"The Hunger Games"

Wow...I just finished "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins and really enjoyed it. I first spotted this book in the YA section of the book store about a year ago and, based on the back cover, knew I wanted to read it. Several friends have read it since then, but I just got my hands on it after my daughter got it for Christmas.

In a vaguely futuristic world, the twelve districts of The Capitol are each required to offer up two tributes from a lottery system to participate in The Hunger Games each year. Part sensationalistic entertainment, part punishment, the hunger games are a fight to the death among 24 teenagers in a controlled environment with only one victor. Katniss Everdeen, a 16 year old from coal mining District 12, offers to take her 12 year old sister's place, and the contest is on. Even though she has some hunting experience, Katniss finds out the actual game is only part of the challenge.

When we proposed this book in book club, not many women wanted to read a book about teenagers killing each other, and I might not have made it through the book if that's all this was. Instead, it's a book with political overtones as well as complicated interpersonal relationships. I could hardly put it down and read it in less than 24 hours. The 2nd book of the trilogy, "Catching Fire," is available in hardback, so I need to find a way to quickly get my hands on it without having to pay for it. The last book of the trilogy will be released in August. "The Hunger Games" is a page turner, and I strongly recommend it.