2011 Challenge Roundup

So my first year of blogging is almost finished and during the course of the past year I participated in 2 challenges. I logged my progress for these challenges on the page tab above as I went along.

And now to the results...

My first was to read at least 100 books in a year. Result - 101 books read. SUCCESS!!

My other was the Debut Author Challenge to read and review 12 debut books in 2011. Result - 15 read and 13 reviewed. KIND OF A SUCCESS!!


Links to the books I read and my thoughts on them for these challenges will be kept on on the dedicated page until the end of the month and below. So how did you do with your challenges?


2011 Challenges

Debut Authors Challenge - Hosted by The Story Siren

Books must be a Young Adult or Middle Grade novel.
DO NOTE: Just because a book has a teen character or is about a teen, does not mean that it is necessarily a Young Adult novel.
This must be the authors debut with a release date in 2011.
If an author has a previous novel published under adult fiction/nonfiction or children's fiction/nonfiction, they can still qualify for the challenge if they are releasing their YA or MG debut.

1. The Iron Witch - Karen Mahoney (goodreads)
2. Where I Belong - Gwendolyn Heasley (goodreads)
3. The Goddess Test - Aimee Carter (goodreads)
4. Bumped - Megan McCafferty (goodreads)
5. Hereafter (Hereafter #1) - Tara Hudson (goodreads)
6. Starcrossed (Starcrossed #1) - Josephine Angelini (goodreads)
7. Entangled - Cat Clarke (goodreads)
8. Hourglass - Myra McEntire (goodreads)
9. Forgotten (Forgotten #1) - Cat Patrick (goodreads)
10. Unearthly (Unearthly #1) - Cynthia Hand (goodreads)
11. Dead Beautiful (Dead Beautiful #1) - Yvonne Woon (Goodreads)
12. Anna Dresses in Blood (Anna #1) - Kendare Blake (Goodreads)
13. Across The Universe (Across the Universe #1) - Beth Revis (Goodreads)
14. Hunting Lila (Hunting Lila #1) - Sarah Alderson (Goodreads)
15. Divergent (Divergent #1) - Veronica Roth (Goodreads)
16...


100 Books in a Year - Hosted by Book Chick City

Timeline: 01 Jan 2011 - 31 Dec 2011
Rules - Read 100 or more books in 2011
All books can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.
Only print books and ebooks count (no audiobooks).

