Book #39 – The Hunger Games (final thoughts)
I love reading series and for a while now I’ve been looking a new series that I could really get into. The kind that when you finish one book you immediately need to read the next one. I was hoping to find that in the Sookie Stackhouse books, but those haven’t hooked me. I was even hoping that the Cece Caruso Mysteries would be a fun series to get in to, but it wasn’t meant to be. Then along came Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games.
I don’t think there’s another book I’ve heard more about in the book blogosphere, especially since the release of Catching Fire, the second book in the series. I tried to brush it off at first, but then then my curiosity got the best of me and I added my name to the hold list at the library. When it finally came in I had to fight the urge to drop everything else I was reading and dive right into it. I had butterflies in my stomach just knowing it was in my bag, waiting to be read. When was the last time I was this excited about reading a book? I have no idea. Harry Potter, maybe?
The Hunger Games is set sometime in the future, after North America as we know it has collapsed. Out of its ruins came Panem, a nation divided into 12 districts, all under the control of the Capitol. As a reminder of its dominance, each year the Capitol selects two teens, one girl and one boy, from each district to participate in the Hunger Games. A fight to the death that is televised throughout Panem and is mandatory for each citizen to watch.
There has already been so much said about this book, I’m not going to say much else about the plot. So let’s move on.
During the first part of the book I was a little worried that it wouldn’t live up to the hype. It was interesting and all, but it wasn’t gripping. And then the Hunger Games began. And I was hooked. Completely hooked. I couldn’t have put the book down, even if I wanted to. Once the action starts, it doesn’t stop. Katniss, the main character, doesn’t get much, if any, rest as a participant in the games and neither does the reader.
Speaking of Katniss, I love that she’s a strong character. She doesn’t necessarily need anyone’s help, she knows how to survive. But that doesn’t mean that she’s above accepting help when she needs it, although she might not be too happy about it. I also really like that she doesn’t change who she is just because a guy is interested in her. She doesn’t lie down and let him take things over. She also doesn’t do anything stupid or risky (at least not anything more risky than she would have done before). She’s a refreshing change from many of the girls who currently star in YA stories.* I hope this doesn’t change in book 2.
In case I haven’t made it clear yet, The Hunger Games lives up to the hype. If you like action, read this book. If you like science fiction, read this book. If you like a sweet love story, read this book. If you do not like any of the above, but like a fast-paced, gripping story, READ THIS BOOK.
Okay, I think you get my point.
My rating: 9.5/10
* CarrieK at Books and Movies talked a bit about this issue the other day in her review of Hush Hush.
Guest Post: Jason Bourne – The Ultimate Spy
I’ve made it to 100 posts! So, what does one do for one’s 100th post? One gets someone else to write it! My wonderful husband has agreed to take the task upon himself and will be joining the book blogosphere this evening. It seems quite fitting for him to take over my 100th post, because without him my very first post would have never happened.
Without further ado, please put your hands together for the Mr.!
The Bourne Identity is pretty much the ultimate spy novel you will ever read. If you haven’t read it yet, you will be convinced to read it by the end of this blog post.
Jason Bourne is the main character in a trilogy of books by Robert Ludlum. The first book in the series, The Bourne Identity, starts with Jason being shot multiple times and dumped overboard into the murky waters of the Mediterranean Sea. From there he miraculously survives but has complete amnesia and is soon attacked by people he does not know. He naturally uses his spy skills, his cunning and intelligence to try to figure out who he is and why he was almost murdered.
Soon after you start reading the book you will become emotionally attached to the well-being of Mr. Bourne and in figuring out why so many people are after him. The novel has multiple plot lines, a range of characters and so many questions that leave you wondering how any of it can be resolved.
Who is Carlos the Jackal, what is Jason’s history, and what was he doing on that boat?
A word about the film: The Bourne Identity; please, the film and the book share the same name but beyond that they are completely different stories. Don’t relate the two and if you’ve seen the movie but haven’t opened the book give it a try; it will open your eyes to the great storytelling of Robert Ludlum.
If you are even remotely interested in thriller, suspense, or spy novels, read this book. You will be pleasantly surprised.
Book #32 – The Historian – the end
Before we get into this I just need to, umm..WOOOOOOOOOOOOOT! I FINISHED! FINALLY!!
Okay, now that I have that over with, let’s get down to business.
UK paperback cover
The most basic summary I can give for Kostova’s The Historian is that it is a search for the grave of Vlad Tepes, known worldwide as Dracula. This search, however, is not just a search through ancient cities and crypts, it’s a journey through documents and letters. A search in which those involved aren’t in danger in dark alleyways, but in libraries pouring over mysterious texts.
