THE HUNGER GAMES
Book One of Three
Author: Suzanne Collins
Source: Purchased

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1st edition (September 14, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0439023483
ISBN-13: 978-0439023481

SUMMARY:


Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don’t live to see the morning?

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

MY THOUGHTS:

If you are a regular reader of books, you know about The Hunger Games Trilogy. I knew about the books, knew everyone was raving about them, but I just couldn’t bring myself to read them.  At first, the book didn’t seem to appeal to me.  The summary seemed to TV Survivor for me and the hype that was going around with the books made me cringe that they wouldn’t live up to my expectations.  Yet, I created a poll letting you–my blog readers–decide if I should read it as my first series of the year to review.  I admit that I complained to my family that The Hunger Games was in the lead.  I just knew that if this series was the winner of the poll, I would have to suffer through 3 books of reading that I would despise.  After the poll closed, and The Hunger Games was the clear winner, I dug out my copies of the books and started to read.  


Can I just say one thing? What the heck was I thinking???


I can’t believe I waited and dragged my feet about reading this book! By the end of the first chapter, I was so engrossed in this story that I could not put it down.  I barely set it down long enough to go on Twitter and tell everyone I was so stupid for not reading it!  The adventure, the suspense, the writing–all of it was amazing!  Each chapter seemed to end with a bigger climatic finish than the last.  I cried, cheered and my heart broke into a million pieces several times over in this book.  I absolutely fell in love with Peeta from the moment his eyes teared up on the train.  I loved Katniss from the moment she opened her mouth in the first chapter.  When it comes to Rue, my heart broke for her and I wanted to pick flowers for her as well.  


What more can I say about this book to convince you that you have to read it?  I was once a reader who kept saying that I would never read this series. If this is you, then I will tell you to read it! I was one of those people who didn’t believe it would live up to the hype and thought it sounded boring.  Now I am a fellow hard core fan of this series and I still have two more books to go.  It is still early on in the series, but I will say that I am Team Peeta!  What team are you on?


MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS

FUSED
The Samantha Granger Experiment
Author: Kari Lee Townsend
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge
in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky; Original edition (November 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402240422
ISBN-13: 978-1402240423

SUMMARY:

After Sam is fused with her cell phone, she’s ready to conquer the world! Or at least the 8th grade…

When Samantha Granger touches a meteor while talking on her cell phone, her life is changed forever: her body now has all the capabilities of her phone (GPS, phone, text, camera). She secretly calls herself a “Digital Diva” as she rushes to answer emergency calls. But will her identity be discovered when sparks fly (literally!) between her and Trevor, her dreamy crush? Samantha has to get a handle on her abilities and quick, because when Sam gets kidnapped and the entire town is in danger, she is the only one who can save them.

MY THOUGHTS:

Isn’t that cover adorable? I thought it was cute and it gave me a sense of what the tone of the book would be like. Samantha becomes “fused” with her cell phone and becomes a teen super hero. 

While I enjoyed this book, I won’t go as far to say it was a favorite of mine.  It was cute and had some funny parts through out the story, but it wasn’t a memorable read that I will remember next year.  While the story was more focused for the younger teen generation, it was still a quick and cute read.  It is a bit predictable, but it just adds to the fun of the book.  You know what is going to come up next, but you still find yourself reading the entire book. 

Great for the younger teens, although some of the older teens and adults should enjoy it as well.  Fun, easy going, and cute is my description of the book.  Not a favorite of mine, but still recommended for teens looking for a quick and nicely paced read.

MY RATING:

 
Okay book, but it left me wanting more! 3 STARS