A Defensive Disguise

Do we, as people, hide behind a carefully planned disguise to guard ourselves from the cruelties of the world? 

In Sins of a Wicked Duke, by Sophie Jordan, Fallon O'Rourke believes that that is the only way for her to be safe in a world of mischievous men. Fallon has never had an easy life, working for every bit of food and any shelter that she can find. Yet she finds she feels the safest when she's disguised as a footman, working for the "demon" duke, Dominic Hale.  

Are the disguises that we give ourselves a defense tactic? Or are we simply afraid to show our true selves to those who may harm us? These questions surfaced while I was reading this novel and I found myself connecting with Fallon because of her tactics. Hiding herself away in order to achieve her long term goal, a home of her own. Many people have been in similar situations where they must act a certain way and give a specific appearance in order to blend in with the crowd. 

But just as Fallon questioned her tactics, we must also ask, when is it time to come out of hiding? 

Sins of a Wicked Duke on Amazon

rating: 3/5 cups

Duke For Hire

It begins with a woman looking for a husband.

Not love.

It also begins with the same woman mistaking a duke for a common business solicitor.

When he's hired by her to find her a husband, preferably, a duke, and preferably, on her list of acceptable dukes. He agrees. Because really, with those eyes, how could he say no to her?

Except he, being a duke, isn't on the list. And he just also happens to be the one who has fallen in love with her.

Poor Elinor, being set up to fall in love with James Tremont when all she wanted was an acceptable marriage.

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It's obvious to see that what Elinor really wants is just that, love. Only she believes (after her first husband was overly cruel) that it won't ever exist for her. After being hurt, we're all cautious to jump back in the world of relationships, and that is exactly where the reader connects with Elinor. Making this love story, Mad About the Duke by Elizabeth Boyle, laugh out loud funny and hopelessly endearing.

Mad About the Duke on Amazon

rating: 4/5 cups

Who Would You Be?

Who would you be if you woke up not knowing who you were?

Without a memory, without a past. A blank slate waiting with a piece of chalk poised above it. If events and how we react to them make us who we are, then would you become a different person when given the chance to start over?

The story of "Vivien" revolves around this thought in the novel Someone to Watch Over Me by Lisa Kleypas. I, personally, couldn't connect with the main character when it comes to her amnesia. But I could connect with the way "Vivien" rejected her past to become someone new because it was so thought provoking. It forced me to ask myself what I would want to change about my personality and past if I was given the chance.

Then the novel forced me to go even deeper when the plot took a turn I never saw coming. It left me questioning whether people ever really change.

Is the person we'll grow up to be an innate form? Or one of evolution?

Someone to Watch Over Me on Amazon

rating: 4/5 cups

SOPA/PIPA Petition

If SOPA and PIPA are passed then more than likely we'd all have to say goodbye to blogs, google results, wikipedia, youtube and SO much more. Help us keep our voice in the government!

Go to www.google.com to sign the petition!

I signed it, will you?

Take Action Now

Our Worst Enemy

The only one holding us back from what we want, is ourselves.

Julia Quinn explores this idea in her romance novel, When He Was Wicked. Michael is in love with Francesca, who is married to his cousin, John. But when John dies suddenly, Michael is too guilt-ridden and absorbed in his mourning that he cannot and will not open his heart to Francesca.

Throughout the novel, Michael struggles with his feelings, allowing the guilt that he feels from his cousin dying to keep him from what he wants - a life full of love and happiness with Francesca. Readers can relate to Michael through his fear, guilt, and self-esteem. He's scared that Francesca will never love him and he allows that to stop him from trying to win her heart. How often do all of us not do something because we let fear get in the way?

Does Michael indeed deserve Francesca? Would it be unfair of him to woo the woman his closest cousin once loved? Or is he just holding himself back from what he could easily obtain, making himself his own worst enemy?