1. Happy Ever After (Bride Quartet #4) - Nora Roberts (goodreads)
2. Twelve - Nick McDonell (goodreads)
3. Gossip Girl (Gossip Girl #1) - Cecily Von Ziegesar (goodreads)
4. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest - Stieg Larson (goodreads)
5. The Girl Who Chased The Moon - Sarah Addison Allen (goodreads)
6. The Colorado Kid - Stephen King (goodreads)
7. Fallen (Fallen #1) - Lauren Kate (goodreads)
8. Cracked Up To Be - Courtney Summers (goodreads)
9. The Iron Witch (Iron Witch #1) - Karen Mahoney (goodreads)
10. Some Girls Are - Courtney Summers (goodreads)
11. Torment (Fallen #2) - Lauren Kate (goodreads)
12. I am Number Four (Lorien Legacies #1) - Pittacus Lore (goodreads)
13. Where I Belong - Gwendolyn Heasley (goodreads)
14. Bringing Down The House - Ben Mezrich (goodreads)
15. Hot Ice - Nora Roberts (goodreads)
16. Wicked (Pretty Little Liars #5) - Sara Shepard (goodreads)
17. Jane - April Linder (goodreads)
18. Going Too Far - Jennifer Echols (goodreads)
19. Forget You - Jennifer Echols (goodreads)
20. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist - Rachel Cohn (goodreads)
21. The Body Finder (Body Finder #1) - Kimberly Derting (goodreads)
22. Goddess Test (Goddess Test #1) - Aimee Carter (goodreads)
23. Desires of the Dead (Body Finder #2) - Kimberly Derting (goodreads)
24. Bumped (Bumped #1) - Megan McCafferty (goodreads)
25. Sloppy Firsts (Jessica Darling #1) - Megan McCafferty (goodreads)
26. Second Helpings (Jessica Darling #2) - Megan McCafferty (goodreads)
27. The Summer I Turned Pretty (Summer #1) - Jenny Han (goodreads)
28. It's Not Summer Without You (Summer #2) - Jenny Han (goodreads)
29. Hex Hall (Hex Hall #1) - Rachel Hawkins (goodreads)
30. Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy #1) - Richelle Mead (goodreads)
31. The Forest of Hands and Feet (Forest of Hands and Feet #1) - Carrie Ryan (goodreads)
32. If I Stay (If I Stay #1) - Gayle Forman (goodreads)
33. Hush Hush (Hush Hush #1) - Becca Fitzpatrick (goodreads)
34. Hereafter (Hereafter #1) - Tara Hudson (goodreads)
35. Before I Fall - Laren Oliver (goodreads)
36. Beastly - Alex Flinn (goodreads)
37. Forgive My Fins (Fins #1) - Tera Lynn Childs (goodreads)
38. Lock and Key - Sarah Dessen (goodreads)
39. Undead and Unwed (Undead #1) - Mary Janice Davidson (goodreads)
40. Undead and Unemployed (Undead #2) - Mary Janice Davidson (goodreads)
41. Undead and Unappreciated (Undead #3) - Mary Janice Davidson (goodreads)
42. Undead and Unreturnable (Undead #4) - Mary Janice Davidson (goodreads)
43. Undead and Unpopular (Undead #5) - Mary Janice Davidson (goodreads)
44. Undead and Uneasy (Undead #6) - Mary Janice Davidson (goodreads)
45. Undead and Unworthy (Undead #7) - Maty Janice Davidson (goodreads)
46. Demonglass (Hex Hall #2) - Rachel Hawkins (goodreads)
47. 13 Little Blue Envelopes - Maureen Johnson (goodreads)
48. Dead Reckoning (Sookie Stackhouse #11) - Charlaine Harris (goodreads)
49. Starcrossed (Starcrossed #1) - Josephine Angelini (goodreads)
50. We'll Always Have Summer (Summer #3) - Jenny Han (goodreads)
51. The Ghost and The Goth (The Ghost and The Goth #1) - Stacey Kade (goodreads)
52. Entangled - Cat Clarke (goodreads)
53. The Hunger Games (Hunger Games #1) - Suzanne Collins (goodreads)
54. Catching Fire (Hunger Games #2) - Suzanne Collins (goodreads)
55. Mockingjay (Hunger Games #3) - Suzanne Collins (goodreads)
56. Fall For Anything - Courtney Summers (goodreads)
57. Hourglass (Hourglass #1) - Myra McEntire (goodreads)
58. Forgotten (Forgotten #1) - Cat Patrick (goodreads)
59. Queen of the Dead (The Ghost and The Goth #2) - Stacey Kade (goodreads)
60. Secret Society Girl (Secret Society Girl #1) - Diana Peterfreund (goodreads)
61. I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You (Gallagher Girls #1) - Ally Carter (goodreads)
62. The Third Angel - Alice Hoffman (goodreads)
63. Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2) - Richelle Mead (goodreads)
64. The Nine Lives of Chloe King (Nine Lives of Chloe King #1-3) - Liz Braswell (goodreads)
65. Love Story - Jennifer Echols (Goodreads)
66. Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy #3) - Richelle Mead (goodreads)
67. Blood Promise (Vampire Academy #4) - Richelle Mead (goodreads)
68. Safe Haven - Nicholas Sparks (goodreads)
69. Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy #5) - Richelle Mead (goodreads)
70. The Lying Game (Lying Game #1) - Sara Shepard (goodreads)
71. Cross My Heart And Hope To Spy (Gallagher Girls #2) - Ally Carter (Goodreads)
72. The Last Little Blue Envelope (Little Blue Envelope #2) - Maureen Johnson (Goodreads)
73. Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy #6) - Richelle Mead (Goodreads)
74. Raw Blue - Kirsty Eagar (Goodreads)
75. Charmed Thirds (Jessica Darling #3) - Megan McCafferty (Goodreads)
76. Something Like Fate - Susane Colasanti (Goodreads)
77. Beauty Queens - Libba Bray (Goodreads)
78. Unearthly (Unearthly #1) - Cynthia Hand (Goodreads)
79. The Initiation (The Secret Cirle #1) - L. J. Smith (Goodreads)
80. Dead Beautiful (Dead Beautiful #1) - Yvonne Woon (Goodreads)
81. Anna Dresses in Blood (Anna #1) - Kendare Blake (Goodreads)
82. Anna and the French Kiss -Stephanie Perkins (Goodreads)
83. Shrinking Violet - Danielle Joseph (Goodreads)
84. Lola and the Boy Next Door - Stephanie Perkins (Goodreads)
85. Witches of the East (The Beauchamp Family #1) - Melissa de la Cruz (Goodreads)
86. Shiver (Wolves of Mercy Falls #1) - Maggie Stiefvater (Goodreads)
87. Private (Private #1) - Kate Brian (Goodreads)
88. Across The Universe (Across the Universe #1) - Beth Revis (Goodreads)
89. Hunting Lila (Hunting Lila #1) - Sarah Alderson (Goodreads)
90. Saving June - Hannah Harrington (Goodreads)
91. Dancergirl (WiHi #1) - Carol M. Tanzman (Goodreads)
92. Abandon (Abandon Trilogy #1) - Meg Cabot (Goodreads)
93. Marked (House of Night #1) - P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (Goodreads)
94. Divergent (Divergent #1) - Veronica Roth (Goodreads)
95. Betrayed (House of Night #2) - P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (Goodreads)
96. Hushed - Kelley York (Goodreads)
97. Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement Moore (Goodreads)
98. Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally (Goodreads)
99. Tris and Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison (Goodreads)
100. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Long Way Home (BtVS S8 #1) by Joss Whedon and Others (Goodreads)
101. New Girl by Paige Harbison (Goodreads)

