My morning snack today included veggies, string cheese and hummus. I rarely snack on vegetables, as I typically gravitate toward fresh fruit, peanut butter, a smoothie or Greek yogurt.
I initially planned to make myself a salad for lunch, but after snacking on raw vegetables this morning, I was in the mood for something different.
I made myself a bowl of Monterey Pasta Company lobster ravioli, topped with marinara sauce and parmesan cheese.
I also ate two plums as I waited for the ravioli to cook on the stovetop and Sadie stared at me with intense longing for a bite of people food.
She kills me.
I haven’t bought plums in ages and randomly purchased five this week. I ate three yesterday and two today. All gone!
I must remember to buy them again in the future because they were so much better than I remembered. I also think I managed to snag some exceptionally delicious plums, because I remember biting into my fair share of tart plums in my day.
The Maze Runner Trilogy
Last week, Ryan and I finished reading the final book in The Maze Runner trilogy, The Death Cure. (The second book is The Scorch Trials.)
When we first began reading the books, I promised you guys a review and I’m here to deliver!
Michelle recommended that I read The Maze Runner since she knows I really enjoy dystopian novels and loved The Hunger Games and Divergent. (Side note: I know The Hunger Games is crazy-popular right now and if you read and loved the books in that series, you must read Divergent. I actually liked it even more than The Hunger Games.)
The Maze Runner follows Thomas, a teenage boy who wakes up in the middle of the Glade with his memory completely wiped. Boys just like Thomas, whose memories have also been wiped, live in the Glade, a large, desolate place surrounded by stone walls with doors that open out to a seemingly never-ending maze every morning and close every night.
Thomas and the other Gladers are determined to find a way out of the maze and figure out who put them there and why. Some of the Gladers are able to remember bits and pieces from their past and these little glimpses into the outside world add to the intrigue of the book.
The arrival of the first girl to the Glade knocks Thomas off his feet as he realizes he has a serious connection to her. Gradually Thomas realizes his role in the Glade is an important one and one he must take very seriously if the Gladers ever hope to get out of the maze and understand their new world.
I don’t want to say too much more in case you decide to read the second and third books, but the additional books in the trilogy continue to follow the Gladers and their adventures. The books are action-packed, fast-moving and every chapter ends in a way that makes you want to keep reading.
Of Possible Interest
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Lobster ravioli- sounds divine…and exceptionally gourmet for a weekday lunch 🙂
What a great day for you–finishing a great sounding trilogy and eating lobster ravioli. YUMM.
I think this trilogy sounds for me, so thank you for the reviews! I am always on the hunt for good books (I just joined goodreads too) Oh and If you’ve liked Hunger Games and such, you might like “Graceling.” SOOOO good!
i finished the book last week. 🙂 and i would love to read graceling. i’ve heard great things about that book!
Graceling is SO good!
Lobster ravioli is one of my favorites! Trader Joe’s sells a good one and it’s pretty cheap too! Looks like the perfect lunch to me 🙂
I liked Divergent better than Hunger Games too!! Currently on the second Maze Runner book and really enjoying it! What’s the next dystopian novel you’re going to read? I think I’m hooked and need something after maze runner 🙂
i’m not sure yet! i’m open to recommendations! i feel like all the best books come from recommendations from friends. do you have any you’ve loved?
Delirium by Laura Oliver was pretty good. It’s the same type of story with a female heroine. I wouldn’t say I *loved* it but it was absolutely entertaining!
I just finished this series as well and I loved it! I liked it because it had a mystery to it…you were constantly guessing who was behind it and why.
what did you think of the ending of the death cure? i felt like it left something to be desired… i felt like the death of one of the key characters was rather abrupt! (i left out the person’s name to avoid any spoilers in the comments section!)
The ending was disappointing. I would have liked to learn more about everyone’s pasts a bit more. What they were like before their minds were washed and learn more about the relationships they had with each other. I also thought the death was abrupt!
I completely agree with you guys! I really wanted to hear more about the past. I didn’t think the little bit that you found out through dreams was enough. For some reason, I can see another book coming in the future due to things said in the last chapter…
yes!! i felt like the author almost ducked out of explaining more by not letting thomas get his memories back. it was frustrating to me, too!
Have you read the prequels to find out about the past? I just finished the first book and have been wondering if the prequels were worth it, but it doesn’t sound like anyone’s read them.
I wanted to find out more about how WICKED expected to use all its data, because it was constantly messing with people’s emotions and it seemed like in the end it was for no reason at all. But great series!
