The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

Title: The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

Review: WOW!!!! This book was amazing. The funny thing is that when I tell other people what it is about, they look at me like I’m crazy. “You are reading a book about kids killing kids, why?” It’s not exactly that, but it is violent. Kids killing kids because they are forced to or die, survival of the fittest in its most basic form. This is a scary idea, but you can see how the people got to that point. Can we keep from getting there?

The relationship between Katniss, Gale and Petra is sweet and I look forward to the next book. Who will she choose? Katniss is a fighter and a survivor, she will not go down easily. She wants to win so she can return home to her mother and sister. She doesn’t want to fight anyone, she just wants to live. Killing the other contestants makes her ill, but she needs to win in order to get back home.

This book is so full of images that will disturb you, but at the same time remind you of the true strength of the human spirit. It may be the work of a great imagination, but it is relevant to today. Are we headed this way?

You will love this book, everyone I’ve talked into reading it has. Fast paced and a quick read, you can’t put it down.

Publisher: October 1st 2008 by Scholastic, Inc. (first published 2008)

ISBN: 0439023483

Copyright: 2008

Pages: 374

Quick Review: 5 stars (out of 5)

Why I Read It: My son brought this home from school saying his friends had enjoyed it.

Where I Obtained the Book: Our local library.

Synopsis: Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning?

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Author Biography: Since 1991, Suzanne Collins has been busy writing for children’s television. She has worked on the staffs of several Nickelodeon shows, including the Emmy-nominated hit Clarissa Explains it All and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. For preschool viewers, she penned multiple stories for the Emmy-nominated Little Bear and Oswald. She also co-wrote the critically acclaimed Rankin/Bass Christmas special, Santa, Baby! Most recently she was the Head Writer for Scholastic Entertainment’s Clifford’s Puppy Days.

While working on a Kids WB show called Generation O! she met children’s author James Proimos, who talked her into giving children’s books a try.

Thinking one day about Alice in Wonderland, she was struck by how pastoral the setting must seem to kids who, like her own, lived in urban surroundings. In New York City, you’re much more likely to fall down a manhole than a rabbit hole and, if you do, you’re not going to find a tea party. What you might find...? Well, that’s the story of Gregor the Overlander, the first book in her five-part series, The Underland Chronicles.

Suzanne also has a rhyming picture book illustrated by Mike Lester entitled When Charlie McButton Lost Power.

She currently lives in Connecticut with her family and a pair of feral kittens they adopted from their backyard.

The books she is most successful for in teenage eyes are the Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay. These books have won several awards, including the GA Peach Award

Other Reviews:

The New Yorker

EW.Com

The Christian Monitor

Books read in February for TStevens

have a basic goal of reading 150 books this year, but a stretch goal of breaking the 200 barrier. Last year I got to 187 which was ever so close. So far I am on target for the big goal but it is only 2 moths in; a lot could go wrong yet. Generally I try to only review recent books on the blog, so a lot of these slip through the cracks. Anyways, here is my recap for February of what I read and why.

Group one is the bathroom books, or rather, the thin paperbacks I can carry anywhere I go for when the opportunity to read presents itself. In my library you are reduced to either Cozies, Romances, or Westerns. I chose Cozies (light mysteries – think Murder She Wrote-y).
Thief of Hearts by Christiopher Golden
Soul Survivor by Christopher Golden
The Death of Cousin Rose by Jonathan Harrington
Whose Body? By Dorothy Sayers (I read this as part of my Goodreads group)
The Skeleton in the Closet by MC Beaton

Now I love mysteries and I live in Minnesota, so it is a requirement to read John Sandford. I avoided it for years, I don’t know why, but now I am slowly making up for it. FWIW they are quite enjoyable and should be read in order (except for Night Crew which is a stand-alone).
The Night Crew by John Sandford
Easy Prey by John Sandford

The next group are authors I love and generally keep up with their books. I have either rveiwed them here already or shortly will be.
The Girl in the Green Raincoat by Laura Lippman (review coming)
The Complaints by Ian Rankin (review)
The Snowman by Jo Nesbo (review coming)
Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris (review)

I always cruise the new nonfiction shelf at the library looking for titles that catch my eye. Very much a hit or miss process.
Brazen Careerist by Penelope Trunk
The Extra 2% by Jonah Keri (review)
The Poisoner's Handbook by Deborah Blum (review coming)

Finally we have classic books that I have missed. Usually I just think I should read them to be a little more well rounded.
Paradise Reclaimed by Haldor Laxness
This is a classic text from the Nobel Prize author from Iceland. I started a little over 2 years ago and only read it when I was early to church, so maybe a few pages a month.

