Saturday Snapshot:

Happy Saturday, everyone!

Today I'm participating in a link-up with At Home with Books called Saturday Snapshot, in which we all share photographs that we've taken. I love this link-up, because I have a lot of cool pictures, and I'm happy to have the chance to share them with you.

Today's picture is from a recent trip I took to Costa Rica. I went to a park in the rainforest in Monteverde. In the park, there was a hummingbird garden with lots of feeders. I had a hard time getting a picture of the birds, because everytime I stepped near them, they flew away. They really sensed any sort of movement, even if I just moved my arm. However, I finally got a picture of this one:

I think I was only able to take this one because the bird was distracted by its food. Either way, I was happy to get this shot.

I really love how the bird stands out among the red feeders. And I love all the colors on the bird. Plus, hummingbirds are just so cute! Here's a few more pictures I got of the birds. None of them are as close as the one above, but I still think they're pretty cool.

And that's my Saturday snapshot. I'm excited to see what everyone else posts.

PS. If you're a fan of dystopic YA novels, there's still time to enter my giveaway of Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver. Check it out here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Review of Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Hey everybody!

As I mentioned yesterday, I won a copy of Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver from the Hush Hush Fansite. And now I'm giving my copy away, so if you want to enter to win it, you can head over to this post.

Anyway, I have SO much to say about this book and I'm dying to discuss it with other people. However, I know a lot of you haven't read it yet, so I'm going to divide this review parts. First, I'll post something for the people who haven't read it yet. I'll tell you why I think you should. Second, I'm going to write a bit more in-depth discussion for people who have read it and, like me, are dying to share thoughts about it. Okay, let's go!

For those who haven't read it
What are you waiting for!? Read it! Seriously. Anyway, it's a really excellent follow up. I don't think it really has any of the problems that normally plague second books in a trilogy - it doesn't feel like one giant set up for the third book. It honestly could almost be a stand-alone novel, with just a tiny bit more background information. It feels totally different from Delirium. Lena has definitely changed and grown up more,but I personally liked that it was so different. It felt new and fresh. Also, the novel shows her transformation, so it didn't feel to sudden.

I should mention, I guess, that the novel jumps back and forth, divided into "Then" (what follows immediately after Lena jumps the fence) and "Now" (several months later). You might have seen that if you saw the sneak peak at the end of Delirium. Anyway, I was worried, when I saw the sneak peak, that all the back-story, "Then" parts would bore me. After reading it, I have mixed feelings about the back-story. I felt, in the beginning, it was useful and interesting, but I think, towards the middle and end, it became less interesting. I was more caught up in the "Now" story and found myself skimming through the "Then" parts. BUT, that could be in part because the "Now" part was incredibly gripping.

Which brings me to my next point - Holy crap. I couldn't put the book down. Yes, the "Then" parts felt slow to me sometimes (but not all the time), but man - Lauren Oliver knows how to end a chapter on a cliff-hanger, so that you just have to keep flipping through. The novel contained so many unexpected twists, which I loved, because it kept things exciting. It was completely action-packed. And, as I said before, Lena grows up a lot, and she's a much stronger heroine in this book, which I loved. Overall - it's a great read. Pick it up soon! Once again, you can enter to win it here. 

Okay, and now on to the spoiler-containing parts. If you haven't read it, you might want to stop reading now. This picture will act as a buffer.

Warning: Spoilers beyond this point

For those who have read it
Wow, I don't even know where to start!!

First of all, what did you guys think of Julian? I loved him and I think it was such a good idea to introduce a character like him. I seriously did not anticipate that he and Lena would end up falling for each other, and I thought that was such a good twist. I loved how he had a hidden life, so much below the surface. After hearing about his life, and his dad, I really began to sympathize with him. And I think it's such a cool idea -- that Lena could find something in common with someone who she had thought was her enemy. That maybe she doesn't really know who her enemy is. I always like it in books when warring sides come together.

I also liked how Lena ended up introducing him into the whole underground world. It was kind of role-reversal for Lena, since Alex had done that for her. And now here she was, doing it for someone else. Which brings me to another thing I liked about this book - I liked how empowered Lena was. She had so much strength. That was really cool to see. But at the same time, she still retained some of her old personality. I have to say though, sometimes I did question her transformation. I wondered if she would really change that much. But for the most part, I bought it. I thought the "Then" parts helped me to see how she could undergo this transformation. Also, she was, in some ways, poised to make a transformation at the end of the previous book, since she had pretty much nothing to lose and had nowhere to go but up. I guess I would say I went back and forth. Sometimes I believed it -- most of the time, I did -- but every once in a while I questioned it.

I also really liked the theme of tunnels in the novel - of people being complicated like tunnels, hard to navigate, and of people having tunnels within themselves -- all these webs within ourselves that we could just lose ourselves in. Oh, and of people sort of digging tunnels to each other, forging connections,  like how Julian somehow dug his way into Lena's heart. I loved all that, and I loved how Lauren Oliver physically manifested this theme by having Lena literally be lost in a tunnel.

I also thought Lauren Oliver did a really good job of keep Alex present in Lena's life, despite his total absence from the action of the story. He was always in her thoughts, and things reminded her of him. I thought that was very realistic. And, as an added bonus, it kept him in the mind and memory of the reader, which was necessary for the CRAZY ending to have its full effect (more on that in a minute).

I didn't really like the fact that the Invalids had planned on Lena ending up in jail with Julian. Well, it's not that I didn't like it, per say, just that I didn't buy it. I mean, the entire plan was contingent on Lena following Julian into the tunnel, and they couldn't be sure she would do that. They couldn't even be sure that Lena would see him being taken into the tunnel. I mean, she did, but...you know...to me, that just seems like something way too unpredictable. Would they really base this entire, huge plan upon something so uncontrollable? I'm just not sure I buy it. And wouldn't there be another way for them to get Julian on their side? I don't know. In my opinion, this particular plot twist wasn't very well thought-out. To me, it seemed like something she just stuck in there, just to add another twist at the end.

Also, I said this after I read Delirium, but I'm still confused about why exactly the government wants to cure people of love. That wasn't explained in Delirium, and Pandemonium doesn't offer much explanation either. It was hinted in Pandemonium, I think, that the government does it so that they can deprive people of goods without the people revolting, but it was only briefly hinted at. I want more explanation! Maybe we'll get that in the next one.

And speaking of the next one - Oh my God. What about that ending? Crazy, huh? It was such a dramatic moment! I loved that. I mean, it was painful to watch, but I was also like, "Oh, this is gonna be good." If only the book hadn't ended right there! Darn it! But anyway, who do you guys think she'll end up with? I honestly have no idea, and I don't really have a preference for one boy over the other. Normally, in love triangles, I have a definite favorite, but in this case, I just can't choose! Well, then again, we haven't heard from Alex in a while, so it's possible he's changed. But I doubt it. I also wonder if maybe Lena is too different to still be compatible with Alex but, again, I kind of doubt it. He's so wonderful! But so is Julian! Ah, I can't pick. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what Lauren Oliver decides to do with the characters. I'm starting the countdown to Requiem now!