2012 100 Books in a Year Challenge

Last year (2011) I participated in the 100+ books in a year challenge hosted by Book Chick City and managed to achieve my target. This year I have a much busier first quarter, but I am going to participate again none the less!!
 



The details of the challenge are as follows:

Timeline: 01 Jan 2012 - 31 Dec 2012

Rules: Read 100+ books in 2012 (any genre)

You don't have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.

You can join at anytime. All books read in 2012 count towards the challenge regardless of when you sign up.

At the beginning of Jan 2012, you will find a link to specific month to add your reviews.

Audiobooks do not count, but all other formats are accepted.

Only fiction, no non-fiction.

This challenge can crossover to other challenges.

Review: Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

Title: Forgive My Fins
Author: Tera Lynn Childs
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Published: 19th May 2010
Series: Fins #1
Source: Own Kindle Copy

Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it’s not that she has a huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you’re a normal teenage girl, but when you’re half human, half mermaid like Lily, there’s no such thing as a simple crush.

Lily’s mermaid identity is a secret that can’t get out, since she’s not just any mermaid – she’s a Thalassinian princess. When Lily found out three years ago that her mother was actually a human, she finally realized why she didn’t feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she’s been living on land and going to Seaview high school ever since, hoping to find where she truly belongs. Sure, land has its problems – like her obnoxious, biker boy neighbor Quince Fletcher – but it has that one major perk – Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren’t really the casual dating type – when they “bond,” it’s for life.

When Lily’s attempt to win Brody’s love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily-ever-after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned. - From Goodreads

I have a really weird fear, not only am I afraid of open water I am also afraid of fish. The big ones scare the bejezus out of me and make me want to crawn into my nice safe dry bed, far from the water, and hide. For this book however I cast aside the heebie jeebies and prepared to dive into the deep end of a story about a mermaid. A good thing to because I really enjoyed it!

