The week before last I began reading Divergent by Veronica Roth. I finished it in two days. I might have managed it in one had I been able to sit straight through and read. I quickly moved onto the next book in the trilogy, Insurgent, and am now about half way through Allegiant. Last week was crazy around my house, and so I hardly got any reading done. I can see why this trilogy is so popular! Did Tris get on anyone else's nerves like she did on mine, especially during the second book? I am looking forward to seeing the movie of the first book when it comes out.
Next up, I hope to start on State of Wonder by Ann Patchett. Have any of you read it? What did you think?
For those of you interested in hearing about last week's whirlwind birthday, I hope to post something about it later in the week. It was a very busy week and it will probably take me a week to recover. In the meantime, here's a little taste from the festivities:
What are you reading at the moment? Is it something you would recommend?
Next up, I hope to start on State of Wonder by Ann Patchett. Have any of you read it? What did you think?
For those of you interested in hearing about last week's whirlwind birthday, I hope to post something about it later in the week. It was a very busy week and it will probably take me a week to recover. In the meantime, here's a little taste from the festivities:
What are you reading at the moment? Is it something you would recommend?
Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea hosts
First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where
participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a
book they are reading or thinking about reading soon.
I raced through Veronica Roth's Divergent last week and thought I would share the opening with you today. Admittedly, the opening is not one that jumps out and grabs you nor is it particularly pretty in terms of writing style. Still, it is a book that got my attention very quickly, and I raced through it, picking up the second in the trilogy immediately upon finishing the first. For those who do not know, Divergent is the first book in a Young Adult/Science Fiction/Dystopian type novel.
There is one mirror in my house. It is behind a sliding panel in the hallway upstairs. Our faction allows me to stand in front of it on the second day of every third month, the day my mother cuts my hair.Would you continue reading?
© 2014, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
It looked like a birthday WEEK, not day! Lots of fun for Mouse! I read Divergent, and really liked it. But then I began to hear issues with Insurgent, and Allegiant was a hot mess. So I stopped with the first book. I actually do have the second on my shelves, I probably need to at least try. As far as State of Wonder, I listened to it on audio and absolutely LOVED it...fantastic narration.
ReplyDeleteSandy - Not quite a week, but close. :-) We definitely wore Mouse out with all the celebrating.
DeleteI finished all three books in the Divergent trilogy, and am looking forward to seeing the movie Divergent when it comes out the end of this week. Allegiant was a hot mess; I can attest to that. LOL
I'm enjoying State of Wonder so far!
These trilogy is quite popular, isn't it? If it's better written than The Hunger Games trilogy, I might be willing to give it a try. Have you read The Fifth Wave? I enjoyed that much better than Collins' trilogy.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently reading East of Eden (with Trish) and On What Grounds (by Cleo Coyle). Cuckoo's Calling is on my Nano and I'm quite impressed with Rowling's mystery-writing skills!
Les - I haven't read The Fifth Wave yet, but it's on my list of books I want to read. As for Divergent, after reading the first book, I was close to saying it's as good as The Hunger Games--and maybe Insurgent too. Allegiant, not so much.
DeleteI really want to read Cuckoo's Calling at some point. I am glad you are enjoying it!
I liked State of Wonder a lot --enjoy. As for the intro, I'm not sure, I'd read more before deciding. Have a good week Wendy.
ReplyDeleteDiane - I'm enjoying State of Wonder so far. I didn't get to read even one page this past weekend. Ugh. I hope to get some reading done during my lunch hour today. I think I've earned some uninterrupted reading time.
DeleteI liked State of Wonder but had a few issues with the actions of one of the characters.
ReplyDeleteI followed the whirlwind birthday on FB - it looks like it was great fun!
Kathy - Now you've got me extra curious! I haven't gotten too far in State of Wonder to know what you are referencing. But I'll get there. :-)
DeleteThe birthday week was lots of fun. Now Mouse is sad it's all over. She keeps talking about her dad's birthday now.
I was just thinking this morning about how I was going to review the Divergent trilogy. I'd already started a draft, but wasn't sure how much to give away if I reviewed all three in one post. The first one was a fast and exciting read.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa, which is the final installment of The Blood of Eden trilogy.
Jenclair - I know what you mean. I just wrote my review of the trilogy. There was so much I wanted to say about Allegiant in particular, but I can't because, well, it'd give too much away.
DeleteLooks like the Birthday was a blast! Looking forward to your thoughts on Allegiant. I will be attending the movie. State of Wonder was great on audio. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteNise - It was! I told my husband this is how my birthday should be celebrated too. He just gave me "the look". LOL
DeleteI'm looking forward to seeing Divergent brought to the screen too. Trying not to let my expectations get too high.
I enjoyed State of Wonder. It's signature Ann Patchett. One of these days I'll get around to Divergent, which is sitting patiently on a shelf.
ReplyDeleteMy post: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2014/03/first-chapter-first-paragraph-53.html
Catherine - That's good to know. So far, I'm really enjoying State of Wonder. It's just one of the many books by Patchett I want to read.
DeleteI am looking forward to the movie, but don't plan on reading the book. Hey, it's worked out great so far with Hunger Games :)
ReplyDeleteStacy - I love the Hunger Games movies. I enjoyed the books too. :-) You definitely don't have to take in both if you don't want to though. I feel that way about some movies too. I just have no interest in reading the books.
DeleteI'm not big on Science Fiction/Dystopian stuff, so will probably skip this trilogy. I did really like State of Wonder though... hope you do, too!
ReplyDeleteJoAnn - So far, I am really enjoying State of Wonder. I hope to finish it this week.
DeleteI read the series quickly too, (although I will confess I've read better). kelley—the road goes ever ever on
ReplyDeleteKelley - It was hard not to read the Divergent books quickly! Except maybe the last book. I stalled a couple times on that one.
DeleteActually yes I do like that opening, it is IMHO very intriguing. Also love dystopian.
ReplyDeleteMy post is here
Peggy - I didn't always like dystopian stories, but they've definitely grown on me. :-)
DeleteI loved Divergent! Thought book two was pretty good, but really didn't like book three. Am curious to see what you think after you finish it.
ReplyDeleteI'm about halfway through State of Wonder and I am loving it!
Carrie - I really liked Divergent too! When I read Insurgent, I was still on my Divergent high so I enjoyed that one too. The third book . . . that one is a different story.
DeleteI'm enjoying State of Wonder so far. All this talk about how great the audio is, I kind of wish I'd gone that route. I wouldn't have finished it in time though. I'm still not sure I'll get my review up by the end of the month. I'll at least have the book read by then. :-)
So glad this series is proving to your taste as I've heard a lot of mixed reviews. Looking forward to those birthday photos. I'm almost finished reading Red Winter by Dan Smith.
ReplyDeleteTracy - Red Winter sounds good. I hope you are enjoying it!
DeleteI didn't get to post the birthday post like I had hoped. We all got sick again and it was a busy weekend. Hopefully this coming Friday or Saturday . . .
Oh that looks fun, and the cat doesn't look too bothered which is surprising! (Or maybe I've just not met many easy-going cats.) Your reading choices sound pretty awesome at the moment, I've not read any of them but from reviews it sounds a good list to go through one after the other. I would continue Divergent because I'm aware I 'should' read it.
ReplyDeleteCharlie - I was really quick with the camera and my husband didn't actually set the hat on his head, just over it so it looks almost like he's wearing it. Parker bolted as soon as he realized what was happening. LOL
DeleteI do want to read this series! It's gotten lots of hype though, so I've been hesitant in buying them. Maybe I'll borrow them from the library :)
ReplyDeleteCute kitty!
Naida - You can never go wrong going the library route. :-) I know what you mean about hype. I really tried not to let my expectations get too high with this trilogy, and I think it worked. For the most part. :-)
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