Love Story

Anyone that knows me well understands my adoration for reading books. When the reality of the world tends to make me feel defeated it often only takes a beautiful story to lift my spirits. I love being able to listen to music and drink tea while I read as well. The warmth of a steaming cup in my hands and beautiful music filling my ears is the perfect atmosphere for falling into a love story. Every once in awhile we find amazing love stories inside of these books that give up hope for things. We fall in love with fictional characters and yet at the same time find pieces of ourselves in the stories as well. Although there are many classic love stories today's blog is about two very amazing series of books.They show the modern journey of the love story.

In 2008 I had just finished my college classes and was just starting my internship. I assumed I would just go see the movie, but after extreme persistence from my friend Lauren I decided to read the book Twilight. I agreed because the movie would be coming out and maybe I would understand the story a little more. Also Lauren said she wouldn't go to the movie with me if I didn't at least read Twilight. Little did I know that this book captured my fall that year. My internship didn't make me feel that great and it was nice to sink into the story of a vampire and werewolves. I fell in love with the story of Bella and Edward. It took me a month to read all four books in the saga. It seems bittersweet that this fall is closing in on the final movie of the series. The last movie comes out later this month (15 days according to me countdown). With his respect and old fashioned ways it was difficult not to fall in love with Edward Cullen. However the wonderful thing about this love story was to watch the changes in Bella over the years. She started off as a very plain jane girl, there is nothing overly special about her and she is actually quite a weak person. Yet Edward despite seeming to not have faults is able to love her for her plainess and this confindence that she recieves makes her grow. Then comes the point where a love triangle forms and her heart has to choose. She not only has one boy that loves her, but another as well. Although silly and ficitonal I can see why it still captures my heart in specific ways. Yet as I've also grown so has my love stories. 

 

SPOILER ALERT: IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE HUNGER GAMES, CATCHING FIRE, OR MOCKINGJAY PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS UPON READING FURTHER.

It is three years later that I find myself lost in a different world. Instead of being in the quiet little town of Forks. I now have been traveling inside the world and districts of Panem. I will clarrify that I should really not judge books so much before reading them. Throughout the years I've learned that some of the books I assumed were going to be the most uninteresting became some of my favorite love stories. Some of my favorite books as well. I had it in my mind that I did not want to read The Hunger Games. During the time of my first reading adventure from above I had seen this book on the shelves. After reading the back cover I thought it was kind of gruesome and too much like the movie SAW. I literally thought, 'can they come up with any original ideas for books yet?' Fast forward a few years and I see Entertainment magazine, MTV, and countless people telling me how amazing the now trilogy is. I told myself since the movie was coming out that if it were at the library and I didn't have to wait too long I would pick up The Hunger Games to read. It took me only a week to read these three books and I couldn't put them down. I fell in love with them in a way Twilight never could make me feel. It is a few days after Mockingjay and I still question all the things that happened. The books are very complex emotionally, yet they evolve in such a way that it is impossible not to fall in love. Unlike Bella, the main character Katniss is brave, fearless and untrusting. Throughout her story she needs to learn to be less strong for herself and stronger for others. Her love story involves a love triangle as well, however in my heart there was really no competition. Bella Swan knows exactly when and how much she loves Edward immediately. Katniss doesn't believe in closeness, because what is the point of falling in love if that leads your children to be slaughtered in the future. Her catalyst involves a boy named Peeta. Here is someone who has been in love with her since they were both five, but they never spent time together in class and he just silently watched as they both grew up. Like a fire (ironic for those who have actually read the books) it has started off small and turned into a giant wildfire. He constantly believes in saving her life even before the games. I feel like his love is more realistic, but maybe it is just because he would smell of bread and vanilla frosting. This books makes you think a lot about morality, devotion, hope, and so much more. It asks the questions: Would you take the place of someone you love even though you know it is certain death? What do you do when you have to kill someone that you love? What is the importance of family, friends, and having freedom? However my favorite complex thing that I've been thinking about lately is Peeta's statement at the top of the roof.

"I don't know how to say it exactly. Only…I want to die as myself. Does that make any sense?" he asks. I shake my head. How could he die as anyone but himself? "I don't want them to change me in there. Turn me into some kind of monster that I'm not." 

It is amazing how heartbreaking this quote is in The Hunger Games because later it comes into question. It is something that you should really pay attention to. It is the quote that still keeps me up at night. I love that not only does Katniss evolve throughout this story, but Peeta does as well. Sometimes it is for good, others time it is very bad. I realize now that it is too good of a story to spoil it for you. However I do recommend you reading it and giving it a chance. It is shocking and unexpected. I loved being able to read a story where I didn't predict what would happen. It was wonderful and painful. A great LOVE STORY.

As I read the last book: Mockingjay a song came onto Iheartradio. It is called If You're A Bird by the Scene Aestethic and it captures every loving feeling. From the fact that a Mockingjay is a strong and unfailing bird to the quote from The Notebook. I think you will like it a lot. Here is one of my favorite lines:

“If you're a bird, then I'm a bird. We'll fly around we'll cut the tether. Dead and knowing all we need, we'll find what we've built together. I'm convinced that I have found the other half of myself within you. I don't wanna know. I don't wanna know. They said if I think with my heart that I won't get very far; that can't possibly be true. I don't wanna know what life would be like without you.” 

So I hope you find your love stories and enjoy the books. Just remember that this is fiction and real love stories are also painful, but they require a lot of patience and understanding. Sometimes they don't work out, but one day you are going to find your Edward Cullen or you Peeta Mellark. Just don't be afraid to fall in love.