Looking for Alaska by John Green

A few weeks ago I made a trip to Books-A-Million with the intent to spend some saved birthday/Christmas money and I knew one of the books I was going to buy was Looking for Alaska by John Green.

The last few months that I've gone to the bookstore, I kept coming across this book and each time I left thinking that I would get it "next time." Next time always turned into my forgetting about it and then re-discovering it. Part of what drew me to the book was the title because it had the word Alaska in it and if you know me even a little, you know I love Alaska (the place). So I finally decided enough was enough and I bought it.

I didn't know much about it before I started reading, and I soon found out that the book is broken down into two sections, Before and After. "Before and After what?" you're probably wondering so this is where I challenge you to go read this book and find out. Another thing I soon found out is that it takes place in an area I'm familiar with so it was weird and amusing to me reading about Birmingham, Pelham, Mountain Brook, and Montevallo, Alabama.

Looking for Alaska follows Miles "Pudge" Halter on his search for the Great Perhaps. Miles is a friendless Florida teen who decides to go to Culver Creek, a prep school outside of Birmingham, Alabama. While there he becomes friends with his roommate Chip "The Colonel" Martin and beautiful, fascinating Alaska Young.

Teenage shenanigans ensue and culminates in a big event. I was curious as to what the event was going to be but I knew it had to be big in order for there to be a before and after and to say it was a surprise is an understatement.

This was also the first male narrated book that I've read in a while and it was a nice breath of fresh air getting out of the head of a female, even though Alaska is a prominent character.

The Fiery Cross - Diana Gabaldon

I just finished reading The Fiery Cross and let me tell you, it felt like a task. I started reading this book during my book funk so I don't think that helped any. Finally though, after a few months I have finished.

First of all, I love everything about this series. I love that these books are so long because I love spending all that time with the characters. My love wasn't enough to get me through this book as quickly as I did the others though.

The Fiery Cross started with Jamie, Claire, Brianna, and Roger visiting River Run for Jocasta's wedding to Jamie's friend Duncan. The first half takes place right before, during, and after the wedding and this is the part that seemed to drag for me. There were some interesting happenings going on, and everything was a good setup for future events, but for the most part I was ready for the next portion of this book and I really hoped it picked up. Boy, did it.

Not long after everyone returns to Fraser's Ridge Jamie and Roger must leave to stand with the Milita against the Regulators at Alamance. Once the skirmish is over, Roger is purposefully identified as a Regulator and what happens literally left me open-mouthed.

After leaving Alamance, Jamie, Claire, and family return to Fraser's Ridge where Jamie eventually teaches Roger how to fight and a plan is made to catch and kill Stephen Bonnet. Once put into motion, the plan for Bonnet does not go according to plan and he ends up in the same area as Claire, Brianna, and Marsali, instead of with Jamie and Roger.

The last few chapters of the book we are reunited with Jamie's nephew Ian and he brings along an interesting item along with him for Claire and we find out more about others who have passed through the stones.

Once I got past the wedding and all that ensues with that, the book seemed to get a lot more interesting and there were a lot of varied emotions. I couldn't believe all that Roger and Jamie had gone through and I was beyond excited that Ian was back in the picture. After all this, I'm once again excited about continuing the series and I think my book funk is officially over.

I will leave you with the last few lines of the book.

"When the day shall come, that we do part," he said softly, and turned to look at me, "if my last words are not "I love you"--ye'll ken it was because I didna have time." - Jamie Fraser