An Engaging Whirlwind

...that sweeps you up and holds you willingly captive until the final dramatic conclusion that makes you beg for another spin -- only begins to describe the latest book I've read, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

In honor of the upcoming release of the sequel, Catching Fire I wanted to express my excited anticipation for the newest episode in this compelling series.


I had seen Stephenie Meyer's website recommendation for The Hunger Games last year but never got around to reading the book until a friend of mine's unceasing encouragement (*ahem* nagging *cough*) wore me down.

I was able to get a hold of a copy of the audiobook cds from my local library and quickly became lost in Panem. Katniss Everdeen is such an interesting character. Mature beyond her years and yet still so naive in certain aspects of her life. You admire her for her courage and resourcefulness but shake your head at her blindness to what's going on around her. Having been the main provider for her family has made her become an adult before her time yet she still has the emotional maturity of a teenager. I cannot wait to see what develops with her and her community.

I have a few theories of what could happen if you haven't read the book yet you probably want to do so before looking at my guesses below.

***SPOILER ALERT***

I believe that the Avox was escaping to District 13. That is why she and her companion were seen by Katniss in the forest. District 12 borders District 13 and I believe that it is not destroyed as the Capital has shown. I believe the footage that the Capital airs is propaganda to keep the citizens in Panem fearfully in line.

My Confession

I succumb to the lure of another time and place every day and have done so for the past couple of months. I regularly immerse myself in murder, romance, hilarity and the ongoing process of redemption. I plan to continue in this pattern of behavior and have no desire to stop.

Signed this day by

Alexis W. Wever

Whew! Confession really is great for the soul.

I discovered I was a Nora Roberts fan a few months ago. Recognition dawned with her In The Garden trilogy audiobook cds and continued with the Quinns of her Chesapeake Bay series (also tremendous fun on audiobook).

I had heard gobs of positive feedback about Eve Dallas and decided to try the books. And now? Well, I'll probably need to buy a new bookcase.

I listened to her first book, Naked In Death and LOVED the reading by Christine McMurdo-Wallis. Her whiskey voice is dead on to what I imagine Dallas sounds like. And from the very beginning I pictured the beautiful Carla Gugino

in my mind's eye for her physical looks.

Mavis Firestone I see as the lovely Ashley Greene,

For Feeney, I picture Jeremy Ratchford,

And for McNab, I imagine Matthew Gray Gubler

(*No copyright infringement or violations are intended with the postings of these photos - I just wanted people to see what I meant when I said these were the people I had in mind for the characters.*)

Why do I love this series? This collection of people and the world they live in are so real. While there are extraordinary elements to their lives, they're imperfect and have struggles and joys just like me. They aren't static. They learn. They grow. They develop.

Obviously, the main focus is on Eve and her life's course. I can only imagine (with the author's help) what Eve's process is like. To survive such brutality and to make yourself a decent human being who continues to fight to be better than her past is remarkable. To then ensure that others can hope for justice is inspiring. To be able to temper all of that discipline and dedication with compassion is heartaching. I hope I can have that kind of strength.

As for the rest of her life...yeah, I'd be lying if I didn't say it was a secret dream of mine to find a sexy billionaire man that worships me to marry.

In all seriousness, this series has touched quite a few of the corners of my heart and I hope it continues to do so.