Hunger Games & Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

I went away for Labor day to Island Park to a cabin.  I had these visions of reading Hunger Games and Catching fire.   Well, I can't read in the car, it makes me sick.   The only time I could read is after we reached our destination.  Reading was harder than I thought with my kids and their cousins running too an fro and with our agenda of things we wanted to do and to talk with family.  It took me many days to get about 3/4 of the way through Hunger Games.  I'd have to stop at night and then I'd sit and think of the story and not sleep and not able to read.  Well, I got home yesterday and read the rest of Hunger Games and ALL of Catching Fire.  Wow!  I am really into these books and I plan to start "Mockingjay" today.  Mostly I am starting because I can't get the story out of my head and I can't seem to focus on anything else!!!  I need to get on with my life!

Hunger Games is a book about a girl named Katniss Everdeen, I remember her name because her childhood friend calls her Catnip.  Katniss lives in a district that mines coal.  Their are other districts that do other things but all are highly controlled by the Capital.  The Capital is what took over the ruins of North America.  Their Nation is the nation of Panem.  To keep the districts in line they have a boy and girl from each district go to a televised event called the "Hunger Games."  In this deadly game, only one will live through until the end.  The goal is to be the last one living.   It is kill or be killed.  This is a very intriguing story and one that doesn't lose my interest throughout.  I must admit after "The Hunger Game" ends I felt urgent about reading "Catching Fire" to find out more of the story.   But after "Catching Fire,"  I feel I am catching my breath a little better.   I don't know why that is so because from the ending  can tell there is much action ahead.  In fact, I think I'll go read it!

I recommend these books but also recommend putting aside enough time to read them....they are all encompassing, thought promoting books.

They Called Themselves the K.K.K. (The Birth of an American Terrorist Group) by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

I have been looking forward to this book for a long time.  Susan Campbell Bartoletti came to BYU's Symposium on Books for Young Readers.  She had talked of this book back then in July of 2009.  It took FOREVER to come out!!  I have read other books by Susan Campbell Bartoletti and I have loved them. 

This book didn't disappoint!  My son was wondering why was reading why I was reading about the K.K.K.  But, after mentioning what little I'd learned at that point (I wasn't too far into the book at that point.)  he is now on the waiting list to read it after his dad.  I like to buy her books because they are so filled with information.  I learned so much from her about this.  My eyes were opened and enlightened.  I feel she is fair in her information to all sides of the table.  I am glad to have read this book and can't wait to see what she'll write about next.

It's well worth your time!  Well worth the read!!!

Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood

This is a good adventure.  I enjoyed reading this book.  Two negatives:  the language isn't always the best and there are parts I felt like "closing my eyes" on.

I really like the things brought up by this story.  It makes one really wonder what the afterlife is like.

This book is about two brothers and one isn't necessarily living.  It is also about a girl that becomes part of the mix.  I do recommend this book and really enjoyed reading it. 

Mrs. Mike by Benedict & Nancy Freedman

I have my friend Brittney to thank for lending this book to me.  Her copy looks like the biggest image in this blog.  I was happy to see it is still available and you can find it to buy.  Also, our library has group copies for book groups and such.  Who would've knew?  And I'd never even heard of it. 

This is a beautiful story based on the real life of Katherine Mary Flannigan.  Katherine goes to Canada to help with her pleurisy.  I had to look that word up.  Here is the definition given:

"inflammation of the pleura that is typically characterized by sudden onset, painful and difficult respiration, and exudation of fluid or fibrinous material into the pleural cavity"

While Katherine is there she meets Mike.  This is book is about what follows.  It is romantic and serious.  I saw a review that said that this story isn't flashy but it stays with you a long time.  I'd have to agree with that.  It touches and inspires.  It is a beautiful book.

312 pages

Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson

Well, it wasn't my favorite, too much swearing for me.  I can see the benefit in this book though.  I just don't think I'll ever read it again.  It wasn't to my liking.  I can see how a teen would like the book though and perhaps learn a lesson through it.

I didn't know the purpose for a long time until perhaps the end.  The girl did learned a valuable lesson, though I am not sure wading through the "other" stuff was worth it to me but it might be worth it to someone else though.

The girl's name is Ashley Hannigan.  The Math teacher took off with the prom money and even if she isn't interested in prom she helps her friend to pull off a prom with limited resources.

The Princess and the Snowbird by Mette Ivie Harrison

I knew a little better about what to expect with this book.  I am getting used to Mette's writing and because of that I think I really enjoyed this book.  Mette Ivie Harrison is a really good writer and when she describes things I can imaginie it really well without her going into too much description.  I also find myself completely entranced in the book.  I really get swept away and it becomes my world as I read her books.

This is about the daughter of the bear and the hournd.  The daughter has a task to do and we follow her and get to know her and find out if she acheives what her task is.  This book has romance and adventure.  It's a good book.

Fairest by Gail Carson Levine

This story happens in Ayortha.  It is a story about a girl named Aza with a sister named Areida.  It doesn't talk much of Areida (the friend of Ella in the book "Ella)  It is mostly about Aza.  Aza is not pretty. She knows it.  This is a fun adventure she has and how she finds happiness, love, and adventure.  This book also follows a familiar fairy tale.  I liked this book.