Off The Shelf

The other night, I watched the movie version of the book The Help by Kathryn Stockett. It really was very good, and I enjoyed watching the characters come to life. The cast consisted of the following: Emma Stone - Skeeter Phelan Viola Davis - Aibileen Clark Bryce Dallas Howard - Hilly Holbrook *Octavia Spencer - Minny Jackson Jessica Chastain - Celia Foote Ahna O'Reilly - Elizabeth Leefolt Although the movie is a little over two hours long, don't let that turn you away. Considering the novel is 451 pages, even two hours did not cover every scene. I do believe the main story line was well portrayed and engaging. Some negatives of the movie for me were that Celia Foote's story/plot line was not fully described, and Skeeter and Stewart's relationship was brief and undeveloped. Revising each of these parts would have made the movie easier to understand for someone who had not read the book. Overall, the movie was enjoyable and fun to watch. This movie should...

Mockingjay Suzanne Collins 390 pages Katniss and Peeta have survived the Hunger Games twice, but just barely. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol, and Katniss, her family, Haymitch and Gale have found refuge in District 13, which until recently everyone thought did not exist. Inspired by Katniss's golden pin, the rebels of District 13, have asked her to become their "Mockingjay" and symbol of the revolt against the Capitol. Katniss has accepted the job, but has gotten herself into something more than she can handle. The country of Panem is a full-blown war zone, and amongst the battles, she must make some of the most important decisions of her life. The third installment of the Hunger Games books is riveting and thought-provoking, but unfortunately, it was my least favorite of the trilogy. Throughout the book, Katniss drifts in and out of consciousness and is classified by the doctors of District 13 as "mentally disoriented". This foggy atmosphere in wh...

Catching Fire Suzanne Collins 391 pages The 74th Hunger Games victors, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark have won by defying the rules and are about to embark on a journey across Panem on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour. When they return to their home of District 12, they find it not as they left it. A new Head Peacekeeper has been issued, and he has made it is top priority to tighten the security of their district. This includes keeping the electric fence charged at all times. From painful bruises to broken bones, injuries are not scare, making Katniss's mother and her medical practice the busiest in town. Conflicts arise between Katniss and Gale - one wants to stay, the other to run - and Peeta floats somewhere in between. And just when they think the worst is behind them, the entire country of Panem gets their biggest surprise yet. Catching Fire is suspenseful, intriguing and overall, amazing. Katniss Everdeen is just as daring, and the Capitol just ...

The Hunger Games Suzanne Collins 374 pages The country of Panem, is currently the only country residing in a futuristic North America. The cruel and harsh Capital rules over twelve poor, and small districts. To remind the districts of the rebellion some years ago, the Capital forces each district to send one girl and one boy tribute to participate in the annual Hunger Games. The Games are then a mandatory TV viewing for all other citizens. When sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister's place in the 74th Games, she knows it will be her death because only one tribute can survive. Through first person, Collins takes on Katniss's voice; exposing her thoughts, feelings and struggles. She is daring, resourceful, and engaging - the perfect recipe for immediate suspense. Although this book's setting is in future times, I find myself clearly picturing the dark stuffy coal mines of District 12, the vibrant colors of the Capitol, and the haunte...

In the past year, I have read 44 books. Throughout all of the hurricanes, royal weddings, and faraway vacations, I have found the time to enjoy some unforgettable reads. Here are my top ten of the year. Hopefully you will try some in the year to come! Top 10 Fiction Books of 2011 This list is a combination of Young Adult and Juvenile Fiction Novels 10.  A Step from Heaven, An Na 9.  The Summer Before Boys, Nora Raleigh Baskin      Read about Nora Raleigh Baskin here 8.  The Mysterious Benedict Society, Trenton Lee Stewart 7.  Ways to Live Forever, Sally Nicholls      Read my review here 6.  Peter and the StarCatchers, Ridley Pearson and Dave Barry      Read my review here 5.  If You Come Softly, Jacqueline Woodson     Read my review here 4.  Hope Was Here, Joan Bauer     Read my review here 3.  Everything on a Waffl...

Top 10 Historical Fiction Reads of 2011 10.  The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Brian Selznick        Read my review here 9.  To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee 8.  The Fifth of March , Ann Rinaldi 7.  Moon Over Manifest, Claire Vanderpool 6.  Fever 1793, Laurie Halse Anderson 5.  Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons: The Story of Phillis Wheatly, Ann Rinaldi      Read my review here 4.  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Betty Smith 3.   Uprising, Margaret Peterson Haddix       Read my review here 2.  The Help, Kathryn Stockett      Read my review here 1.  Chains, Laurie Halse Anderson

As the year comes to a close, I have decided to start a series of posts dedicated to the Best of 2011. I will be creating a list of my top 10 characters from books I read this year (they can be major or minor characters), authors, and finally, my favorite books. Top 10 Characters of 2011 (Does not include re-reads or series where previous books were read in 2010) 10.  Jason - Anything But Typical, Nora Raleigh Baskin 9.  Isabel Gardener - Chains and Forge , Laurie Halse Anderson 8.  Scout Finch - To Kill a Mockingbird , Harper Lee 7.  Jo March - Little Women, Louisa May Alcott 6.  Yetta - Uprising , Margaret Peterson Haddix       Read my review here 5.  Molly Aster - Peter and the Star Catchers, Ridley Pearson and Dave Barry      Read my review here 4.  Reynie Muldoon - The Mysterious Benedict Society , Trenton Lee Stewart 3.  Celia Rae Foote - The Help, Kathryn Stocke...