Today, I find it particularly important to talk about what everyone’s been reading lately … since I’ll probably be doing lots of reading this weekend. Who wants to go out of the house when it looks like this?
Yes, my faithful blog followers, that’s a repeat-picture. Don’t judge me. You get the idea. It’s snowing here. A lot. 
On to happier subjects …
… let’s talk about blogs I’ve been reading this week, shall we? 
- Katie (aka Ms. Fit Runner) is one of my new favorite bloggers. She is hilarious and reminds me of a combination of Janae and Skinny Runner, which is a HUGE compliment in my book. Read any of her posts for a good laugh!
- Julie at Peanut Butter Fingers wrote a great post on running a half-marathon. If you’re considering running one yourself for the first time, you should check it out!
- My blogger buddy, Lindsay, posted a “vlog” (video blog
) about her history with disordered eating. I love how honest she is, and I think many women/girls can relate to her previous struggles! - Amy at Fearless Homemaker posted this recipe for peanut butter cookies with salted caramel a couple of weeks ago, and I’m still drooling over them. Amy, feel free to send me a batch anytime. I promise you’ll be my new BFF.
- My good friend, Lindsay (yep, another Lindsay), has a great blog for Christian women. She just wrote a review about the “Money Saving Mom” book. The review includes a few money-saving tips AND she’s giving away a copy of the book! Go over and check it out!
And finally, can we talk about these for a minute?
Why am I always so behind the times? Why did I just discover these books? Seriously, my friends … they are ah-mazing.
Here’s the description of the first book (source):
“Twenty-four are forced to enter. Only the winner survives. In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Each year, the districts are forced by the Capitol to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games, a brutal and terrifying fight to the death – televised for all of Panem to see.
Survival is second nature for sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who struggles to feed her mother and younger sister by secretly hunting and gathering beyond the fences of District 12. When Katniss steps in to take the place of her sister in the Hunger Games, she knows it may be her death sentence. If she is to survive, she must weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
WINNING WILL MAKE YOU FAMOUS. LOSING MEANS CERTAIN DEATH.”
Did I hook you yet??
I’ve gotten both my mom and my husband interested in the books. I read the first one while we were on vacation, and I kept Brandon up to date on the latest happenings as I read. I read about half of the second book on the plane home, with Brandon reading over my shoulder pretending he didn’t care.
I’m not done with the second book yet, so NO ONE RUIN IT FOR ME!! 
Oh and if you didn’t know, they’re also coming out with a movie …
… and guess who’s going to be in line with all the teens for that one??
Question for ya …
Anyone else read the Hunger Games? Thoughts? Will you go see the movie?
What blogs have you been reading lately? Books? Articles?
What are you up to this weekend?
If you’re looking for me, I’ll be on my couch with a blanket, electric heater, hot chocolate, and a book. Don’t even try to get me out of my house until the snow melts. 
I read The Hunger Games last year and loved them. In fact, I loved the first book so much that right after I finished it, I started it again! I will admit that the third was my least favorite, but it is by far one of the most captivating series for YA (and adults) out there! I’m excited but nervous for the movie. I feel like Collins painted such a GREAT picture for me that I don’t want Hollywood to ruin it. On a side not they filmed a lot of the movie throughout our state (NC). Happy reading KP
Northern Girl_Southern Wife (Alissa) recently posted..A Challenge to Start the New Year!
I know what you mean about the movie … I ALWAYS prefer the book to the movie. So I feel ya on that!
WOW! Thank you for sharing the trailer, girlie! I read the first one and have been meaning to pick up the second, but things have just been very busy with the new semester starting and moving back in. You might have just inspired me to stop by Barnes and Nobles today
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance recently posted..Mac Attack
Yes, you gotta read the second! So good!
I’ve just ordered the first of the Hunger Games books as they have been highly recommended in blog land. I can’t wait for it to arrive.
Jem @ Celery and Cupcakes recently posted..Shopping Tactics
Let me know your thoughts after you read it!!
Everybody raves about these books, but I can’t seem to get into wanting to read a book where children kill each other! Is that how it is? Is it graphic/violent? The subject sounds awful, but the reviews sound fabulous.
Christi McGuire recently posted..Cookin’ with Kristy!
My mom said something similar, and now she’s hooked. First of all, they’re teenagers (vs. kids), and because of the lives they’ve lead, you think of them more as adults. And it’s really not gory … there are parts that seem a little violent, but overall, it’s just a well-written book. Ask my mom her thoughts haha!
HUNGER GAMES!!! Love it! The second one was my favorite by far. I will see the movie, but I already know that I will think the book was better. Isn’t it always?
I am hoping for a sushi date tonight (gift card, yes!!!). Tomorrow night we are having family dinner with Daniel’s family and I am so excited. His brother has been in Kenya for the past 7 weeks on medical missions, and I can’t wait to see him and hear about his trip.
Enjoy your cozy reading weekend!
natalie @ southern fit foodie recently posted..Vacation Recap: Christmas in Cancun
Yay for sushi!! Take a picture for me!
You’re AWESOME!:) thanks for the shout out lady!! Sorry you’ve got snow:( won’t tell u what the weather has been like here. But sometimes it’s nice to be forced inside!
xo
You’re welcome … I meant what I said!!
Thank you so much for including me!! And I’m so happy that you’re enjoying The Hunger Games! I LOVED that series…and I absolutely cannot wait til the movie comes out. If I was home at that time, I would totally be in line with you haha…but since I’m not, we will just have to talk about it
.
