Jennifer Petty Mann grew up in New York City, moved to London, England, then back to Boston, and is now happily ensconced on the EightMile river in Lyme with three little ones. A former teacher, window dresser for Saks, and designer, she is taking her love of books to the proverbial “street.”
I am beginning to feel that I should just March myself down to the Headmaster’s Office. You all must be a tad unimpressed with my lack of professional fortitude. Possibly a detention or six is in order. (May I nap? ).
Despite my myriad of excuses (and they are all doozies), I am here. I am still reading and I still have the urge to ramble about it. Also – all summer books are supposed to be done. Let us know if you have read them all and we’ll see about that party…)
I am currently reading Ann Blair Kloman’s new book (Isobel’s Odyssey) and loving it so that will be next, but I just finished The Hunger Games and got a huge kick out of it.
Suzanne Collins is apparently giving Stephenie Meyer (Twilight) a run for her money so I had to check.
What a fabulous concept! Reminiscent of the The Running Man (Stephen King 82); the country has transmogrified into 12 Capitol-run districts. To remind and punish people for a failed revolt, each year a hugely celebrated, televised reality contest is held.
Each district send, by lottery, two children aged between 12 and 18. The 24 contestants compete to win by remaining alive. They must kill each other and save themselves. It is horrific and fascinating.
Katniss Everdeen is a contestant from District 12 (the coal-mining district) and she is repulsed and terrified to find herself fighting for her life at the sick whims of the Capitol.
What makes this book captivating is the originality with which Collins tells the story. It is brilliantly paced and you never lose your place or interest. The contestants, their mentors, and their visual retinue are all tangible.
I also just finished the second book in the trilogy, Catching Fire and am twitchily searching for a copy of the third, Mockingjay.
Read this first and I’ll give you an update after I have read all three. I will say also, that this is a book I eagerly anticipate seeing in film when it finally comes out.