Friday Reads

On twitter, there's this thing called #FridayReads. It's where you tell everyone what you are reading.

I am tired. I am so tired. I haven't read much lately because I've been working and adjusting and writing words and doing homework. Again. All the homework.

This weekend, in between all the things, I am going to read this book.

I probably won't be able to finish it, but I am looking forward to reading something! I am also going to do homework, do some things for the YA Spooktacular, work at the bookstore and sleep.


What are you reading this weekend??

You know you want this: Hourglass

My lovely friend over at Blogger Hearts Books put together a sekrit project! Why? 

In TWO MONTHS this freaking brilliant book will be out in the wild. I have the most fabulous vlog review that you will someday be able to to watch. It's complete with surprisingly coherent thoughts and only minor use of the words "so good." You'll have to come back in six weeks to get my full review...but here are a few reasons why Hourglass is so amazing. 

• Black belts
• Snark
• Emerson (She's the MC...with the black belt and the snark!)
• Humor 
• Wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey stuff 
• Romance
• No wait...like really. 
• Like...so good. 
• Like "Call me gravy and sop me up with a biscuit" good. It sticks to you and leaves you wanting more. Yes, please!
• Kick-butt MC, packed with so much goodness, strength and many surprises.
• A unique story told with class, humor and all things that scream delicious-ness.
• Every character in this book serves a purpose---minor, major, mentioned in passing. I love it.
• Doctor Who references (Because, yes: that matters.)
• It will have a glitter-y shimmer cover! Sparkly things are always fun.
• Twists that you don't see coming.
• Michael Weaver!! 
• He's the bomb. 
• He's gorgeous.
• He's lovely.
• He's swoon-worthy times a thousand.
• He's friendly, caring, and really, really, fantastic.
• He's the sugar in the sweet tea!
• Hourglass is simply LOVELY LOVELY LOVELINESS 

Seriously. What else do you need to know?

Fine. A few more reasons to pre-order Hourglass: Myra McEntire is awesome. I support her and love her....and her writing will blow you away.

HOURGLASS is a brilliant debut. You'll finish it and want to read it again. And then again, just because you need to. It will haunt you, in that good way that only books can do. Books, and really, really, really good meals. In fact, if I could literally eat a book--I'd eat Hourglass. It's that good.

Don't believe me? Julie agrees. And the other Danielle. And Harmony will tell you all about it tomorrow.

How about these two little blurbs...

"Pulls your heart in every direction. A brand new twist on time travel with an explosively delicious romance."

              ~ Beth Revis, New York Times Bestselling Author of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE

"The most original book I've read this year, with a mind blowing plot that had me flipping pages way past my bedtime. I wish I could go back in time and read it again." 

           ~ Rachel Hawkins, New York Times Bestselling Author of the HEX HALL Series

Sounds like a winner? Because it is. You don't want to miss it!

In fact, Myra's hosting her own celebration by doing a Past, Present & Future giveaway. You can also ALWAYS pre-order Hourglass at Amazon. Whatever you do--don't miss this debut! Two months away!

Spring Cleaning Giveaway

I love Spring. Everything is new and shiny! Except, my bookshelf.

Seriously. It needs some help! So...I'm going to giveaway some things.



In case you missed it, the three rules.  
1. Fill out the form. 
2. Add your blog post giveaway to Mr. Linky and you must give away as many books as you enter to win. 
3. Link this post somewhere in yours, so people can find all the other opportunities.  

I just think it's a cool thing to pay it forward. I like that. Sharing is fun! And it's spring; it's time to clean off that shelf and make room for something new!

