Tuesday Teaser: 30 June 2009

Teaser Tuesdays hosted by Should be Reading and is a book meme that asks you to grab a random teaser quote from the book you are currently reading. Posting spoilers are a no no but anything else is fair game.


"I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. I always worried when the little bulb at the top of anything went red. And I recognized the sound the pot was making. I felt like that sometimes, it never ended well."


Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich Page 131

ON MOVIES ~ Action Heroes

Feature Presentation...

MONDAY MOVIE MEME

This week's movie topic is all about Action Heroes...

Summer is in full swing and that means it is time for the blockbuster releases. You know, big budget flicks where things get dicey, blow up, burn down, and in the end - saved - by those quintessential action heroes. Here are some that we feel best represent the genre. Share the movie action heroes that have saved your day.

Wow so many to choose and I did not want to do all the ones already picked by The Bumbles and Musings of a Bookish Kitty(all of which I agreed with). So I threw in some already picked with some not yet picked. If you want to see The Bumbles and Literary Felines picks head on over to their blogs.

Officer John McClane - Die Hard Series

Indiana Jones - Indiana Jones Series
Jason Bourne - Bourne Series

Captain Steven Hiller - Independence Day

Ellen Ripley - Alien Series

Korben Dallas - The Fifth Element

Police Officer Jack Traven - Speed
Frank Martin - The TransporterYu Shu-lien - Crouching Tiger Hidden DragonJackie - Armour of God Series

This meme is hosted by The Bumbles

Monday's At The Movies - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Starring: Shia LaBeoug, Megan Fox
Director: Michael Bay
Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy
From Netflix

Unlikely hero Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf), his foxy girlfriend, Mikaela Banes (Megan Fox), and the tough Capt. Lennox (Josh Duhamel) return to assist the Autobots in another epic battle against the evil Decepticons in this supercharged sequel to the 2007 megahit. Blockbuster impresario Michael Bay brings his trademark pyrotechnics to the proceedings, while comic whiz Rainn Wilson joins the cast as a college professor.

Two simple words. IT ROCKED. You may have guess by now I am a bit of an action junkie I love those films so I'm probably a little predisposed to saying something favorable. But really this was so much fun!

I was worried this would suck along the lines of Matrix 2 kind of suck. But it didn't. The cinema was packed when we went and everyone seemed to really enjoy the film.

One of the biggest surprises is they slipped in a lot of humor. There were these twin robots (whose names escape me) who were just a riot and this little Decpeticon robot who made you crackle in laughter every time he was on screen. I really though thought this would be more action and explosions but it wasn't.

The story here was pretty good for an action film. It flowed reasonably well, made as much sense as a movie about robots from space can and tied the action in. I have heard some critics bag the film story wise but come on what were they expecting? this is a live animation based on an 80's cartoon about alien robots, were they really expecting Oscar award winning writing?

The minor quibbles I have is the ending seemed a little drawn out. Seriously how many scenes of the boy and girl running through exploding sand can you have? It just got to point where I thought "yea yea wrap it up move it along". Also it bugged me that the Pyramids of Cairo Egypt and The City of Petra in Jordan where basically a half hour drive a way from each other. I'm guessing Geography was not the directors strongest subject in school. Oh and not enough Josh Duhamel, and come on no shirtless shorts! really? that guy is spunky!

But the action and computer graphics are really why you see this movie and they were awesome. The live actors were integrated almost flawlessly with the cgi. It was very impressive.

Definitely a movie to see at the cinemas. We liked it so much we are going back this week with a friend.

Popcorn Rating: 5 out of 5

This meme is hosted by A Novel Menagerie

Dog On It: A Chet & Bernie Mystery by Spencer Quinn

Rating 4 out of 5

Opening sentence: "I could smell him - or rather the booze on his breath - before he even opened the door, but my sense of smell is pretty good, probably better than yours."

Dog on it is a delightful and humourous animal detective story. This is the story of Chet the mix breed mutt whose human is Bernie the down and out PI. In their first adventure, Chet and Bernie are hired to investigate the disappearance of a teenage girl.

