7, week 3.

Twitch and Alex dance a Napoleon and Tabitha D'umo choreographed routine
Music: Outta Your Mind by Lil Jon and LMFAO

 

My Review: LINGER by Maggie Stiefvater

LINGER by Maggie Stiefvater

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Maggie Stiefvater's LINGER does a solid job picking up, where SHIVER left off. We're already quite familiar with Sam and Grace - our hero and heroine from the first story - and understand the deep complexities their relationship is up against, as they struggle to remain together. We're also familiar with the snarky personality of Isabel - who personally, has completely grown on me with her sharp mind and even sharper tongue. But in LINGER, Stiefvater steps her writing up a notch, with the introduction of a fourth character - Cole - one of the newly transformed werewolves to grace the pack of Mercy Falls...who also happens to be just the right amount of sick and twisted, to give Isabel a run for her money.

The addition of the banter between Isabel and Cole, pushed the writing for me - and I found myself flipping forward to see where and when, they would come in next. I loved these two characters together - not that I wasn't still enamored with our two MC's- but they offered the all exciting "chase" aspects of a new relationship, back to a story where the main love interests already know they love each other.

Stiefvater also does an excellent job weaving in a tangle of emotion, pain, and complexity with each and every character- so much so, that I found myself really disliking her parents for suddenly wanting to "parent". The anguish between Sam and how he deals with what is happening to Grace, is heartbreaking to read - especially after everything they went through in SHIVER to be together. With that being said, I have no doubts Ms. Stiefvater will make things right in FOREVER - the third installment of the series.

Net/net - I found the beginning a little bit slow - but that's only because I compared it to what I experienced with SHIVER and how I was immediately involved, right off the bat. However, it didn't take long for the story to pick up to the point, that I wanted to sit and finish it all. Stiefvater's ability to paint such a vivid picture - making me feel as if I was in the room with either of the two couples, at various points throughout the story - completely picked up from that same talent in SHIVER. She does an excellent job in nailing the teen persona - particularly with the boys- making the story and characters 100% believable.

I thoroughly enjoyed LINGER and am definitely looking forward to FOREVER. 4 stars for me on this one.

For more information on Maggie Stiefvater, check out her web page.
She's also on Twitter: @mstiefvater
And GoodReads, too!

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Coming Soon: MOCKINGJAY, by Suzanne Collins

MOCKINGJAY
By Suzanne Collins

And here it comes...

With Suzanne Collins much anticipated release of her third and final installment in the Hunger Games trilogy, set to release this coming Tuesday, 8.24, it's not a shock to see she's holding on to the #1 and #2 spots on the New York Times Best Seller List.

Not since the masses have flooded books stores to buy one of the Twilight Saga novels - or any one in the fabulous Harry Potter series - have book stores ramped up for a midnight release.

But it's really no surprise.

Anyone who's read the first two books - THE HUNGER GAMES and  CATCHING FIRE - already understands the frenzy surrounding this series.

Collins has produced a story line that not only strikes a chord with the Young Adult market - but has managed to enthrall readers of all ages. Not to mention, her ability to continually harvest a fabulous tale that just gets better with every page turned.

I am much anticipating the release of the final book in this series - and will no doubt, be amongst the millions of readers of all ages, reading it into the wee hours of the next morning!

Happy reading to everyone - and as of right now - only 4 days, 13 hours, and 21 minutes, until MOCKINGJAY is released!