Even Mundane Occasions Require Celebration Including Heavy Dinner

I saw the Hunger Games movie this weekend with a group of friends that gave the film mixed reviews.  I think I only liked the movie because I liked the book so much – I definitely didn’t love it, and I doubt I would have even watched it if not for the book.  I also appreciated that it wasn’t as gory as it could have been for a movie about kids killing each other for food.  I think Quentin Tarantino’s take on the story would have been a bit different.

What can I say, I am a sucker for creating occasions so going to see this highly anticipated book nerd movie followed by a dinner of shrimp and grits was fun.  And slightly more notable than say, the Tots Party I attended for the DVD release of Napoleon Dynamite. 

Everyone is annoyed about this photo being taken.
Even Jed, who is buying a fountain drink.

Just because you won't look at me
doesn't mean the picture isn't being taken.

Avoiding A Hunger Pun In The Title Is Not Easy

I knew Facebook had hit it big when my Granddad joined (which I think is super cool.  Let’s just hope he has some Botswana check-ins later this month).  Hunger Games mania is officially here – my brother bought the book this weekend while visiting.  

As much as I loved the book and am excited for the movie, I think a bridal shower / wedding theme is a bit far.  Sure, there’s a love story in the book, but it is still essentially about murdering other people for survival.  Not the most romantic How We Met story.

Or the most appetizing.  That’s right – the Hunger Games money train is apparently going full force with a cookbook prominently for sale in my local bookstore this weekend.  This seems like pretty bad idea.  The back-up idea was a book called I Just Want to Make Money But Have No Ideas.  The cookbook won narrowly.

Bandwagon cookbook gets prominent placement at bookstore.
Giada is pissed.

Friend Makes Departing Promise

Natalie, "may the odds be ever in your favor."
Book jokes!
photo credit: Lucky

It’s a sad day for any reader when they learn a book friend is moving.  Loyal Blog Reader Natalie is leaving Richmond for an exciting new life in Nashville. 

When losing a Book Friend, you may go through a rollercoaster of emotions.  Like panic – I thought we had plans to see The Hunger Games movie in March 2012?!  Or, do you think I’ll get my books back?  (Like South of Broad: A Novel by Pat Conroy which is a good read but as I’ve said it’s no The Prince of Tides.)

Maybe you’ll feel a sudden flood of honesty.  Natalie, I didn’t love The Zookeepers Wife by Diana Ackerman as much as you did.  I mean, it’s a good story but it started off too slow and it dragged a little!

All in all, you should focus on the good times.  Remember when you had to get up at 9 am on a Sunday to lend me an eBook on your Nook?  Ah, the good old days.

I am now gunning for Words With Friends Rival and Blog Reader Courtney to go see The Hunger Games with me in March.  Natalie, I hope you can join us.  Even if you cannot make the trip back, I will hold you to your promise of recruiting new blog followers.  Good luck making friends after that recommendation!

Blogger’s Sense of Accomplishment Likely Short Lived

I have finished all three books in the Hunger Games series now.  Predictably, I liked the first book best, then the second book, and rounding out the series in last place is Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.  Once the books became about political intrigue in this bizarre country called Panem, I was much less interested.  Overall, I am glad I pushed through and read the whole series – I would be kind of a joke as a blogger if I didn’t.  Just kidding, I am a joke as a blogger already.

Reading Mockingjay beneath freshly hung painting by talented mother-in-law

Blogger Risks Outrage From Flagging Readership; Bravery Likely To Go Unnoticed

Since I am in the midst of enjoying a series of books written for teenagers (no, not The Babysitters Club), I’d like to set the record straight on something… controversial.  I don’t think my likely plummeting readership rate can really handle this, but I am going to say it anyway.

I hate Twilight.

Like a teenager, I read all of the books because of peer pressure.  All the girls at work were raving about these books and I thought to myself “I like books!” so I thought I would be cool and read them too.  Backfire.

I read all four (or are there 3?) in a row, which was probably my first mistake.  Boy are they repetitive.  Look Best Selling Author Whose First Name Is Spelled Wrong Stephenie Meyer, we understand that Edward is hot and his skin shines like diamonds.  You write about it for hundreds of pages in this freaking series.  It sounds gross to me, but I get the point and I would bet that the 12 year olds do too.

If I were a more analytical blogger, I’d probably dive into the similarities between our tomboy heroes Bella (Twilight) and Katniss (The Hunger Games).  But out of respect for what is left of my readership I will leave analysis to the 8th graders and stick to my core competency – snide remarks.

Bookworm Reads Like a Teenager; Maintains Job & Beer Drinking Schedule

I read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins in less than 48 hours.  And mind you, this is while working full time and even having a friend over one night to kick back a few beers on the patio.  (Yes, it was on a Monday.)

This book was apparently written for teenagers, which makes me want to get braces and be an awkward teen again.  (Ok, that was a convenient analogy.  The Bookworm never had braces, but you get my point.)  The Hunger Games is awesome, and (obviously) a quick and exciting read.  I am late in my ravings, since it is already being made into a movie, and Blog Readers Natalie and Erin have recommended this book to me multiple times.  Key lesson: listen to friends who love books.

The other night my Mom told me all the books I was lending her were depressing.  So I told her The Hunger Games was next on the list.  “It’s about kids killing other kids for food!”  Somehow that didn’t sell her. I guess if she wants to go back to teen reading it will have to be Judy Blume.  Or in her case, Nancy Drew.

Favorite Hobbies Intersect: Reading and Making Fun of Phil

Readers, you may have noticed a recent pattern in my postings, which consists of pandering individually to friends to encourage their readership.  This is a lengthy, short sighted process that I am still continuing to hammer into this blog regardless of effectiveness.  One such Proclaimed Loyal Reader is my friend Erin.

Erin has audaciously claimed that my blog is “her new Facebook.”  That’s right, she cancelled her Facebook account and is instead fueling that extra time each day into reading this blog.  Then she pretty much demanded that I blog about her, which I am doing now.

Erin and her husband Phil are readers, so I like them.  They have recommended a few books to me over the years, and here is how I feel about them:

·         The Road by Cormac McCarthy.  Phil loves this book, but I am kind of annoyed by it.  I wanted more information about why the world was in such a state, and I thought the ending was lazy.  Kind of harsh, but honesty is important when aiming to overtake Facebook.

·         Mystic River  by Dennis Lehane. I never saw the movie, so I was excited to read this knowing nothing about it except for the fact it was good.  It was indeed good – nope, it was great actually, proving that Erin is a better book suggester than her husband for those like me who are keeping score.

·         Crazy for the Storm by Norman Ollestad.  I just read this one, so this was an easy bullet point to write.

·         The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  I just ordered this on half.com, so it will make it onto this blog soon.  (Blatant attempt to beg Erin to keep reading this, however criticizing Phil in the first two bullet points was probably a more effective technique.)

I am not going to make an overarching comment about this couple’s book taste, since I am still working on a study/critique of their recommendations which has been fun so far.  But you know what is even more fun than reading good books recommended by friends? Beating Phil at things. With no relevant transition whatsoever, I am including Officially For The Record in this blog the fact that I am better than him at Cornhole, Ladder Golf and video games.