The story is revealed from the point of view of Chet. Anything that happened to Chet the reader knew about it for instance if Chet fell asleep, you don’t get to know what is happening, if Chet finds a particularly tasty looking chip under a piece of furniture the reader gets to know about the chip. While this may seem a random way of telling the story it works well and the author did a great job of not losing the reader. The gaps are filled in from Bernie who like most pet owners talks freely with his canine buddy about what is going on.

There is great humour in this book. I definitely had some “laugh out loud and dislodge the sleeping cat from tummy” moments (would that be LOLDSCFT?). I’m convinced that Chet has Labrador or some sort of scent dog in him as he acted exactly like every Labrador or Beagle I’ve ever known.

" 'Let’s begin by asking one simple question. Of everyone we’ve met on this whole case, from the moment Cynthia Chambliss came driving up the street, who’s the least trust worthy?'

Hey Anylizing turned out to be a snap. The answer to the least trustworthy question was obviously Cap’n Crunch; one glimpse of his tiny wicked little eyes and you knew that.”

Needles to say I loved Chet he was a great character and extremely dog like. He was random and funny; his dog perspective absolutely hilarious at times. Bernie was a fun character if a little sad. His horrible wife has left him taking their child and nearly every penny Bernie owns. He isn’t very good finances wise and has a big soft heart. Not all bad things but not great for running a business.

The best part is that Chet does not seem to have supernatural abilities, human intelligence, or a weird psychic connection with his owner who can understand dog bark. He is no Lassi or Benji. Chet is a dog, and acts like a dog. He doesn’t always understand what his owner is saying and likewise Bernie does not understand always when Chet tries to tell him something. I liked this as it is a fresh way of telling the animal PI story.

This is a delightful light read that will easily win you over. If you like cozies, PI detective stories and animal detective stories you will probably like this.

Extra Stuff
If you would like to read an extract Ullen & Unwin have a copy here.
Chet also has his own blog you can find here.

Other Reviews
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Books and Musings from Downunder

Friday Fill-Ins: 26 June 2009

Janet is the Host of Friday Fill-In.My responses are in green.

And...here we go!

I managed to do something really stupid and wipe this post. Not sure how but I am terribly unimpressed. If I can remember what I had written or by some miracle find a back up I will repost.

Wednesday Funnies 24 June 09

Wednesday Funnies is a meme for anything you found funny during the week that you would like to share with your blogging buddies. I am happy for anyone who would like to participate to post a link to their own post here.

Happy Wednesday!

I apologise for the late post. Last night we went to see the new Transformers 2 Movie (see Monday Movies post this monday for a review) and had dinner with K's parents. I had all the good intentions to post the minute we got home however (a) that turned out to be 11.30 (and way past my bedtime) and (b) my tummy decided it was gonna give me some pay back for having a good time that evening. So I just curled into a wimpering, sookie ball and went to sleep (ok cue the violins I know you all feel sorry for me *grin*).

This email came to me during the week and is on one of my favorite topics chocolate! I suggest everyone print these off and have a copy sitting on your fridge at home. They are sage words.

THE RULES OF CHOCOLATE!

1. If you've got melted chocolate all over your hands, you're eating it too slowly.

2. Chocolate covered raisins, cherries, orange slices & strawberries all count as fruit, so eat as many as you want.

3. The problem: How to get 2 pounds of chocolate home from the store in hot car. The solution: Eat it in the parking lot.

4. Diet tip: Eat a chocolate bar before each meal. It'll take the edge off your appetite and you'll eat less.

5. A nice box of chocolates can provide your total daily intake of calories in one place. Isn't that handy?

6. If you can't eat all your chocolate, it will keep in the freezer. But if you can't eat all your chocolate, what's wrong with you?

7. If calories are an issue, store your chocolate on top of the fridge. Calories are afraid of heights, and they will jump out of the chocolate to protect themselves.

8. If I eat equal amounts of dark chocolate and white chocolate, is that a balanced diet? Don't they actually counteract each other?

9. Money talks. Chocolate sings.

10. Chocolate has many preservatives. Preservatives make you look younger.

11. Q. Why is there no such organization as Chocoholics Anonymous?

A. Because no one wants to quit.

12. If not for chocolate, there would be no need for control top pantyhose. An entire garment industry would be devastated.