Giveaway of Pandemonium

I'm doing a giveaway of Pandemonium! Here's a video, in which I show you the book and explain why I'm doing this giveaway and, most importantly, how you can win.

If you don't feel like watching that, here's the details:

• You can win a free hardback copy of PANDEMONIUM by Lauren Oliver
• I got this book from a giveaway, and I was so excited, so now I hope I can pass that on to someone else
• Also...I'm moving. And I don't need more books.
• Also, I read the entire thing in a day. It's that good. You'll love it. The ending is a total cliff-hanger. Omg. Actually, I'll be posting a review of it tomorrow, so look out for that.
• There's a small, tiny tear on one of the pages of the book. However, it's just down by the number. The page is completely readable. I also got a little chocolate stain on it, but again, it's at the bottom of the page and DOES NOT cover the text. I promise, you will be able to read every last word of Lauren Oliver's beautiful prose.
• This giveaway is open Internationally, but please note that the book is written in American English.
• You must be 12 years old or older to enter. If you are under 18, please ask your parents permission before entering.
• I am not being compensated by Lauren Oliver or her publisher for doing this.
• You MUST first leave a comment to enter the giveaway. After that, there are bunch more ways for you to get more points, if you're feeling particularly ambitious. You can follow me on Twitter and Tumblr, for example, or tweet and blog about the post. 
• You can also earn some extra points by adding my book Cardboard Characters to your GoodReads shelf, liking it on Facebook, and reading a review of it. PLEASE NOTE this does not mean you have to read the book. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. I would just really like for you to check it out.  And as much as I hate to be really pushy and self-promoting, I kind of have to be since I don't have a publicist. Plus, you might like it. You never know. It's only 99 cents. Also, My Enchanted Bookshelf is not being compensated for posting that review, and when she wrote it, I didn't tell her that it would be part of this contest. I promise. I love book blogs as much as the next person, and I don't want to corrupt them.
• Please note you will have to give me your address if you win the book. However, I promise I am not going to come over to your house and harass your pets. 
• The contest will run from today, Thursday, March 29th until Midnight on Friday, April 13th, 2012. (It could be a lucky day for you!). I will pick the winner over the weekend and notify them by Monday.
• Make sure to leave your email address in your comment so that I can contact you if you win. I will not be using your email address for any other purpose.
• Good luck. Hope you win! 

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A Poem: The Burning of Paper Instead of Children by Adrienne Rich

After a Napalm dropping in Ecuador

Hello everyone!

You might have heard that the poet Adrienne Rich died yesterday. I was very sad to hear this, because I think she's a wonderful poet. However, she has left behind a great collection of poems, and that is a gift to us all.

Today, in honor of Adrienne Rich, I'd like to share one of these poems with you. It's called "The Burning of Paper Instead of Children."

First, a story of how I came to read this poem: I first read it in a class I took freshman year, called (very creatively) American Poetry. I honestly hated that class at the time because it was completely discussion-based. Literally, the professor came in, said a few words and gave minimal background information on the poem, and then turned the class over to us. I always felt like, "hey, lady, I'm not paying to hear some sophomore tell me what he thinks the poem means." I wanted her to tell us what they were about. Also, the class was very difficult. Looking back, though, I realized I did learn a lot from that class, even though I hated it. That seems to be the way it goes a lot of the time  -- the classes you hate end up being the ones where you learn the most.

Adrienne Rich

So this poem. A bit about the context, to help you understand: It was written in response to the Vietnam war. People were being put on trial for burning draft cards. I believe that some of this draft card burning took place in Maryland, hence the reference to it in the poem. Meanwhile, in Vietnam, actual people were being burned or injured, often as a result of Napalm, which, in the words of Wikipedia, is "an incendiary device." (It sets stuff on fire.)

There are many other references in the poem to things not related to Vietnam, such as Joan of Arc. I'm honestly not sure what all of these, you know, "mean," but I do know that the poem is about language: How it both frees and confines it, how we can use it to torture people and ourselves but also use it to create things of great beauty. At least, that's what it means to me. One of my favorite parts of the poem is "...speaking of loneliness / relieved in a book / relived in a book." I love that, and how it points out how a book can simultaneously ease your own pain and increase it. I also like when she describes the tongue as "this slab of limestone / or reinforced concrete." Don't you feel that way sometimes, tongue-tied and stupid, like you can't get the words out right, like you can't make your mouth say what you want to say? I sure do.

Oh and my most favorite line of all: "no one knows what will happen / though the books tell everything" Oh, and also: "there are books that describe all of this / and they are useless" To me, that just really speaks to the fact that, no matter how much we read, we never learn from the mistakes of the people we read about. We repeat them, because we have to learn on our own, through our own experience. And also, just lots of other things that I can't really express...because I don't have the words...which is what the poem is all about! Oh my  gosh.

Anyway, enough of that. Here's the poem. It's a bit strange, and a bit dense. It jumps around a lot, almost like stream-of-conciousness. You may need to read it a few times before you can even follow its logic. But just try it out - it's a great poem.  You'll love it! (The quote included, by the way, is part of the poem).

I was in danger of verbalizing my 
moral impulses out of existence.
   --Daniel Berrigan, on trial in Baltimore

1. My neighbor, a scientist and art-collector, telephones me in a state of violent emotion. He tells me that my son and his, aged eleven and twelve, have on the last day of school burned a mathematics textbook in the backyard. He has forbidden my son to come to his house for a week, and has forbidden his own son to leave the house during that time. "The burning of a book," he says, "arouses terrible sensations in me, memories of Hitler; there are few things that upset me so much as the idea of burning a book."

Back there: the library, walled
with green Britannicas
Looking again
in Durer's Complete Works
for MELANCOLIA, the baffled woman

the crocodiles in Herodotus
the Book of the Dead
the Trial of Jeanne d'Arc, so blue
I think, It is her color

and they take the book away
because I dream of her too often
love and fear in a house
knowledge of the oppressor
I know it hurts to burn

2. To imagine a time of silence
or few words
a time of chemistry and music

the hollows above your buttocks
traced by my hand
or, hair is like flesh, you said

an age of long silence

relief

from this tongue this slab of limestone
or reinforced concrete
fanatics and traders
dumped on this coast wildgreen clayred
that breathed once
in signals of smoke
sweep of the wind

knowledge of the oppressor
this is the oppressor's language

yet I need it to talk to you

3. People suffer highly in poverty and it takes dignity and intelligence to overcome this suffering. Some of the suffering are: a child did not had dinner last night: a child steal because he did not have money to buy it: to hear a mother say she do not have money to buy food for her children and to see a child without cloth it will make tears in your eyes.

