Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Hillary's Reviews
Feb 242010
 

Hello dear ones-
It’s your favorite Wednesday blogger here. Today, we’ll chat a bit about “Catching Fire” by Suzanne Collins, book two of “The Hunger Games” series.
After our last podcast (this past Friday), we had a bit of a discussion of “Catching Fire” and what we thought of it. I had just finished it, so we had some stuff to say about it:
Here’s what Shanda said:
“I think Peeta is hotter in the second book”
Sheila:
“Katniss’s hair is boring in the second”
Hillary:
“Literarily speaking I would say that Suzanne achieved the climax of the series (so far) in book one and book two takes an unreasonable amount of time for it to reach interest for the reader”
Okay. So it didn’t really go that way at all.
So what really happened was more like this:
Shanda:
“I liked book two even more than book one”
to which Sheila and I stared at her for a second and said, “really?”
Shanda, you’ll have to post here what it is you liked more about book two more than one, because quite frankly I didn’t go to bed until 4am, so I don’t have a clear recollection of that night.
Sheila and I both agreed that book two started out really slow, and seemed really predictable. Now, remember slow is not always bad, it’s just slow. Predictable is bad, which is why I actually did put it down for about two weeks until my husband finished it and said,
“Cinna has really cute costumes in this book, I think you’ll like it.”
Okay. That’s not what he said. He said, “I think you should finish it. It has a totally surprising ending.” I said ” well, okay.” He wanted me to add that there are little details that if you catch give you clues as what’s to come, but frankly sometimes I am a bit too impatient for little details.
And about two hours later, I had the book finished. I stopped at chapter 14, ironically about the time when it really picks up, and as my hubby was grumpily doing our taxes, I was done.
I actually am not going to say much more about “Catching Fire” because I think it would give too much away, I will just say this. If you really, really really liked book one, be patient and don’t give up on book two because there are some HUGE surprises and it REALLY makes book three look appealing and I can’t wait for it!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Hillary's Reviews
Feb 032010
 

Hey kids!
Today I am blogging about “The Hunger Games.” by Suzanne Collins. A little back story, Shanda and Sheila both read this book last year, told me I needed to read it, so I put it on my list, and then forgot until about 3 weeks ago. So, I picked up the book from the library, and my daughter stole it from me. She didn’t give it back until about 4 days before it was due. I thought for sure I wouldn’t get it done until I actually started reading it. 6 hours later (3am) I got it done, and it made my top-ten of all time favorite books!
Suzanne Collins writes compelling, engaging and engrossing characters. She has written other books, a series called “The Underland Chronicles”, and she has the “Hunger Games” trilogy. I am currently reading book two called “Catching Fire.” The third book, “The Victors” is due out this spring.
The premise of the story takes place in post-apocolyptic America. (I usually hate post-apocolyptic stories. They’re too depressing. But this one is wonderful) There is a group of people that form the Capital, and then there are 13 districts. Early in the formation of the country, the districts try to break out on their own, and are squashed by the Capital. As a form of punishment/or as a way to remind people of their place, each year the Capital forces each district to have a girl and a boy between 12-18 years old compete in “The Hunger Games” which is a game to the death. Last one standing wins, and provides a better life for their district. The main character, Katniss Everdeen ends up representing her district at the hunger games, and with a lot of adventure, a bit of romance and a lot of intense moments, an amazing story is told!
I would HIGHLY recommend this book. Highly. Really good writing, really great depth of characters, really creative and unusual story line. Very well done.
FTC- FYI- library

Teaser Tuesday – February 2, 2010

 Posted by  Special Features, Teaser Tuesdays
Feb 022010
 
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!
Shanda’s Teaser:

He looked at her hand on his arm and then up at her face, making her wonder if he was as hungry for physical touch as he was for home-cooked food. He didn’t speak, but just nodded and picked up the chip again once Sadie removed her hand.
Devil’s Food Cake by Josi Kilpack, page 148
Sheila’s Teaser:

“In fact, it’s possible he was in fear of his life.”

Luke frowned. “Uncle Foster wasn’t easily intimidated, and he didn’t fear anything – except the IRS. He was terrified of them.”

Luke fixed me with a penetrating gaze. “You really think someone killed Uncle Foster?”

Murder By the Book by Betsy Brannon Green, page 90


Hillary’s Teaser:

“It means we’re on your side.”

That’s what Bonnie said. I have people on my side? What side? Am I unwittingly the face of the hopes- for rebellion?

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, page 150

Share your teasers with us in the comments below- we’d love a peek at what you’re reading!