The Hunger Games

Liked these.

Pages: 374

Readers have inhaled these books, consuming the entire series in a matter of weeks, even days. This series creatively folds a layered plot with believable characters and such vivid and entertaining description, it's difficult to pull away from the pages.

According to this article by Publishers Weekly, Suzanne Collins got the idea for the novels by flipping between a reality show and war coverage on TV late one night. Mix those together and throw in a bit of Greek mythology and you've got The Hunger Games.

The reflection on our society is quite disturbing and definitely something to think about. CSI, Law and Order, Bones, Criminal Minds... I could go on. How much do we enjoy watching violence? There's also the government element of these books. How much do we allow "the Capital" to watch, regulate, or dare I say dictate what we do?

Pages: 391

...something to chew on.

While these books are highly popular among teens, maybe we should learn a lesson from the book and protect our innocent young. Not appropriate for the little ones.

Recommend: Yes
Read again: No, but I will definitely watch the movies when released
{Edit: I'm currently reading these again with my husband. :) -  31 May 2012}

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Author: Suzanne Collins

Pages: 390

Awards: Many

Summary:

Katniss Everdeen is a girl from District 12, one of 12 districts subordinate to the ever-controlling Capital. To remind the districts of their subservient positions, the Capital holds The Hunger Games every year. These games require one boy and one girl from each district to battle to the death for viewing pleasure. Katniss volunteers to go into the games to save her little sister and ends up with a boyfriend and a national revolution to deal with.

The series takes you through two games and an epic battle with the oppressors.

The Road

Loved it.

Opinion:

As I already said, I loved this book. The images and lessons I devoured from the pages of The Road stayed with me for a very long time, and continue to influence my thought. This is a wonderfully vivid novel where the characters are reduced to nothing, and then forced to answer: "Are you one of the good guys?"

I work in the public school system, and, on a day I was heavily into this book, I happened to walk passed a boy who has some very wrong opinions about the world. My stomach churned, and I felt more than livid to hear his mouthy 14-year-old self shout the filthy words, "All Jews belong in ovens." And even more disgraceful, I know an adult had to of given him such an idea.

I couldn't help but reflect on my position in the world, and question whether or not I am a "good guy." If pushed to a state of desperation, who would I become? Would I have turned in my neighbors during WWII? Would I share my limited food? Would I kill another to help my own family? Is "good" during time of peace the same as "good" during time of catastrophe, or do we play by a different set of values and morels?

Still chewing on this one.

And yes, definitely cried at the end. Even thought I knew what was going to happen, I still cried.

Recommend: YES
Read Again: Maybe, one day

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Author: Cormac McCarthy
Award: Pulitzer Prize

Summary:

The Road is a very emotional account of a young boy and his father struggling to survive in a postapocalyptic world. The walk together, often hand-in-hand or hand on gun and hand on shopping cart, down a road that leads to, well, hopefully somewhere good.

The father is sick, and the boy is sensitive. They struggle for food, and they are low on hope. They meet people along the way who try to take their lives or their food or both. And some people stoop low enough to eat other people.

All the while, the boy is trying to be a good guy. And the father is trying to remember that the reason they fight for life is love. 

Also a movie. Never seen it, so no comment for now.

Pages: 287

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Very Sweet.

Opinion:

This is a darling little story about a pompous china rabbit coming to understand the true meaning of selfless love. The pages are full of wonderful descriptions and entertaining circumstances that  capture audiences both young and old.

Kate DiCamillo manages to infuse her work intended for children with such emotional depth, I felt my own understanding of love and giving grow as I shed a few tears for Edward Tulane. It's a very quick and easy read, but the affects are lasting and worth the time.

Recommend: Yes
Read Again: To my future children, absolutely

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Author: Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: Bagram Ibatoulline

Brief Summary (taken from the last page of the book):

Once, there was a china rabbit who was loved by a little girl. The rabbit went on an ocean journey and fell overboard and was rescued by a fisherman. He was buried under garbage and unburied by a dog. He traveled for a long time with the hoboes and worked for a short time as a scarecrow.

Once, there was a rabbit who loved a little girl and watched her die.

The rabbit danced on the streets of Memphis. His head was broken open in a diner and was put together again by a doll mender.

And the rabbit swore that he would not make the mistake of loving again.

Once there was a rabbit who danced in a garden in springtime with the daughter of the woman who had loved him at the beginning of his journey. The girl swung the rabbit as she danced in circles. Sometimes, they went so fast, the two of them, that it seemed as if they were flying. Sometimes, it seemed as if they both had wings.

Once, oh marvelous once, there was a rabbit who found his way home.

Pages: 200