(the fracture of order
the repair of speech
to overcome this suffering)

4. We lie under the sheet
after making love, speaking
of loneliness
relieved in a book
relived in a book
so on that page
the clot and fissure
of it appears
words of a man
in pain
a naked word
entering the clot
a hand grasping
through bars:

deliverance

What happens between us
has happened for centuries
we know it from literature

still it happens

sexual jealousy
outflung hand
beating bed

dryness of mouth
after panting

there are books that describe all this
and they are useless

You walk into the woods behind a house
there in that country
you find a temple
built eighteen hundred years ago
you enter without knowing
what it is you enter

so it is with us

no one knows what may happen
though the books tell everything

burn the texts said Artaud

5. I am composing on the typewriter late at night, thinking of today. How well we all spoke. A language is a map of our failures. Frederick Douglass wrote an English purer than Milton's. People suffer highly in poverty. There are methods but we do not use them. Joan, who could not read, spoke some peasant form of French. Some of the suffering are: it is hard to tell the truth; this is America; I cannot touch you now. In America we have only the present tense. I am in danger. You are in danger. The burning of a book arouses no sensation in me. I know it hurts to burn. There are flames of napalm in Catonsville, Maryland. I know it hurts to burn. The typewriter is overheated, my mouth is burning. I cannot touch you and this is the oppressor's language.

PS. If you are a fan of poetry AND dystopic YA novels, you may want to enter my giveaway, in which you could win a free hardcover copy of Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver. Go here to enter.

So I made a vlog...

I decide to venture into the exciting world of video-blogging, aka vlogging, because I had some THOUGHTS (amazing, I know) and wanted to share them.

Here it is:

That screenshot is great, I know.

Oh, and in case you missed it, I have some REALLY EXCITING NEWS for you today. You know you want to click here and find out what it is: Click.

Exciting News!!!

Hey everybody.

The new and improved cover, designed by my friend Adam

So, I have something really exciting to tell you.  I have just received my first *ever* real review. Real in the sense that it was written by a real, bonafide book blogger, and not someone I know.  This book blogger who reviewed it, by the way, was Laura, over at My Enchanted Bookshelf.

And guess what? She had some really nice things to say!! So that was really gratifying and exciting. Here's a little snippet from the end of the review:

"I really loved Leah's character. She's so easy to relate to, that when she suddenly finds herself unsure of everyone in her life, and everything around her, I found myself rooting for her...Seifert's writing style is a fresh spin on the YA world. Reading Leah's story was like reading a note or a journal entry that she'd written and let me have a peek at. It's witty and engaging, and keeps you rooted to your seat, wanting to keep reading no matter what else demands your attention! With a happily-ever-after ending, and character's you truly grow to love, I'm glad to have read this book and will definitely recommend to any lovers of Young Adult novels."

Whoa!  I don't even know what to say to that.

I have to tell you all, I was super nervous about giving my book to a reviewer. I just thought "Oh, what if they hate it?" or "What if they post something really mean?" It's always nervewracking, I think, to have anyone read your writing, because it's something so personal. It's not like a movie, where several people collaborate. A book is all you, for the most part - you come up with the idea, you write it, you love the characters. Often, you fill it up with your own ideas about the world, and maybe even your own life experiences.  So it's scary to have people reading and possibly judging your thoughts. It's almost like having someone read your journal, or showing someone your room for the first time, or an embarrassing childhood photo. 

As they say, though, the greater the risk, the greater the reward. Yes, it's scary to show people your stories, because they are so personal, and it hurts when they don't respond the way you want them to. But then, when the opposite happens, and it seems like someone really connects with your story - it's a great feeling. It's like when you meet a friend and you instantly discover that you both have some weird thing in common. Except, in this case, the thing we both have in common is the story. I don't know if this is making any sense. But hopefully, you know what I mean. Have you ever shared something really personal and precious with someone else? And I'm sure you were nervous doing it, but then when they responded positively, I'm also sure you were glad you did it. 

Another thing about this -- I've been doing a lot of work lately trying to get people to read my book. And then, of course, there was all the work that went into actually writing the thing. And sometimes I find myself wondering if it was all worth it. I wonder if I should just give up and go back to doing normal college kid things, like eating tacos and tapping kegs or whatever. But when something like this happens, it reminds me that all the work was worth it. 

So yeah...that's what's going on with me today. I'm so excited about this. And I hope that maybe the review will inspire you to read the book. I have to say, I think Laura did a better job of summarizing the plot than I did in the blurb I wrote. Anyway, you can read the rest of the review here. Hooray!

Oh, and, PS. I planning on making a vlog today. But about something not related to my book -- don't worry. Hopefully it will work out. So look out for that later. I'll announce it here and on my Twitter page. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books to Play Hooky With

Hello everyone!

So it's Top Ten Tuesday, the day when I link-up with the Broke and Bookish blog, along with many other book bloggers, and make a list of ten books in a certain category. Today's category is "books to play hooky with." To me, that means books I can see myself reading whilst lounging about in the grass, perhaps sipping some lemonade, sitting on a blanket. Enjoying the bountiful beauty of Spring. That sort of thing. So, I guess for this list I'm going to try to pick some books that are maybe more fun and lighthearted. Although, now that I think about it, maybe you would play hooky with a book because it's so good that you just can't put it down. You just have to skip the rest of your classes, stay outside and keep reading. Okay, let's go with that. So, let's see what I can come up with...

1. The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson - I just read this, so maybe I'm biased, but I think this is the perfect book for spring, and perfect for reading in the grass. Okay, it's not exactly "light-hearted" (the girl's sister dies, among other things...) BUT it has many beautiful moments in it, despite the sad premise. Plus, it's beautifully written. The writing style is so unique and fun. It's energetic, and almost bursts and blossoms on the page, almost like those azaleas outside my window (oh God this is getting a bit cheesy...). Also, the love interest, Joe Fontaine, seems like a guy who would like Spring. He's a fantastic, energetic character, described as being "life-drunk." Don't we all feel that way in the Spring?

2. Bloomability by Sharon Creech  - And speaking of boys who are in love with life...this novel also has one! The extremely memorable Guthrie. But more than that, the novel takes place in Switzerland, a place that I'd sure like to visit in the Spring (although, to be fair, some of the novel takes place during Winter). It also has a wonderful heroine, Dinnie, who, much like a seed in the spring ground, goes through a tremendous transformation in the book. (I know, I need to stop with the plant metaphors). But really, I love watching Dinnie grow up and going along for the trip with her. It's a great story! Oh, and it takes place at boarding school, which is always fun. Plus, just the name itself - BLOOMability- reminds me of spring.

3. Perfect Fifths by Megan Mccafferty - And speaking of boys who are in love with life...this novel/series also has one! Are we sensing a pattern here? Well, Marcus Flutie is perhaps a little different than our previous two ineligible book bachelors. He has a bit more of a rough edge, but still...I think we can say he enjoys life. And either way, YOU (yes, you) will enjoy your life while reading about him, because he is super hot...and you know, interesting and intelligent and all that. But anyway, enough about him, let's talk about our heroine, Jessica Darling. So this novel is actually the last in the series (if you haven't read the whole thing, you should) and is possibly my favorite. By this point, we've been with Jessica through high school and college, enjoying her biting humor along the way. We've seen her go through some growing pains, making changes in herself, her life, and her relationships with others. I love how this book wraps up the series and brings the characters together in the most unexpected, epic way.

4. Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen - One cannot speak of Spring and Summer without thinking of Sarah Dessen. To me,  her novels are like a place of eternal summer. They don't all take place in the summer, or in sunny, happy times, but something about them just feels...warm? I guess? I don't know where I'm going with this, especially since we're supposed to be talking about Spring. But anyway, I really loved this book, Along for the Ride. I loved the setting at the pier and the beach, and I loved the bits about bicycles, and I especially loved the idea of staying up all night. That's just a really intriguing idea to me - this whole secret world that exists while we're all sleeping. And I love how she explores that world in the book. So grab this book, set out your lawn chair, and get reading!

5. Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Renninson - This book is kind of a classic. I can't imagine there's anyone out there who hasn't read it. But just in case...I am recommending it to YOU! It's a very fun, hilarious book, starring the michevious Georgia Nicholson. The novel (and the series) follow her through her ups and downs at her school in England, where she battles teachers and mean girls and plots ways to win the hearts of various boys. It's not exactly the stuff of epic poems, but it is hilarious and relatable and I think anyone who has ever gone to school would really like it.

6. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling - This is another fun and fairly light-hearted one, which is why I think it might be good for Spring. I can totally see myself skipping class and reading it, learning so much more from Kaling's crazy life than I ever would from my professors. If I hadn't already read it, that is. Heck, maybe I'll read it again. Anyway, in the novel, Kaling shares stories of her life growing up and how she made it in Hollywood, as well as stories of her life today, writing for the Office and just being a regular gal. It's a very fun book. She's hilarious. Read it!

7. Neither Here Nor There by Bill Bryson - Bill Bryson is also hilarious and I think everyone should read him. I love all his books. This one, though, is espcially wonderful because, in it, Mr. Bryson travels through Europe, taking a trip that I would love to take. He literally goes all around Europe and sees the most interesting things and meets the craziest people, and you get to go along with him! Sort of...I think, if you read this one in the Spring, you'll find yourself buying a one-way ticket to Europe in the Summer.

8. Every Boy's Got One by Meg Cabot - I love Meg Cabot's books. They're perfect for when you want something light-hearted but still really gripping. I can never put her books down. I just have to see how her lovable, wacky heroines are going to get themselves out of whatever mess they've made. This book is part of the "Boy" series (there are three in all). I'm not sure if it's the first one. Anyway, the books are all told through emails, so that's fun. They're also very quick reads. You could probably finish one in the afternoon, so that's always good.

9. Still Life with the Woodpecker by Tom Robbins - I can't believe I've never mentioned this book on one of my lists! It's what the quote in my blog header comes from! Anyway, Tom Robbins is a very fun writer. I think he would approve of people playing hooky to read, or to do whatever, really. His books are always full of wacky situations and characters, but at the same time, there's always some very real-life themes or ideas going on. A big question in this book is "How do you make love stay?" I'm sure that's something we're all wondering in Spring. But okay, I feel I should warn you - the book talks a little bit about women's menstrual cycles. Not in like, a biology textbook way. Just as a beautiful part of nature, I guess. It's a little strange, especially coming from a male writer, but it's not THAT big a part of the book. So don't let that turn you away! It's a fun book and I think it's perfect for Spring.

10. Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson - Again, I can't believe I've never mentioned this one before. This novel is another one that will infect you with wanderlust, and by summer, you'll probably be packing your bags. In the story, the main character, Ginny, has the opprotunity to travel to Europe. When she gets there, she is given these mini assignments from her aunt, which send her travelling all over Europe. Along the way, she meets some cool people, has some great adventures, and learns a bit about the world. It's fantastic! It also has a sequel, which I've been meaning to read for the longest time...

PS. If you enjoy reading my blog, I hope you consider adding my book, Cardboard Characters, to your spring reading list! I'm biased, obviously, but I think it's pretty funny, and one of the characters skips class a lot in it...which is what we're ALL going to be doing this spring, am I right? Also, Laura over at My Enchanted Bookshelf recently read it, and she really liked it and will be posting a review of it soon. Find out more about my book here. Thanks so much! (PS. It's only 99 cents, so you'll still have plenty of money left over for that plane ticket to Europe!)

Should You Major in English?

Hello, everyone! Today I want to talk about a question that's been on my mind a lot lately: Should I have majored in English? Should anyone?

As I near the end of my college career, I've been looking forward, applying to grad school and what-not, but I've also been looking back a bit too. For one thing, the decisions I made in the past are now affecting my future. For example, because I majored in English, I pretty much have to go to grad school now. I mean, okay, some English majors are employed. I even know a few of them. But it's seems to me that you're much more likely to get a job if you go to grad school. Anyway...

#EnglishMajorProblems

So this has me thinking, should I have majored in English at all? This was probably the biggest decision I made in college, and has the biggest effect. Did I screw it up completely? Should I have majored in something with more job options, like Business or Computer Engineering?

Part of me thinks yes, yes I absolutely should have. I know. I'm a disgrace to English majors. But really, sometimes I think I would've been better off keeping reading as my hobby, not my area of study. Of course, there's more to English than reading...which brings me to another point:

I have learned a lot in my English classes. Much more than just reading (pretty sure I learned that in Kindergarten actually). I've learned to communicate ideas more clearly and to express my thoughts. I've learned to dissect and understand extremely complex reading material, which comes in handy when I have to, say, understand really complicated, badly written directions in board games. And I can argue pretty much any point any time (Anywhere. Just name the place and I'll argue you.)

English Major Armadillo 

But...despite all this...it still would be nice to go out and get a job. Also, lately in my English classes, when we're say, spending twenty minutes discussing the significance of a character sending a letter vs. a character sending a postcard (true story) or reading lines like "The lexia is only the wrapping of a semantic volume," I find myself wondering "What is the point of all this!?!" Seriously, sometimes the stuff we talk about in English classes is so specific, or so far removed from reality, or so a part of the professor's little pet project, that I just can't see the point in it. Why, I think to myself, am I paying money to sit here and listen to this? What use is it to me?


(To be fair, I think this might have something to do with the fact that I took all the classes I was really interested in right off the bat, and now I'm just taking ones because I have to for the major.)