13. Put "eat chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you'll get one thing done.

Teaser Tuesday : 23 June 09

Teaser Tuesdays hosted by Should be Reading and is a book meme that asks you to grab a random teaser quote from the book you are currently reading. Posting spoilers are a no no but anything else is fair game.


"A dark cloud had gathered above Alcatraz. It rose out of the abandoned prison in a dark curl and hung in the air looking like smoke, but this smoke didn't dissipate: it moved and circled like a solid mass."



The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott Page 85

ON MOVIES ~ I'd Rather Be Pretending...

Feature Presentation...

MONDAY MOVIE MEME

Molly looked around for a weekly meme about movies and did not have any luck. So therefore she decided to start her own! Andy will play along as well - hopefully you will too. Go to your blog and create your own post on the topic, linking back to us in your post, then come back and leave a link to your post here in our Comments section. If you don’t have a blog, just share your response in the Comments section.

This week's movie topic is all about The Movies You'd Most Like To Hang Out In...

Movies transport us to all different times and places and let us live in the minds of the young, the old, as men, as women, famous and imaginary. Sometimes when the lights come up it is hard to leave the world the film just inserted us into. If you could go and hang out in any movie, which would it be? Why?

I cant say I have ever really given this much thought so my list is a little short this week.

The Fifth Element - Traveling through space, hover cars, groovy colourful outfits, take away that comes to your window, oh and aliens. What is there not to like about this world?

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon - Gorgeous scenery, being able kick ass with kung fu, beautiful architecture, pretty clothes, super kung fu kicking ass (jumping from tree tops etc), magic, and getting to kick ass with sharp shiny pointy things.

Harry Potter and the Philosphers Stone - Living in a world where you can perform magic, yes please, where do I sign up?

This meme is hosted by The Bumbles

Spring Reading Thing 2009 Wrap Up

Well Spring in the Northern Hemispehere has offically come to and and end and with it the Spring Reading Thing 2009 Challenge. The challenge is run from 20 March-20 June 2009 and is hosted by Callapidder Days. It is a fun no pressure challenge where you set the goals and boundaries. Thanks to Callapidder Days for hosting this event. I still cant believe how quickly those three months went.

My goal was to read 12 books, completed books are in red:

Demon's Are Ghouls Best Friend by Victoria Laurie
Brisingr By Chirstoper Paolini
The City of Ember by Jeane DePrau
The Murderers' Club by PD Martin
Princep's Fury by Jim Butcher
Valiant by Holly Black
Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts
Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
Dog on It by Spencer Quinn
Undead and Unwed by Mary Janice Davidson
Triskellion by Will Peterson
Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult

Out of those 12 I managed to read 10 so I am pretty happy with that. Only made one change to the list and that was Fan Mail to The Murderers' Club by PD Martin. That was only because the one I had originally listed was in fact the third book in the series not the second like I thought.

Challenges I managed to make slight (seriously slight) inroads into was the Support your Local Library Challenge (1), Young Adult Book Challenge (1), and Cozy Mystery Challenge (1). I think I need to sign up for supernatural type challenge as currently I would blitz it with all the supernatural type books I have on Mt TBR.

All up from March – June I read 19 books which is not to shabby. I did not want to alter my list in anyway if possible so there really was no reason why I should not have finished reading all twelve books. In my defence in that period I had some library books took priority and a couple of books in my list were part of a series and I got caught up reading those. Also I kept forgetting what was on my list when selecting the next book to read.

My favorite read for the Challnge is a toss up between Princeps' Fury by Jim Butcher and Triskellion by Will Peterson. Jim Butcher is one of my favorite authors and I love the Codex Alera series. Princeps' Fury did not dissapoint and was an amazing addition to the series. Triskellion is a YA novel and a new author for me. I love the x-files vibe the book had going. I will certainly be looking out for the second book coming out.

I had fun doing this challenge and will definitely be participating next year. However next time I need to put a copy of the list that is somewhere easy for me to remember what is on it in the first place.

