Mockingjay

The third and final book in the Hunger Games series concludes one of the most creative pieces of art I've ever experienced. Katniss has been extracted from the Quarter Quell along with a few other Tributes and is told she is needed to act as a catalyst in the rebellion again the Capitol. As she deals with the shock of District 13's survival and grief from the new of Peeta's capture, Katniss accepts her role as the symbolic Mockingjay. The rebels begin to fight back as Katniss realizes some people might not have the best interest of Panem at heart, including Gale. Mockingjay was an inspiring and heartbreaking novel, and makes one really think about the conflicts of our society and the possible outcomes.

Catching Fire

The second book in The Hunger Games series hooked me from the first page. After surviving the Hunger Games, Katniss must choose between Peeta and Gale, both of whom are angry with her. But she doesn't have time to decide; soon after returning home from their Victory Tour, Katniss and Peeta discover they are to go back into the arena for the Quarter Quell, which will be the ultimate battle of the best victors. Knowing this time there will only be one survivor, Katniss makes it her mission to keep Peeta alive, knowing his goal is to do the same for her. Playing the game means facing allies and enemies, and trying to understand the Game Makers' strategy so she can ultimately beat the President at his own game once again. Catching Fire is an amazing follow up to The Hunger Games. On each page I could feel Katniss's rage at the President, and her agony over her conflicted and confused feelings for Peeta.

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games is a shocking novel that I could not put down. Katniss Everdeen is a sixteen-year-old living in the distant future. The United States has fallen and now consists of twelve districts ruled by the overbearing Capitol. Every year, one boy and one girl from each district are chosen to fight to the death in the televised Hunger Games. The winner's reward is a life of ease, free of poverty. For Katniss, volunteering to take her sister's place in the Games means leaving Gale, the only boy she might have loved, attempting to kill Peeta, whom she has befriended and has publicly announced his love for her, and accepting her own possible demise. The Hunger Games force Katniss to fight desperately for her life while the odds are against her, and each day she survives brings more unexpected twists, until she can no longer tell the difference between desperation and hope.

Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful

When We Were Beautiful was written for the 25th anniversary of the band, Bon Jovi. Phil Griffin went behind the scenes with the band on their Lost Highway tour to get the inside story on their time together. The many pictures included are beautiful, and I loved learning more about my favorite band, but i was expecting to see a little deeper into the rabbit hole. Bon Jovi gave their fans a nice collector's item, but the circle of secrecy surrounding the guys remains firmly intact.

Gathering Blue

Gathering Blue is called a "companion" to Lois Lowry's The Giver. Both books are set in future communities, but in Gathering Blue, humanity seems to have regressed. Kira is an orphaned cripple who in uncertain what her future will be, until she is given an important job in the community, and she meets other gifted children who are celebrated. But as the months pass, Kira wonders whethere her talent has brought her security or a prison. Lies and secrets are uncovered and Kira realizes her true purpose in her new life. I enjoy Lois Lowry's portrayals of a possible distant future, but after reading The Giver, I was expecting more from this book. The plot was slow and the characters weren't too bright. Maybe it's an ok read for very young readers, but it is by no means a spectacular book.

Maximum Ride: Angel

The seventh book in James Patterson's Maximum Ride series is a great prelude to the finale. The world is being brainwashed by the mysterious Doomsday Group, whose goal is to wipe out humanity and start over with a new generation of hybrid children. Still heartbroken after being abandoned by Fang, max leads the flock to once again save the world. When they come across Fang's new collection of superheroes, Max must decide whether to join forces, and whether she wants a future with Dylan or Fang. Angel is different from the previous books because this time the flock is grossly outnumbered and overwhelmed. the battle is gut-wrenching, and the book segways perfectly into the final installment. I can't wait to finally see how it all ends for Max and the flock.

Water For Elephants

Water For Elephants is a story by Sara Gruen about Jacob Jankowski and his travels with the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show On Earth. By sheer luck Jacob has found himself employed by the circus after he has lost everything. As he learns the inner workings of show business, Jacob becomes entangled in a web of love, lies, jealousy, and murder. I loved Water For Elephants, and truly felt as if I were hearing the tale from an old man who had worked on a circus. The book instantly goes on my Top 10 list.

Safe Haven

Safe Haven is much more mysterious and darker than Nicholas Sparks's previous books. Katie is a new resident in the small town of Southport, North Carolina. She appears to be a good neighbor, although she is quiet and keeps to herself. When Katie falls for Alex and his two children, the safe life she has built quickly comes crashing down as two painful pasts catch up to her and she has nowhere left to run. Nicholas Sparks clearly puts much research into his novels, which yields strong characters and vivid scenes that make a beautiful story.

My Horizontal Life

Chelsea Handler's collection of one night stands is hilarious and horrifying at the same time. Her anecdotes are not relatable to most people and many had me laughing out loud, while more made me cringe. My Horizontal Life is not for the pure and chaste. I am far from innocent, but even I cannot grasp how one person can experience so many degrading situations without an ounce of self-loathing. I am only grateful that she is able to laugh and write about it all for my entertainment.

Heroes of Olympus: The Lost Hero

Heroes of Olympus is Rick Riordan's follow-up series to Percy Jackson & The Olympians. The series begins a few months after The Last Battle. Our new hero, Jason, has woken up on a school bus with no memory of who and where he is. When he and his demigod friends Piper and Leo are attacked, Annabeth Chase rescues them and takes them to Camp Half-Blood, where they learn that the infamous Percy Jackson has mysteriously vanished. There are many questions involving Jason and the new Great Prophecy. Why have the Olympians cut off all contact to their children? Who is keeping Hera imprisoned? Having never been to Camp Half-Blood, how did Jason learn to fight so skillfully? Why does he refer to the gods by their Roman identities, and who has erased his memories? After a treacherous quest, the campers discover Jason's origins, the key to finding Percy, and the certainty of something far worse than the Titan War just on the horizon.