Today is a weird topic for me. I mean, it’s not weird for ME but it might be for you.
Again, it’s a good time to remind you that the writing prompts are OPTIONAL. I added them because some people wanted to participate but ended up spending 5 minutes writing about what they should be writing about in those 5 minutes. Usually if I’m given a prompt, I’m off and running very quickly.
How do I come up with the prompt? I dump what’s in my head and then go back and try to create something generic that perhaps you can relate to.
Today’s (Optional) Writing Prompt: Have you ever gotten so engrossed in a book that is seemed to spill over into your real life? Tell me about it.
Here we go…
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I wrote last year at some point about how much I missed reading. Like real reading. Sitting and flipping through pages of a book. So I read a few. And I listened to some audiobooks, the big one for me being “The Help.” I fell in love with not only the written word but the spoken word too.
When I find the time and interest, I try to stick my nose in a book or listen to one (which actually takes longer). I had some Audible credits to use up so I downloaded “The Hunger Games.” I didn’t think it would be for me. I figured it was another “Twilight” teen pic sort of series. When I found out it was more sci-fi/futuristic, I thought I felt ready to figure out what it’s all about.
When I listen to a book, if it’s read well, I become completed enveloped by the story. It’s like watching a movie in my own head. That happens to a degree when I’m reading but moreso when I have to focus my audio skills on creating a picture.
I listened to The Hunger Games and I was deeply involved. I saw the characters and knew them in detail. I was driving up to Baltimore when Katniss entered the arena and was desperately searching for water. Is it coincidence that I was extremely thirsty in the car when I was listening to that part? I had no water either. When she was cold, I seemed to be cold.
I recently decided to bake some bread. Some whole wheat bread. Part of it was me saving me. Part of it was using up ingredients in my house before I move. But maybe, just maybe, it was because Katniss received a loaf of bread from District 11 and it made me think subconsciously about being able to make my own bread.
Even now, as the book is over, I’m still thinking about the story and hearing my life narrated by Carolyn McCormick, just like the story.
31 comments
I have never really listened to an audio book – I read fast, and it always seemed like a waste when I know the audio book would take so much more time. But I might have to try it sometime. You make it sound good.
I recently read the Hunger Games (still haven’t taken the Twilight plunge, and don’t plan on doing it!) and it definitely was one of those books that stuck with me, and stayed in my mind after the pages were finished.Â
And now I want some bread. Â
An audiobook DOES take more time than reading but it’s great to listen to when you’re doing something mindless and can’t read. I listen in the car or even put on headphones and listen while I’m packing!!
I love the Hunger Games series! I never thought about making the bread (neat idea)…but we did blog about what kind of shoes you’d wear in the arena. Talk about…original. And I agree; reading (or listening) to a book is like watching the movie in your head!
I totally love shoes and I was actually thinking about that while I was listening!
Since my dad reads my blog, I can’t really use this prompt…so I’ll tell you here: 50 Shades of Grey baby! Ok, it may not be spilling into my life, but the series has consumed me and maybe spilled into my day dreams 😉
I’ve only recently heard about the book but what I’ve heard makes me understand why you’re hesitant to put it on your blog 😉
Girl, I never realized you were up at the crack of dawn posting these things! I’m not usually up this early, but my hubby’s phone woke us up.
I love audiobooks, and I was pleasantly surprised as how good ‘The Hunger Games’ actually was. It didn’t make me bake bread, but I’m sure I’ve had a few obsessed book-fangirl moments.Â
It’s not that I’m up early. It’s that I stay up late! I will schedule it to post at 12:01am on Sundays but usually I’m up that late anyway.
Ah, yes – I was up too early to have considered that possibility.Â
I didn’t know you were a Hunger Games fan! I just got the most adorable bracelet from @DaisyandElm:disqusÂ
 w/ Hunger Games bling on it. I have an extra if you have small wrists and want it? Let me know!
did you see the movie? Books still better, but I thought movie did a decent job, considering most book to movies bomb (I thought including The Help).
I’ve never had the patience to try an audio book. Probably b/c I always have noisy kids in the car….
I have very small wrists!! I WANT!! I haven’t seen the movie. I heard it’s like the book but once I read a book, a movie often destroys the picture of the story I have in my head. Does that make sense?Â
As for the audiobook, I usually listen to it on my commute back from preschool (alone) or more recently, as we’ve been driving up to Maryland. I just can’t take listening to Scooby Doo on the DVD player!
