Devouring "The Hunger Games"

I'll read anything, fiction, non-fiction, teenybopper tales, biographies (I just read the new Oprah bio if that tells you anything), sci-fi, IKEA manuals . . . However, I often find the post-apocalyptic teen genre to be dreary repetitions of environmental destruction, etc., etc., etc. It's been years since I've read one that caught my attention. The Hunger Games and its sequel Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins not only caught my attention, I pretty much put everything but breathing on hold to finish them.

Randomly picked to fight to the death for the glory of (and brutal reminder of past insubordination to) her district, Katniss has two choices: kill or die. She really can't win. Unless she learns how to really play the game.

Brutally violent, but not without gentle moments, this novel is not for elementary school children. But for teens and adults, it promises a riveting story of manipulation, bravery, and love.

The third book, Mockingjay, is out at the end of August. I expect I'll have to unplug my phone yet again.

*Also check out Suzanne Collins' series The Underland Chronicles. A talented author--don't miss her.

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