What's up for grabs:

HUNTRESS by Malinda Lo (arc)
BEHIND THE GATES by Eva Gray (arc)
GEMINI BITES by Patrick Ryan (finished copy)
UNEARTHLY by Cynthia Hand (arc)
13 REASONS WHY by Jay Asher (finished copy)
THE MAGNOLIA LEAGUE by Katie Crouch (arc)
WAKE UNTO ME by Lisa Cach (arc)
WITHER by Lauren DeStephano  (arc)
BLOOD MAGIC by Tessa Gratton (arc)
THE WATCHERS by Inara Scott  (arc)
I AM J by Chris Beam (arc)
DEAD BEAUTIFUL by Yvonne Woon (arc)
ANIMORPHS: THE VISTOR&  THE INVASTION by K.A. Applegate (arc)




The giveaway will end on at midnight on March 31. It's for everyone--but I can only send up to can do up to three for international winners.

ALSO, if you entered before when this post was accidentally posted, then you need to do it again. That spreadsheet was deleted. Sorry for the confusion.

Anyway.....go look at your books and give something away! Then, come back here and feed Mr. Linky.  Spread the word all on Twitter (I'm using the #SpringCleaning hashtag), on your blog, on facebook, on Tumblr and wherever you do your thing. Maybe we can start a bunch of giveaways.

Any questions or anything, just leave them below and I will answer!

When Reading Wasn't Homework...

I can remember when reading was fun.

Don't get angry. I love reading! But I remember when it was joyful thing.

It wasn't that long ago when I'd walk into work (because that's a bookstore), pick up a book with a pretty cover, be elated because the back sounded good and dive in. There's something about discovering a new world that's so filling. You're following this blog then you're a reader so you know. You pine for characters, yell and sigh at all the right moments. Then, when you're finished, you go back and find a new book.

I miss those days. I miss walking into a store and finding a new discovery.

Until I started blogging and jumped into the YA community, I went purely on instinct and read what sounded good. Now, when I find the new book, my first thought is: "I can't. I have too many to read." So I put it back--and unfortunately for me I have to stare at it every day when I'm at work and wonder what it's about. Sometimes, I never get to find out.

Don't misunderstand me.

This is not a complaining post. I'm completely floored everyday that I get to be involved in the YA community. This is where my friends are, my make-shift family. I wouldn't trade any of this or you for all the cupcakes in the entire world. Seriously. And I'm not going to quit blogging. I don't want anyone to think that. I just need you to listen, because this has been on my mind.

I have to read A LOT. I have to read as a blogger and write reviews that may not get a single comment. I have to read as a writer. I have to read as an indie bookseller. I need to be on my toes, to know what's coming out, to know the content, the story, who will like it and if we'll sell it the store.  I have to know what's coming out, so I have to read. I GET to read for work. How awesome is that? It's totally awesome. But sometimes, I get so overwhelmed by the reading. Sometimes, reading is more of a chore than fun.

Since I've been blogging, I've learned a ton about how all this works. I understand the importance of reading a book or an ARC and spreading the word about it. It's so important. And I don't--and won't-- write negative reviews. I am a writer. When this blog or my job disappear, I'll still be a writer. I want to be a person of integrity and for me, that means not writing negative reviews. I'm okay with that. I look at this way.  If I'm at work and I'm recommending a book, I'm going to recommend one I like. The ones I don't--unless someone asks me--I'm going to ignore. Why even bring up a "bad" book? This is the approach I'm taking. I'm talking about books I love for whatever reason. (That doesn't mean if you don't see a book here I hate it--just maybe I haven't gotten to it yet. Don't assume things people.)


Anyway, talking about books is a responsibility that I love having. But one thing I never, ever, ever want to do is be that "look at me" blogger. You know, the ones who have to have every title first and read it first and post it before everyone else does. Honestly, it's so exhausting. I have a stack of books I still need to read for this month--and I probably won't get through it. But I'll try. And I'll write comment-less reviews and share my opinion. I love doing that. If I didn't, then I wouldn't do it.

But.

I miss the freedom of reading. I miss getting to read what I want to read whenever I want to read it. I miss the time before how many hits I got on this or how many books I can read this year or how many comments I got on that post. (Guilty of all those things.) Those aren't the reasons I started this blog. In fact, any advanced copies I get are from work. I'm not a blog that many publishers recognize--and I'm totally okay with that. None of these reasons are why I'm here.