The prequel doesn’t come out until august 2012! It’s called The Kill Order and I think it goes into more detail about WICKED and Thomas and Teresas role. I ended the series and loved them but I felt I didn’t know enough about Thomas’ memories and the past. I am so excited for this book!
These comments are a little old, but I just started reading this series so I had to ask. Doesnt the slang get annoying throughout the book, or do you just get used to it? I’m only a few pages in and its already gotten on ny nerves
My dog is giving my the same look right now as I eat my bagel – he loves cream cheese more than anything in the world. I’ve been wanting to read that series – I read Divergent after your recommendation and loved it! Thanks!
Raviolis are my favorite quick meal go to! Love them!
I have the Maze Runner on my Nook and have been meaning to read it, but I always gravitate towards something else. Thanks for the review!
If you like Divergent and Hunger Games, you should also read Legend and Delirium (both the first installment of YA trilogies). Dystopian is all I’ve been reading lately–I’m hooked!
Are you giving anything up for lent? 🙂
i am not this year. i’m actually ADDING a few things to my life for lent!
I just finished reading The Death Cure this weekend and OMG, I loved these books!! I finished the book in one day and could not put it down, meaning, Sunday was a very unproductive day for me! I read the trilogy because you suggested it and I already have Divergent cued up on my Nook to read this weekend. Thanks for the book suggestions…I have loved all of them!
I’ve been looking for some more distopian novel suggestions, I’m definitely going to start reading The Maze Runner now! I also thought Divergent was better than The Hunger Games and can’t wait for the 2nd book to come out!
me too! i pre-ordered it on amazon. 🙂
I bought The Hunger Games on Sunday and was finished with all three books in the triology by Monday night. Obsessed? YUP. I’ve been looking for a new book to read and I’m definitely going to check both of this out!!
start with divergent. it’s SO good!
Every time i hear about Lobster Ravioli I drool a little bit. I must try it one of these days.
i’m the same way… i rarely ever crave veggies for a snack. i almost always reach for fruit, nut butter, or a smoothie. hummus with veggies always helps make them sound a little more appealing though! 😉
That pasta looked/sounded yummy.
I think my son would like that book–right up his alley. Thanks for the review!
ryan liked them a lot! i think the maze runner is a great book for guys and girls alike!
I just downloaded Divergent! Can’t wait to read it! I read the preview of it, and it sounds so good. No wonder you were hooked.
I might have to start reading right now. I’m sure my boss will love that 😉
Our office provides fresh fruit to employees every day and I was excited to see a plum today instead of the usual apples, bananas and pears. Unfortunately though it was super sour, the burden of eating fruit in the winter while living in Ohio! 🙂 living south has so many advantages including ripe fruit! Lol
i finished the entire trilogy in maybe 5 days. i literally could NOT put it down!
I’ve been dying for new books to read! I’m starting with Divergent and then trying out the Maze Runner!! Woohoo
Also, have you ever heard of Shatter Me? I am a Hunger Games fan, and liked Shatter Me more. It’s just one book so far, but it will turn into a trilogy (according to her website!)
I totally imagined the plums you were describing to be so fantastic to be tart ones! I tend to like (okay, it’s more LOVE) my fruits sour! Why? I have no idea..but all cherries/berries (straw,blue, rasp, whatever!), apples (pine, fuji, gala, etc..), citrus, guavas, (and I sometimes even salt my watermelons!) I prefer tart. Mm..bananas may be the exception, though I like them sliiiiightly green..once they spot, they’re left for someone else in the house because I won’t touch them! 🙂 haha..
I love that you posted this because I JUST started Maze Runner on my commute this morning! I’m at the part where the girl just arrived, I’m already so into it!
I LOVE the dystopian/post-apocalyptic genre (not sure why). I read the Hunger Games and while it was entertaining, it wasn’t really a great read as far as books go (but obviously, it is YA, which is why the writing isn’t that good). I like to switch off reading these books that are driven solely by plot and others that have deeper, more complex characters and themes (just finished Let The Great World Spin by Colum McCann, which won the National Book Award…not dystopian but you should definitely read that next) Thanks so much for the recommendations!
I just finished the first book The Maze Runner last night and I’m totally intrigued as to where it goes from here. Have you also read the two prequels? Thomas’s First Memory of the Flare and The Kill Order?
Divergent was also amazing, although I’m bummed that I have to wait for more books to come out!
i didn’t even know there were prequels!! how cool! thanks for the head’s up, amber.
