The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

Release Date: July 3, 2010

Pages: 384

Source: Borrowed from a friend

First of all I must say I was crazy about these books (there are 3 in the series). So much so that I read all three in a week and my husband sulked around the whole time because I was ignoring him. It has been a long time since a book has completely captivated me like these books did and I loved every minute.

The books are actually young adult novels, but not written in a way that make them annoying for adults to read. The futurist plot line is set in a postapocalyptic North America, where the government has failed and a new dictatorship has emerged. The new and strange society structure will keep you captivated with every detail of the citizens' lives. Think Fahrenheit 451, Anthem or The Giver.

The story follows Katniss Everdeen (you will fall in love with this character) as she is chosen along with 11 other children to participate in the government's annual Hunger Games -- a fight to the death scenario meets Survivor-- that is broadcast on live TV. In the beginning, the book is all about Katniss trying to survive and return to the family that she loves. As the story continues into the next two books it evolves to include more mature themes including a rebellion against the government and a page-turning love triangle.

I must say, I was doubtful when I started these books. Right off the bat they sound very sci-fi and gory (what with children fighting to the death and all). But I was wrong on both accounts. The futurist society is more advanced in some ways, but the government keeps these advances from the people, so much of it takes place in almost third-world conditions. And while people do die in the book, it is in no way gory or disturbing.

Like many of my favorite books, this series defied my expectations leaving me pleasantly surprised to have stumbled upon such a great read. I literally could not put these books down. And when I did finally finish them, I was sad that they were over and continued thinking about the characters for a good two weeks.

Book Rating: 5 out of 5: Absolutely loved it!

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Title: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

Author: Stieg Larsson

Release Date: June 23, 2009

Pages: 629

Source: Only $4 at Sam's!

I read this book on the recommendation of a coworker and based on the fact that I see it everywhere. After the first few chapters, this crime thriller picks up speed fast and keeps you turning the pages anxiously to see what happens next. However, this book is not for those with weak stomachs. There were many parts that were just too graphic for me.

The book follows the story of Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist and magazine publisher who is out of work after being wrongly found guilty of libel. Blomkvist is hired by the Vanger family for his research and investigative reporting skills to solve the long-ago disappearance of their 16-year-old niece Harriet. Blomkvist soon joins up with spunky computer hacker Lisabeth Salander (the girl with the dragon tattoo) to solve the mystery.

Right away I liked the book because it was about a journalist, so I could easily relate. However, the story takes place in Sweden and in the first few chapters there is a lot of talk about Swedish government, business investments and a lot of other stuff that bored me. The story didn't really get interesting for me until Mikael started working on solving the mystery of Harriet's disappearance.

Lisabeth is a great character and I really enjoyed getting to know her throughout the book. She's presented as an onion (or ogre for Shrek fans), and each new chapter pulls back more and more layers on who she really is. Lisabeth has a dark past and as she and Mikael get closer to solving the mystery, this comes out. The reader discovers along with the pair that the mystery also gets darker and more sinister with each new bend. I must warn you there is a lot of very graphic sexual violence which would not be appropriate for non-adult readers. It was almost too much for me.

In the end, the twists and turns leave you with a surprise ending and a nicely solved mystery. But the story and adventures of Mikael and Lisabeth continue in the next two books of the series. I enjoyed the first book enough to buy the second book in the trilogy but soon found it was even more graphic and disturbing than the first. I couldn't make myself finish the second book.

Book Rating: 3 out of 5: Maybe for some readers, but not for me.

Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster

Title: Pretty in Plaid

Author: Jen Lancaster

Release Date: May 5, 2009

Pages: 365

Source: Public library

I've been reading (and laughing out loud at) Jen Lancaster's blog, www.jennsylvania.com, for the last few months now. After reading all about her hilarious day-to-day mishaps, confrontations and distractions and laughing hysterically at her figurine re-enactments of the Twilight movies, I decided it was about time I picked up one of her books.

Though she has several bestsellers out, I was limited in my selection based on what the local library had in stock (apparently her books are pretty popular among the library-goers of Hoover, AL) Regardless, I was plenty satisfied with the one book of hers left on the shelf, Pretty in Plaid.

The book follows her life from brownie girl scout to post-college career awakenings, or what she calls "the wonder years before the condescending, egomaniacal, self-centered smart-ass phase." The plot line isn't shockingly original, since it follows the events of her life, including a move in elementary school, being bullied in middle school, self-centered in high school and trying to belong in college. I love that she told each story in the book by prefacing exactly what she was wearing when it happened. I can easily relate, I remember most of the events of my life based on what dessert coincided with it (vanilla snack pack, trefoil cookie, Bill Clinton's birthday cake..mmm..you all bring back so many great memories).

The great thing about this book is that is reads just like Lancaster's blog. Her voice in her writing is so distinguishable and unique it makes you feel like your listening to her inner monologue, which is way funnier than anything I've ever thought. Or maybe that's what makes it so funny, is that yes, I have thought it, but never have been able to put it so... delicately.

Of the supposedly "best" sorority house on her campus she writes:

"Should there be this many doilies in a dwelling occupied by women in their late teens and twenties? I'm surprised at the chipped crown molding and the stained carpeting. Again, a casual observer would assume this is where women live at the end of their lives, not the beginning. Or a place where teens would wait out the rest of their unplanned pregnancies, idly playing Boggle and Jenga while watching Sally Jessy Raphael on a snowy black-and-white television until birth sets them free from their lacy mauve prison."