Now that you've read that angry ranting, you might be wondering why I ever chose to major in English in the first place. Well, my friends, I wasn't always this cynical. When I first applied to colleges, I, much like John Green, pictured college/adulthood as place where one sits around and has great conversations about books. I dreamed of escaping the cultural wasteland of high school, and I wanted nothing more to sit around talking about books down to the minute, detailed level that I now complain about. And not just books, but all Big Ideas. I remember I got this brochure for Colombia University, and in it they had all these quotes of students saying stuff like, "We sit up late in our dorm rooms talking about everything from Plath to Plato," and, "The dining hall serves up chicken with a side of existential philosophy," or something like that. I thought to myself, "Yes! These are my people!" Cynical me now thinks that most of the people at Colombia are probably super pretentious and just talk about Plato to make themselves sound smart. But at the time, that brochure showed me exactly what I wanted: stimulating conversations, inspiring professors and intellectual peers, so different from the people at my high school who just liked to talk about The Hills. Back then, I thought college was essentially about LEARNING THINGS, not getting a job.

Seriously.

In some ways, I still feel that way, that it's more important spend these four years bettering yourself as a person than to spend them schmoozing and networking and interning. At the same time, it would be nice to have a job...


A friend of mine lamented this fact on Facebook recently, that it seems to be nearly impossible to find a major that is both interesting AND profitable. Well, some people are lucky enough to be interested in Aerospace Engineering, but what are the rest of us supposed to do? My mom is always telling me that college isn't summer camp, that it isn't about having fun and learning things - it's about gaining marketable skills. But why? WHY? Why does it seem that most interesting classes are always the least useful ones? (Or, I should say, are regarded as useless by the general population....and, you know, my parents). 

I don't have an answer to that. If you happen to be one of those lucky people that can major in something you love AND make money, then, by all means, do it. And feel free to send some funds my way. But for the rest of us - well...if you haven't gone to college yet, or picked a major, I'm not going to tell you what to do - but I would highly recommend considering all these things before you pick, like what you feel the purpose of college is, what you want to get out of it, and where you want to be when you're done. Might I suggest a minor in English (or Studio Art, or Music, or whatever...)? Or maybe a double major? Some things might be better as hobbies....but then again, you only get so much time, and you shouldn't give up on your dreams and spend your days being miserable.

And now... a song

And one more...Who gives a f--- about an Oxford Common? English majors do!

The Hunger Games: Midnight Movie Experience

As I mentioned in my review yesterday, I went to the midnight showing of the Hunger Games. It was super fun and was an event in and of itself. So I will tell you about it now...

My friend Laura and I, at the midnight showing

Well, first of all, we got there at 10:30 and already there was a big line outside. We found out that they were letting people into the auditoriums little by little and that our theater, number 5, had already been let it. So we hurried inside, but when the guy scanned our tickets, something absolutely terrifying happened: "Oh," he said, looking down at our tickets, "these are for 12 noon tomorrow." DUN DUN DUN.

We were so sad. I pictured myself just going home and sleeping while millions of people watched the Hunger Games without me, and I felt immediately depressed. Plus, I had been telling pretty much everyone I knew that I was going, so what would I say when I saw them Friday morning? 

So we ran over to the customer service desk, and there were two girls in line in front of us. The customer service guy was telling him that he could get them into the 12:10 showing that night, so that perked me up. I hoped he could get us in, too. And luckily, he did! It turned out that we got the last two seats in that theater! The odds were in our favor, clearly.

Not those kinds of games...

Then we got in line again, because our theater wasn't going to be let in until 11:45. The time in the line passed pretty quickly, and Laura and I just talked, mostly about the books, since we both just finished reading the last one.

There were so many people dressed up in line! I saw lots of braids, lots of homemade tee-shirts, lots of Mockingjay pins (where do people get those?? I want one!). I attempted to dress up as Effie/a person from the Capital, as you might be able to tell from the picture. I wore pink pants, pink shoes, and a colorful, sparkly shirt. I thought about dying my hair pink, but I had to be at work the next morning so, you know...that was out. Still, I loved seeing all the people dressed up in line and excited about the movie. It was almost as busy as the Harry Potter midnight premiere. 

The line outside

They called out the numbers for the auditoriums one by one, so that those people could go in, but my friend and I joked that it was like they were calling out the districts. It just so happened that there were 12 of them, too!

Finally, we got in. Once again, the odds were in our favor, because we managed to get the last two seats in the back, as in, not way in the front where you had to crane your neck up. They were nice seats, too, towards the middle and everything.  I saw three people I knew just in our auditorium, so that was cool.

I got a bag popcorn, which I was super excited about, especially because I had a 2 dollar off coupon. Aw yeah. I also snuck in a can of ice-cold Cheerwine. Shhh!

Popcorn!!

Then there were a bunch of previews, most of which I didn't care about. I took a quick nap during the previews, actually, so that I could perk up for the movie. Everybody in our theater laughed at the Breaking Dawn trailer, especially in the end when Bella comes out from behind that tree like a creeper. I yelled out "Team Katniss!"

Then the movie started and I was SO EXCITED. When those words about the Games appeared on the screen, I just thought, "wow it's finally here!" And then the movie began, and of course it was epic, and you can read all my many thoughts about it here.

A lot of people have said that they don't like midnight premieres because they're so loud, but that was not my experience at all. People joked around and yelled a lot before the movie started, but once it started, we were all pretty much silent. Everyone was totally engrossed in the movie, as you might expect from people who love it enough to go at midnight. I could hear every part of the movie, and no one was ever talking or yelling too much. Occasionally people cheered or made other noises when someone died, which I thought was pretty bad. I personally don't think that's supposed to be your reaction to the movie.

Once the movie was over, I felt really freaked out. I think I just got a really riled up and scared during the Clove/Katniss showdown, and I never really calmed down after that. The last scene on top of the Cornucopia also really scared me. For the rest of the night, after I went home, I was so antsy and felt like someone could jump out at me any minute. I had a really hard time sleeping that night and just kept thinking about the movie and what it all meant, whether it was about poverty or reality TV or America or what. But that is a blog entry for another time...

Hunger Games Movie Review

Hello everyone!

In case you missed my constant Facebook status updates and don't know, I went to the midnight premiere of the Hunger Games. And it was awesome. The whole going-at-midnight thing was a unique experience in itself, almost as exciting as the movie, and I think I'll post something about that later. But for right now I'm just going to focus on talking about the movie, because I know that's what you all care about most, as you decide whether or not you want to see it. (How have you not seen it yet?!)

Anyway, in short: You should see it. It's a really incredible movie and one you won't easily forget. It was both thrilling and terrifying. You might've wanted to look away sometimes, but you also didn't want to miss a single second of it.

I have so much to say about it, and I'm afraid of this turning into a giant, rambling love-fest, so I'm going to try to organize my thoughts in some way. First I'll talk a little bit about the characters, some of their key moments, and, of course, what I thought of the actor's portrayal of them.

Katniss
Oh. my. God. Jennifer Lawrence did an amazing job as Katniss. I am now her number one fan. She is Katniss. She has that Katniss swagger down perfectly. I know that's a silly way of saying it, but that's what I thought when I watched her strutting around the Seam for the first time. She has that confidence and toughness, something that came from a lifetime of having to fend for herself. And yet, she can also be really vulnerable. She shows so much emotion in her face, and can go from one feeling to the next instantly. For example, there's this moment in the movie when she steps into the tube that will take her up to the arena, and the glass closes around her, and she turns and looks at Cinna with this expression of absolute terror. It was incredible. There were little things, too, like this exchange with Foxface that is so perfectly captured in this GIF (By the way, I didn't take this video. Just passing it along.)

