HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

What scary stories have you been reading??

The Hunger Games Trilogy A Re-Review and The DaVinci Code

I've been in re-read mood. I just finished re-reading the Hunger Games Trilogy. Almost exactly a year since I read them the first time around. I love them. It feels like they were written as one book. I mean it feels the author, Suzanne Collins, wrote them all at once and then published as separate for the obvious reason of the book being way too big to hold. Although with digital books on rise there should be no reason to pay 3 times for one story.
Okay back to the story. I love Katniss, I love the fact that she's real. She's not some dopey girl who is madly in love with anyone. She's sensible when it comes to feelings of the heart and about life in general. She's imperfect in real ways, not superficial ways *coughstupidbellacoughcough* The love triangle is more real because sometimes you love someone who just isn't right for you. You choose the one who completes you, not the one you love more.
Going away from the love story the whole scary government thing is great too. No, Suzanne Collins isn't the first one to use children as pawns in some sick twisted way for the government to control it's people, Battle Royale and Running Man.... but her story is her story and it's very well written and organized. I can't fault it really. It also shows how wars and governments don't change over night. That leaders in these sorts of causes aren't always the good guy but a lesser of two evils.
If you still haven't read these please do so before it's ruined with the movie due to come out in March. Any true fan of literature cannot like any of the movies made from their favorite most beloved books. I hated the Harry Potter movies, the Circle of Friends movie, The Notebook, the Percy Jackson movie wasn't too bad, but it was nothing like the book at all! Even though I may be curious to see how the movie for the Hunger Games turns out I'm not going to see it. I'm just to worried they will have messed it up completely. I have my Katniss, Peeta, Prim, Haymitch, Gale all in my head I don't need Hollywood telling me how these characters should look. That's one of the best parts of reading....using your imagination.

I didn't mean for my "review" to turn into a rant about books being turned into movies, but it does annoy me. And it leads me into the second book (4th book) I've re-read recently The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. It's fast paced and very entertaining. Movie was only so/so.

I have yet to read the prequel or the newer sequel, but I really loved this book. I've always been one to question things so it's a fun alternative to some things that have been thought of as fact. It's based on some facts, but it is fiction. For everyone who may have been offended by this book it is fiction.

I'll try to be on here more often! Let us know what your reading! I'm always looking for new books to read!!

What I Read this Summer!!

The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor

It was good! A bit rushed it took place over 13 years.

It is, surprise surprise, the first in a trilogy.

Definintly an insightful look into Wonderland.

One Day by David Nicholls

I really enjoyed this book.

I can completely understand why it's such a hit.

As a women who hasn't had some type of Dexter?

As a man who hasn't had an Emma?

A book that shows life over a period of time, that is so very like real life.

The Help By Kathryn Stockett

A very insightful story!

I really enjoyed this book.

It tugged at my heartstrings.

I'm not surprised by the popularity of this book.

Will be seeing the movie when it comes out in October! (UK)

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl I'm not sure how I made it through my childhood without reading this.
It is a must.
It's a fun entertaining read, better then both the movies!!

I also did a little re-reading:
Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe by Jenny Colgan
Just as sweet as the first time I read it.
I'd love to bake for people so this book appeals to me!
Will probably be re-read again and again!

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
(never again)
I thought the first book was ok.
I now know the rest of the series is dumb.
So, I shouldn't have ruined the first book by re-reading it.
Too late.

Souless by Gail Carrigner I liked it enough to read it again.
Not sure if I will continue with the series though.
Time will tell!

If you want an update on all my cookery/bakery books check out my new blog!

What has everyone else been reading??

Leave a comment or let us know on facebook!

We've got a group page, you're welcome to join!!

Sorry it's been so long since we've had activity on here! With winter coming up I hope to have a bit more time to read! Lots of days in due to rain and cold weather!

x Lisa

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Marianne Dashwood wears her heart on her sleeve, and when she falls in love with the dashing but unsuitable John Willoughby she ignores her sister Elinor's warning that her impulsive behaviour leaves her open to gossip and innuendo. Meanwhile Elinor, always sensitive to social convention, is struggling to conceal her own romantic disappointment, even from those closest to her. Through their parallel experience of love - and its threatened loss - the sisters learn that sense must mix with sensibility if they are to find personal happiness in a society where status and money govern the rules of love.

I think after it's third reading this surpasses Pride and Prejudice as my favorite Austen novel. In the past I would have listed them P&P first, Emma second, S&S third and the last 3 are just sorta bunched up together (I do like them, but not like I like these 3) but now I actually think Sense and Sensibility jumps to number 1. These characters feel real, they would have no problem stepping out of the book into the real world. They would fit right in. It's full of betrayal, love children, affairs, second marriages, etc.... It has everything that we love to gossip about now! I am writing as though everyone knows this story already. If you don't you

should!! It's very good!!

Chocolat by Joanne Harris A Book Review

Try me...Test me...Taste me.When an exotic stranger, Vianne Rocher, arrives in the French village of Lansquenet and opens a chocolate boutique directly opposite the church, Father Reynaud identifies her as a serious danger to his flock – especially as it is the beginning of Lent, the traditional season of self-denial. War is declared as the priest denounces the newcomer’s wares as instruments of murder.Suddenly Vianne’s shop-cum-cafe means that there is somewhere for secrets to be whispered, grievances to be aired, dreams to be tested. But Vianne’s plans for an Easter Chocolate Festival divide the whole community in a conflict that escalates into a ‘Church not Chocolate’ battle. As mouths water in anticipation, can the solemnity of the Church compare with the pagan passion of a chocolate éclair?For the first time here is a novel in which chocolate enjoys its true importance, emerging as a moral issue, as an agent of transformation – as well as a pleasure bordering on obsession. Rich, clever and mischievous, this is a triumphant read.

I have been wanting to read this for a while, but hadn't gotten around to it. It's a quick easy summer read; full of magic and life lessons.

The mother and daughter come to a small town and open a chocolate store during Lent and the priest is not happy. One might want to say it was about good and evil, but really it's about the gray area between the two.

A very enjoyable read. I have seen parts of the movie so can't comment on a comparison. Although it has Johnny Depp in it so really it can't be too bad right?

Would recommend it!! If anyone else has read it I would love to hear your thoughts on it!! Please leave a comment!!!
~LiSa

Harry Potter 7 part 2

I just booked tickets for a friend and me to go Friday night!
Are you tickets booked??
When will you see it??

new blog....

For those of you who love cook books as much as me check out my new blog An American Baker in England!  

I decided I wanted a separate space to share cook book reviews and pictures of the food cooked from those books. I generally want to share what I've baked more then what I made my family for dinner, hence the name of the blog. So, please check it out and follow along if you'd like to see what I bake next!

xXx Lisa