While I thought the book lost some steam toward the end, I would still say if you're looking for a light, laugh-out-loud book you can read in a breeze, I would recommend Pretty in Plaid. Or any Jen Lancaster for that matter, she ranks pretty high on my list of favorite humor authors, right up there with David Sedaris. Check out her blog if you want some funny in small doses!

Book Rating: 4 out of 5: I recommend it!

Must-Read Shortlist

Since I'm in between books for now, I thought I'd give you a run down of some of my favorite recent reads. All of these books are utterly captivating--my favorite quality in a book. Once you pick them up, be prepared not to be able to put them back down. If you're looking for a new book to read for the summer--here's where you should start.

1. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

I will admit, I was hesitant to read this book. When I saw it was about the middle east, I automatically thought it would be boring and political and I wanted nothing to do with it. I couldn't have been more wrong. This book follows the lives of women in Afghanistan and paints a real-life portrait of what it's like to live in a country where women don't have anywhere close to equal rights. If you have a heart for women's issues, or are just a compassionate human being, this book will change your life. It's high up there on my must-read-again list.

2. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Several of my more stubborn friends and family members adamantly swore they would not like this book. And I kindly made each of them eat their words when they couldn't put it down. If you're feeling a little whimsical this summer or are in the mood for something a little dark, daring and adventurous, then Water for Elephants is for you. Be prepared to be shocked, offended and absolutely fall in love with this book that follows the main character as he joins a traveling circus during the Great Depression. You will not find more interesting characters than you'll come across in this story. This book is about the equivalent of watching a train wreck. Parts of it are tragic and horrible...but you just can't look away.

3. American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld

I used to think politics were boring, until I read this book. Curtis Sittenfeld wrote this fictional story loosely based on the events of the life of Laura Bush. The beginning of the book reads like a good gossip magazine and I found myself googling to find out if all this stuff really happened to Laura Bush. Either way, it makes for a great novel as we follow main character Alice Lindgren as she navigates the waters of love and relationships and finds herself on a life path she never imagined for herself, on her way to becoming the First Lady. While the twists and turns of her life will keep you captivated until the end, you'll also find yourself pondering the deeper meaning of marriage and loyalty.

4. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Somehow I had been missing out on this wonderful series that was first published in the early '90s. It has quite a large following and I have now hitched up my Scottish kilt and jumped on that bandwagon. On one hand it's a dynamic love story about a WWII nurse who gets transported back in time (sounds cheesy, but in the book it's not) to 18th century Scotland. If you thought Edward Cullen was swoon-worthy, wait until you meet Jamie Fraser. On the other hand it's also a wonderful historical fiction about the Highlanders and their last battle for independence from the English. After reading it, I genuinely felt like I had visited Scotland. The good news is, if you like this book, there's a whole series following it that will keep you entertained for months!

5. Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers

Oh Francine Rivers, how I love your Christian Fiction. Here's another great series (3 books) that is worth your time this summer. Voice in the Wind follows the story of Hadassah, a young Jewish Christian girl who is taken into slavery after the fall of Jerusalem. She's thrown into Rome during the height of the empire and the depths of its immorality. The picture of Rome that Rivers paints will both shock and captivate you. All of it is overshadowed though by Hadassah's remarkable faith during unthinkable trials and tragedies.

What books are on your must-read list??

The Passage by Justin Cronin

Title: The Passage

Author: Justin Cronin

Release Date: June 8, 2010

Pages: 784

Source: Kindle

If you have ever asked yourself, "What would I do if the world as I know it ends today? How would I survive in the wake of a natural disaster, alien warfare, biochemical attack, etc?" then you will like this book. For those of you, who like me, like to let your imagination get the best of you, prepare to let it run wild during The Passage.

The classic apocalyptic plot line begins when a well-meaning scientist creates a virus meant to cure humans of all illnesses. The U.S. Army financially backs this experiment in hopes of using the virus to make super soldiers who can live through almost anything. This is of course, is where everything goes tragically wrong.

The words, "vampire fiction" have been thrown around in association with this book and I would like to put that misconception to rest right now. The "vampires" in this book, also known as "virals", "smokes" and "dracs", are not peacoat-wearing teenage introverts full of angst and a case of white makeup. No, these bad boys are more like the zombie-ish killers in the movie I Am Legend, scary enough to make you look over your should the next time your walking anywhere alone at night.

With the world taken over by this virus, all of civilization collapses. Hundreds of years later, we find our main characters living in a small colony that has managed to survive. Although they have been so removed from what they call "the time before" that their generation can't even fathom a television, a lusty romance novel, or even the ocean. The cities, as we know them, are now ancient ruins.

It is here, in this colony, that the book really came to life for me. I couldn't stop myself from devouring every page as this new world was unveiled, describing every aspect of this society and how they built it from the ground up. The adventure gets even more exciting as the colony discovers it's running out of its life-saving resource, the only thing separating their life from the deadly virals who are constantly hunting them. As the main characters race to save their colony, they realize that their survival, and perhaps that of the whole world, might depend on one girl--the only girl to survive since "the time before", the only girl to survive the virus.

Don't let the heftiness of this book intimidate you. Though it is 700+ pages, it is not meaninglessly drawn out and reads very fast. It is such a page-turner in fact, you'll be wishing for a few hundred more pages when you're done. Good thing The Passage is only the first book in Justin Cronin's intended three-book series.

Book Rating: 4 out of 5: I recommend it!