Katniss Everdeen, Girl on Fire

So today (well I guess technically yesterday, since it's 2:30 am lol) was the day. MOCKINGJAY, the 3rd and final book in the Hunger Games Trilogy came out.

We had a few failed attempts at trying to pick it up early. But, Becky was a superstar toting her son and my two kids to Barnes and Noble this morning to pick up our copies!  She kindly dropped mine off at my office for me where it sat and stared me down :-)

I had already read the first 2 chapters (during the failed attempts) and made quick time through Chapter 3 while eating my lunch.  So, as soon as I got home, I dove in, only resurfacing to make dinner, get a drink, kiss my kids goodnight... you know, the important things.  

I finished the book about half an hour ago.  There's not much I can/will say because I do not think a review should give away anything from the book and I don't think I'd be capable of sticking to that.  And also quite frankly, I am having trouble forming reasonable thoughts. 

I loved it!  That much I can say.  If I gave book ratings - this would definitely get 5 of 5 stars!

MOCKINGJAY does not disappoint. 

 If you haven't read the first 2 books in the serious (THE HUNGER GAMES and CATCHING FIRE) then get going! What are you waiting for??  :-)

 
Note:  In case you are interested....You can buy them all separately or together for great prices at Book Depository (they shop free to most places) or Amazon.  

Witch Hunts, A Real Trailer & Catching Fire

I just returned home from a meeting in Salem, Mass. It was my first time there and I really enjoyed it.

While I was in Salem, and had only my mini-netbook computer with me, the newest New Moon Trailer was released. I am going to call this the real trailer since the others didn't really count. The first was a little teaser, the second was propaganda for Jacob (not that I didn't enjoy it, but it just wasn't a theatrical trailer in my opinion) and now what we have all been waiting for ....yay the real trailer! I saw it on the VMA Awards and then found it in HD on-line, but the little teeny weenie screen just didn't do it for me. One of the first things I did when I got home was to check it out in all it's glory on my 17" screen. It's really great!

On the subject of the VMAs, I know I'm a day late on this, I still cannot believe what Kanye did to poor Taylor Swift & Beyonce. How utterly awful for Taylor, obviously. But poor Beyonce must have been mortified as well. I'm not really gonna give him any more of my time, he's just not worth it. However, I think Beyonce deserves some props for the way she called Taylor back on stage, following a win of her own, and allowed her to deliver her acceptance speech.

I took CATCHING FIRE with me on my trip and read the heck out of that book. I was sooo close to the end when I arrived, but saved the rest for my trip home. I'm not going to say much about it yet. I need to digest it a little more...I will say I didn't want it to end!

Borders Ink is having a YA promotion...check it out

Bad Celery, Really Good Cookies and Summer Wrap Up

I haven't had much time to blog lately, busy on a project which will be revealed on Saturday. It's a lot of work, but should be totally worth it in the end. I hope I will be able to get my part done (and done well), please send some positive thoughts my way.

I also haven't picked up a book in a while and let me tell you Catching Fire is calling my name! Hopefully I will get to read that soon. My sisters and I are planning to read it together, leach of us will take a turn reading it out loud to the others. Could be lots of fun (or not lol), but it's a little bit hard to sync up all of our schedules.

Here's some randomness from today....

• I Love Farmers' Markets, spent the morning at a local one.
• Discovered, quite possibly, the BEST chocolate chip cookies in the world at aforementioned Farmer's Market.
• Ate the worst piece of celery EVER while trying to snack 'healthy' this afternoon. See what happens when you try to be good.

Some more randomness (in pictures) from Summer, which began with cleaning out a senior citizen's apartment, a really big mohawk and locks of love. And pretty much ended when school went back this week.

He was allowed to do whatever he wanted with his hair for Summer Vacation, however this only lasted one week before I took him back to get it cut in half. I think this still qualifies me for The Coolest Mom contest.

Her second donation to Locks of Love.

Me learning to love the Barleycorn. This is one of many things from my Grandmother's apartment that we still have to find a home for.

The kids and their cousin - Amusement Park Fun! (Knoebels)

Friends raising $$ for Alex's Lemonade Stand



NEPA TwilightMoms - This picture was taken the day we met for lunch (and drinks, of course), had some discussion of The Time Traveler's Wife book & then went to see the movie.

Steamtown train museum & train ride. My Aunt, my sisters, the kids & I spent the day having local fun....train museum, train ride, lunch at Moe's, ice cream, Riverside Park & stops at a few produce stands.

Back to School

Of course there was a heck of a lot more that went on, but I won't bore you with any more. Back to school brings about a complete change, a return to routine, a tighter schedule.....sigh. But on the bright side Fall is my favorite season and changing leaves are just around the corner!

A Really Great Contest - Hurry It's Almost Over

My sister is running a fabulous contest over at her blog. The winner gets a book for themselves and one for their local library! The book choices are super.

1. pre-order of Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick 2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (not new but you MUST read it plus #3 wouldn't make much sense without it) 3. pre-order of Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins 4. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater 5. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan 6. Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev 7. Wings by Aprilynne Pike 8. pre-order of Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld 9. Rampant by Diana Peterfreund (sort of a pre-order since it comes out next week) 10. pre-order of Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick (oh wait, did I say that twice. totally unintentional, honestly)

Check it out here.

But hurry she is picking a winner tomorrow!!