On the outside Lily looks like a normal teenage girl, she even has a crush on the school hottie, but she has one massive secret; she is a mermaid princess! With a mermaid father and human mother Lily never quite feels like she belongs anywhere and has been spending the last few years going to high school as a human. When the Brody, Lily's crush, does not live up to expectations Quince, Lily's annoying neighbour, steps in.

I really liked Lily, but her focus was a bit annoying and I did not really understand why she hated her neighbour so much! Apart from that I thought she was an interesting character and you can tell she is conflicted about where she belongs. It was quite refreshing to have a strong female character who stepped up to take charge especially when they are underwater! I also really liked Quince and found him to be a very likeable character, maybe I just have a thing for bad boys who are really very sweet!

As I have mentioned above, I love that when we were in the underwater world, which is Lily's Kingdom, she was the one who was confident and knew what was going on and Quince was the one who was uncertain and unsure. I felt rather empowering reading it as often it is the female character who is portrayed unsure and needs the male character to help her on her journey. I like that there was a real challenge for the male character, metaphorically and literally, which was just part of Lily's everyday.

It was great that part of the story was set underwater and the world beneath the sea was painted as a beautiful and exciting place. I found it a little hard to picture, only because my mind kept picturing Spongebob Square Pants and all the other cartoons like Shark Tale and Little Mermaid. When I could get rid of these from my mind I loved reading about this new and different world, which was painted to be a beautiful underwater fairytale kingdom.

I thought this was a fun read that moved at a good pace and the story often kept you on your toes. It had likeable characters you wanted to get to know better. It also had an ending that I was not expecting and I can't wait to read the next book in the series to see what happens next!!

Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Title: Mockingjay
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Published: 24th August 2010
Series: The Hunger Games #3
Source: Own Kindle Copy

Warning: Synopsis and Review Contain Spoilers For Hunger Games #1 and #2.

Young Katniss Everdeen has survived the dreaded Hunger Games not once, but twice, but even now she can find no relief. In fact, the dangers seem to be escalating: President Snow has declared an all-out war on Katniss, her family, her friends, and all the oppressed people of District 12. The thrill-packed final instalment of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy will keep young hearts pounding. - From Goodreads

I am constantly telling people they should read this book. The one thing I struggle with is trying to convey to them just how amazing the story is. Whenever someone asks what the story is about I either give them With the all the love I had for The Hunger Games and Catching Fire still running through me, I quickly moved on to Mockingjay.

Right away I thought there was a different feeling to this book. There was a different kind of tension running through the story. We pick up about an hour after the end of Catching Fire and the action starts right away. This book stays away from hunger games and focuses on the aftermath from the end of book 2 and how it changes the districts. By the way did I mention that I went to The Capitol and I was registered to District 1. Here's my id -

I think we saw a different side to Katniss in this book. She seemed to step up to the plate in the first book and sulk in reluctance in the second book. In this book she seemed to just want to pretend that she is not a pivotal figure and focus on her own worries, namely Peeta. Oh Peeta, his part to this story made my heart break and I wanted nothing more than for everything to be back to normal!!

This had to be my least favourite of the 3 books due to the political nature of the story and because in a strange way I love the Hunger Games and I missed them. However, for me, the ending to this book made up for no hunger games and left me weeping and heartbroken! I finished this series crying but feeling very satisfied.

I can't wait to see these films, I will be first in the queue. I say again to anyone who has not picked up any of these books yet, what are you waiting for go and get them now and start reading the minute you get home. I know I will be giving a few sets of these books to people for their Christmas, lucky them!!

2012 Sophomore Reading Challenge

So I wouldn't be me if I didn't take loads all at once, so in addition to the challenges I have already signed up for, I will also be signing up for the 2012 Sophomore Reading Challenge.