Look at it! The look of terror! You can just see her thinking "Is she going to kill me? Should I kill her first?" GOD IT'S INTENSE. Oh, also, another great moment from Jennifer Lawrence: Right before she leaves for the games, she gives her mother a good talking to and tells her she can't zone out again, that she has to be there for Prim. It was a little harsh, but Lawrence managed to pull it off. She pulls everything off! Her Katniss is definitely someone who could start a revolution: She's strong and inspiring but also really vulnerable and relatable. Good job, Jennifer Lawrence! (Yes, I'm sure me saying good job to her was much more important that that Oscar nomination she got a few years ago.) I'll mention some of her other great moments when I talk about the actual breakdown of the movie. Anyway...

Peeta
Josh Hutcherson (I have learned his name now. And started following him on Twitter.) was also amazing in his role as Peeta, although Lawrence outshined him a little bit. But that's how it should be. Anyway, he got all the key Peeta characteristics perfectly, captured the essential Peeta-ness, if you will. He was sweet and kind, but not a total push-over either. I especially liked his scenes on the train, when he was actually trying to make a strategy even though Katniss and Haymitch just wanted to mope. He also did really well in the intense emotional moments, like when he says at dinner in the Capital that he doesn't expect to live, and, of course, the famous "I don't want to be a piece in the game" speech. Those were all really good. Some people have complained about the chemistry between him and Katniss and have said that their relationship felt forced and weird, but I do not agree. I mean, when it was just for show, it seemed like it was just for show, although I think Hutcherson managed to convey that Peeta's feelings weren't really for show. And then when they got closer, it seemed pretty realistic to me.  Anyway, we can talk more about that later. Finally, I also thought that the interview with Cesar, another big Peeta moment, was really well done. They really did have that easy, back-and-forth relationship that Katniss always talked about in the books! It was great!

Gale
Gale, portrayed by Miley Cyrus's boyfriend (just kidding. Liam what-his-face), didn't have a big role in this movie. I thought he did a pretty good job, though, when he was on screen, although I'm not sure he captured the character quite as well as the other two. To me, he just seemed too happy and joke-y to be Gale. He didn't have that rough edge that I think would come from life in District 12. That being said, I did like the scenes between him and Katniss. They had a good relationship. He also had a few shining moments throughout the movie, like when they show him watching Peeta and Katniss kiss in the arena. The camera just shows in for a second, but you can immediately see in his face what he's feeling. Acting! Also, when Katniss comes home, victorious, in the end, and he's standing out in the crowd with Prim on his shoulders, I just cried.

I just had to share this.

Cinna
Cinna was awesome. He's always been one of my favorite characters, and I was a little nervous about Lenny Kravitz playing him, but I thought he did a great job. He and Jennifer Lawrence/Katniss had a really great rapport. It was clear that he really cared about her and that he realized what she was going in to. He had some really great lines, about believing in her and all that, and he delivered them well. He seemed very like...soulful. Which I thought was fitting for Cinna.


Haymitch
Haymitch was hilarious and I loved him! I had always pictured him really differently than this actor, older and fatter, but I thought the young-ish guy with the long hair worked too. I loved seeing him start out as this total dead-beat, useless mentor and then slowly transform into a better one as he got to know Katniss and Peeta better and started to care about them more. Also, he's an interesting character, because he's spent a lot of time with people from the Capital, but he's not from there, so he has an outsider perspective on it, and the movie really shows that. There's this one tiny, tiny part where he's sitting in a lobby or something the day the games start, watching it on TV, and there's a family next to him with two children. The kids have fake swords and are pretending to be in the Hunger Games, and Haymitch shakes his head in disgust. It was great.

Effie
Effie had super cool clothes and was really funny. She brought a lot of comic relief to the movie, with all her ridiculous ideas about how life should be, based on her ridiculous life in the Capital.

Snow & Seneca Crane
I'm just going to stick these two together, since they were sort of a team. Except for when Snow kills Seneca. Whoops. Anyway, we saw a bit more of them and their lives in the movie than in the book, which I thought was cool. These scenes also helped explain the Games a bit more and really helped to show how evil it all is. For example, Snow seems completely numb to the pain of his people. And we see Seneca (head Game maker) creating obstacles in the games in order to drive the Tributes together so that they'll maybe kill each other, basically, in order to have a more exciting show. It's terrifying, but really adds a lot to the movie.

Okay, that's all the important characters I think, so now let's talk about the beginning, middle, and end of the movie. Or, rather, all the stuff before the games, the games themselves, and what happens after. Obviously I can't talk about every single second (well, actually I probably could, but you probably don't want me to), but I'll tell you what parts really stood out to me.

Before the Games
The movie begins at dawn in District 12. Prim has just woken up for a nightmare, and Katniss comforts her by singing and then leaves to go hunting. (Although all she says to Prim is "I just have to go.") Then the camera shows a few shots of District 12 - people scavenging for food, dirty children, men going off to the mines. I really liked that part because I thought it really captured District 12 with just a few seconds of footage. You knew immediately that this was a pretty poor place. Anyway, so then Gale and Katniss go off and hunt, and then it's the reaping, etc, etc. The reaping scene is obviously really intense, but wasn't much of a surprise since it's in all the trailers. Still, it made me cry. Also, the parts with them getting ready and dressed up for the reaping were really sad and intense, since they're basically getting dressed up to maybe go die.

Other stand out scenes in this part: I have to say, I really loved all the Tribute stuff before the games. The training, the interviews, the chariot rides. It was just such a strange and scary situation, and sometimes you could almost forget what they were training for, but then someone would say something like "20% of you will die from dehydration" and then you (in the audience) would be like "OMG they're going to DIE!" I also thought the filmmakers did a good job making the people in the capital totally despicable. You just saw them there, with their fancy outfits, laughing and carrying on, and they just seemed so stupid and mindless and I hated them. I loved the interviews, and the look on Katniss's face when she saw herself on the screen at the chariot ride was absolutely priceless: like she couldn't believe that that was her up there, and she was wondering how she had gotten to this point.

Oh, also, random, but I thought the Capital looked really cool on screen. The first time I saw it, as Peeta looks out from the train, it really shocked me. It looked so cool.

Oh, and I loved the parts when the whole team (Katniss, Peeta, Haymitch, Cinna and Effie) were all together, like when they were watching to see the scores. I loved how happy the all were about Katniss's score, even though, when you think about it, that's a weird thing to be happy about. Oh, and they never really mentioned how that would make Katniss a target for the other tributes, so that might've confused people who hadn't read the book.

Some fans were mad about the fact that the rest of the glam team was missing, but I didn't really care.  Although, sometimes Effie's hair color would change, and I couldn't tell if she was another character or the same person.

