Last Great Book I Read

Have you read the Hunger Games yet? The Hunger Games is the first novel in is a young adult trilogy that my school librarian recommended to me. After hearing a bit of buzz, and realizing the plot is set in a futuristic country in the land formerly known as North America, I admit, I was a bit reluctant to try it, as I'm definitely not one for sci-fi. But given the rave reviews I'd heard repeatedly, I bit anyway. And I'm glad I did, I literally devoured this book. It's innovative, thrilling, interesting, and makes you really reflect on human interaction, compassion, and survival.

Here's a summary from Amazon.com:

"In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. Collins's characters are completely realistic and sympathetic as they form alliances and friendships in the face of overwhelming odds; the plot is tense, dramatic, and engrossing."

I doubt any of my rambling sold you, so here are a few reviews for you to digest in case your interest is piqued, but you need further persuasion. Right now I'm on the cusp of finishing book #2, which is equally page-turning as book #1 (quite a feat in my humble opinion, as sequels often tend to lack the spark of the original).

image/amazon