Hunger Games

I told myself that I would update my blog regularly but I guess that's not happening. It's gotten really busy at work so I just haven't had the time. But anyhoo...I have a spare moment before I head off to bed so I will talk about ...Hunger Games.

I've just finished the first 2 books in the Hunger Games trilogy, and my goodness, they were good. It's a shame that there are only 3 books in this series because I could read them forever. They are super easy to read (since they are intended for a young adult audience) so they were a welcome break after just finishing The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I've just started reading Mockingjay, the 3rd book in the Hunger Games series. This whole series has been difficult to read for the pure fact that once you start, it's hard to put down. I've had to wait until i've had long blocks of time over the weekend to just plow though the books. Reading a chapter here and there while on the metro just doesn't cut it.

So here is a brief synopsis of the trilogy. I'm assuming it takes place far into the future (It doens't really ever give a time frame) where the North America is no longer the divided into the 3 countries as we know it today. It is now called Panem, a country made up of 12 districts, ruled by a dictatorship government who pretty much keep all the districts living in poverty. Every year, the goverment chooses one boy and one girl (ages 12-18) from each district to participate in the Hunger Games where all 24 children must fight to the death until there is only one standing. This brutal event is to serve as a reminder that the Capitol is in control and there's nothing anyone can do about it. Or at least not until Katniss Everdeen volunteers herself for the Hunger Games to replace her little sister who was orignally selected.

Suzanne Collins, the author, is an excellent writer and it really is so easy to picture how the Hunger Games look like through her words. The story is action packed from beginning to end and once you pick it up and you won't be able to put the book down. I'm glad that the books have been picked up to be made into movies. It'll be awesome to see these characters brought to life.

OMG I finished a book that's not Harry Potter!

AND...it was actually meant for adults! So I just finished The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and I gotta say, since the last few books I read was either Harry Potter or Twilight, I was not prepared for the graphic nature of this book. The story included rape, incest, pedophilia, animal sacrifice, and murder...things that make Voldemort look like a gentle puppy.

The story is about an editor of a popular Swedish magazine, Mikael Blomkvist, who is accused and convicted of libel. The media attention he receives puts him on the radar of an old industry tycoon (Henrik Vangar) who hires him to investigate the disappearance of niece, which occurred 40 years ago. In the process of his investigation, Blomkvist uncovers many secrets of the Vangar family, which puts his own life at risk.

For the most part, I enjoyed the book. It starts really slow with the first few chapters more about Blomkvist's legal troubles than anything else. The actual murder mystery doesn't begin until like 100 pages in. But once it got started, it was an enjoyable read...up until the mystery was solved. You'd think that'd be where the book ends, but alas, no... Blomkvist's legal trouble needed to be resolved which took entirely too long and isn't very interesting.

I'd definitely recommend this book. Just remember that you must stick through the first few chapters. I'm going to wait a bit before continuing onto the next book of this series. I'm going to give Hunger Games a try. Apparently it's all the rage these days.