The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games (Book 1)

The Hunger Games is the first in a trilogy. The second books are Catching Fire and Mockingjay. The first Hunger Games book was the required reading for our book club, but as soon as I read that, I read the other two straight away. The themes and characters of the book stayed with me for a long time. They say the definition of a good book is that when you have finished you feel you have lost a friend, I certainly did in this case.

The Hunger Games is aimed at a teenage market, and although it’s not the sort of book we usually read in book club, all but one person enjoyed it.

It is set in the future where in order to subdue the people, they are subjected to hunger games where two people from each of the twelve districts are selected to fight to the death every year. The heroine, Katniss, volunteers to take the place of her little sister who is selected.

My only criticism is that the book is written in the first person, so we know that Katniss will survive and win. The book would have been better, in my opinion, if it were written in the third person, thus giving doubt if the heroine wins or not.

There is currently a movie of the first book, which was very true to the story and not as gory as it potentially could have been. Movies of the other two books are expected out shortly. 

The Hunger Games 2-Disc DVD

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

The Time Traveler's Wife

The premis of the story is that Henry travels in time, and takes nothing with him. So when he arrives somewhere, he arrives wearing nothing. He has no control over where in time or location he arrives. Nevertheless, he frequently arrives in the childhood of Claire whom he persuades to love him and eventually marry him. 

Life with a time traveling husband is not simple and the adventures are many and varied. 

Personally, I was riveted with the story. I listened to it on CD and really enjoyed the experiences of the unusual couple. Reading the reviews on Amazon, many were critical of the style of writing, but gosh, I have only admiration for someone who can produce a bestselling book. I know I couldn't. 

We watched the movie, which was just an enjoyable as the book, here's the link:

The Time Traveler's Wife