With so many books I read this year being the firsts in a series I am super excited for the next in the series to come out. Shanyn at Chick Loves Lit is hosting the Sophomore Reading Challenge. As with all of my other challenges, you can check out my progress during the year on the challenges tab at the top.

The Challenge is to read at least 10 seconds during 2012. My list so far looks like this -

A Million Suns (Across the Universe #2) by Beth Reves
Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth
Dreamless (Starcrossed #2) by Josephing Angelini
Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand
Timepiece (Hourglass #2) by Myra McEntire
Girl of Nightmares (Anna Dressed in Blood #2) by Kendare Blake
Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test #2) by Aimee Carter


I am sure I will be adding to this list as the year progresses.

TBR Reading Challenge

I have to believe that it is not just me who has a TBR pile which is about to topple over and bury me... So the point of this reading challenge is to try and shrink this pile so that if (when) it falls on you, there will still be a chance for survival. Am I being over dramatic? OK, well if you look at my TBR tab at the top of the page you will see that I have a massive list and I would love to make a dent in it during 2012.

The sign in for this challenge is here and I will be aiming for "a sweet kiss" which is 21-30 books, although I am hoping to accomplish more!

I will be posting my list of books I aim to read on the challenges tab above, although I have a feeling this will change over the course of next year.

 Oh and did I mention the prizes? Check out the list of hosts over at Evie's site - Bookish.

A selection of the books I will be reading is -
The Darkest Power Series By Kelly Armstrong (books 1-3)
The Morganville Vampire Series by Rachel Caine (books 1-5)
The Blue Bloods Series by Melissa de la Cruz (books 1-5)
Oh. My. Gods. by Tera  Lynne Childs
Sweet Venom by Tera Lynne Childs
Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Daughters of Fortune by Tara Hyland

I am stopping there as I feel like I am just retyping my TBR list!

This is just the pile beside my bed!

Keep checking the challenges tab above to keep track of where I'm at.

Review: Blood Promise by Richelle Mead (VA4)

Title: Blood Promise
Author: Richelle Mead
Publisher: Razorbill
Published: 25th August 2009
Series: Vampire Academy #4
Source: Own Kindle Copy

Warning - Synopsis and Review Contain Spoilers!

Rose Hathaway's life will never be the same.

The recent attack on St. Vladimir's Academy devastated the entire Moroi world. Many are dead. And, for the few victims carried off by Strigoi, their fates are even worse. A rare tattoo now adorns Rose's neck, a mark that says she's killed far too many Strigoi to count. But only one victim matters . . . Dimitri Belikov. Rose must now choose one of two very different paths: honoring her life's vow to protect Lissa—her best friend and the last surviving Dragomir princess—or, dropping out of the Academy to strike out on her own and hunt down the man she loves. She'll have to go to the ends of the earth to find Dimitri and keep the promise he begged her to make. But the question is, when the time comes, will he want to be saved?

Now, with everything at stake—and worlds away from St. Vladimir's and her unguarded, vulnerable, and newly rebellious best friend—can Rose find the strength to destroy Dimitri? Or, will she sacrifice herself for a chance at eternal love? - From Goodreads

NOOOO!!!!!!!!!! I practically threw my kindle across the room when I read the end of the third book. Dimitri can't be Strigoi! This was a major shock and I swear I actually cried when it happened. I did not see this coming, how could you do this Richelle?

Well, after the attack on the school by the Strigoi everything was left turned upside down. During the attack in the last book Christian and Rose teamed up to be a badass killing machine, with his elemental use of fire and her awesomeness they worked together to kill loads of Strigoi. Unfortunately they took some victims with them when they retreated. When a team is put together to rescue the captured, there are more casualties with one in particular - Dimitri.

I thought this book had a much different feel from the previous ones. For one Rose and Lissa spend the majority of the books apart from each other. This does not prevent us from knowing what is happening with Lissa as Rose can still go into Rose's head no matter how far apart they are. To me this felt like the beginning of the end concerning my relationship with Lissa. I know she is a princess and i know there were other influences, but come on!! She treats Christian like crap and does not give a second thought to Rose off on her journey. Boo Lissa!! Hiss! I am sure I am not the only one who feels like a break from Lissa is a good thing for Rose!?!

