Book Club Friday: Feminist Fantasy Fiction

Today's blog post comes from the hot, sunny city of Houston, Texas. The boyfriend volunteered to represent his company at some sort of safety seminar today, and being the loving, thoughtful man that he is, he brought me with him.

Today is Friday, which means I'm linking up with Heather and Katie for Book Club Friday!

Normally I write about the new books I've been reading, but the last two books I read were both rereads of favorites. I've actually already reviewed them both in My Library, but Kristin Cashore's Graceling and Fire are just too damn good not to discuss again.

It's hard for me to describe how amazing Graceling is without giving away any of the major plot points. The protagonist, Katsa, is basically the fantasy fiction pre-cursor to Katniss of The Hunger Games. Except Katsa is more badass. And never wants to get married.

Cashore has created an incredible world without magic and without religion. Instead, the world of Katsa includes some humans Graced with certain talents, and scientific discoveries include herbs to prevent pregnancy.

Katsa is a complicated protagonist, as are her friends and enemies. Even minor characters are fleshed out and given nuanced personalities.

Cashore's second novel, Fire, is a prequel or companion novel to Graceling, taking place in land distant of Katsa's home. A single Graced character is present in both novels. Once again, Cashore has written a strong female protagonist. In a world of monsters, beautiful creatures who manipulate the minds of others, Fire is the last human monster.

As a feminist, I particularly admire Cashore's ability to write strong female characters who are so vastly different. Whereas Katsa mostly exhibits traditionally "masculine" characteristics, Fire is, in many ways, the ideal "feminine" character. She is an accomplished musician, she longs to have children, and she loves animals. But both women make personal sacrifices for the good of their kingdoms, both believe strongly in doing the right thing, and both are fiercely devoted to their friends.

There is so much more I want to say about Fire, but with a plot as intricate as this one, I don't want to give anything away. Just trust me when I suggest you read these two novels.

Cashore's third novel debuted this summer, but I have yet to read it. Clearly I need to visit my local library!

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May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor... As You Choose Just ONE Color

We will return to our originally-scheduled, virginity-related blog posts once I write about everything The Hunger Games. Please excuse my current literary, cinematic, cosmetic obsession.

Yes, I just referred to a book trilogy and movie franchise as cosmetic.

You know how popular books and movies have about a gagillion product tie-ins? Because yay money! Right?

After reading multiple reviews and looking at many swatches, I gave in and bought six nail polishes from the China Glaze Colors from the Capitol collection.

This is why I'm not a make-up or fashion blogger.

I ended up buying (L to R) Agro, Dress Me Up, Smoke & Ashes, Harvest Moon, Stone Cold, and Fast Track. (I also bought a polish from a different collection, called Ahoy! It's on my nails right now). I rarely buy nail polish, so splurging on seven at once is a bit of a big deal for me. But my oldest child Annie* does my nails for me, so they've been nicely manicured since September. Her enthusiasm for new colors is contagious, and when I found them online for only $2.99 each... I just couldn't resist.

So far I've only tried Smoke & Ashes as my accent nail with Fast Track as my primary polish, and I've only tried Stone Cold as my accent nail with Ahoy! as my primary polish. Did I take photos of either of these combinations? 

Bwahahaha!

Of course not.

This is why I'm not a beauty blogger.

But for actual, in-depth reviews with pretty pictures, check out The Lacquered Lady or All Lacquered Up.

Basically, I'm in love with these colors. 

How can I relate this post to virginity? Umm...

Even virgins wear nail polish?

Works for me. ;)

*Not her real name. Duh.

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Book Club Friday: The Hunger Games (eek!)

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably at least heard about the cultural phenomenon The Hunger Games, first a best-selling trilogy and now a box office hit. I first read the trilogy back in the fall, and I recently reread all three books in anticipation of the midnight showing last week. It only seems appropriate to dedicate this week's Book Club Friday to the first (and best) of the three.

Confession: When it comes to books, I can be a bit of a snob. The more popular a novel, series, or author is with a mainstream audience, the more I resist reading. After years of my favorite librarians telling me to try Harry Potter, I finally acquiesced one Christmas Eve while visiting my mom's family. I was 12 1/2 years old, and my aunt & uncle had just given my family the first three Harry Potter novels. Having already finished the 25 books I'd brought with me for our two-week vacation, I reluctantly started Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. My life has never been the same. I only read Twilight because I had to work the midnight release party for Breaking Dawn--and because bookstore employees could "check out" books from the bookstore like a library.

This fall, I gave in to all my friends who were encouraging me to try Suzanne Collins's trilogy.

I will be eternally grateful for all their harassment.

 

I love dystopian literature, and Suzanne Collins does not disappoint. In a near-distant future, 13 districts rebel against their Capitol. The 13th district is completely destroyed, and the remaining 12 are reminded annually of their disobedience by participating in the Hunger Games, a battle to the death between 24 children, one boy and one girl from each district.

The book revolves around Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old girl from District 12 who hunts illegally to feed her family. When her younger sister's name is randomly drawn at the reaping, Katniss volunteers to take her place in the Games. 

I love everything about this book. I love the way flashbacks are woven throughout the story, fleshing out Katniss's character, but also giving the reader pertinent information about other characters, the rebellion, and the background of this society. I love that Katniss is pretty, but in comparison to everything else about her, her looks don't matter. I love the descriptions of the harshness of District 12 and the decadence of the Capitol. I love that the characters are presented in shades of gray. 

This book is a page-turner. When I first read it, I stayed up til 2am finishing it. Even rereading it for the movie, I basically didn't do anything else that week. I just reread the trilogy. 

Stay tuned for the boyfriend's thoughts. :) Why, yes, I convinced him to start reading it last weekend.

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