Kostova does a wonderful job weaving together the stories of a number of different people from a number of different time periods to make a unified story line. The story centers on three time periods – a 17-year old in the 70’s, her parents in the 50s, and her father’s mentor in the 30s. But quite a few other people join in now and then to add their 2 cents. The chapters constantly switch from one point of view to another without getting confusing or without, for the most part, interrupting the pace of the book. The stories are told through letters, oral accounts, and historical documents, some of which are fiction and some are not. Kostova has mixed so much fact with fiction that at times it’s hard to know what is true and what isn’t. A wonderful combination!
I’m too much of a wimp for scary books, and this was just the right level of creepiness for me. There isn’t enough gruesomeness to give you nightmares, but vampires lurking in the shadows will sneak undetected into your dreams. Kostova sets the mood with a sinister undertone early in the book and keeps it up throughout.
However, I somehow made Dracula seem a little less sinister because for some reason I couldn’t get this image out of my head:
The descriptions of “long, curling, dark hair,” “the long straight nose,” and “wiry, dark mustache” were suppose to instill this picture:
But once I had Hook in my head, the real thing was lost on me.
Anyway…back to the real details of the book. Kostova’s attention to detail is fantastic. She makes everything from the texture of the documents to the noisy streets of Istanbul so real. I especially enjoyed her descriptions of Budapest and the Romanian countryside, as those are the only two places in the book I’ve been to. I could almost taste the delicious Hungarian bread that is served with every meal.
I’ve got to mention something about the size. Yes it is enormous (the mass market paperback I have is 800+ pages), and yes it is daunting. If the book hadn’t already been sitting in our house for months I probably wouldn’t have read it. And true, near the end I was getting a bit antsy for it to be over already. BUT, that being said, I’m really glad I did read it. I very much enjoyed the story and the various characters that played a part in it, both historical and fictional. Plus, the mood was perfect for the beginning of fall!
My rating: 8.5/10
Book #32 – The Historian – update
It’s definitely been slow going, but I’ve made it past the halfway point of The Historian. The last couple hundred pages have flown by as I cheer on the characters working to unravel the mysteries of Drakulya, while also fearing for their safety.
The good news, though? I’ve only dreamt about vampires twice in the last week 
Which is pretty amazing, since I’ve been reading right before bed much more often than I usually do.
Let’s take a quick minute to look at this cover of The Historian. It just doesn’t seem to capture the mood of the book. It feels a little to lighthearted, almost on the verge of chick lit. Okay, so the drops of blood take away from the chick-lit feel. Out of the two I’ve looked at so far, I think the cover of the copy I’m reading gives a better idea of what the book is like.
Of to do some reading before bedtime!
Book #32 – The Historian
“His memory becomes legend, passed down through generations of superstitious peasants. At the end of the nineteenth century, a disturbed and melodramatic author – Abraham Stoker – gets hold of the name Dracula and fastens it on a creature of his own invention, a vampire.” (p. 23)
Is there a better way to start off Fall than with a creepy historical thriller? Yesterday, as I curled up on the couch while dark clouds gathered and heavy rain pelted the window, Elizabeth Kostova’s The Historian seemed to fit the mood perfectly.
I’ve been looking forward to reading this book for a while, but hesitant at the same time. Mostly because it’s long (800+ pages) and it’s been described by numerous people as being quite dry. Hmm..long and dry, doesn’t sound like a quick read. I really don’t like being bogged down by one book for too long. I only read one book at a time, so if something takes too long, I start getting antsy, thinking of all the other books I could be reading.
But on the other hand, I like challenging myself and there’s nothing quite like that feeling of accomplishment you get after finishing something you deemed to be particularly difficult. Also, I’ve heard so many good things about The Historian that I really want to know what all the fuss is about. No one likes feeling left out 
I’m about 100 pages in and I’m happy to say that while it is quite dry and the pace is pretty slow, the story is great. There’s a sense of anticipation that keeps me reading, needing to know what will happen next.
Plus, there are wonderful quotes. I love books with great quotes.
“Life’s better, sounder, when we don’t brood unnecessarily on horrors. As you know, human history is full of evil deeds, and maybe we ought to think of them with tears, not fascination.” (p. 42)
What book-lover doesn’t enjoy a good book-related quote?
I flipped through the rest of the pages – when you handle books all day long, every new one is a friend and a temptation. (p. 13)
Seeing a new book as a friend and temptation – I love it.
I’ve got to mention something about this cover. Seriously, it creeps me out. Every time I pull it out of my bag and I see that one dark eye staring at me…shiver shivers. The colours on the copy I have aren’t as bright as this picture here, which makes it look that much more sinister.
Okay, I’m off to do some more reading before it feels too late to read about possible vampires.