The Murderer's Club (Sophie Anderson Book 2) by PD Martin

Rating 5 out of 5

FBI Profiler Sophie Anderson is still recovering from the traumatic events in Body Count. The only good thing is that for six months she has had no visions. In need of a break Sophie heads to Arizona to visit her friend Darren. However soon after her arrival bodies with a mysterious love heart on their chests start appearing on the University grounds. Sophie offers her assistance to help catch a new serial killer and hopefully stop a killing spree. But Sophie soon learns that they are not hunting one killer but a group, The Murderers' Club.

About three months ago I read the first book in this series called Body Count. For a debut novel it was really good. It had a good mix of supernatural, crime mystery and good old fashioned thrills and action. I was really keen to get started on The Murderer’s Club as soon as possible.

The book is told in first person. But the reader gets both Sophies perspective and the killers. This happens in both books but in this book the killers perspective is told via a chat room. It is creepy reading the killers conversations about their victims, they discuss them like they would characters in a tv show.

The Murderers’ Club is a little slower paced then Body Count. There is not as much action, but the action that is there really packs a punch. Also there is less focus on Sophie’s visions, however this fits in with the story where she is grappling with her visions and their implications (I do not want to reveal to much so I will leave it there).

There is however a bigger focus (then in the previous book) on the actual process of profiling a serial killer which was just fascinating. While Body Count touched on this, I felt in Murderers’ Club we got to learn more about the profiling aspect of the job. I think it would be both a fascinating and terrifying field to work in.

"Finally I cast my eyes to the body. The vic lies on his back, his arms tucked underneath him. On his hair-less chest and extending down to the first two bulges of his six-pack is a bright red love heart, about four inches square."

If you are thinking this series is a supernatural crime novel you are essentially correct but it is so much more. Murderers’ Club can easily hold its self up against the more hard boiled crime novels. While Sophie does have visions and it is an element to the story it is just that an element. Sophie needs actual evidence to convict the serial killers so she goes through the process just like any other criminal profiler. I guess that is what I like most about this series so far is that balance which PD Martin has done well.

Sophie is mixed up in this book which is hardly surprising all things considered. However her issues and the way she deals with them felt believable, not forced to make the narrative flow a particular way. Sophie is dealing with the trauma inflicted on her in Body Count as well as her personal relationships with Darren and Josh. On top of that she is dealing with her visions, or more accurately not dealing with them.

I liked the additions of Gerard and Detective Stone who were good characters. I certainly hope they make more appearances in the series.

As for the ending of the book, well lets just say it was good.

This series has really grown on me and I am not a huge crime writing fan. Cosy's are more my speed. However this series is quirky, fascinating and a little terrifying. Definitely a recommended read.

Other Reviews
Books and Musings from Downunder

Friday Fill-Ins 19 June 2009

Janet is the Host of Friday Fill-In.

My responses are in green. And...here we go!

1. All children alarm their parents, if only because you are forever expecting them to hack up a hair ball on your bed. (my children are fur babies!).

2. Show me a good loser and I will show you a person having a great time.

3. Sky diving is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs at one time. They are both something I wouldn’t do.

4. Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are busy running private businesses and earning bucket loads of money.

5. I have yet to hear a man ask for advice on how to combine knitting and polo cross playing.

6. It is impossible to think of any good meal, no matter how plain or elegant, without cheese or tomato sauce in it.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing (it has been a long week at work), tomorrow my plans include some photography and reading (with some chores thrown in) and Sunday, I want to do some gardening!

Teaser Tuesday : 16 June 09

Teaser Tuesdays hosted by Should be Reading and is a book meme that asks you to grab a random teaser quote from the book you are currently reading. Posting spoilers are a no no but anything else is fair game.


"We continue down the body, but find nothing else of interest on the victim's front. We turn the vic over and the body positioning at death is obvious "

The Murderers' Club by PD Martin Page 43

On Movies - Trauma

Feature Presentation...

MONDAY MOVIE MEME

This week's movie topic is all about Trauma....

