A Post About Books

I used to read like a banshee back in middle/high school. All the time. Nose pushed between chapters, oblivious to the outside world. Read read read. I loved it. I'm a very theoretical, imaginary person, so I get very invested in the characters. I pretend they are my best friends and we are on this amazing adventure together and seriously, who else out there literally dreams about the current book they are reading? Like, I wake up in a sweat because Four just cornered me in the Dauntless compound and totally violated every inch of me. (Thank you God!)
Male characters in books = real life husband's worst nightmare.
Because, I mean, come on. How can real life husbands compete with the most romantic, passionate, attentive, noble, courageous males on the planet? (Try, just try to tell a faithful reader that the man she has come to know and love through paperback is just fiction and not really real. Just try, I dare you.)
Not to mention, I don't cry. Ever. Except that is, when I reach the end of the trilogy and right about now is when I wished I had purchased that adult bib from Etsy because OMG, the tears! Like, I'm not kidding…I've even audibly cried while finished the last chapter of a book before. Audibly as in out loud. As in someone could have heard me had I been in public view. Which brings me to my next point…
Is it just me, or do you also love to read in complete solitary? I need my alone time. Or rather, my alone time to be with these characters I have become so invested in and have fallen head over heels in love with. Lately, I've been finding myself using up my "me" time when my kids are napping or having a rest to curl up in my bedroom, no tv, not even summer re-runs of Dr. Phil (seriously!) and I just revel in the complete emotional experience of a book.
A simple book, some say. But simple?
Some just don't know, do they fellow readers?
It's like whenever I post a picture to instagram (you can follow me @ravenasmith) I get the most comments when it comes to book photos, because people love to talk about the characters they are invested in, the characters they have become emotional over, because we all feel like we truly know them, want to know them or could be them.
Below are a few of the most current books I have finished, and my thoughts on each:
The 5th Wave. Let me start by saying…sci-fi/alien stuff? So not for me. I don't do alien movies, I don't get into sci-fi and until this book, I've never ever taken an interest in that genre. But for some reason, the reviews and description of this book caught my attention. I picked it up at Barnes & Noble, started reading the first chapter when I had a spare moment and became entranced every since. Take it from an anti-sci-fi person, this book is amazing!!! It is most definitely not your typical alien book and I have such a strong emotional reaction and attachment to it that I want to scream from the rooftop that everyone needs to read this book. It's going to be a trilogy (book two comes out in September) and it's also going to be made into a movie. Loved it.
Gone Girl. I instagrammed my thoughts on this book and I know so many have already read it, but OMG so incredibly good. The psychology and insane-ness of this book…let's just say it touched very closely to home and I could absolutely empathize with both sides. If you love sleep, this definitely isn't the book for you, as you won't be able to put it down and will walk around zombie-like the morning after. (And seriously, Ben Affleck cast as Nick? Could it be any more perfect?!)
The Maze Runner Series. I got conflicting reviews on this book when I asked for others opinions. About 50% said "eh, not that good" and the other 50% said "YES. Amazing." I completely agree with the latter percent. I loved this trilogy. Read all three books in a week. Couldn't put it down. Such an amazing dystopian story and yes, this one also will be made into a movie later this year. I loved the characters in this book and the suspense was out of control. Nail biting. Emotional. Highly recommend.
Obviously, Divergent series is a given (read it, if you haven't) and on my list of must-reads? The Uglies Trilogy, Eleanor & Park, The Vacationers and Cinder. Anyone read these? Thoughts?
Oh, and OH.
Currently reading?
The Darkest Minds. Guys. I don't even have words. I'm only a quarter of the way through and I'm already feeling my heart tug. It's amazing, it's emotional, it's keeping me up all hours of the night. Read the reviews, seriously…this book is already turning out to be one of my all-time favorites. And it's going to be a trilogy and I guarantee will be made into a movie soon. It's incredible, it really really is. Please read? So then we can discuss?
Oh and ps! I downloaded the Goodreads app to my phone, where you talk all things books. Add me? My username is Raven Smith.
Thoughts on the above mentioned books? Any you think I just have to read? Any amazing book boyfriends I am missing out on??