Daniel - Henning Mankell

Title: Daniel

Author: Henning Mankell

Review: I just started watching the latest installment of 24 on Netflix, and as always I am amazed on how much story they get out of one simple premise. Misinformed people performing actions they think are for the best, when in reality they cause great damage. It is incredible how much harm an ignorant person can do when they think they are right. And even when they are caught, they often have too much pride to admit their mistake and rectify what they have wrought.

In Daniel a well meaning Swede travels down to Africa to be a scientist. He is convinced that by traveling into the heart of the continent he will find a new, undiscovered creature and forever be famous back in the real world. Touring the country he never embraces what is Africa, rather he is the Ugly Swede, forever seeing himself as superior in every way to all he sees. Of course by having the end in mind he never sees the right here and now, thus he misses the true opportunities of growth.

Frustrated and ready to give up he finds a lost boy, an orphan who will not talk. Instead of seeing what the boy, Daniel, really needs he decides arbitrarily what will be best and enforces it. Rip from his home he is deposited in a strange place with strange customs. All the while his heart pines from home.

Not wanting to ruin the ending, this is a story of how every choice we make can really affect the world around us. What is right for me may not be right for you. It is surprising how many of us have a hard time accepting that simple truth. Daniel opens up that problem and lays bare how we need to listen more than talk.

Publisher: The New Press

ISBN: 1843432226

Copyright: 2000 (Translated 2010)

Pages: 278

Quick Review: 4 out of 5 stars

Why I Read It: I enjoy Mankell's mysteries so much I am willing to give his non-genre fiction a try.

Where I Obtained the Book: Off the new shelf at my local library.

Synopsis: In the 1870s, Hans Bengler arrives in Cape Town from Småland, Sweden, driven by a singular desire: to discover an insect no one has seen before and name it after himself. But then he impulsively adopts a young San orphan, a boy he christens Daniel and brings with him back to Sweden - a quite different specimen than he first contemplated. Daniel is told to call Bengler "Father," taught to knock on doors and bow, and continually struggles to understand this strange new land of mud and snow that surrounds and seemingly entraps him. At the same time, he is haunted by visions of his murdered parents calling him home to Africa. Knowing that the only way home is by sea, he decides he must learn to walk on water if he is ever to reclaim his true place in the world.

Evocative and sometimes brutal, the novel takes Daniel through a series of tragedies and betrayals that culminate in a shocking act. Mankell tells this indelible story with a ruthless elegance all his own.

Author Biography: Henning Mankell is an internationally known Swedish crime writer, children's author and playwright. He is best known for his literary character Kurt Wallander.

Mankell splits his time between Sweden and Mozambique. He is married to Eva Bergman, Swedish director and daughter of Ingmar Bergman.

Other Reviews:

Book Reviews by Alumine

Tell Me a Story

Washington Post

Book Review - How Did I Get Here? The Ascent of an Unlikely CEO - Tony Hawk & Pat Hawk

Title: How Did I Get Here? The Ascent of an Unlikely CEO

Author: Tony Hawk & Pat Hawk
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 978-0-470-63149-2
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 164

Quick Review: 4 stars (out of 5)

Why I Read It: Every time I see Tony Hawk on TV he strikes me as a good guy. Plus he is, by any standard, phenomenally successful. So when I saw this short business book (another topic that interest me) on the new shelf I immediately picked it up.

Where I Obtained the Book: My local library on the new shelf.

Review: Why would you want to read a business book by Tony Hawk?

That is a great place to start. Not to stereotype, but I imaging the average Tony Hawk fan is a slightly under-educated adolescent skateboarder. Consequently I am willing to bet that Tony was pressured to write his book in a style that would capture and keep their interest. So we have a short, breezy story that covers all the highlights in an anecdotal fashion which is unfortunate.

If you look below the surface you have the story of a teenager with parents who supported him turning his passion into a multimillion dollar company over time. Plus he comes across as a really nice guy to boot. It seems easy to dismiss Tony as a fluke, but how many other skateboarders have parlayed their passion into an industry? For that matter, how many people in general have accomplished what he has in such a short time?

Some of the business highlights found include brand management as job number one. In this case we are talking about the name Tony Hawk. On a global business scale he is one of the most recognizable names on the planet and that s because after an initial mistake when he was younger, he has done everything he can to protect it. That means walking away from easy money up front to keep control. In the end this has meant profits way and beyond what was first offered. That means sticking to your principles no matter what temptations come your way. That is a solid truth no matter what business you are in.

Be good to your family and friends. Tony has long counted on his closest friends to see him through the tough times and consequently he looks after them in the good. That means never burning bridges or acting out of vindictiveness. You never know when you will need someone to help out. It is this personal generosity that makes his company very familial, and in turn thrives.