This week's topic is brought to you by the ever uplifting Sandy @ You've GOTTA Read This! She suggested we share which movies have shaken us to the core so much that we've never been the same because of them. Most of my traumatic movie experiences happened when I was child and pretty much shaped my views on horror films since. All horror films in my opinion should be avoided!

The Never Ending Story– Gave me the full range of emotions. Elation, sadness,and terror. The scene where the horse Artax gets sucked into the mud had me bawling my eyes out and screaming at the tv to save the stupid horse. The wolf had me cowering in fear and the luckdragon had me laughing and wishing I had one. To this day I still don’t like the wolf even though it looks stupid now!

Jurassic Park– I know a strange choice but this came out in my second year of high school and a big gang of us girls went to watch it. We were all scared spitless and spent the whole film jumping out of our skins. At the time though it looked terrifyingly real (plus we were sitting at the front of the cinema so that T-Rex roar was LOUD!). This was a good trauma though because I love this film.

Nightmare on Elm Street – My good childhood friend Phillip introduced me to this film sitting me down telling me how good it was. Well needless to say I spent the whole film behind the couch (literally not joking here). He then proceeded to do this with most 80’s horror films, such as Jaws and anything with stupid vampires, all with the same effect. I have never been a fan of horror films and to this day I dont like them, and that is not likely to change.

The Poltergeist (1982)- Helloooo kiddie gets eaten by the tv. Do I really have to elaborate? That was the only scene I saw as I walked in to the living room and it was on tv but that was enough for me.

Troll (1986) - an 80's horror movie that had me lining my bed with toys to protect me and not walking down the hallway in the dark. I would probably laugh myself stupid watching it now but at the time it was truly terrifying.

This meme is hosted by The Bumbles

Monday's Movie Meme 15 June 09

Watched a mixed bag of DVDs this week.

Push
A group of psychics band together to bring down a dark Government agency that is conducting secret experiments.

The movie was a little too slow for my liking. While the plot was good it just got bogged down with scenes of people sitting around staring into space.

The fight scene right the end and the few scattered through out are impressive and almost make the slow parts worth watching. Also the movie is set in Hong Kong and is visually interesting with the locations.

This could have been so much better but was an ok movie.

1/2

Coraline
Is the story of Coraline Jones a young girl who moves to Ashland Oregon with her family. She soon discovers an alternate world through a small door in the living room wall. Coraline quickly learns the perfect world beyond the small done is anything but, and she must unravel the secrets of this world to rescue her family.

This is based on Neil Gaimans book of the same name. I have to point out straight away I have not read the book so could not compare the two. The story though seems to have kept true to Neil Gaimans writing style which is dark, funny and off the wall.

This is not a Disney movie though. Everything is not cute with a dose of warm and fuzzy thrown in. It is dark with a smidgen of humor and strong message, appreciate what you have.

The animation on this was amazing. K & I spent most of the film trying to decide what sort of animation was being used (it is a stop-motion animation for those who are technical).

A family movie everyone can enjoy.




12 Rounds
New Orleans Police Detective Danny Fisher manges to capture an international arms dealer, Mike Jackson, after an FBI sting operation goes wrong. In the process Mike's girlfriend is killed. One year later Mike has escaped from prision and kidnapped Danny Fisher's fiance in revenge. Danny is put through 12 rounds of challenges that he must complete in order to gt his fiance back alive.

What a fun action film. There are lots of things going bang, lots of things that go vroom, and witty one liners. The main actor who plays Danny Fisher is a former wrestler and he does a fairly decent job.

Dont expect any fantastic acting or story telling. But if you want just a good brainless flick for a Sunday arvo then this is not a bad one to watch.




This meme is hosted by A Novel Menagerie

One Foot in the Grave (Book 2) by Jeaniene Frost

Rating 4.5 out of 5

One foot in the grave is the second book in the Night Huntress Series. We see the return of Cat as a vampire hunter now working for a super top secret Government agency. Cat has moved on with her life after the events in Halfway to the Grave and has settled in nicely in her new town. But what does she do when her past catches up with her and a vampire is killing people to draw her out?

I definitely enjoyed this instalment of the series and is quickly gaining a foothold in my favourite series top 10 (don’t worry Jim Butcher no one can replace Harry).