When He Was Wicked on Amazon

rating: 3/5 cups

Mockingjay: The Final Book in The Hunger Games

Spoiler Alert: As this blog is about the final book in The Hunger Games series, it may contain spoiling information. :)

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The final book, Mockingjay, of Suzanne Collin's The Hunger Games series was incredible, almost indescribable. The connection I had with the characters remained strong throughout the last novel. 

I felt every piece of hope, sadness, loss, and anger that Katniss described. The writing style of the entire series had me hooked and wanting more. 

However, I couldn't help feeling a little empty at the end. The conclusion of the trilogy seemed to be lacking something. It was if a void had been created inside of me and (four days after completing it) I still can't pinpoint exactly what gave birth to this disappointment. 

After the roller coaster of going through two hunger games with Katniss, witnessing her fall into love, fight for her life, and struggle to accept herself, when it was all over, I felt as empty as Katniss seemed in the last few pages. 

Perhaps that was what Collins had in mind though. Fighting for survival alongside Katniss brought the reader into her world. At the end, most of everything she loved was gone forever, never to be brought back. Maybe the void I feel is a mirror of what Collins believes Katniss felt. If this is indeed the case, then Collins got the exact reaction she wanted. 

(Not that that stopped me from scribbling down a few pages of text for myself, altering the ending, and bringing a smile to my face.) 

I definitely plan on reading this series again, and if you haven't read it, then do not hesitate to buy it and spend a few days in the world of the Katniss and district 12. 

Mockingjay on Amazon

rating: 4/5 cups

Catching Fire: Book Two of The Hunger Games Series

Spoiler Alert: If you have not read The Hunger Games, think twice before reading this post as it refers to the second novel in the series, Catching Fire.

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Katniss Everdeen : winner of The Hunger Games. 

Only the challenge isn't over yet. 

Now that Katniss is a victor of the hunger games, she believes that everyone she cares for will be safe. But she soon discovers that this is nothing but a false hope. 

President Snow believes that her last effort to survive (and keep her district mate/semi-love interest alive) during the competition was one of rebellion against the capitol. And some inhabitants of the twelve districts believe it too. Worried that the ruled people will once again rise up in revolt, President Snow threatens Katniss and everyone she loves with the promise of death. Unless of course she can stop the spreading belief that she wants the people to revolt. A cliched easier-said-than-done-moment. 

Now it's a race against time as people start to band together. Katniss must do everything in her power to appear as if she never wanted a rebellion. 

But is that the truth...? 

This novel is just as enthralling as the first book in the series. Perhaps even more so. Suzanne Collins picks up right where she left off at the end of The Hunger Games and takes the reader on a thrill ride that they will never see coming. If you've read the first enstallment, pick this one up immediately and keep going. 

You will not regret it. 

Catching Fire on Amazon

rating: 5/5 cups

The Hunger Games

There were 13 districts. Until the thirteenth was obliterated for rebelling.

Now there are only 12. And to ensure that history doesn't repeat itself the Capitol created The Hunger Games. A survival of the fittest match up of twenty four young adults, aged 12 to 18. Half of them female, half of them male. Two from every district.

Out of the thousands of slips of paper decorated with names, Prim Everdeen is drawn. A fragile twelve-year-old girl who hasn't been alive long enough to have even lived. To protect her sister, Katniss volunteers to take her place as the female district 12 contestant. And instantly, the reader is drawn in and a connection is formed.

Whether the reader connects with Katniss because of her strength, her need to protect the ones she loves, or the faith that other characters have in her, it doesn't matter -- Suzanne Collins crafts a story unlike any other, and once the cover is opened, the spine cracked, there's no stopping until it's finished.

Matched up against twenty-three other contestants, some who have been training for The Hunger Games since childhood, and some who are still children, Katniss is repeatedly challenged from the moment she takes her sister's place.

The arena holds the future for Katniss. Surrounded by death for mere entertainment, she must use every strength she has to stay alive.

An astounding novel of intertwining themes and blind side moments, this novel really is a must read.

The Hunger Games on Amazon

rating: 5/5 cups

2012

Happy New Year from The Coffee pot!

December was a crazy busy month but you can look forward to January being full of reading!

: )