You have to believe in yourself first. Time and again, especially in the early days, Tony puts his money on the line. If you believe in yourself the risk is worth it. Too often we take the easy way out, or as mentioned above, we compromise our vision rather than take any personal risk. If are willing to have substandard goals we will end up with substandard product.

Fans are key, especially utilizing new technologies to bridge the gap between the product and the consumer. Tony spends time reviewing every email and answering most. Plus his use of Twitter for product promotion and giveaway has set new standards for integration. He innovated with Twitter for having global treasure hunts for free product and the consumer has responded big-time.

I could go on but we come up against the weakness of the book – it is too short and too shallow. Tony Hawk clearly demonstrates a very sharp business mind that would serve the public well with a lengthy distillation. But as I said, most of the stereotyping “business” public would dismiss Tony without a second thought as some skateboarder. Their loss that Tony Hawk can and does take to the bank.

Synopsis: He's the man who put skateboarding on the map. He's the first to land a 900 (two and a half full rotations). He's also among the richest pitchmen in any sport. And, in a sport that's especially youth-oriented, Tony Hawk, a 40-something father of four, still connects with his audience by staying true to who he is.

Moving easily between the ramp and the boardroom, Tony currently runs one of the most acclaimed action sports companies, a clothing line, and video game series bearing his name that has sold over $1 billion worldwide, making it the biggest selling action sports game franchise in game history. He has secured endorsement deals with major brands such as McDonalds, Intel, T-Mobile and Kohl's; started the Boom Boom HuckJam action sports tour; and achieved worldwide acclaim from the ESPN X Games.

Filled with Tony's typical modesty and humor, How Did I Get Here? tells the amazing story behind Tony Hawk's unprecedented success from skateboarder to CEO, and the secrets behind his lasting appeal. You'll find out how authenticity has served him well in all his achievements. You'll also understand how his story has shaped many of his fundamental values, including his huge desire to win and his strong sense of realism.

Get the inside story of Tony Hawk beyond the skateboard as he answers the question: How Did I Get Here?
Author Biography: The father of four and husband of one, Tony Hawk is arguably the single most influential skateboarder of all time. Born and raised in the hazy daze of Southern California, Tony has forgotten more tricks than most people learn in a lifetime, and his contributions to the sport are endless -- most recently, unearthing skateboarding's holy grail by becoming the only person to successfully land a 900°.

Pat Hawk is Tony’s sister and manager; and really hard to find an online biography for.

Other Reviews:
FARP Blog

Business Week

FYI:

One Day - David Nicholls

Title: One Day
Author: David Nicholls
Publisher: Vintage Books
ISBN: 9780340896969
Copyright: 2009
Pages: 435

Quick Review: 5 stars (out of 5)

Why I Read It: Cover caught my eye so I picked it up. Takes place in England and that sold it.

Where I Obtained the Book: My local library

Review: It will make you laugh and it will make you cry. Isn’t that what you are supposed to say about the romantic comedy style of book? Let me just say up front that I read this book in about a day and then I immediately obtained his first two books and read them as well; I liked it that much (and FWIW his first two are brilliant too).

So we begin at the beginning with Boy meets Girl and they almost, but not quite consummate their relationship. After that very inauspicious beginning we then get annual updates of where they are in life and with each other on that same day. What follows is a tale of personal growth (read maturity) at two different rates as they come ever so close to finding love, strike that, recognizing love in each other.

They come ever so close to frustrate you, and then even closer to satisfy you, and life is what life is to devastate you. In the end you are left with love; what it means to them and more importantly, what it means to you.

Anything that can make you laugh and cry, plus appreciate your relationships in the real world just a little bit more is a great work of fiction in my book. If this isn’t a movie “one day”, then I don’t know Hollywood.

Synopsis: Emma and Dexter meet for the first time on the night of their graduation. Tomorrow they must go their separate ways. So where will they be on this one day next year? And the year after that? And every year that follows? Twenty years, two people, ONE DAY.

Author Biography: David Nicholls is a British author, screenwriter, and actor. A student of Toynbee Comprehensive school and Barton Peveril Sixth Form College, he Graduated from the University of Bristol having studied English Literature and Drama.

After graduation, he won a scholarship to study at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, before returning to London in 1991 and finally earning an Equity card. He worked sporadically as an actor for the next eight years, eventually earning a three year stint at the Royal National Theatre, followed by a job at BBC Radio Drama as a script reader/researcher. This led to script-editing jobs at London Weekend Television and Tiger Aspect Productions.

During this period, he began to write, developing an adaptation of Sam Shepard’s stage-play Simpatico with the director Matthew Warchus, an old friend from University. He also wrote his first original script, a situation comedy about frustrated waiters, Waiting, which was later optioned by the BBC.

Other Reviews:

New York Times

The Guardian

The Independent

FYI: