The Hunger Games Trilogy, Suzanne Collins

I recently found a trilogy that was of particular interest. Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games Trilogy is fascinating and well-written.

These books tell the story of Katniss, a 16 year old girl whose father has died in a coal mine explosion. She spends most of her waking moments hunting in the forest, beyond the electrified fence that 'imprisons' her and the District 12 residents. She hunts to feed her family and to stay alive.

The time is the distant future. Their country is called Panem: the residents live in poverty. Panem (North America) is divided into 13 districts that surround the Capitol. Once a year, the leaders of the Capitol hold the Hunger Games. Two children from each district are chosen to compete to the death. The winner's district will receive more food; the winner will receive a new home and wealth.

The children are brought up in a propogandized world so that many look forward to the "honour" of competing in the games. Katniss, however, recognizes the brutal truth of the games and when her younger sisters' name is chosen, she steps up to volunteer.

The three books tell the story of the games and their aftermath.

Marketed as a YA series, The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay appeal to a much broader audience than young teens with an interest in science fiction. The plot moves quickly, keeping readers turning pages and drawing them along with the suspense of the story. The central characters are well developed – flawed yet likeable, determined, resourceful, intelligent and passionate.

The deeper themes ensure that older readers and teens looking for more substance will find plenty to sink their teeth into. The Hunger Games and Catching Fire offer numerous opportunities to consider the influence of propaganda and political manipulation, the complex nature of trust and loyalty and the limits of human endurance (physical, emotional and mental) in a manner reminiscent of George Orwell's classic 1984.

There are elements of violence, as can hardly be surprising when the first novel is a description of a gladiator-like battle between children between the aged of 12 and 18. While descriptions of violent acts are never graphic, the underlying menace and brutality of The Hunger Games themselves has a significant emotional impact and will perhaps make these stories unsuitable for sensitive readers or those under the age of 13.

The science fiction aspects of the novels are evident in the futuristic setting and some technological advancement, but the characters could easily have been set in a more familiar modern setting and those readers who usually avoid science fiction should find the sci-fi aspects of these novels reasonably unobtrusive. Source

This trilogy is dystopian in nature. While it does evoke Orwellian comparisons as the reviewer, above, suggests; it also brings Huxley's Brave New World and other dystopias to mind.

I really like reading this sort of book. I find the author's ability to create a completely different world that is both believable and haunting to be a wonderful craft. I like how it makes me question humanity and makes me think about our very own world.

The books are 'page turners,' keeping the reader enthralled from beginning to end. That they have been written for young adults does not make them any less enjoyable for the adult reader. Perhaps the writing isn't as challenging, but the themes and story itself are definitely adult worthy. The only reason adults wouldn't enjoy these books is because they are not fans of sci-fi, not because they aren't quality works.

Brave New World, Aldous Huxley

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley was written in 1931, published in 1932. The novel, in simple terms, is Huxley's warning as to what can happen when we allow technology to control us, rather than controlling it. But really it is about so much more.

I first read the novel on my own sometime in high school, then for Grade 12. I read it again in a university English class: Utopian Literature. Later I taught it to my own Grade 12 students.
The novel is one that people can enjoy at face value, if they like science fiction, or they can dig deeper and discover all sorts of symbolism, imagery, themes, and subplots from the underlying meanings of the names such as those of Bernard Marx, Lenina Crowne, and Mustapha Mond. There is the desire for constant happiness and escape from thinking about anything, worry, and from being alone.
This brave new world is one without stress. There are no relationships so that there is no need for the sadness that comes with happiness. As I mentioned above, it was a novel that was taught in a utopian literature class, but it is a dystopian novel.
Once I read that Forbes had done a survey of the most successful people in the world, asking what books they had read. In the top ten books these Forbes successful people had in common, Brave New World was always in the list. I don't know that reading the book could make you a millionaire...I'm not. However, I do know that this book is very powerful if you read it and think about its possible impacts
If you've never read the book, the first three chapters set the stage of the novel. The novel is set in approximately 2300 A.D. or in the timeline of the novel 632 A.F. (After Ford) If you can get through the first three chapters and understand how they reproduce their children, how they condition the people into their different roles and the expectations of the society, then it is easier to understand the rest of the book. Most people I've talked to, who didn't like the book, didn't read the first three chapters. They lost patience after the first chapter or so. Those I know who have made it through the first three chapters seem to like the book. It is definitely a different kind of story. But, it really makes you think. I am glad that I made it past those first three chapters all those years ago.

The Time Traveler's Wife, Audrey Niffenegger

Last summer I read The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger since I the movie was coming out soon and I like to read the book first.

If you haven't noticed from my very few posts, I'm a sucker for time travel/science fiction and fantasy. Although the book jumps in and out of past, present, and future, and you sometimes have to take a minute to check where you are, it is a fun and interesting read.
The Time Traveler's Wife is a story about a man (Henry) who has a genetic disorder that causes him to involuntarily travel through time into the past and forward to the future. His wife Claire, is left behind to worry about his travels not knowing where he has gone, how long he will be gone, and what danger he may be facing.

I really liked this book, but I know it isn't for everyone. Some people will just want to watch the movie. The movie is pretty good, too. I liked it, I just liked the book better.

Diana Gabaldon

Diana Gabaldon is an interesting author. She started out working in the scientific field, having earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology, a Masters in Marine Biology and a Phd in Ecology. She also had a strong interest in history and writing. She wrote her first novel just to see if she could. She often posted portions of it on an internet message board, and ended up publishing in part from the encouragement of those she'd met online. I think she also realized that she did have the talent.
That novel, Outlander published in June of 1991, won a RITA award for best romance novel of 1991. However, the novel is more than romance. It is historical, science fiction, and fantasy. Its depiction of Scottish clan life in the 18th century is detailed and by all accounts extremely realistic. The novel marked the beginning of a series in which there are now 7 books, each a whopping 650 to 800 + pages. They are not trite, nor quick brain candy reads that many equate a romance with. These are great books that get you thinking, keep you interested and focused.

I've met all sorts of people who have read Gabaldon's books, doctors, business people, store clerks, students, teachers, you name them, they've read them. I think that what sets Gabaldon apart from typical romance writers is the incredible quality of writing. Yes, I read romance once in awhile. I like to escape with a fun novel, it's like watching a movie. But Gabaldon's novels aren't your typical escape novels, nor are they your typical quick reads. There are lots of details to remember, the quality of writing asks you to stop and savour the setting and to notice the features of the characters. 
These are well-written books that are hefty and meaty. They last more than a rainy weekend, and I'm glad they do. They just take so darn long to come out in print, so don't get too hooked. 7 novels in almost 20 years. If you read faster than that, it's a long wait.