The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

 The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins - 528 pages

Ambition will fuel him.
Competition will drive him.
But power has its price.

It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined—every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute . . . and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.

Opinion: I enjoyed this book, though not as much as the original trilogy. It was still a great book that is well written, I'll just always have a special place in my heart for Katniss's and Peeta's story. It was interesting to get some of the history of the games, though, and to see practices forming that were standard in the original trilogy. I don't know if anyone else was on social media back when this book/the movie came out--where people started to lowkey have a crush on Snow--but after (and before, but especially after) I don't know how anyone could?? I was constantly rolling my eyes because he sucks as a person. I don't know how anyone could read it and land on sympathizing with him. 

Howl's Moving Castle (Howl's, #1) by Dianna Wynne Jones

 Howl's Moving Castle (Howl's, #1) by Dianna Wynne Jones-429 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads Synopsis: Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate. But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady. Her only chance at breaking it lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl's castle. To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch of the Waste head-on. Along the way, she discovers that there's far more to Howl—and herself—than first meets the eye.

Thoughts: I really enjoyed reading this. It is a fantastical adventure about finding your true self. I found myself rooting for Sophie, Howl, and Calcifer. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys fantasy. It's our next selection for the Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book to Movie Club, so I'm excited to watch the movie and compare them. 

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

 Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson - 128 pages

Jess Aarons' greatest ambition is to be the fastest runner in his grade. He's been practicing all summer and can't wait to see his classmates' faces when he beats them all. But on the first day of school, a new girl boldly crosses over to the boys' side and outruns everyone.

That's not a very promising beginning for a friendship, but Jess and Leslie Burke become inseparable. Together they create Terabithia, a magical kingdom in the woods where the two of them reign as king and queen, and their imaginations set the only limits.

Opinion: This was a good--but sad--short read. I saw the movie when I was younger, but it's been so long I didn't remember any details beyond that Leslie died. The book is comforting--Paterson does a great job of capturing the magic kids create with play pretend.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen-361 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I hadn't previously read any of Austen's works, but I had been wanting to read this one. It being our next book for the Book to Movie Club, I finally got the chance to read it. I had previously watched the 2005 film based on the book. One thing I find repulsive now about the setting and time period is the measure of a woman being tied to marrying well (and early). I do like the central romance story between Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. (Fitzwilliam) Darcy, though.

Overall, I rather enjoyed reading this and I think the 2005 movie is a good adaptation. 

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger

 The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger-360 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Andrea "Andy" Sachs is an aspiring journalist fresh out of college. She takes a job as Miranda Priestly's (the fashion editor) assistant at Runway magazine to get some experience and hopefully be on the fast track to a good job, preferably at The New Yorker. Andy got way more than she bargained for. Miranda is the most demanding, most cruel and indifferent boss a person could ever have. She calls at all hours and seems never to sleep. Every little detail seems like an emergency and Miranda is never polite with anyone. Andy does learn a lot about fashion, but she also ends up alienating herself from her friends, boyfriend, and family. I've previously seen the movie, but this was my first time reading the book. I enjoyed reading the book. It's a pretty good book, overall. 

I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

 I, Robot by Isaac Asimov-273 pages (Mass Market Paperback)

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is more a collection of somewhat related/connected short stories than a novel, at least in the strictest sense. I found some of the stories amusing and others thought-provoking. There are the 3 Laws of Robotics and robots can't directly disobey these Laws. The book is presented as flashbacks on Dr. Susan Calvin's (a renowned robopsychologist) long career at U.S.R. I liked this book and it's pretty good. This is the first book in a series on robots by Asimov. 

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

 The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving-80 pages

⭐⭐⭐

This is the classic tale of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman. Ichabod is a poor school teacher (pedagogue as Irving calls him) who aspires to woo Katrina Van Tassel and potentially inherit her father's wealth. However, there's a rival suitor nicknamed "Brom Bones" who is described as a rantipole (I had to look that word up and it means rowdy/wild/reckless) hero. Brom Bones and his gang likes to play practical jokes on Ichabod. One of the legends told in Sleepy Hollow is of a Headless Hessian Horseman who rides at night. One night after his affections were possibly spurned by young Katrina Van Tassel, Ichabod rides hard and fast away from her family's farm estate. He rides into the woods past the area where the Headless Horseman has been seen before. A solitary aloof rider is still a little ways down the road. After a few moments, the rider chases him and Ichabod tries to escape. However, he realized it's the Headless Horseman and as Ichabod seemingly nears escape the Headless Horseman throws his head at him and hits Ichabod in the head. Ichabod is never heard from again in Sleepy Hollow and all that's found is a smashed pumpkin and a few of his effects. Was it really the Headless Horseman or was it Brom Bones playing another practical joke?? 

I could definitely tell this was first written and published in 1820 by the language used. In addition to rantipole mentioned above words such as higgledy-piggledy (arranged in a confused/confusing manner), niggardly (boring), coquette, and negro are all used mostly as adjectives or nouns. Irving spends quite a few pages describing Sleepy Hollow, Tarry Town, and their inhabitants, especially Ichabod Crane. Very few pages are actually spent describing Ichabod's encounter with the Headless Horseman. Overall, I thought the book was okay. I actually prefer the movie "Sleepy Hollow" with Johnny Depp and so many other great actors/actresses. It takes the premise of the Headless Hessian Horseman and turns it into a paranormal mystery with elements of horror. 

Hallowe'en Party (Hercule Poirot, #41) by Agatha Christie

 Hallowe'en Party (Hercule Poirot, #41) by Agatha Christie-259 pages

⭐⭐⭐

This is our next Book to Movie Club selection. The movie based on the book is called "A Haunting in Venice." A young girl, Joyce Reynolds, is drowned in a tub of apples (for bobbing for apples) at a Halloween party. Hercule Poirot's author friend, Ariadne Oliver, who was at the party asks him to investigate the murder. This book is a bit meandering and unfocused. It is definitely not Agatha Christie's best work. It does pick up a bit near the end, though. The ending does pretty much wrap things up and tie all the ends together, but I am still not fully satisfied with it. I actually like the movie better, perhaps because the story is different and more focused.

Crazy Rich Asians (Crazy Rich Asians #1) by Kevin Kwan

 Crazy Rich Asians (Crazy Rich Asians #1) by Kevin Kwan-527 pages

⭐⭐⭐

Rachel Chu is invited by her boyfriend, Nick Young, to a summer in Singapore with his family. She doesn't know what she's getting herself into, however. Nick's family is "crazy rich" and exists within high society in Singapore. Nick has many cousins and an overprotective, highly selective mother, Eleanor. Can she win over Nick's family? Does Nick even care what his family thinks of Rachel?

So many characters who don't have much to do with Nick and Rachel's part of the story are introduced. Each chapter seems to be from a different character's point of view and many of the characters are not very likeable. Astrid Leong, Nick, Colin, Araminta, and Rachel are the only characters that I personally liked at all. I don't like how Astrid is portrayed in the book vs. how she's portrayed in the movie, though. 

The movie kind of takes the best parts from the book and leaves out the rest. The movie is also different in other ways, mostly for the better. The book isn't terrible, but I wouldn't say it's particularly good, either. It's pretty meh, overall. I enjoy the movie, though. I would give the book 3 stars. 

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Stardust by Neil Gaiman-271 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tristran Thorn promises to find and bring back a fallen star for his beloved (although it doesn't seem like it's reciprocated), Victoria Forester. He must leave the village of Wall and travel through Faerie to find the fallen star. Tristran isn't the only one seeking the star, though. A witch queen and sons of a Lord are also seeking the star for different reasons. This is a pretty fun, good read. It starts out a bit slow, but I liked the ending. I've liked everything I've read by Gaiman thus far.

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

 Hidden Figures by Margo Lee Shetterly - 349 pages, 10 hour 47 minute Audiobook

⭐⭐⭐✰✰

Set amid the civil rights movement, the never-before-told true story of NASA’s African-American female mathematicians who played a crucial role in America’s space program. Before Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, a group of professionals worked as ‘Human Computers’ calculating the flight paths that would enable space travel. A group of talented ‘colored computers’ who were segregated from their white counterparts, used pencil and paper to write the equations that would launch rockets and astronauts into space. This true story moves from World War II, when an executive order signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt made it possible for women and African-Americans to work in professional positions in government workplaces, through NASA’s golden age, touching on the civil rights era, the Space Race, the Cold War and the women’s rights movement. This book tells the story of courageous women whose work forever changed the world.

At times, it was difficult to keep track of all the names, events and dates in this book as she tended to throw out one fact after another. I feel like I learned facts about some people's lives, but I didn't get to know Dorothy Vaughan or Katherine Johnson on a personal level. I did find all the information about the discrimination and segregation African-Americans, especially those in Viriginia during the 1940's through 1960's, faced on a daily basis. I enjoyed the movie "Hidden Figures" much more than the book even though the screen adaptation portrayed NASA as a segregated workplace in 1961 even though they ended the practice when NACA became NASA in 1958. The movie told the story of the three main characters, instead of mostly stating facts about them, and helped you get to know them on a much more personal level.