And obviously the part where Katniss shot the arrow at the Judges was awesome.

In the Games
The parts in the arena were really intense, obviously. It really made me jumpy, because I felt like at any moment someone could just run out and stab Katniss. I didn't remember much from the book, so I never knew what to expect. The Careers were terrifying, especially how they seemed to almost be enjoying themselves. But then you knew they were all thinking about how maybe they should just kill off their allies in their sleep. Scary.

I loved when Rue and Katniss banded together, like when Rue gave Katniss the idea of sending the Tracker Jackers after the Careers. Oh, also, about that part - Katniss got stung by one and she started hallucinating, and they used her hallucinations to show some of her backstory which I thought was really cool. I loved how everything melded together and one thing turned into another, like when her mother yelling "Run" turned into Peeta yelling "Run." Crazy. The camera was kind of unsteady during that part, though, which made me kind of dizzy.

Other parts that stand out: When Katniss blew up the Careers supplies by shooting the apples. I only remembered this from the books after it happened in the movie, so that was a nice surprise.

One of my favorite parts, hands down, was when Katniss salutes the people in District 11 and they all salute her back. That was so cool. And then they started rebelling, which I thought was another cool scene, even though it was very, very scary. The filming and different shots at that part were just so cool, like when they showed all the papers from the Peace Keeper's offices fluttering in the streets.

Oh, and you know those three notes you hear at the end of the trailer when they show the Mockingjay symbol?! That was Katniss and Rue's song that they sang to the Mockingjays in the arena. So cool!!! I really liked that. Rue was so cute...oh Rue...

Don't mess with these guys.  Unless you're Katniss.

The part when Clove comes after Katniss, almost slitting her throat, was absolutely terrifying. I almost had to step out of the theater after that. Just the crazed look in Clove's eyes, and her monologue...so scary! And then  it was equally scary when Thresh killed her by slamming her against the wall. A few people in my theater cheered at that death, and even some of the others. Shame on you!

Oh, a note on the violence, because I know a lot of people are wondering about that: The movie definitely didn't sugar coat the violence, but they also didn't over-do it, and I thought, for a movie about killing children, they did the best job they could with it. A lot of the violence was kind of suggested - like you would see someone about to stab someone, but then the camera would cut way, and then it would cut back and that person would be dead. But I didn't mind that. I didn't want to see blood flying everywhere. And in contrast, sometimes it was was very brutal and in-your-face, like when Cato twists someone's neck as if he's just opening a jar of peanut butter. There was a good balance of the shown and not-shown, I thought. They managed to get the point across - that this is brutal and disgusting - but it wasn't excessive. I also thought the scenes in the outside world, like in the Game Makers room, helped to break up the time in the arena and make it a little more bearable.

Oh, and all the stuff with the canons, and the Tribute's faces in the night sky - I knew it was coming because I remembered it from the books, but actually seeing it was totally different. It was so sad, and cruel, how they say "remembering the fallen" like they died in some accident or something. Ugh.

I guess I should say something about the infamous cave scenes. I know they were supposed to be a big deal, but they weren't the most memorable parts of the movie for me. Not that I didn't like them. They were good. But other things stood out more to me. But it was very sweet when Katniss and Peeta were trying to heal each other. Oh, and that Game Maker's faces when they're being all in love...priceless.

I've heard that some people didn't like the mutt dog part and thought it should've been longer, and that the mutts should've looked more like tributes, like they did in the books, but I personally didn't mind. By that point, I was pretty ready for the arena part of the movie to be over and I just wanted them to almost-eat the berries already and get out of there. The last fight scene with Cato really scared me and I thought his death scene was really sad. I can't decide if I liked his speech or if it was too dramatic. Thoughts?

Also, random thought, but I really pictured the Cornocopia looking different. It sounds stupid, but I basically pictured it as one of those brown things you put on the table at Thanksgiving. All wicker and what-not. Yeah.

Not what I had in mind...

After the Games
The part after the Games was pretty short, and this entry is getting long...so I'll make it snappy.

I wish they had shown more of Peeta and Katniss's relationship after the games. They never had that conversation about whether it was all for show or not. I guess they're saving that for Catching Fire.

I loved the part when they get crowned (loved Katniss's dress at that part) and when they go home. I also liked the part when Katniss and Peeta are looking out the window on the train, and Katniss says "I guess now we just try to forget" and Peeta says "I don't want to forget."

And I thought it was pretty funny, in a horrible way, that Seneca Crane was executed by being locked in a room with the poison berries.

Katniss is looking fierce, as usual

Needless to say, I'm really excited for the next movie. In case you haven't heard, they're planning on starting shooting this October (or September?) and then the release date for the movie is *drum roll* November 22, 2013. SO FAR AWAY!!!! Why didn't they start working on the sequel right away? Were they really unsure about whether the movie would be a hit? I mean, come on...

Oh, and one last thing, about the movie being faithful to the book. Obviously, the movie doesn't have every last detail that the book does. That just wouldn't be possible. And I thought they did a good job of capturing the overall feeling of the book, and all the most important plot points. I think even someone who hadn't read the books would enjoy and understand the movie.

I was a little upset that they cut Madge out. (In the movie, Katniss gets her Mockingjay pin from someone at the Hob, and then she gives it to Prim on reaping day, and then Prim gives it back to her as Katniss is being taken away.) I also wonder what they'll do about Madge in the later movies, since she's still part of the later books.  I was also a little upset that the Peeta/Katniss conversation where Peeta is all "I want to be me" didn't take place on the roof, like it did in the books. I thought that would've looked really beautiful on screen.  Finally, my only other complaint would be that sometimes the weird camera angles and choppy cuts bothered me. But sometimes they were cool, so it was alright.

Other than that, though, I thought it was a good adaptation and a really excellent movie. Go see it!!

Katniss Everdeen, THE GIRL WHO WAS ON FIIIIIIIIRE!

Scattered Thoughts on the Hunger Games Movie

So I just got back from the Hunger Games (It's 3:30 AM and I have a job interview tomorrow. Luckily it's over the phone.)  and I can't sleep and I wanted to jot down my thoughts on the Hunger Games movie, while it's still fresh. Plus I can't sleep. That's not a movie you shake off easily. I NEED to talk about it with someone. But most people are alseep. So I am talking to you.

I'm just going to put things down really quick, and then hopefully later I'll transform it into something more coherent, okay? Also, you probably shouldn't read this if you don't want the movie to be spoiled.

