Recent Reading

I couldn't let any more time pass before I sang the praises of a few wonderful books. 'The Hunger Games' and 'Catching Fire' by Suzanne Collins are extraordinary. I *literally* could not put them down. I know, I sound like I'm feeding into the publisher's hype & drama. But it is a page-turner; I haven't run across one of those in a very long time. And there are two!!

The first book takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where The Capitol rules 12 outlying districts with an iron fist. There was an uprising, resulting in these 'districts'. To keep them in submission and prevent another war, they created the Hunger Games. Each district is compelled to send one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18; to be chosen at random. These 24 teens are sent to the Games to fight it out and try to survive because only one may live. This book unfolds and explains itself pretty well. I'm glad I didn't know 'what to expect'. I don't want to bias anyone toward the books. Someone may think, "Oh, that's not really my genre." Trust me. It's your genre right now!! 'The Hunger Games' and 'Catching Fire' are books one and two of a three part series. The third book comes out in August 2010. 'Catching Fire' picks up where the first book leaves off and you won't need any convincing to start that one.

Though now I have the after effects to deal with. You know the feeling; you've just read a super book, but you want more. I did hit jackpot when I scooped up 'Still Alice' by Lisa Genova. More on that book later . . .