Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Kindle Edition)

I was reluctant to read this first book of the series because this is completely out of my comfort zone. But with the movie coming out (with such a great cast) this Spring, I didn't want to be left out. Another reason I couldn't pass this Kindle edition up was that Amazon offered it as a free Daily Deal a few months ago - FOR ALL THREE BOOKS!. That was the clincher. So, if you've been living under a rock the last few years and don't know what this book is about, here is a quick rundown for you from Goodreads:

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, the shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts.  The Capitol is harsh and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.  Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the games.  But Katniss has been close to dead before - and survival, for her, is second nature.  Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love. 


My Thoughts:
 I have to be honest and say I thought it was going to take me awhile to get into this story of The Hunger Games but I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly Suzanne Collins reeled me in. Right away I was able to form a visual image in my mind of the world Katniss and her family lives in - and it is bleak. I think that is why I generally stay away from these types of books: I don't like all of the bleak and barren conditions associated with this genre.  But I was able to look behond it, partly because I really liked Katniss. Her love for her sister was pure and genuine and that really spoke to me.

Although I did have a hard time accepting the concept of these Hunger Games, I was eventually able to get into the story and even enjoy it. I thought Susanne Collins did a great job portraying the Capitol, the Arena and the locals there. The Games themselves were disturbing, but again, I had to remind myself this is the genre and let it go and not dwell on it.

I ended up really getting into it and rooting for Katniss and Peeta, who I really like a lot. I was very impressed with how well Collins wrote the parts about the battles and how Peeta and Katniss survived in the arena. How in the world did she come up with this concept? The romance angle was original and I thought played well into the story. I also like Gale's character, even though we don't really get to know much about him. Maybe in the next book? Hmmm....

So I am happy to say I really enjoyed THE HUNGER GAMES. I am surprised by that but that's what getting out of your comfort zone is all about! You never know what you may end up liking. That being said, I don't know how necessary a second or third book is, but I'm willing to give them a chance. I've just started reading CATCHING FIRE and I am not totally sold on it, but I'm only in Chapter 3.

For those of you who think this book just isn't for you - I say take a chance with it! You may find you really like it!

THE HUNGER GAMES
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks
Published: September 2009
Pages: 388 pp
Rating:  5 Stars out of 5

Teaser Tuesday: 11.29.11

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, where each week we share a few teaser sentences with other book lovers to get a glimpse into the books being read. Its a great way to add to your TBR list! Here are the rules:

• Grab your current book and let if fall open to a random page
• Choose 2 teaser sentences to share
• Be careful NOT to include any spoilers!!
• Name the title, author and page number of the book you are taking your teasers from

It's that simple!! Now lets move on to my teasers for the week. I'm currently reading THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins and I'm taking my teasers from page 84.

Perhaps the girl doesn't even remember me.  But I know she does.  You don't forget the face of the person who was your last hope.


Although this isn't a genre that I read a lot of, I am really enjoying this book. My goal is to get all three in the trilogy read before the movie comes out in March.


To participate in Teaser Tuesday, please visit MizB at Should Be Reading for all the details. Thanks for stopping by and please do visit again!  Happy Reading!

Sunday Salon: Dystopian Fantasy

Hello and thanks for visiting today! After receiving a review copy of a new book the other day, it has left me curious. The book was unsolicited and of course, I was happy to receive it but isn't the type of book I would typically choose for myself. It is dystopian fantasy, which I rarely read and it got me to wondering if this is a genre that many of you read? I know we all have our own tastes and preferences where books are concerned and I'm really interested in your answers.

The particular book I received is WHO FEARS DEATH by Nnedo Okorafor. She is an accomplished and award-winning writer of young adult fiction, though this novel is her first foray into the adult genre. Being of Nigerian decent, she is known fo r incorporating African cultures into her science fiction writing. The title certainly grabbed my attention and I find the cover striking as well. After reading the book flap, I am actually really looking forward to reading it. For a quick synopsis of this interesting new book, click here to visit Penguin.com.

Aside from receiving this new book, I also got my 50th Anniversary Edition of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. I'm so happy to have it and I'm planning to read a little bit each evening to savor it and to make it last. Just in reading the first few chapters, I feel like I'm visiting an old friend and I find myself smiling a lot while I read. Isn't it wonderful when a book can make you feel so good?

I posted my review of a book I loved this week. It was BACKSEAT SAINTS by Joshilyn Jackson. You can find the review here. I will definitely be reading more of her previous books and looking forward to new ones as well. I know this book is making it's way around the blogs and if you get the chance, you really ought to read it, especially if you enjoy Southern Fiction. It's well worth the time.

I also finished reading A RELIABLE WIFE by Robert Goolrick last week and will be posting my review in the next day or so. I'm happy that I finally read it, although it was a different sort of book.

This week I'm reading THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO by Stieg Larsson and I am really into it. I didn't know if I would like the whole financial intrigue aspect of it but I am loving it and hate putting it down. In fact, with the scorching temps we're supposed to have here today, I'm planning on staying inside reading all day. Are you planning to spend your day reading? If so, what has your attention these days?