• I can't speak much to the differences between the movie and the book, because I read the book two years ago. Also, I think movies should be judged independently of the books they adapt. And this was a truly great movie
• Great actors and actresses. Jennifer Lawrence and Peeta (name?) were incredible.
• Wish Gale had been less jovial, more rough around the edges. Sometimes he seemed too happy
• That being said, I loved the scenes between them. And that one scene where it shows his face as he watches Peeta and Katniss in the arena...it's just one tiny shot, but you immediately know what he's feeling. That was amazing.
• The shot of Prim on Gale's shoulders at the end. I cried
• Other moments that made me cry: The goodbyes
• When Cinna said goodbye to Katniss
• The look on Katniss's face as she turned in the tube to look at Cinna. Chills. Total terror in her eyes
• Didn't think I would like Lenny as Cinna, but I did. He was perfect
• Effie was also amazing. So many good one liners. Brought some comic relief.
• Speaking of comic relief, I was glad that they cut the arena time up with some time in the outside world. It helped to explain what was going on, and gave some relief. Also, interesting to see the games room. Made you realize how cruel it all was
• Does the Game Maker stay up all night?
• The time in the arena lasted just long enough. I was almost shaking towards the end. Any longer would've been too much.
• Liked Cato's last monologue. Don't remember if that was in the book
• Sad that they cut Madge out
• Was very intriqued by how they portrayed the masses. They all looked so stupid, cheering on, so wasteful, so colorful. Stupid. Is that us? Americans, I mean...the developed countries of the world.
• Loved when Katniss taunted the careers from the tree, and when Peeta got them away from her, and when Rue helped her get them
• Oh, Rue. Rue. So sad.
• The hacker jacker thing was cool, and I liked how they used Katniss' hallucinations to show her backstory. Thought that was super cool. The weird camera angles and movements kind of tripped me up though. Thought there was just a little too much of that.
• That one crazy career girl. OMG. The black haired one. So scary. And when the guy slammed her against the cornocopia
• Loved Katniss blowing up their supplies
• Costumes = Amazing. Loved K's last dress
• Wish there was more of the aftermath at the end
• Portryal of the rebellion in 11 was super moving, super interesting.
• Cesear/Host guy was perfect. More comic relief, too
• Pictured Haymitch differently, but I liked him a lot. I liked when he started schmoozing to get supplies for K and P, and how he started out as such a nut case. 
• Liked the part where Haymitch looks on that one Capital family with disgust, the one with the little boy who had the toy sword. That one shot said so much. 
• Thought they did a really good job of showing the poverty of District 12 with just a few shots of it, and without being to heavy-handed. It was so interesting to see that, and how they all lived there, even though I've read about it and know. 
• Loved the first views of the Capital from the train. Really amazing. Looked so futuristic and cool, no too cheesy. 
• Loved K's face when she sees herself up on the screen and the chariot thing. Like she couldn't believe where she was, and that that was here. 
• The psychology of it all is really freaking me out.
• No songs from the soundtrack in the actual movie. Weird.
• Some people in my theater cheered or when "ooh" or "aah" when people got killed. Gross.
• Cave scenes...cute. Lasted maybe just a little too long.
• Afterwards, feel super weird and paranoid, like I should sleep with a knife in my hand.

Okay. Going to sleep. See you all later

Also, review of the book Delirium here.

Review of Delirium

My dearest friends, when you read this post (because I am writing it ahead of time and auto-posting it), it will be Friday. I will be seeing or have already seen The Hunger Games movie. It is possible, if you log on right at 12:01, that I will be just settling into my chair, popcorn in hand (because I'm totally getting popcorn), preparing  for the ride of my life. I will be sure to post my thoughts and reaction to the movie on Saturday (and probably all day Friday on my Twitter account) but in the meantime, I have a review of a different dystopia to hold you over.

The book we are discussing today is Delirium, by Lauren Oliver. The novel takes place in a futuristic society in which love is considered a disease, a sickness called amor delirium nerviosa. People undergo surgery to be cured of this disease, to remove their ability to love, but the surgery can only be done on people over eighteen. Thus, boys and girls are kept separated until they are "cured," at which point they are paired off with someone picked for them by officials. The novel follows a girl named Lena who has always believed strongly in the cure and that love is a disease until, just a few months before her surgery, she falls in love. And with a rebel, an outsider, no less.

Well, let me first say, I loved this book. I couldn't stop reading it. I felt like I had amor delirium nerviosa. I loved the love interest, Alex, and the relationship between him and Lena. I thought it developed at a good pace (although at times it was a little too drawn out, but mostly it was good). And I always love stories of rebellion. I don't know why. There's just something thrilling about it, standing up for what you believe in and going against the popular belief. Oh, and there's also a really strong storyline about friendship in the book, about Lena's friendship with her richer and better looking friend, Hana. I also liked the setting in Portland, Maine, since I've been there.

Maine (my own photo)

I have to say, though, a few things about the book struck me as unrealistic. They were never bad enough to make me just throw the book down and stop reading, but they did stick out and weaken the story a little. For starters, it was never really explained why the government would want people not to fall in love. It was clear that they used propoganda to make people believe love was a disease, but why? What did they stand to gain? The book never really answered that.

Also, for much of the book, Lena continued to believe that love was a disease, even after she had fallen in love and saw how good it made her feel. She thought those feelings were a side-effect of the disease. Now, I know she's been brain-washed her whole life, but would she really continue to believe the lies after she experienced it for herself? I'm just not sure I buy it.

Finally, as I said before, I thought the pacing of the relationship was a bit drawn out. It took them so long to get to just their first kiss. But, of course, that's a common feature of YA novels, and of all novels, really - The author can't just give it all (so to speak) in the first five minutes, or else you'll lose interest. Still, it felt unnatural sometimes, and I felt, sometimes, that the author made the decisions she did solely to keep the tension up. I don't think it's good when you can see the book working like that.

From the "Ryan Gosling Reads YA Tumblr"

Overall, though, it was a wonderful read, despite the few minor distractions. I thought it was a really interesting idea, that love could be considered a disease - very original. I especially liked one of the main messages of the book, which was that it's better to feel pain and love and loss than to feel nothing at all. Many of the adults in the book who have been "cured" seem to lead passionless, lonely lives, although they don't even know they're lonely because they can't feel anything. Sure, they can't feel pain, but they also can feel joy and excitement. And as Lena looks at this, and as we, the readers, look at it with her, I think we all come to the conclusion that it's better to feel something than nothing at all. I think this would be an excellent book for anyone who has maybe recently gotten their heart broken and is wondering if it's even worth trying at love again - The book shows you that it is. This book will make you want to run off into the Wilds and swim in the ocean and lie down under the stars.

Oh yeah. 

Ryan Gosling Reads YA tumblr

PS. So I wrote this entry, and then just a couple hours later, by happy coincidence, I found out that I had won a copy of Pandemonium (the sequel to Delirium) from FallenArchangel.com (A Hush Hush fansite. Incidentally, I haven't read Hush Hush. Anyway...) Omgosssh I'm SO excited! I don't think I've ever won a blog giveaway, although I have won a few Twitter give-aways done by authors, like Maureen Johnson and Sharon Creech. I also won the Sarah Dessen write-a-haiku contest, which got me an advanced copy of What Happened to Goodbye, and which I'm still bragging about, as you can see. Anyway, hooray for free books! Now I won't have to wait forever for the one to come into the library.