In That Moment, We Were Infinite

After watching the trailer for The Perks of Being a Wallflower last night, I decided to write a post about it.  Which includes my love for this book that I read a few weeks ago.

I'm sad I didn't read this back in high school, however, I am happy to get this off my bucket list.  Plus, I plan on keeping this sucker for all of my moves in the future.  This book is truly a keeper in my eyes.  It has described the struggles that every person goes through in high school but it's not just centered in high school. 

I think every person can relate to Charlie's feeling of loneliness even when he's with his friends.  I know I have felt that, even as soon as this year.  He is a young kid who has never had people really care for him unless they are family.  Do you remember that first group of friends that you had where you had to learn the dynamics of caring about someone?  And being so afraid that they don't really care for you because there is no way that a person you care for so much can want to be your friend?  Well, Charlie describes this in such a mature yet innocent way that makes you want to constantly turn the page.

I'm hoping the movie will be amazing, and from what I have seen of the trailer, I expect nothing but the best.  One of my favorite quotes came from this book.  "We accept the love we think we deserve."  I don't know why I love this, maybe it's because I have always struggled with the thought and idea of love.  But seriously?  And my friends and family shower me constantly with the love I never thought I would have ever.

I really do recommend you reading this book though.  I have read online constantly how this book is a must read for many people.  And after finishing it, I completely agree.

By the Time You Read This....

After a recent trip to the local library, I was really excited to begin this gem of a book that I had picked off the shelf.  After reading the summary on the back, I was intrigued.  A little girl getting a book on her 12th birthday from the father she lost when she was five?  Who wouldn't want to read a story about a "Manual" that a father wrote to his daughter when he realized he would not be around to watch her grow up.

Now I don't know what it's like to lose a parent and I'm not even going to begin to pretend to understand.  I do have some wonderful people in my life who unfortunately have grown up without one of their parents.  And I see how they wish they could speak with them one more time.

At the age of twelve, Lois receives a manual from the father she lost when she was five.  He has written her every birthday from 12 to 30, the year that he has lost his battle with his disease.  Lois looks forward to every birthday and often references the book for advice from the father she longs to have in her life.  I understand needing advice from a parents at every turn of their life.  And you feel the struggle that Lois goes through without having her father in her life.

I realize that whenever I write about a book I truly recommend it, but who wants to read crappy books?  And I loved this book completely.  After finishing the novel, I wanted to start my own manual for my future children.  I like the idea of a tangible item for someone to reference when times are rough from someone who really does love them.  In a world where our life is absorbed with text messages and Facebook, there is nothing more special then words written in a book, like the ultimate love letter.

Life's Too Short to Even Care At All

"So, Jen.  I heard you've read The Hunger Games...."

I've heard this countless times the past week alone.  I guess my inner nerd has been showing more and more recently now that the movie is rapidly approaching.  But it's nice to know that people realize I'm a book nerd and come to me for reading news.  

This series was amazing.  It's about the strength of a young girl wanting to protect her family and the people she loves over own needs.  Can you imagine having to fight for the safety of your own family and your town people, even if that means your death?  The message is different from what our society views young people as now.  Society thinks we are only concerned about ourselves.  But Katniss shows that there are rare instances that young people do concern themselves with other people around themselves.

I recommend this series.  Everyone I know has fallen in love with it, even people who are not big readers or seem to be fans of dystopia.  Maybe we all enjoy dark and twisty side that we don't want other people to see.  I can not wait for this movie to come out.  I think Jennifer Lawerence is beautiful and will make for a wonderful Katniss.  She has this silent strength and confidence that Katniss has throughout the books.

"Let the Hunger Games begin."

I Wish I Could Freeze This Moment....

"I wish I could freeze this moment right here, right now, and live in it forever." Peeta Mellark.

Yes, I have become a fan of the Hunger Game series.  Yesterday, I finished the last book and am sad that the trilogy has ended.  I also highly recommend this series to anyone of my friends.  I do not own the books, I had heard about them from various people and never went about actually getting them.

Then I learned that Tom had them, and I was super excited.  I was able to read them the past month or so.  And slowly but surely, other people at work have begun to read it as well.  And let me tell you, I have not met one person who does not enjoy it.

This series is a mix of Twilight and Harry Potter.  Tom may hate me for making this comparison, or anyone who has read the series may hate that comparison, but the executives are trying to make The Hunger games into the next big thing.  It has the intrigue of a love triangle that seems hopeless at times but you cheer for both of the guys in the triangle.  And then you have the adventure of the actual games, with the possibly of death at every turn. To imagine a world where children are competing in a field to the death for the entertainment of their government is disgusting.  But it also makes you wonder how the people in the "arena" deal with such a difficult task of having to kill people at a young age.

