What I read in November (2011)

I have a much lighter load this month! (Uh, one book? :shameface:) The holiday season doesn't leave as much time for reading - as much as the cooler weather makes me want to just curl up in bed with my books! I started Under The Tuscan Sun, twice, but it expired from my Nook both times I rented it. I guess that tells ya a little something about it, huh? I'll review it whenever I decide to get around to it again!

Crossed by Ally Condie

I don't remember how I stumbled on this trilogy, but upon reading the description of the first book in the series (Matched), I knew I needed to read it. I am a sucker for those "impossible" type love stories (read: Twilight!) where a big road block creates a tension-filled cat & mouse type of situation. The description of Matched fit the bill! Through both of these books, I've been very hung up on the details - the things outside of the love story - and finding myself extremely torn on many presented issues. In fact, I was so torn and distracted after reading Matched, I wasn't sure if I'd come to love this series. And I really wanted to - with Harry Potter finished, and Twilight nearly completed - I needed something new!

Crossed was, I think, a better book overall. I suppose I could have just grown comfortable with the idea of the Society (understanding, not accepting), but I felt a lot more connected to the characters this time around. I was happy with the path they took, even though I was a little anxious reading through the details. In fact, if you have even a hint of claustrophobia, listen up: there's a moment in this book where the characters navigate an extremely tight tunnel in the wall of a cavern. The description of it, and the character's experience of going through it was written in a way that almost caused me to panic myself. I had to skim pages 241-243 (of the hardcover, which I assume is the only available format right now).

This book felt beautifully poetic - I loved that about Matched, as well. The inclusion of Tennyson's Crossing the Bar and Thomas' Do Not Go Gentle fit the books perfectly and added an extra dose of inspiration. I pulled a couple of my favorite quotes from Crossed that are worth remembering:

"Love changes what is probable and makes unlikely things possible."  -page 322

"When you first love, you look blind and you can see it all as the glorious, beloved whole, or a beautiful sum of beautiful parts. But when you see the one you love as pieces, as whys - why he walks like this, why he closes his eyes like that - you can love those parts, too, and it's a love at once more complicated and more complete."  -page 346


Overall, I really enjoyed this book. This is definitely a trilogy worth checking out, if you're a sucker for love stories and series the way I am!