The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I can't believe I waited so long to review this book.  I think I was mentally writing it while reading.  And yet, I didn't do it.  I lost my blogging mojo.  Again.  I think it's coming back.  I just needed to jump in and do it.  Anyway. . .

The Hunger Games blew my mind.  I haven't felt such intense love for a book in a really long time.  2010 has been a very good reading year for me.  The story is an odd combination of Gladiator, Survivor, and Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery".  Katniss is a teen-aged girl who is forced to compete in The Hunger Games, which is a fight to the death.

The whole concept of this book is horrific.  How can teens be asked to kill or be killed?  How can people sit around and watch this on their TV all day, every day.  Why doesn't anyone see that this is so wrong?  Those were my first thoughts when I started reading.  Fortunately the book isn't about killing or blood-lust.  It's about survival.  Katniss just wants to survive and she will do anything for that to happen.  The odds are against her.

I guarantee you'll get caught up in this book.  I couldn't put it down.  I can't wait to read the sequel!  This is a young adult book but I would say it's best for older teens because of the subject matter.   And you adults?  Read it!  You won't be disappointed.