I am so excited for this to become a movie.  I read somewhere that it needs to do well in the box office in order for the studio to let the other movies get the go ahead.  I'm hoping that it is a success.  While not as many people have read this as Twilight and Harry Potter, I'm hoping people do give it a chance.  If you like dystopias, you are going to love it.  And for those who don't believe me, dystopia is a word. If you like a troubled love triangle, with both guys being good guys for the girl, then here is the book for you.

It's pretty amazing.  How one day, one decision, can change a person's life so much.

Give it a try.  I dare you not to love it. 

Want to know how I know my friends and I are growing up?

We have started to read and ask each other for book recommendations.  Instead of talking about the different shows we watch throughout the week, or about the nights out in the club, we discuss who has what book and who can get the book next.

So I have read a few books, and wanted to share my opinion about them to whomever still reads this.  To those who know me, I love reading, and while I don't review every one that I have read, I do like to share the ones I enjoyed a lot.

First and foremost is a book that is being made into a movie which is coming out this Friday.

Now before everyone judges me reading this book because it's coming out as a movie, it's been on my list of books I need to read for a while.  Many months ago, I read a blog about books that were turning into a movie and this one was stuck out to me.  This book looks into one day of these two characters lives for twenty years.  Seriously, it's just one day, and you get a little bit about their lives throughout the year but you understand what these two characters endure throughout the year.  I enjoyed this because it shows two friends who make sure to be in each other's lives no matter how different their own roads diverge from one another.

I had one problem with the book and that was the ending.  It was a bit confusing, and by confusing I mean I didn't like how abruptly it ended.  I did have a bit of trouble getting into the book, but when I did I loved it.  I can say however I was terribly disappointed at how it ended.  

I have never read Jodi's books contrary to some amazing things I have heard from friends. I tried to read one, but got bored within a few chapters and called it quits.  This book however, I could not put down.   It was amazing.  I didn't want to hang out with the boy because I wanted to finish this book.  It may have been because the central character had Aspergers and I loved another book that had the protagonist with Aspergers.  This book had each chapter in a different character's prospective and even had different fonts for each character. And I don't want to give too much of the plot away, but everything, from the daily tasks that this family goes through, the the trouble that the trial puts the family in, I loved it.  Seriously loved it.


Now I'm reading another book that I'm not sure what I feel about it yet but it's early yet.  I haven't been reading much recently because I have been going out after work and spending time with the boy before work.  But don't worry I will be sharing more opinions about books I have read.  I really do enjoy both of these books and if any of my friends want to read them, they are more then welcome to borrow them.

Hit play and enjoy one of my favorite songs at the moment.  While I have a different version for my Itunes, I find this one simply breathe taking.

Last night, after the thunder storm woke me up, I was tempted to write this post but decided to put it off and try my best to sleep.  While that failed, I was able to think about what I could write about and decided it's going to be the first of that some of my favorite things.  This one is going to be about books because I'm a huge nerd and want to share my favorite books slash write about my favorite author.  While the author is for young adults, I found her while I was a teenager and still get excited when she has a new book out.

Sarah Dessen.  Probably the single author from my youth that I will be reading no matter my age as long as she keeps publishing books.  I don't remember when I started to read her books, sometime back in high school, but I feel in love.  In the beginning, I noticed a trend in the material she wrote.  Some of her earlier books were about girls who entered bad relationships.  While I don't have any experience with that, you could not help falling in love with the characters and wanting to shield them from all the pain that these relationships caused them.  Sarah's writing has progressed throughout the years.  I'm happy to say she publishes about a book a year and I often go back to reread them.  One of the great things about being a loyal reader is she inserts some of her older characters into her newer books.  

While I love all her books, This Lullaby and The Truth About Forever the most.  Funny story is I wrote about This Lullaby in one of my college courses junior year.  I honestly can not say enough good things about her books.  While all her characters are often seniors in high school, I still can not help remember going through all the emotions they did back while I was in high school.

Now this book?  I reread it at least once every six to eight months.  This is hands down my favorite book.  Could it be because it takes place during that magical time of summer?  Possibly.  Actually, that is probably a very high likelihood.  This book is amazing, from the relationships Ann makes so realistically to the struggles that the main character, Alice, faces when she has finally become an adult and must face relationships with childhood friends and a sister who does not want to grow up.  While I read it, I longed to have the summers of traveling to an island, like Fire Island in the book or a vacation spot of the Cape, where you have a whole different life.  Now that I think about it though, I sort of have that with my Milford family, but that's a story for another time.  This book I highly recommend; I was sold after seeing the cover (hello the beach!) but fell in love with all the characters, Alice, Riley and Paul.  Its a great book for the summer, and for all the people who are like me who believe the summer is a very special time.

Might As Well Start Another Book

Last night I could not fall asleep.  I had finished Assholes Finish First earlier in the night, and there was nothing good on television.  Between the hours of two and four there is nothing on.  Trust me.

My mom had been reading a book that I read a review about in People magazine. It is the complete opposite of the Tucker Max story.  If Tucker Max was everything awful about our society, this next book I wanted to read was all about hope for our society, told from a father of a four year old boy.

