Book Review

My love for reading started young. I would sneak into the light of my night light to read well past bed time and in the morning my mom would find me asleep with my book over my face. I truly picked up the habit from watching her. She would curl up on the couch each night with a book and just sit and read. I have been hooked ever since. And Dustin can attest the fact that I read fast. Just yesterday I started a book right before he got home from work and I was finished before bed. I try to pace myself but I cannot seem to stop once I get drawn in.

The point is that if you are a fellow reader like me, or are just interested in picking up a book sometime soon, I have a recommendation for you. The Hunger Games. Now, if someone had not pointed me in the direction of these books and told me how amazing they are I never would have bought them. In fact, the first time I picked it up off the shelf and read the back cover, I immediately put it back and walked away. After more coaxing from friends I finally gave it a try. And I was a convert. In fact, I have already re-read the series.

Let me give you the back cover excerpt...

"In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by the twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel 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..."

Kids fighting to the death. Still with me? Good.

"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."

Trust me. The first time I read the back cover all I could think was, "Post-apocalyptic book of children fighting to the death. Riiiight." But when I gave it a second chance I was immediately surprised by how much I fell for the book. The characters. The story. And I can promise [well, I can try] that if you give it a chance, you will love it to.

In fact, you will probably move right on to the second book, and then the third, and final book immediately following.

The Hunger Games.
Catching Fire.
Mockingjay.


Just read them. Friends are constantly asking me for book recommendations since I can often be found with my nose shoved in one. I can actually give you a whole list of books to read, and a list of books NOT to read. But still give them all a chance. In fact, I have a growing collection in the basement to fill my dream library one day.