I started this blog because I wanted to share a) my writing life, which I don't do as much as I'd planned b) I have all these books in my head and all these thoughts with no one to tell and I needed an outlet (my head is crowded enough!) c) maybe someone would read about a book I loved or something I'm dealing with in my writing and learn or connect or discover something new. That was I started a blog. It was never to get books---I didn't even know how people did that. This was never going to be a book blog.

But it is. Of course it is! I'm a writer, a bookseller, a reader--it's my life. And that's okay. I have to read incredible amounts of books and  live a life surrounded by words, so I don't mind. In fact, I love it.


So what's the point of this post then?

To say that I want to love reading again. I want it to be fun and enjoyable--and less of a checklist or a chore or a rush to read books a, b & c before this date.

From now on, I'm reading the books I want to read. If I have something from a publisher that I need to read and review before release date--or if I've read something early--I'll post it to help promo. I want to help promote books. It's why I'm a bookseller--and a book blogger. But I don't want to race anymore. I don't want to pass on a book that sounds incredible because Mt. TBR is overflowing and six books come out this month. I'm going to read what I want to read. I hope that's okay with you. I hope you stick around--but if you don't want to, then you can leave.

I have this blog to share my struggles and my words and the words that pierce me with. That's what I do. Giveaways are fun, but my wallet is decreasing so those will be too. I don't want followers at the cost of reviews. I'd rather have six people who read, comment and share their thoughts with me than 256 who don't. Seriously.

Reading IS FUN. Blogging is fun. Writing is fun. The moment any of them become homework is the moment it should be re-evaluated.  That's what I'm doing. Re-evaluating. Telling you why I'm here and hoping it's why you're here. I'm going to be making some changes around here--so those are coming this month. I'm excited about them!

I feel better. I'm off to read a book THAT I WANT TO READ. And it doesn't come out until May. I'm excited. I hope you're still here when I get back, but if you're not, that's fine too.

The Blogger/Writer Dilemma

There's been a bunch of stuff circulating around today about aspiring writers and negative book reviews. (My friend Jami at YA Addict really breaks it down.) I really enjoy sharing my love for books on this blog--so I will continue to do so.  I wanted everyone to know that nothing is changing here.

I mean...

I already don't rate books.

I've only posted like 2 negative reviews--and they're staying because they're already posted.

If I have so-so feelings about a book, I'll keep telling you what I liked and what I didn't.

I feel most of my reviews tend to be recommendations anyway.

Giveaways, interviews, discussions, birthdays, reveals, writing dilemmas, life....it's still happening here.

I hope that's cool with everyone. Keep hanging out. And reading! If the blogs you read start changing, then respect that. There are tons of blogs who will keep giving reviews that go both ways. Here are a few from the top of my head:

Story Siren
Ticket to Anywhere
ReadingTeen
Overflowing Shelf
A Tale of Many Reviews
The Book Cellar
Good Books and Good Wine

Also, while I have your attention---if you've read Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsay Leavitt OR if you're super excited about it, leave a comment here with your email so you can be part of sekrit project!

Classic Challenge Reading Log

Have you heard about the Classic Challenge? No?! You can read all the info here. It's open all year so it's never too late to enter!

Here's the form for the reading log, where you can keep track of everything you are reading for the challenge! If you prefer the link you can get that here. 

Happy reading friends!

The Classic Challenge

Happy 2011! Hope day one went well for everyone.

I have set a few goals this year (I'll probably post them later this week) and one of those goals is to read 100 books. When I was trying to figure out what I wanted to read, I realized I want to read classics. I haven't read many classics. I've counted and from my memory, I can recall fifteen. I've read fifteen classics in 23 years. That's not cool. SO, for 2011, I'm going to read some more.

Of those 100 books, I'm going to read at least 12--that's only one a month but it's more than I've ever read before! And, since I operate better with accountability, I thought I'd extend the challenge to all of you! 

