The series that was "on fire"...

One of the biggest problems I had after the Harry Potter series ended was finding something else to read. I had the idea that nothing else in the whole wide world would be as good so firmly resonated in my brain that, every time I picked up another book, I was almost never satisfied.

And even further, I didn't just want a book. I wanted a series. Something else I could look forward to and anticipate in the same way that I did during those early summer months when Deathly Hallows theories were still just that: theories.

Over the past year I had heard a lot about the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins and, as usual, I was skeptical. I hadn't fallen in love with a series for a while and didn't want to get sucked into something that I only half enjoyed. (I don't know if you're like me, but once I start a series I almost always HAVE to finish...even if I hate it. It's a weird complex I have) But, after hearing so much about how awesome the books were, both online and from friends, I finally made my way out to Borders and picked up a copy of The Hunger Games. When I placed it on the counter and started digging for my wallet, the cashier picked it up, looked at me and said;

"Oooh! I loved this book! I sat with it one rainy day and, literally, could not put it down!"

It was pretty much like the entire world had some how banded together in order to convince me to read this series...and, without a doubt, the entire world had won.

I loved these books.

For those who haven't heard of Suzanne Collins or The Hunger Games, it is, as I've said, a trilogy. The first book, The Hunger Games, takes place is a sort of post-apocalyptic, dystopian society, Panem, where countries as we know them today, no longer exist. The main character, Katniss Everdeen, knows a world in which twelve remaining "districts" make up human society and, each year, each of those districts is forced to submit two children to an event known as The Hunger Games. During the games, all of the children are placed in a huge arena and forced to battle with one another to the death. The district of the final surviving child recieves immense noteriety, as well as substantial amounts of food and comfort items throughout the rest of the year. Therefore, needless to say, the Hunger Games mean, virtually, everything, to Panem.

The Hunger Games follows Katniss' journey throughout one year of the games and her struggle to maintain her family, friendships and survival in a government and society so corrupt where a tournament such as this would even be allowed to exist.

The following books in the series, Catching Fire and Mockingjay, follow the story of Panem through a revolution that turns society completely upside-down. Suzanne Collins writes in a way that is both incredibly rich and complex, yet easy to read and follow on many levels. Almost anyone, from the the ages of 14 to 90 could fall in love with Katniss, the girl who was on fire.

But this awesome relateability factor that the characters have, combined with all of the aspects of love, friendship, romance, and strength that the series perpetuates is only half of why I love it so much.

The reason I love The Hunger Games so much is because Suzanne Collins has managed to create a world that is entirely new and unique to her readers, yet still captures everything in such detail and style that, while reading, Panem becomes just as real the town you live in, and I think that it's this aspect that many Harry Potter fans crave so badly. When we read Harry Potter, his entire world came to life before our eyes. We wanted to be a part of the Weasley family, felt like we could be friends with Ginny, Hermione, or Neville, and (ADMIT IT) maybe even half-prayed/expected to find an envelope on our doorsteps when we turned eleven...

Like Harry, Katniss lives in a world that is so different, yet so similar to that of our own. We root for her success, get frustrated with her stubborness, and understand how conflicted she always feels. Likewise, when the series ends (no spoilers, I promise!) we are left with such an immense feeling of reality and understanding because, as in real life, not everything turns out perfectly.

Well I think I've excessively raved and rambled enough this week and, I hope (if you haven't already!) that you decide to give The Hunger Games a try! You can find copies of all three books in almost any book store or on Amazon and, if you love what you read, Suzanne Collins has also written a series called, The Underland Chronicles which is definitely worth a read, even though it is for younger audiences. If you want to check out more about Suzanne Collins or The Hunger Games, I'll link her official website here.

Let me know if you've already read The Hunger Games and what you think OR if you are planning on reading it OR if you totally loved it and have some suggestions for future reads because I am always looking for an awesome book :)!

Until next time xx!

Get Ready to Get LOST

Very few things give me the page-turning, brain-busting, stomach all in knots feeling that the Harry Potter series does and, I have to admit, when I heard all of my friends talking about Lost, I couldn't help but be skeptical.

I've never really had an OBSESSION with a television show before; nothing that really kept me clawing at the edge of my seat week after week. So, naturally, it was hard to believe that Lost would be any different.

BUT OH MY GOD WAS I WRONG.

For anyone who doesn't know, Lost, is a series that starts off with a plane crash on an unknown, deserted island (how cliche, I know). The survivors of flight 815 soon learn that they're in for a longer stay than they had imagined and that they may not be the only survivors lurking around...

I think one of the reasons I love Lost so much is because of its evolution. From season one to season six you grow love the characters and become emotionally attached to almost each and every one of their stories and, with so much action going on in the plot itself, I find that pretty darn remarkable. So many shows lose their characters in an attempt to create a thrilling plot and the balance displayed in Lost is one of the many factors that make it, in my opinion, one of the best shows ever to grace a television screen. And also, Sawyer is so hot that he, alone, may even make the show worth watching.

Since the show ended in May, many people have voiced their rage on the internet about how the series finale was a total flop and, of course, every rose has it's thorns. But, in my opinion, the finale remained true to the series and, as a result, Lost became an incredible story about people and the importance of the choices we make and the paths we forge for ourselves throughout life.

After watching only the first four or five episodes, I knew I was hooked. It was one of those things where I'd sit down to watch maybe one or two episodes and, before I knew it, the sky was dark and I had been holed up in my room having an impromptu Lost marathon for the past eight hours. So my disclaimer to you is this: make sure you set aside appropriately sized  chunks of time before turning on your television and NEVER! EVER! start an episode you know you won't be able to finish...you'll just end up skipping whatever doctor's appointment, hot date, or dinner plans you had anyway...it's that kind of good.

Oh! And one more amazing thing about Lost is that you can watch the ENTIRE series on hulu.com which I will link HERE. So now, no one has any excuse NOT to check it out ; )!

I will warn you, I have, in my time since watching Lost made many fanatics out of my friends and families, and that Post-Lost Depression can be just as achy and severe as Post-Potter Depression! If anyone has any suggestions, ideas, OR even a television cure for Post-Lost Depression (for me maybe :) )...I would love to read about it below!

Until next time! xxx