Monday, December 30, 2013

The Stages of a Book Hangover



When we finish a great book we go through the motions of a "book hangover". Some lasting only a day while others can be much longer. Personally, I have a hard time coming to terms with the end of The Hunger Games Series. I still go through some of these stages when thinking back on the books. Most commonly, "Bargaining". I always think back to how things could have changed certain events but, at the same time, I wouldn't change anything. Although, I am tempted to message Suzanne Collins sometimes for a rewrite (haha not really).

Here are, what I consider, the stages of a "book hangover". You may experience them in a different order or some not at all. They tend to be magnified when a character, especially a main one, dies or chooses the wrong love interest. I will give examples of what I go through when getting over a great read. These things may also be experienced during it as well.

1. Denial and Isolation


"Noooooooooo!" <--- That feeling you get when you read the last sentence of the book. The end of a series is even worse, you feel like your friends have left you behind never to return again. Which is why, if the book is REALLY good, I read it again at this stage because I just want to go back and reimagine it all over again.
Also at this stage you may want to lock yourself in your room with a tub of Ben and Jerry's. You know what? That's okay.

2. Anger

The kind that makes you test how far your book can fly. Or your Kindle for that matter, but that gets expensive after a while so you have to learn to take your anger out other ways. For the sake of your home life, hopefully no one is in your way during this time because it can get ugly. Things being thrown, nasty words being said, the appearance that you may be certifiably insane.
To think this can all be caused by a book. If you don't believe me then you obviously haven't been reading the right books. Most often the greatest ones cause the most explosive reactions.



3. Bargaining


"Maybe if he would have gotten there 5 minutes earlier she wouldn't have ran off with (Hot guys name here)."

"If he would have just been honest from the start she wouldn't be breaking up with him right now."

"If he would have taken the safer path the forest he wouldn't have died."

This is the stage that tempts you to write the author and ask "But whyyyyyyy???". You think of a hundred different ways it could have been written differently.

-or-

You want to write the Author and beg them to write more books in the series. "It can't be over, it just can't be." I've thought this more times than I can count


4. Depression

Colors are a little bit duller. The world is just a little bit less beautiful. Your perception on everything has went from sharp to fuzzy around the edges. How can it be possible that the world you just submerged yourself in is just the figment of someone else's imagination? Surely there MUST be a Brooke Dumas and Remington Tate somewhere living out their happily ever after, right? RIGHT?!

*sigh*

Oh reality, you cruel SOB.

5. Acceptance
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone! 

The point of clarity you've been waiting for. To accept the ending of a story is a wonderful thing and, most of the time, you're able to get to this point. However, there may be a few books that you will never heal from, unfortunately. Quite often, when it happens to me, I read the book over and over again until I feel a little bit of closure. Crazy? Maybe, but it seems to help me.


6. Moving on
The final stage. When you choose what book you will read next or just go to the next book in your kindle library (like I often do). With all the different series I'm reading sometimes, I bounce from one book hangover to another.



Book hangovers come and go, but my oh my they sure are worth it! I don't regret any of mine. I do, however, regret a few books I've read but that's another story.

What's the worst book hangover you've ever had?




-E

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Review- Euphoria by Erin Noelle

Overall rating- 4 out of 5 Stars

Holy. Freaking. Cow.

I am still wiping tears from my eyes, literally.

Just to let you know in advance, if you have not read the prior books in this series (Metamorphosis and Ambrosia) there may be SPOILERS.

I woke up at 1:30AM and couldn't go back to sleep(which has been happening more often than I'd like). So, I do what I normally do, and read until I feel tired again. Not only did that not happen but now I am typing away (wide awake may I add) about this, now finished, book that has left me... devastated? Happy? No, not happy. Maybe, devastatingly happy? If that makes any kind of sense. Maybe once you read the series and get to the ending, it will.

The curve ball thrown in this book completely blindsided me even after I knew SOMETHING was coming I just wasn't sure what. I feel like I wasn't given a chance to recover after what I read before getting to better things in the story. It's like, when you're a kid and someone takes away your favorite candy and you're just left there like "I want my candy back!" and your parents tell you "Get over it, it's just candy" and your sitting there like "Just candy?! That was a Snickers Crunch! That was not JUST candy!" Then in an attempt to shut you up they give you a regular Snickers. Which, by all means, is just as good if not better in any other situation but in this one you just want your Snickers Crunch back.

Okay, so the candy reference IS a little ridiculous but if you knew me you'd know that I take my candy pretty seriously. The point is, it's just not the same.

The book continues following Scarlett, Ash, and Mase. Things seem to be going pretty well for everyone, I wouldn't say perfect but, as Mase puts it, they're all striving towards their "Euphoria". Taking the steps they're all hoping will get them there.

Then...

WHAM!

*Cue the water works*

Although it does end with who I was rooting for, it honestly makes me want to read the series again and root for the other love interest and hope the book magically ends differently with everyone happy.

I do recommend the series, however, prepare yourself emotionally. Also, I'm a huge fan of the book list and song list that goes along with this series. Definitely check them both out!

I'm new to this so hopefully I didn't give away too much or not enough. Any advice GOOD or BAD is greatly appreciated!

-E

Friday, December 27, 2013

My Current Read

Euphoria by Erin Noelle (Book Boyfriend Series Book 3)


Book 1 (Metamorphosis) and Book 2 (Ambrosia) of this series had me on the edge of my seat, quite literally. When I start to get overwhelmed or emotional from a book I set it down and take a breather before continuing. I have done that a lot with this series. Like, right now, I'm currently 11% finished with this book but I'm taking a little "Chapter Break" if you will.

I'm not a fan of "Spoilers" and I started accidentally reading one for this book. Although I stopped reading it before it told me exactly what happened, it definitely made me scared to finish this read. No joke. I can already see a book hangover coming on.

I do HIGHLY recommend this series if you are into Romance Novels. Especially ones involving a love triangle with two hotties, one of which being an on the rise rock star. Just be prepared for an emotional roller coaster with a lot of twists and turns.

I will let you all know when I finish. I may have to recover first though.




- E

Thursday, December 26, 2013

WELCOME!

Welcome to my Blog! I will post my current reads, my recommended reads, and MORE! Please share my page and LIKE my Facebook page. Posts to come...


Thanks,

E