The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: YA Dystopian
Year:2008
Pages: 374
Acquired: Borrowed from a friend
Rating: 5/5


Overview of the Book: In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games," a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed.

 Review: I know that I am a little late for the party, but it is better late than never...RIGHT. :) I was in the breakroom at work and saw a Magazine Entertainment Weekly(or something to that effect),the cover story was for the movie for Hunger Games was coming out in 2012. I wonder what the heck is the Hunger Games. I asked one my friends and work if she had the book, because her and I have similar book tastes. She in fact did and now the second book in the series is waiting in the wing.

This book is interesting to say the very least. The Capitol pitting 24 kids again one another til all that is remaining is 1, the victor. During the Hunger Games, people from the outside are watching every more and "The Arena" is controlled by the Gamekeepers, if the action is going to slow the Keepers make it so that thier is more action for the viewing audience.

I was barely able to put this book down I completely hooked. Suzanne Collins narrative here has an immediacy to it that, when combined with the very dramatic life-or-death plot, is incredibly compelling. It was entertaining, and incredibly disturbing all at once never thought that could be possible. If this was merely a good read, I would have given it 4 stars, but they say great art leaves you changed after you experience it.

I thought that it was funny at the end how Peeta(other tribute in Katniss's district) and Katniss stick it to the Capitol with a sudden rule change(if 2 tributes of the same district are remaining then there would be co-victors) and then the Capitol trying to double back. 

I have never read a book quite like this one, but I will be exploring more reads such as this one. Well after I read The Hunger Games Series of course. If you have not read this book yet, I HIGHLY recommend this one.

Smurferrific

Image by vinylmeister via Flickr

My family has known since I was a little tike that I have been a fan of The Smurfs. This year for Christmas I received a DVD of The Smurfs 5 bonus cartoons. My loving wife gave The Smurfs movie. I was excited to see some of these items in my stocking this season for the Holidays.

I also recieved a GPS for the longs trips through down state Michigan or going to visit my cousin and his family on the other side of the state in Wisconsin. ROAD TRIP..:)

So what did you get for Christmas this holiday season?

Happy Holidays

I just wanted to wish everyone a safe and Happy Holidays. If you are spending it time with your families I hope that it is enjoyable throughout this time of the year.

We are hosting the Christmas Eve party this year. I hope that it does well and my wife's dad is coming to town from lower MI for a couple  of days. I hope that everything goes well for the next couple of days:) Please wish us luck.

Scott Pilgrim's: Precious Life by Lee O'Malley

Title: Scott Pilgrim's: Precious Life
Author/Artist: Lee O'Malley
Published: August 2004
From: Local Library

Synopsis: Scott Pilgrim's life is totally sweet. He's 23 years old, he's in a rock band, he's "between jobs," and he's dating a cute high school girl. Nothing could possibly go wrong, unless a seriously mind-blowing, dangerously fashionable, rollerblading delivery girl named Ramona Flowers starts cruising through his dreams and sailing by him at parties. But the path to Ms. Flowers isn't covered in rose petals. Ramona's seven evil ex-boyfriends stand in the way between Scott and true happiness. Can Scott beat down the bad guys without turning his precious little life upside down?

My Thoughts:

 I was looking for a graphic novel to read. So was looking on Indie Bound and I stumbled upon this one. I will be honest I have NEVER heard of it whatsoever. I was not sure what really expect from this graphic novel. I starting reading it and myself and so many other nerdlings can relate with Scott throughout this book I am certain of that one.

Scott meets this skater delivery girl at a party Romona while dating this high school girl Knives(why would you even consider dating a girl named Knives). Throughout this book it seems that he is not that sure if you wants to live in the past or accept and grow-up and starting taking steps toward the future. He starts dating Romona and finds out something odd about her.

In order to continue dating her Scott needs to defeat all 7 of Romona ex-boyfriends. Huh..interesting I see. After meeting Romona his life is not quite the same is an understatement. Scott does not have any power or anything is just a great fighter and the first boyfriend did not start a chance against Scott. Scott also gets help from his fellow sucky band members and his gay roommate that offer advice what he should do.

I thought that artwork from O'Malley was okay is this book. It is all black and white in this one. He did a great job showing the moods in each characters throughout this first volume of Scott Pilgrim. O'Malley shows that everyone has their own personality. 

My Grade: B+

Going Vintage Sci-Fi

Andrea over at Little Red Reviewer is hosting not a challenge, but more so an event during the month of January. You may ask what is considered vintage for this event.Pretty much anything that was published before 1979. I do tend to agree with this assumption. I like this event, this is no requirements of when you need to have something read or have x amount of book to be read in the month.It is just plain old love of reading to read. Isn't that what it is all about always, from every bibliophile to the next.

Here is a quick list that I am hoping to read/listening to:

 The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein
Foundation or I,Robot by Isaac Asimov(not sure which one yet)
Journey To The Center of the Earth by Jules Verne
Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick

I hope that you can join this event in the month of January, it should be good old-fashion fun. 

New Direction

Image by frankdasilva via Flickr

It just seems these days with Aqua Girl and other responsibilities in daily life I just cannot do the amount of reading to fulfill this blog. So instead of reading just books(I will still throw in here every so often), I will be also reviewing more manga and graphic novels to have more posts for you read. I will be able to read these much quicker, especially with a 18 month old. I will also be blogging happening in my(other) life as well.