Lindsay @ In Sweetness and In Health recently posted..25 Minute HIIT Tabata Workout
You’re welcome! I loved the vlog!
ahhh i read hunger games over vacation last summer and I really enjoyed them (even if they are a bit gory), i’m super pumped for the movie to come out!
i just finished reading The Help and that was really good..and now i’m reading some of Chelsea Handlers books…pretty amusing stuff
everyone is begging for snow over here and i’m completely ok with none, hahaha, but enjoy being curled up for the weekend it sounds relaxing!!
Theresa recently posted..Leftovers and the brilliance of smaller plates
My friend told me I need to read The Help … that might be my next one!
The help is wonderful as well! If you haven’t seen the movie- don’t see it until you read the book! Of course, the book is better!
Nicole recently posted..Wedding Dress Nightmares
You haven’t read The Help?????? You must! ASAP!
Lindsay recently posted..Random Friday
I just started The Hunger Games a few days ago and I am loving it!!! I heard about it but didn’t quite get the hype. Then I saw the trailer for the movie and decided I needed to read it. Three days after opening it and I am almost done!
Samantha @ Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans recently posted..Put Your Credit Card Down and Walk Away
I just finished The Hunger Games yesterday, and I already downloaded the second book on my eReader! I am hooked!
Pamela recently posted..My Breakfast of Champions
Thank you so much for the tips and the blogger suggestions! Especially for Christian women…I am always looking for good Christian women bloggers.
I read the first book in the Hunger Games and am waiting to start the second one until I have like two days with nothing else to do, b/c I know I won’t be able to put it down!! I wish it would snow here so I could do just that!!!
Cinnamon @eatpraytri recently posted..Back with a vengeance!
thanks for the shout out, home skillet.
so i read half of hunger games, the first book, and then quit reading it. does that make me a loser?
Hey no problem … you’re seriously the funniest blogger I follow! And sorry but yes, that makes you a loser in my book!!
Actually, it shows you have crazy self-restraint because there’s no way I could have just stopped half way!
I read all three books in less than a week. Honestly, you will get completely sucked in. They are GOOD. The writing is astounding. I just finished the girl with the dragon tattoo. And I loved it also!
Nicole recently posted..Wedding Dress Nightmares
The girl with the dragon tattoo is another one that I’ve heard is good. Geez, I need to just stop working and start reading!
It’s okay that you’re late to The Hunger Games party. It only matter that you came! I read them all in a week then I was so sad they were done. I’m in-between books right now, currently waiting for The Night Circus to get here in the mail!
StoriesAndSweetPotatoes recently posted..Makin’ Whoopie Pie Pancakes
Never heard of The Night Circus before!!
Thanks for the kind words my friend! Stay warm this weekend!
Thanks, Lindsay!!
I love the Hunger Games series they are WAY better than Twilight but not better than Harry Potter.
Lauren @ Chocolate, Cheese and Wine recently posted..Forks Over Knives Review
Haha I think they trump both Twilight and Harry Potter!
I fell in love with the Hunger Games after the first book (seriously, how could you not?!). I have to honest though, I am maybe a quarter of the way into the 3rd book and I’m just not really LOVING it like I did the others. I’m sure that it gets better, but I tend to give up on books if they don’t hook me after at least 4 chapters.
Michelle @ Our Dream, Made Out of Real Things recently posted..I’m baaaack
Someone else said something similar about the 3rd book. That’s a bummer!
slightly jealous of your snow
I havent read the hunger games although I know I should. Everyone raves about them. The movie looks great too, especially since I think liam hemsworth is a hottie
Kat recently posted..From Bad to Worse
I love Hunger Games!!! It is so addicting. I read it in like 2 days, and I am not a reader. I got the next two books in the series for Christmas and can not wait to start reading them.
Mattie @ Comfy and Confident recently posted..Packed Lunch
I just started book 3. I really liked book 2 … let me know your thoughts!
I loved the Hunger Games books and read them all in one weekend! I cannot wait for the movie and have watched the trailer maybe 5 or 8 times…obsessed. Even the husband is interested in seeing the movies!
I’m between books right now, I keep starting, not getting into it, and then trying something else. I haven’t posted a book review in a few weeks, so I need to get into one and get to reading!
Sarah recently posted..Never in my life…
Wow, all in one weekend? That’s so fast reading!!
I’ve read the first book only. I’m scared to see the movie!! It’s definitely a gripping read, but violent!! I have a few books from the library, but so far I’ve just been reading the blogs this weekend!
Corrie Anne recently posted..Sporty Saturday & My Marathon Tebow
Thank you for links to new blogs! I hope you’ve enjoyed your snowy Saturday. I’m a little envious of it! There is something cozy about being snowed in. PS I read all three Hunger Games books in record time. They are seriously addicting! PS: I have a giveaway going on now that I think you might be in to!
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I am obsessed with those books. Almost done with the 3rd one…and I stayed up way too late last night reading it..oops! They are just so good, can’t put them down! & everytime I see that trailer for the movie I get excited!! CANNOT wait to see it!
Holly recently posted..Crohn’s Disease Update
I know!! I can’t wait for the movie to finally come out!
I just purchased the books yesterday and am quite excited to read them. I’m also the same girl that couldn’t stop reading Twilight… Sometimes recounting a story or book to a family member gets them hooked. I went through an entire 2 hour synopsis/recounting of the movie “Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus” to my parents in which my Father said “Wow that movie sounds too intense for me” LOL.
Lauren recently posted..Here Chickie Chickie
Let me know your thoughts on the books! I’m getting closer to the end of book 3!
Ahh I just started reading the Hunger Games as well, and am so mad I did not start a year ago when I heard the world taking about them! I just started, but I can already tell it’s going to become a favorite of mine! Such a good story! I can not wait for the movie either!!!
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I just started the first book after hearing so much about the series and I’m already hooked! Can’t wait to read Catching Fire and Mockingjay!