Epilogues: When Stories End With Ugh

If you want the scandalous truth about me, it is this ...  for most of my teen years all I read was my class assigned texts and Harlequin (Mills & Boon in Australia) historical romance novels.  It's the reason why I have a love of, and use, words like 'bother' and 'persnickety' in every day language. On the plus side it instigated a love of history which then (inexplicably) directed itself into a fascination with war.  Anyway - the reason I bring up my shameful (and sometimes revisited) past is that epilogues are a big deal in romances.

Big deal in that the reader usually catches a glimpse into the character's 'happily ever after' and more importantly, what the happily married (ugh) couple name their children.  Part of me has to like it, the subconscious part, as I continue to read these kinds of books but I do find them to be unnecessary.  Almost like that annoying girl that we all have in our lives that needs to tack on a tidbit more information than is necessary.  I roll my eyes at that girl and I do the same for the humble epilogue.

In terms of the three current grand poobahs of young adult literature we have the Twilight saga, the Harry Potter series* and the Hunger Games trilogy.  I am going to discuss the use of epilogues in terms of these three cultural phenomenons - two of which I have read recently, one in which I would love to strike from my memory.  (There will be spoilers for all three series so consider yourself warned.)

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BBAW - Future Treasures

Last meme for BBAW 2010...

We’ve been visiting each other and getting to know each other better…now is your chance to share what you enjoyed about BBAW and also what your blogging goals are for the next year!

My favourite aspect of BBAW is always finding new bloggers, unfamiliar authors and titles that I must check out immediately! BBAW allows people and books to have their moment in the sun and I adore it.  I love being a recipient of someone else's share and also being the one to bring a book into the consciousness of others.

My blogging goals: 

BBAW - Forgotten Treasure

The idea for today is to share a title that was released under the radar (or possibly before the radar existed.)   This is my favourite meme for the week - keep 'em coming BBAW gals!  My choice was actually under my own radar :)

Sure we’ve all read about Freedom and Mockingjay but we likely have a book we wish would get more attention by book bloggers, whether it’s a forgotten classic or under marketed contemporary fiction. This is your chance to tell the community why they should consider reading this book!

I have to talk about Markus Zuzak.  He's an Aussie young adult literature author who has been highly praised for his work and for whom I was unaware of prior to my entry into YA blogging.  I felt (and still do) extremely foolish that I was that oblivious to such talent.

While everyone raves about The Book Thief, I wanted to talk about it's less discussed older brother.  You know the one that is set in present day Australia, kicks off with a bank robbery and has a mystery that will both entertain, wound and involve you?  It was a Printz Honor title for 2006?  Still nothing?

Review - Mockingjay / Suzanne Collins

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans -- except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay -- no matter what the personal cost. Goodreads.

Review - The wait and resulting anticipation for this title have been like a dark sky cloaking the YA bloggerdom.  Then it rained, absolutely poured Mockingjays and while the flowers were drinking plentifully, the mosquitoes were out in record numbers.  You've got to take the good with the bad and I, for one, am glad to have finally read the concluding title (even if accompanied by loud, ever present buzzing).

spoilers if you choose to continue...

BBAW - Unexpected Treasure

For the Wednesday Meme, the folks at BBAW have thought of this wonderful little idea.....unearthing an unexpected literary gem.

The premise is this....

We invite you to share with us a book or genre you tried due to the influence of another blogger.  What made you cave in to try something new and what was the experience like?

And so I shall!

Review - Friend Is Not A Verb / Daniel Ehrenhaft

From the author of the Edgar Award–winning The Wessex Papers comes a hilariously offbeat novel about Henry “Hen” Birnbaum, a teenage boy who dreams of becoming a rock star despite a minor setback, namely: his girlfriend just dumped him and kicked him out of their band. Now his social life consists of night after night of VH1 marathons with his best friend and next-door neighbor, the neurotic Emma Wood.

Then there’s the matter of Sarah, his sister, who mysteriously disappeared for a whole year and just as mysteriously returned. As the story unfolds, the reasons for her disappearance seem more unbelievable than Henry ever could have imagined. Maybe rock god status isn’t too farfetched for Henry. After all, crazier things have happened.  Goodreads.

Review - I am a shallow being.  I freely admit to be as such as I purchased this book based on the title, cover art and the fact that it was authored by a man.  Turns out that my puerile ways resulted in a great read told from a teen male perspective and a new (much needed) male YA author in my arsenal - not a bad day's work.

BBAW: Blogger Interview Swap

Through the miracle of a random generator, I was paired with The Reading Ape for BBAW 2010's Blogger Interview Grand Swap-a-roo.

This lovely gent is a professor of literature and writing in his professional life and blogs about literary fiction in his spare time.  Who doesn't want to read a blog written by a primate that is passionate and an educationally-gauged expert?

On a personal note, it was fantastic to be paired with another teacher/blogger - we rock!

BBAW: First Treasure

Book Blogger Appreciation Week 2010 is kicking off with the First Treasure meme.  My Friend Amy and the gang have invited the book blogosphere to share "...a great new book blog you’ve discovered since BBAW last year."

While last year's BBAW celebration gave me food for thought and a Google Reader full of new, sparkly book blogs to read - I didn't discover the blogs I am going to mention on that occasion.  Alas, Twitter is responsible for these precious little wonders.

Disjointed Ramble on YA Love

Call me a cynic but I don't believe in falling in love at first sight.

I think it is bullocks.