LONG

PAST

DUE

 

 

Everyone is a reader...

Some just haven't found the

right book yet.

 

I have been sorely neglecting my blog of late, so I've decided even if I don't have any adventures to report on, the least I can do is throw out a book recommendation (because that hasn't been done in an age and a half, and by that I mean about three months...oops).

 

The book (or actually books) I'm recommending this time is a trilogy (there are seriously so many trilogies out there, so I'll take pity on you and won't make you guess which trilogy I'm talking about). The Selection trilogy is an interesting mix of a semi dystopian society based in a post World War III world where a new nation (consisting of part of what used to be the U.S.) is waging a war on three fronts. They are trying to keep their freedom from the Chinese who previously had control over the U.S. (which is more of an undertone in the books) as well as defending against Southern and Norhtern rebel groups (which is what truly drives the plot of the story). There is a caste system that was put into place: 1-8, 1 being the royal family (the nation is run by a monarchy) and 8 being beggars on the street. Level 2 is basically the nobility with celebrity jobs like models and actors. Level 3 are educators of any kind like professors, philosophers, writers and the like. Level 4 are farmers, insurance brokers, business owners, etc. Level 5 is artisans like painters and singers (which is the caste of the main character). Level 6 are secretaries, store clerks, housekeepers, etc. Level 7 are heavy laborers like gardeners, constructions workers, and farm hands. And level 8 are the homeless who often suffer from some kind of infirmity--physical or mental--like addicts, the menetally handicapped, or simple runaways.

 

 

 

 

 

Each time a prince comes of age, a drawing is done nationwide to choose candidates for the next queen-to-be. Girls from across the nation can voluntarily enter their names into the drawing in hopes of becoming a princess and improving their station in life. If you're thinking this sounds an awefully lot like the bachelor, you woulnd't be far off the mark. This series is definitely geared toward people of the female persuasion, but for those who aren't much into chick flick, over-the-top romances, don't worry too much. While this book has its cheesy, angsty romantic parts, it is also strewn with some mystery, danger, and intrigue as well. It had enough to keep me interested throughout the seires and the characters were believable--in my mind at least (remember this is strictly my opinion and you can think of the books what you will)--and while they made many stupid mistakes, they did grow throughout the series--some more than others.

 

The main character, America, is a girl from the fifth caste, from a family of artists. She is a singer and plays a few instruments including the piano and the violin. She is determined not to enter the drawing, but is somehow wrangled into it and what do you know, she gets chosen (not much of a surprise considering you wouldn't have a story without that happening). It's true that a lot of the story (mostly the romantic parts) are quite predictable, but there are a few plot twists that make the overall storyline interesting. I wouldn't say this is one of my absolute favorite series, but it kept my attention well enough that I felt it deserved a recommendation. I truly did enjoy this series even if it was a bit more of a guilty pleasure book rather than a great scholarly example of literary genius. I also love that there are instances where the author (Kiera Cass) makes you think about certain issues like what it would be like to live under a monarch, what traits a good leader should have, where to draw the line when it comes to making decisions for a nation, what is worth sacrificing and what is not, etc.

 

So in short, if you love romance with a mix of mystery, intrigue, and danger thrown in--and even a tad bit of politics--these books are most definitely for you. If you like dystopian, you might like these books, though they are not so obviously dystopian as The Hunger Games. I would deem these books a good summer read, books you could take out to the beach and enjoy during those instances you don't have anything better to do but pass the time.

 

That's the thing about books:

they let you travel

without moving your feet.