I started it last night. Finished it this afternoon.  To say this book was amazing is an understatement.  Maybe I liked it more because I have been going through this very difficult journey and have questioned why this all was happening to me.  Todd let's us into his family during this quick read during one of the most trying and learning years of their lives.  Okay, maybe it wasn't really the most learning years of their life, but I feel like their then four year old son has taught them, along with anyone who reads this story, a lot about believing in God and heaven.

I don't know if people who aren't really religious will enjoy this book but I really do want to recommend it to the people who read this.  I'm not overly religious; I do believe in God and Heaven and everything but I unfortunately do not go to Church every week like I'm supposed to.  This book however made me realize that things happen for a reason and even those who have a close relationship with God sometimes question why they are put under the pressure and tests that God presents us all.  After reading this, I want to meet Colton, who is now in middle school, to just shake his hand and tell him that this story could not come out at a better time.  For a girl who has been questioning why she is going through things, I am extremely thankful that I was able to read this book and learn from it.

While it's not something my mother or I owns, I would seriously consider purchasing this book for the future in the event that I just need reassurance that things do happen for a reason.  Who knew a four year old from the mid West would be one of my biggest teachers of the year.

I'm a Nerd, and I'm Okay With That

Confession time.  I am a huge book nerd.  I love to read.  If I had tons of money, I would probably spend most of it on books.  I want my collection to grow, but don't have the money and/or space to do so.  But I love to read.  It's an addiction.

The other night I text messaged Brendan because I am reading a book that I feel like our friends would find hilarious.  And while I was reading this, I thought how Brendan would truly enjoy my current read.  When he heard the title, I think he understood.  The book is not something I would recommend to my mother, or any adults in my life because well, it's the sick humor that my generation seems to enjoy.  The book?  Assholes Finish First by the one and only Tucker Max.  

If you ever heard of Tucker Max you will understand he is a horrible human being who seems to have zero redeeming qualities.  Or if you are a guy, he is God-like.  I enjoy his sense of humor, the fact that he will talk up all his drunken nights and hook up to make himself seem awesome.  He states constantly "I am the greatest human being alive" or sentiments of that sort.  Now being a girl, I should hate this book and the way Max treats women.  But honestly, I find it hilarious.  I have laughed out loud way too often while reading this and can not wait to pass along this book to along to Brendan and Shannon and the rest of my friends so we have something to joke about when the Jersey Shore ends.

From one side of the spectrun to the next, if Assholes Finish First is a book without any morals and emotions, my next recommendation is for those who love summertime reads.  These are the books that do not take much thought while reading, that you can bring down to the beach with you and are going to enjoy fully because it's about girlfriends and relationships and all that good stuff.  For me, these are the types of novels that I absolutely adore unfortunately and tend to read a lot.

Something Borrowed by Emily Griffin has now placed itself on my most favorite books.  To say I could not put it down would be a complete understatement.  When I was at work, I wondered what was happening in Rachel's world.  Crazy right?  Anyway, I think part of the reason I loved this book so much was how much I related to Rachel.  She is the girl who tends to be overlooked and while she loves her life, she sometimes does not see her full potential.  This story is all about relationships.  The ones you have with your long time friends, the romantic relationships and the most important relationship of them all: the one with yourself.  The book continues on from the point of view of Rachel's best friend Darcy in Something Blue.  While I enjoyed that book as well, I could not connect so much with Darcy.  Griffin writes wonderfully honest stories and explores relationships in a honest way that many writers try to do but fail.  

Meggie has another book of hers that she is going to let me borrow that I am so excited to try reading.  In fact, the day of the parade when I had time to spare after getting ready, I sat in the middle of Meg's room and started to read it.  Yes, I'm that big of a dork.

The last book I have read recently is This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper.  I picked this up at Borders when I went on a little shopping spree and bought it because the back sounded interesting and I thought I read a review about it in People magazine.  Now this is not the typical book I read, but I do recommend anyone who reads this to pick it up at the library or borrow mine.  The book is about family dynamics.  Family is family and this book shows that there can be several different personalities within a family that can clash when they must spend a week together.  This book is also funny.  Not similar to Tucker Max but in a way that I laughed thinking this is exactly what would happen if someone wrote a story about my family having to spend 24/7 with each other for a week.  I loved the way Tropper brought sarcasm during a tragedy, and how underneath all the snarky remarks the siblings said to one another, you can tell there was love there.

I think I'm going to continue this little book update thing every once in a while.  I was going to post pictures of the books, because while the saying says don't judge a book by it's cover, I totally do.  But then I decided that would be a little silly and something that you all may not like.  These three books are pretty awesome, not for everyone that reads this blog.  While I was bed ridden, I didn't read nearly as much as my mother thought I would, but I was enjoying throwing myself a pity party.  Unfortunately with my love of reading, I tend to jump into a story fast, and read it wicked quick.  So these may be more frequent then you think.