You’re welcome! I’ve been curious about them because sometimes prequels aren’t that great, but it seems like most people didn’t even know they existed! At least everyone I’ve talked to about them.
Are the prequels out yet? It says August 2012.
Erica – It looks like #1.5 (Thomas’s First Memory of the Flare) came out last year and #.5 (The Kill Order) comes out in August of this year!
These sound really interesting!! Thank you for sharing :). I think I’ve mentioned it before, but if you’ve liked Divergent and The Hunger Games, you should read Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi! It’s really good…there are a bit more romantic parts than The Hunger Games but it’s awesome!
Did Ryan read the hunger games too? I loved it and I was going to reccommend my husband reads it too but I wasn’t sure if it was loved by guys as much.
yes! he liked them a lot, too!
I love plums! Have you ever stuck them in the freezer and eaten them like a frozen piece of fruit popsicle? Delish! Especially in the heat of summer!
That sounds like a great book series! I may have to check it out 🙂
This sounds like a stupid question but how do you and Ryan read books together? Do you have 2 copies, you read at the same time, you read aloud?
aloud together… we’re big dorks. 🙂 https://www.pbfingers.com/2011/01/05/the-couple-that-reads-together/
Awww, I think its cute!
Thank you for the food link at the bottom! I’ve been reading a few of their articles now on good for you foods and bad for you foods and its always great getting to learn more about the foods that I eat!
I’m going to have to check out the books. I’m surprised I haven’t read the hunger games yet, I’ve heard so many good things about it!
I can’t wait to read that book. Divergent was amazing and I can’t wait for the 2nd book in that trilogy to come out in May!!
I read hunger games and divergent and LOVED them. I just started the maze runner last night. I see you like divergent better than hunger games but where does the maze runner fall in the ranking?
I am the complete opposite in that I rarely (if ever) crave fruit. The only way I will eat it is in a green smoothie and sometimes I will eat an apple but only if it is a pink lady and is SUPER crisp.
I love the Hunger Games and Divergent and the author, Veronica, is so sweet! She’s actually one of my close friends’ sister-in-law! I’ll have to give Maze Runner a read…thanks for the suggestion!
I’m not sure if anyone mentioned it, but there’s a fourth book in the series coming out. I think it comes out in the summer. It’s a prequel. I’m excited to read it! It’s called The Kill Order.
I just started the maze runner, I’ll have to add Divergent to the list… I love, love, love Hunger Games!
Oh yeah girl! Love the lobster for lunch! 🙂
Lobster ravioli and a good book sound perfect for the rainy evening I’m having. That book sounds so good!
that book sounds so good I just bought it on my tablet!
I’ve added Maze Runner and Divergent to my reading list!
I actually just bought the first book in the Maze Runner trilogy on my Kindle the other day and as soon a I’m done with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy, I’m going to start it. Apparently, I’m a sucker for trilogies these days 🙂
I am dying to read the hunger games! I must do so when I get a chance.
My students recommended these to me and they are so good! I have the third one on hold at the library right now 🙂
I’ve always been afraid of plums because I feel like the first one I ever had was like a pile of mush but last time I had one it was really good. I need to remember to get them again too…
Lobster ravioli sounds delicious right now! Or, always. Sounds like a pretty interesting read~I don’t read enough secular books~but I really should! They sound fun.
Definitely have Divergent and te Maze Runner trilogy on my “must read” list! Thanks!
Glad you liked the series! I read some of your comments and I agree that the end left something to be desired — and the death — felt SO unnecessary! I was like REALLY???? NOW? It was still a great series – I just felt a little jerked around by the ending.
Can’t wait for the 2nd book in the Divergent series (Insurgent) to come out. Looks like we only have to wait until May 1st!
When you say you and ryan read books together, how does that work?!
we take turns reading chapters aloud to each other.
You are the second person this week that has highly recommended Divergent! It must be good!
I just couldnt get into the Maze Runner!! It was so odd since i loved Hunger Games & Divergent.
You should check out Matched by Allie Condie. That one is pretty good
I recently stumbled upon your blog and I am LOVING it! I’m 23 and living with my boyfriend of six years. We decided to change to a healthier lifestyle a couple months ago and haven’t looked back. Your posts on healthy eating and fitness have been really inspiring.
I also read the Maze Runner trilogy last fall and was pretty disappointed with the ending, although overall I thought the trilogy was good.