 

 

If you want to join me in reading some classics, then please do!! If you want to read at least twelve classics this year, you can fill out the form below and join me! I know I'd love that. I'll have a form that you can use to keep track as you read--and of course, the other amazing people who are reading with you. 

 If you decide to participate, can take a button from over there on the sidebar --->

What do you think? Are you up for reading some classics?

Thanks 2010: My Favorite Books of the Year

Thanks 2010 is a feature segment that will run on my blog until New Year's Day where I join forces with authors and bloggers to thank 2010 for what it brought us.

This year brought so many marvelous books. I seriously loved too many of them. Picking my top ten was nearly impossible. I got it down to twenty and stared for a few hours. Then, I got it to seventeen. Fifteen. In the end, I couldn't get past eleven. So, although the post says my top ten, you really get my top eleven. And since it's my blog, you have to deal with it. :) I'll say it's to ring in the new year! Without further adieu: my top choices from 2010, in no particular order.  

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Hex Hall is the first book that made me laugh--like, actually laugh--out loud. It's got cute boys, funny characters, a strong female lead, a fun sidekick and magic. What's not to like? Read my full review.

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
I can't even explain how much I love this book. Syd's world is so incredible, vivid, bright. She and North are the perfect team. Swoon is written on the cover and even after you finish it, BW stays with you. Read my full review.
   
The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney 
This book really affected me and challenged me. It's a story of standing up for right in a time when that's not always the easy decision. Read my full review.


Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins 
Funny. Romantic. Thrilling. French. ANNA has everything! There's nothing else like this story! Read my full review

Matched by Ally Condie
Cassia lives in perfection, until she realizes that everything is one big lie. This is her story to find the truth, to fight for love, and to see what happens when perfection fails. Read my full review.

Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers
One of two novels released this year, FFA is the remarkable third novel by Summers. It's a poignant tale of death, understanding, and moving on. It stole my breath and my heart.  Read my full review.

The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson 

Lennie is the part of us that we are afraid to let out. The way she deals with the loss of her sister and how she has to find something to grasp in the midst of the grief. It's a powerful story. Read my full review.

Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel 

 This book is so richly woven together with details, emotions, characters and some of the prettiest prose I've ever read. Her take on vampires is unique & captivating. Read a full review from Overflowing Shelf.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare 

 I love everything Cassie writes. She knows how to weave a tale together, plot, characters, world--I fell quickly for CA. I can't wait for the rest of this series! Read a full review from Ticket To Anywhere.

Sea by Heidi Kling

 Sea provides this heart-wrenching tragedy and truth and hope. It's beautiful, romantic, real, intense. I've been overseas on mission and I could totally connect to the things Sea felt. (Spider is also so much fun.) Read full reviews from Sea's head cheerleaders: Erica and Dani.

The Iron King and The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
I know, I know. These are two books! But they aren't. They are a series, thus they go together. You can't have one without the other. They count as one.

It's a funny, adventurous take on Fae. Meghan Chase grows a lot in these books. Grim and Puck and Ash and Meghan make an unlikely team and I love them. Did I mention Ash? I love Ash. It's just a marvelous series. I had to include it! Check back for full review during a special author week! Or read Ticket To Anywhere's IRON KING review. Overflowing Shelf's IRON DAUGHTER review.

2011 Debut Author Challenge and a giveaway!!!

This will be first time and I'm excited! For what? The 2011 Debut Author Challenge! I'm really, really excited. I think my goal is going to be 24 books (because I don't do odd numbers) and I it shouldn't be so hard with so many amazing reads coming out. You can find more information about the 2011 Debut Author Challenge here!

Here are the books I know I'm reading...it's more than 24 but I've already read some of them.  BOLD means I’ve read it. ITALIC means I own it.