AH – The Hunger Games. I have yet to finish the series. If I can force myself to pick up the last book I will. I just don’t want it to end because they are so good!Â
I am right there with you though. If they story is good enough I will become completely engrossed in it. Sometimes it takes days for me to get over a good book hangover. 🙂
I’m pausing right now and listening to another book but I suspect I’ll hit up the other two books because I liked the story so much. I’m just debating if I want to read them or listen to them.
I am one of the few who hasn’t seen the movie or read the book for the Hunger Games. Â I have had books that engrossed my life, though. Â They were years ago, as I haven’t read a book for fun in forever. Â But even some of the historical stories I read seem to seep into my life, or I start to see things IRL that are described in books or even some documentaries that I watch.
I totally picked up the (audio)book on a whim. A friend told me the storyline and I like futuristic type stories so I gave it a shot.Â
Maybe reading (or listening to stories) activates parts of our brain and we start to notice more around us!
When I worked in electronics manufacturing, I used to listen to audio books quite a bit. Â Hunger Games is on my to-read list. Â Like you, I was hesitant, thinking that it was another Twilight, but I’ve heard so many good things about it, I’m willing to give it a read. Â
It is so not teen fiction. I mean, I can see how it is but I thought most of it was well written. Let me know if you read it!
I LOVE HUNGER GAMES! I read the 2nd book a few weeks ago and had dreams of being in the arena.. O_o  uh. scary.  Needless to say, I’m taking a little break before going to the 3rd. 🙂
Wait – they go BACK to the arena in the second book? No, don’t tell me. I’ll make my way to the second and third in the next few weeks.
My first audiobook (aside from the books on tape from a kid) was To Kill a Mockingbird. I remember laughing out loud and have been hooked ever since. I think audiobooks are like sophisticated storytimes for adults. Needed, appreciated and so lovely.
-r
Oh, I love that. Sophisticated storytime. That’s exactly what it is and I think it helps me redevelop the listening skills I’ve probably lost over the years.
I haven’t read this series yet, but I imagine I will. I think it’s interesting you posted about it and food, as earlier today I came across this recipe for Hunger Games-inspired lamb stew. http://www.againstallgrain.com/2012/04/13/hunger-games-lamb-stew-with-dried-plums/
I’m not a big meat eater, and i won’t eat lamb generally, except for in an occasional gyro, but I thought my kids (who have yet to read the books yet, either, but are of course aware of them) might find the stew interesting. They eat any type of red meat anyone puts in front of them. Anyhow, interesting that this book and food are recurring today!
I have a mental thing about eating lamb. Although, yes, the stew does play somewhat prominently in the book! I’ll check it out!
I’ve never listened to an audio book, I’ve just recently accepted and enjoyed reading on the iPad. I read The Hunger Games trilogy and although I was engrossed in the books I did not enjoy them very much. It’s interesting to see how books can grab us and infiltrate our thoughts even when we aren’t reading the books anymore.
You know, I never thought about if I would like reading these books. The story is good but they are kind of gory. Maybe it was better to listen to someone tell the story with emotion. I listen to more audiobooks than I read on my Kindle but I’m getting there!
for some reason I’ve been associating the Hunger games with all the sparkly vampire soft-core porn books. It seems I may have made an error, but I’m now at the stage that so many people are recommending it that I’m afraid I’ll be let down.
That was totally me, too. I wanted nothing to do with it because I figured it was another Twilight. I will say, that when the book got to Part 3, I thought the story became a little too convenient and the writing lagged but overall, I really enjoyed it. Very original story.
I didn’t make bread but I did get into these books. I even managed to get my husband to read them… all three!
I got my husband to listen to the audiobook. That’s a start! Otherwise, the only thing he’ll read is motorcycle magazines.
Hello! As an avid reader, this post hit home to me! The 1st audio book that I listened to was Harry Potter. I listened to the 1st book in the series, and I liked it so much, I listened to the next 6 books in the series as well. For those who are hesitant to read The Hunger Games (for fear of it being a “teen book” or too unrealistic, or too much like Harry Potter or Twilight), please put aside those concerns and just read the book! Although The Hunger Games is marketed toward a young adult demographic, the underlying themes is actually more geared toward adults than teens. All 3 books are excellent, and they really shed some light on the flaws of the human race.
Yes, you pretty much nailed it. I never got into the Harry Potter books although I know so many adults that read them and loved them. I did see the first movie and really liked it though. Maybe I should check it out again!