Mockingjay

After waiting months for the release of Collins’ final installment in the Hunger Games trilogy, I am disappointed to report that Mockingjay left me feeling deflated and sad.  I was most displeased that in this third book Katniss Everdeen, the brave heroine that astonished and captivated readers in the first Hunger Games and then the Quarter Quell, is reduced to nothing more than a weak victim in a rebellion that turns out to be as corrupt as the totalitarian government that the districts sought to overthrow by the conclusion of Catching Fire.  I suppose my expectations of Katniss in this final book were too idealistic and therefore unrealistic.  I definitely don’t want to reveal too many details, but I would love to hear your thoughts on the role of Katniss as the Mockingjay in this haunting and violent conclusion of the Capitol and its Games once you’ve finished reading it.  Regardless of some disappointments, I encourage all followers of this series to finish up with this third and final book.  Let me know what you think!

Image:  “Mockingjay Book Cover.”  The Official Suzanne Collins Website.  August 21, 2010. <http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.colm>.

This World We Live In

So out of all of the Sci.Fi. literature that I devoured this summer, my most enjoyable read was book 3 of Susan Beth Pfeffer’s The Last Survivors.  This companion novel to former KBA nominee Life as We Knew It and The Dead and the Gone did not disappoint.  In fact, this installment may have been my favorite.  Although Pfeffer details the continued struggle for survival among Miranda Evans and her family following the apocalyptic meteor collision with the moon, readers will not grow bored of the conflicts driven by the dire circumstances. The plot certainly thickens, however, when Miranda’s father and stepmother return to her mother’s home not only with the anticipated baby of book 1 but also with three strangers.  One of these is Alex Morales of The Dead and the Gone who begins to develop feelings for Miranda as she does for him.  The romance subplot brought new energy to the primary storyline making this book yet another page-turner for lovers of this series.  Enjoy!

Image: “This World We Live In.”  Susan Beth Pfeffer: Meteors, Moons, and Me.  August 23, 2010.

     <http://susanbethpfeffer.blogspot.com/>.

Sleepaway Girls

When Ms. Rachel from the Scott County Public Library booktalked Calonita’s Sleepaway Girls during our final “Book Bites for Lunch” meeting at the end of the 2009-2010 school year, I added this title to my summer reading list.  After reading several Science Fiction selections in search of the next best piece of dystopia fiction, I finally cracked the cover of this quick little read and was absolutely delighted to find it to be an addictive and fun diversion from my Sci. Fi. sprint.  It didn’t take me long to identify with Sam, the book’s main character, who travels to Whispering Pines summer camp as a counselor-in-training.  The plot moves quickly with threads of friendship, romance and of course, rivalry.  Believe me, it won’t take you long to get caught up in all the camp drama! Get ready to cheer for Sam as she forms friendships, finds love, and even dethrones the camp’s diva.  I highly recommend to chick lit. lovers!

Image:  “Sleepaway Girls Book Cover.”  The Official Website of Jen Calonita.  August 21, 2010.  <http://www.jencalonitaonline.com>.