·       A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford

·       Across the Universe by Beth Revis (Already read, doesn’t count)

·       Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

·       Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

·       Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton

·       Clarity by Kim Harrington (Already read, doesn’t count)

·       Entwined by Heather Dixon

·       Falling Under by Gwen Hayes (Already ready, doesn’t count)

·       Hourglass by Myra McEntire

·       How I Stole Johnny Depp's Alien Girlfriend by Gary Ghislain

·       I Am J by Cris Beam

·       Illegal by Bettina Restrepol

·       The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

·       Liar Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker

·       Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard

·       The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder

·       Lost Voices by Sarah Porter

·       Luminous by Dawn Metcalf

·       The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab  (already read, doesn’t count.)

·       Other Words for Love by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal

·       Paper Covers Rock by Jenny Hubbard

·       Popular by Alissa Grosso

·       Possession by Elana Johnson

·       The Pull of Gravity by Gae Polisner

·       Rival by Sara Bennett-Wealer

·       So Shelly by Ty Roth

·       Ten Miles Past Normal by Frances O’Roark Dowell

·       The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

·       Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

·       Vesper: A Deviants Novel by Jeff Sampsen

·       Warped by Maurissa Guibord

·       Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley

·       Wildefire by Karsten Knight

·       Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey

·       Wither by Lauren DeStefano

·       XVI by Julia Karr

Woo! I'm excited. What are some books you're looking forward to?

Oh yea, now you want to win some stuff.  I thought so. Well, take your pick for an ARC and this contest closes on Friday at noon! Happy Thanksgiving.

• SIGNED ARC of MATCHED by Ally Condie
• Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card
• The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney
• As Easy As Falling Off the Face of the Earth by Perkins
• My Fake Boyfriend by Springer
• It Started with a Dare by Rech

Also, I'm not on Twitter this week. SO if you tweet this contest, I'll give you 3 extra entries toward the book of your choice. Yup.  That's a true story. No requirements to enter except filling out the form. And, since it's for Thanksgiving, I'll be thankful for everyone and open this internationally!

Click HERE to enter. (Be sure to indicate which ARC you want to win or I'll just throw you into a random one.)

Don't forget to tell me what books your looking forward to in 2011! Maybe this will shape some future contests.

The Slump

I've been in a slump lately. All month really. It's come and gone--but mostly it's stayed. It started with reading--nothing I liked even if I wanted to, no motivation to do it. Then it was edits and then writing. Then it's been work and waking up, and wondering if Boston will ever bring me friends that I can call to see Harry Potter with. My car died, my computer died (and got fixed! praise!), my cell phone shattered and the reading--did i mention the reading?

I'm not really sure what to do about it but I'm ready for it to leave for good. It's affecting everything, this thing that started as a single item (reading) and has somehow morphed to envelope multiple parts of my life. That got me thinking, "What does slump really mean?" So I looked on dictionary.com. These are the definitions I liked.  (Stick with me. I swear I have a point...and I'm not complaining. Swear.)

Slump

–verb (used without object)

1. to drop or fall heavily; collapse

2. to decline or deteriorate, as health, business, quality, or efficiency.

5. to sink into a bog, muddy place, etc., or through ice or snow.

6. to sink heavily, as the spirits.

–noun

7. a decrease, decline, or deterioration.

8. a period of decline or deterioration.

9. a period during which a person performs slowly, inefficiently, or ineffectively, esp. a period during which an athlete or team fails to play or score as well as usual.

10. a landslide or rockslide

I love these definitions; some of them are self-explanatory. Some of them don't really make sense in this context. But wait, they do. Let me explain. I picked #1 because that's what I want to do: collapse to the floor and cry, give up on everything, walk away. Then, #5: to sink into a bog, muddy place, etc., or through ice or snow. I have this expression that I've said since middle school. Sometimes I feel like I'm drowning and fighting, fighting to the surface but never making fully making it. When I read that, I had to keep it around. I've never associated the two but there it is in black and white. 

