Success

I did it! I finished my first month's assignment (although, technically I cheated and started in December) and not only did I complete it, but I exceeded my own expectations! I just finished the last book of the Hunger Games Trilogy:

12R12M {January}

Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins

While the second book seemed to take f.o.r.e.v.e.r. to drudge through, I couldn't read this last installment fast enough. In part, I wanted to see how our heroine, Katniss Everdeen, would survive the rebel takeover and in part, the idea behind the storyline was so grotesque I was really just ready for the war to end. I am actually quite surprised that this book was so high up on the most requested list, given the content. In fact, at one point I couldn't help but think of all of the books that local schools are banning and wonder when this series would find its way to the list!

This challenge is going to be more difficult than maybe I first anticipated though. The real test is going to be making myself stay awake to complete each month's assignment. I am finding the only real time I have to make any headway is to read before I go to sleep and then I only get a few pages read at a time! I am making myself read at lunch which really takes away from some social aspects but I feel so much more refreshed going back to work having given my brain an escape for at least a few minutes.

I have a huge deadline at work in less than a week so I won't be able to get a head start on February's read, but I've been working a lot more at the "after school" job with proceeds going to my very belated Christmas present to myself: a camera! I've been investigating and researching and tracking prices since before Christmas and I would like to get it very soon but am keeping an eye out for it to go on sale. I think a photo-a-day challenge would be so much fun!

So, when you finished the trilogy, did you feel exhausted, happy, etc? What did you think of the series as a whole?