Character wise most of the old crew is back with some new additions. Bones did not annoy me as much this time round. This could possibly be he was toned down (accent did not seem as prevalent)?, or he has grown on me? Either way I liked him a lot better. Cat is has more confidence in herself and is more comfortable with who she is. Her mother is still a prejudiced nut bag and that is not going to change any time soon. I was glad to see Rodney return who is one of my favorite support characters. New additions wise Cat’s new best friend seems like a wonderful balance for her.

"Don's words were pleasant, but his expression told me he was about to piss me off"

This book explores Vampire society more and the complexities that make it up. My mind boggled about the chain of command and where loyalties would ultimately lay. Though it seems loyalties lay with whoever created you.

There are some more romance and sex scenes which again are written in a way which doesn’t detract from the story or seem placed there for the sake of it.

I read on Jeaniene’s website that she is going to write some stand alone novels set in the Night Huntress world based on some characters. I hope she is able to do this as it would add an interesting depth to the world especially if she can tell it from other species points of view.

Another great instalment in the series.

Other Reviews
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Not Enough Books
Ticket to Anywhere

Friday Fill-Ins: 12 June 2009

Janet is the Host of Friday Fill-In.My responses are in green.

And...here we go!

1. I grew up thinking I could be rich and famous one day. Apparently though just thinking it does not work. I however remain hopeful that plan b will work; praying to the lotto gods.

2. Twitter was the last website I was at before coming here.

3. Why don't you go and fetch the minions?

4. Listening to a good boppy tune helps me relax.

5. Thanks for the chocolate.

6. Rude people are very off-putting.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching Wipeout
which is good brainless fun, tomorrow my plans include more gardening, I am
on a roll now and Sunday, I want to read and do nothing!

Wednesday Funnies 10 June 09

Wednesday Funnies is a meme for anything you found funny during the week that you would like to share with your blogging buddies. I am happy for anyone who would like to participate to post a link to their own post here.

Happy Wednesday!

Foamy the Squirrel is an online flash cartoon. Foamy has, anger management issues (and that's being nice) and you would not want to be on the receiving end of his squirrely wrath.

***Warning these videos contain foul language (a lot of it).***

Tech Support


Small, Medium, Large

Teaser Tuesday : 09 June 09

Teaser Tuesdays hosted by Should be Reading and is a book meme that asks you to grab a random teaser quote from the book you are currently reading. Posting spoilers are a no no but anything else is fair game.


"While I waited, my instincts nagged me again, a hairs- on-the-back-of-the-neck certainty that someone was focused on me. My instincts had been on a streak, so I paid attention to them, quietly preparing my shield bracelet as I turned my head in a slow, casual look up the street."

Turn Coat by Jim Butcher Page 67

On Movies - I love the 80's

Feature Presentation...

MONDAY MOVIE MEME

This week's movie topic is all about The '80's...

Time to get nostalgic. Share some of your favorite movies from the '80's. Well I was a child growing up in the 80's so most of my favorites are children movies. However once I got started thinking about the movies from the 80's it was hard to stop! I don't remember watching a lot of movies, I was more interested in climbing trees and watching Saturday cartoons. So the ones listed here are the ones I clearly remember watching (usually over and over).

• Ghostbusters (1984)
• E.T (1982)
• Back to the Future (1985)
• The Never Ending Story (1984)
• The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)
• Die Hard (1988)
• Indiana Jones and the last Crusade (1989) - I like all three but I just listed my fave of the three here.
• Leathal Weapon (1987)
• Labyrinth (1986)
• Gremlins (1984)
• Goonies (1984)
• Star Wars, V, VI (1977-83)
• James Bond movies (1962-80's).
• Batman (1989)
• Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
  

This meme is hosted by The Bumbles

Competition - Linus's Blanket Givaway

Hi all. Linus's Blanket is hosting a competition that gives away a copy of Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. This is book 2 in the trilogy of The Hunger Games.

The competition is open internationally and closes 23 June 2009.

For those who enter best of luck!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Rating 5 out of 5

The Hunger Games is set in a future in a land called Panem which was North America, is divided into districts. Each district is responsible for one particular item. District 12 where our story begins, is responsible for mining coal and is the poorest.