#6. to sink heavily, as the spirits. I'm not really sure what that's supposed to mean, but I call it discouragement. Sometimes, when you are in a slump, you don't have the energy to get out of it. The disappointments of not being able to do whatever you are trying makes you sink further down. #7-8 are basically the same but I like the notation that it's a period of and not forever. Sometimes it can feel like forever. 

I like the example in #9 more than the definition: "a period during which an athlete or team fails to play or score as well as usual." I can't read/write/find motivation as well as usual. Usually, it's all like breathing. It's part of me and I am lost without it. But this month-long slump is getting to me. Again, that this definition says it's a period.

Ok, those make sense now...but #10? A landslide or rockslide? Think of it as a shift. Things move from where they were and go somewhere else. It's a shift in foundation, in believe, in action. It makes people react, think, figure out a solution, wait. It's the process of seeing what will happen when everything is cleaned up because eventually, it will be cleaned up. Things will return where they are supposed to be and it will be a new day. The slump will be over. That will be a GOOD day. And on that day, that very good day that hopefully will come soon, #11 will happen.

11. New England Cookery: a dessert made with cooked fruit, esp. apples or berries, topped with a thick layer of biscuit dough or crumbs.

Why? Because it sounds like a great way to celebrate the end of a slump. Although, I don't know how to make that....maybe it will be a cupcake instead.

Happy Anniversary!!!!

It's been a year---and in all honesty, it feels like I've been here a lifetime.

This week marks my first year in the YA world. (Not blogging---just reading!!) When I look back on it, I can't believe it. I've done so many things and met so many people. It's been a great year, one that has completely changed my life, shaped my passions, and taken away my fears (and yes, my time, too.) I was trying to figure out a really, really good way to express what I am feeling at the prospect of a year but it's been kind of difficult. I can only say that it's awesome. Maybe I use that word too much...but it's so fitting. 

I really want to celebrate with you! Since the Spooktacular is next week, we'll celebrate in November with three anniversary giveaways. They will be 3 things that have really inspired my journey to this point. I won't ruin the surprise but I promise you that it will be worth it. Keep an eye out for the goodness in November.


To celebrate the event this week, I'm going to post something awesome each day! Should be super, random fun!

Here's #1. It won't embed but it's really random.

#2.

One year. Here's to another good one!!!

I NEED YA Suggestions...

If you don't know, I work at an independent bookstore. I'm the YA specialist (fancy way of saying I deal with teenagers and toddlers.) I love it. It's so much fun recommending books I love to teens and tweens and kiddos. The sad thing about the job is that our YA section is lacking. Our problem lies in high school books--the MG is pretty solid. They said they didn't sell many, which I think is because there isn't a huge selection.

I talked my supervisor in a passing conversation about the lack of YA staples that we have in the section--and she told me to bring her a list. I've been compiling one--albeit, it's only small right now since this was just today.  It only consists of the ones I love or have read and I know there are a lot that I'm missing.

This is where you come in.

When you go to a bookstore, what are the YA books you look for?

Everyone has that book that needs to be on the shelf...so, please tell me. Help me build a really great list of YA so my store can sell the books that we all love--and hopefully sell to a wider variety of teens. I'm open to ANY suggestions.

I need YA must haves. Classics. Favorites. Everything!

Leave a comment here. Email me. (frenzyofnoise AT gmail). Tweet me (@daniellebunner). Tweet this link. Ask your friends. Share this on your blog. Whatever! This is something everyone has an opinion on.

Some that we already have:
Shiver/Linger, Maze Runner, Hunger Games, Infinite Days, The DUFF, If I Stay, Harry Potter, Paranormalcy, Twilight...

Here's my list so-far:
Stolen by Lucy Christopher
Graceling/Fire by Kristin Cashore
everything Cassie Clare (which we really DONT have all of)
Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers
Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Wake series by Lisa McMann
Beautiful Creatures by Kami & Margaret
The Chronicles of Vladmir Tod by Heather Brewer (we only have 3 & the new)
The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
Willow by Julia Hoban
North of Beautiful by Justine Chen Headley
Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Mockingjay: Unspoiler-y quotes

I was going to write some grand review when I finished Mockingjay but I can't. Not yet. I'm processing. That....that was....sigh. I don't know. I can't even answer it. I can't sleep because of all these thoughts hanging out up there, replaying, analyzing. Since this has happened before, I anticipated this problem and I posted quotes that I loved as I was reading. As non-spoilery as possible of course...AND with page numbers. :)

"I stick to the road out of habit but it's a bad choice, because it's full of the remains of those who tried to flee. Some were incinerated entirely." (page 5, Katniss)

"A hush has fallen over the room, and I can feel it spreading across Panem. A nation leaning in toward its screens. Because no one has ever talked about what it's really like in the arena before." (page 23, Katniss)

"This is the one rule I think I will make an effort to abide." (page 52)

"Want me to lie about it?"
"No, I want you to rethink it & come up with the right opinion." (page 54)

"In other words, I step out of line and we're all dead." (page 58)

"Well don't expect us to be too impressed. We just saw Finnick Odair in his underwear." (page 82)

"I feel sick. Heartsick." (page 118)


"I look at my little sister and think how she has inherited the best qualities in our family: my mother's healing hands, my father's level headedness and my fight. There's something else there, entirely her own. An ability to look into the confusing mess of life and see things for what they are."  (page 184, Katniss)

"Fire is catching! And if we burn, you burn with us!" (page 100, Katniss)

"It's gone. He's gone. Whatever existed between us is gone. All that's left is my promise to kill Snow. I tell myself this ten times a day."  (page 195, Katniss)

"Back in the old days...Gale said things like this and worse. But then they were just words. Here, put into practice, they become deeds that can never be reversed." (page 205, Katniss)

 "Once I feel his hand on my cheek and try to trap it, but it dissolves like mist through my fingers." (page 218, Katniss)

"I'm on a frosting sailboat, tossed around by blue-green waves, the deck shifting beneath my feet. My palms press into the wall to steady myself. This wasn't part of the plan." (page 229, Katniss)

"Finally he can see me for who I really am. Violent. Distrustful. Manipulative. Deadly.  And I hate him for it." (page 232, Katniss)


"Could you really hear him screaming?"
"That was only part of it," she says. "Like the jabberjays in the arena. Only it was real. And it didn't stop after an hour. Tick tock."
"Tick, tock," I whisper back. 
Roses. Wolf mutts. Tributes. Frosted dolphins. Friends. Mockingjays. Stylists. Me. Everything screams in my dreams tonight. " (page 245)


"Ladies and gentlemen...."
His voice is quiet, but mine rings through the room. "Let the Seventy-sixth Hunger Games begin!" (page 251)


"As a child, watching my mother, I learned that once a pool of blood has reached a certain size, there's no going back." (page 278, Katniss)

"Underground, where I dread dying, which is stupid because even if I die abovegroud, the next thing they'll do is bury me underground anyway." (page 296, Katniss)


"Thanks for the water," Peeta says.
"No problem," Gale replies. "I wake up ten times a night anyway."
"To make sure Katniss is still here?" asks Peeta.
"Something like that," Gale admits." (page 328) Great page!


"I was supposed to shoot him. That was my job." (page 344)


"I am Cinna's bird, ignited, flying frantically to escape something inescapable. The feathers of flame that grow from my body. Beating my wings only fans the blaze. I consume myself, but to no end." (page 348, Katniss)***

"Even in my deadened, drugged condition, this sends a stab of pain through me. Reminding me that there are no limits to his cruelty. And how he will go to his grave trying to destroy me." (page 356, Katniss)

"Although no one sees it, the Meadow turns green again." (page 388, Katniss)

The End


What about you? What are some lines that you liked? (Try not to be spoiler-y...)


***Chapter 25 (pages 348-the ending paragraph on 350 are my FAVORITE. Just, so you know.***