Katniss Everdeen is sixteen and earns food for her mother and sister by hunting in the nearby woods. They live in an isolated world cut of from almost everyone except the Capitol who dictates how their lives are lived.

Every year the Hunger Games are held. A boy and a girl from each district is selected to compete, and if they win they get fame and fortune, as well as all the food their district needs for a year. There is one catch, only the winner survives.Literally. The Hunger Games is a fight for survival, and the winner is the last person standing. When Katniss’ sister is picked for the 74th Reaping, Katniss quickly takes her place and seals her fate in the Hunger Games.

Well wow. What to say really. This was an amazing book. I have not found a bad review of this book, certainly not in the blogging world and I can see why. This was a real page turner that had you desperate to know more. I literally could not put this book down. Everything about this book just jelled with me.

“A few hours later, the stampede of feet shakes me from slumber. I look around in bewilderment. It’s not yet dawn, but my stinging eyes can see it. It would be hard to miss the wall of fire descending on me.”

The pacing was just the right amount of slow and fast which kept the story flowing;and it did not impede story or character development. Collins was able to get enough information across to give the reader an adequate view of the world she had created with out bogging the story down. The book cleverly manages to be humorous, bleak, touching and sad (I was one step off from bawling at one point) as the children are forced to fight to the death in order to gain food for their district. It is stated that the Hunger Games were a punishment that the Capitol implemented after a failed rebellion.

The basis of the plot is a modern twist on the ancient Gladiator competition and a communist state (though the actual Government structure is never clearly stated). The two are intertwined together to form the main storyline. The Capitol has complete control over its districts, with each district being completely isolated and governed by extreme violence.

I read a comment about the reality TV aspect of this book would quickly date once reality TV was dead and buried. I for one do not agree. In fact I did not see it as a reality TV type show but as a way for the Capitol to manipulate and control its people. Similar to the radio and PA broadcasts that China and the USSR used to get before TV (maybe they still get it, I wouldnt know). Bringing these two elements together creates a truly frightening world that Katniss inhabits.

Where to start with the characters. Katniss is brave and strong, Peeta clever and kind. Both are heroes. These are kids who had to age fast in order to survive and that was before they went to the Hunger Games. Their interaction is believable and the relationship between them fascinating. I don’t want to give anything away but basically there is no nice bow making everything pretty and ok. I don’t know if anyone else noticed but all the characters from the Capitol seemed to have Roman names. I would like to know if this was deliberate or a coincidence.

A fantastic novel that I would highly recommend. I cant wait for the sequel Catching Fire that is due out later this year.

Other Reviews
Books and Musings from Downunder
An Adventure in Reading
Wrighty's Reads
Mom-Musings
From my Bookshelf

Friday Fill-Ins: 05 June 2009

Janet is the Host of Friday Fill Ins. My responses are in green.

And...here we go!

1. Chaos reigns supreme in my home, and it is kittehs.

2. My favorite thing for dinner lately has been chicken, cheese and bacon wraps.

3. What the dog says: “Holy crap, the cat has built a nuke!”.
What we hear: bark! bark! bark!

4. A nice long walk of a short pier is just what Fuzzy Wuzzy needs thought Fluffy Duffy Duck. She chortled happily to herself as she finished coating the front door knob with vaseline. The house was now finished. Nearly every surface from the front door to the back door completely coated in vaseline. A wicked grin stole across her face and she went to sit on her front porch swing to observe the show.

5. Anytime someone says “I have a book for you” that is some good news.

6. When all is said and done, there is ALWAYS chocolate.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing and doing as little as possible, tomorrow my plans include not much, haven't thought that far ahead and Sunday, I want to read and revel in the joy of knowing Monday is a public holiday!

Wednesday Funnies 03 June 09

Wednesday Funnies is a meme for anything you found funny during the week that you would like to share with your blogging buddies. I am happy for anyone who would like to participate to post a link to their own post here.

Happy Wednesday!

This week I am going with the "Fail" theme.

Lets all go out the back & pick cakes from the cake tree

Pawned by kitty

OMG