This book is Rose's journey to find Dimitri and follow through on a promise made to each other. We meet a few new characters on this journey, including Sydney. Now unlike Lissa I think Sydney, the alchemist with the cool tattoo, is awesome! Oh and how can I forget Dimitri's family? It made me wish I was a member of the Belikov family, well kind of... except for the whole blood wh*** thing (lets at least pretend to keep it clean here folks!).

Following on from the last book, there were a number of points where I cried throughout Rose's journey (I should have just read the books with a box of tissues within reaching distance). I don't know what it is about the Vampire Academy books, but I am completely sucked into Rose's emotional state. When she is feeling confused and woozy or when she is upset, so am I. The ending of this book left me on the edge of my seat desperate to know what's going to happen next.

Mount TBR Challenge

Bev at My Readers Block will be hosting the Mount TBR Reader Challenge. This challenge is to help those of us with ever growing TBR piles to try and tackle them. As one of these people (you can see my TBR list on the tab above) I am looking forward to making a dent in this list.

The varying levels are as follows -

Pike's Peak: Read 12 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Vancouver: Read 25 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Ararat: Read 40 books from your TBR piles/s
Mt. Kilimanjaro: Read 50 books from your TBR pile/s
El Toro: Read 75 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Everest: Read 100+ books from your TBR pile/s

The Rules can be found here. As these books can count towards other challenges I think I will probably reach Mt. Kilimanjaro, but I know how I can be with buying new books, so I am going to aim for Mt Ararat.

How many of your TBR books are you going to try to tackle this year?

Debut Author Challenge 2012

I have seen a few posts popping with the different challenges for next year. I had so much fun with the challenges last year, and they totally kept me on track with reading, that I will be signing up for a few again next year. Over the next few days I will be posting the various challenges I have seen so that you can see whats out there and maybe you will choose to participate in one yourself.

So first up we have the 2012 Debut Author Challenge. last year this challenge introduced me to some books I may have missed so I will definitely be signing up for this one. The challenge is hosted by The Story Siren and sign up and the details for the challenge can be found here.

So far the UK debut books I am looking froward to reading in 2012 are:

1. Cinder by MelissaMeyer
2. Tempest by Julie Cross
3. Born Wicked by Jessica Spottiswood
4. Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
5. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
6. Slide by Jill Hathaway
7. The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg
8. Love & Leftovers by Sata Tregay
9. Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale
10. A Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Mont
11. Ditched: A Love Story by Robin Mellom
12. Breaking Beautiful by Jennifer Shaw Wolf

This list will most likely change and grow over the course of 2012. I will be keeping a list of the books I have read for this challenge and the books I want to read on my challenge tab above.

Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Title: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Published: 1st September 2009
Series: The Hunger Games #2
Source: Own Kindle Copy

WARNING - DESCRIPTION AND REVIEW CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR HUNGER GAMES

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster boys for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. That new, unwanted status puts them in the bull's-eye for merciless revenge by The Capitol. Catching Fire maintains the adrenaline rush of Suzanne Collins's series launch. - From Goodreads

My love of Hunger Games saw me transitioning straight from one book right into the next. I absolutely adored the Hunger Games and wanted to clap my hands at the end of the book when Katniss and Peeta won!! Woo Hoo, those two deserved it, they worked hard to survive against the odds and it turns out that their triumph was the spark needed to cause unrest within the Districts.

This book had a slightly different feel to Hunger Games. We already know from the first book what the Hunger Games are about and the power wielded by The Capitol to keep the Districts in line. I thought that the start of Catching Fire felt a little unsettled, almost like it did not know where it was going, however I think we are supposed to feel this way.

Katniss and Peeta are back from the Hunger Games and as you would expect, after surviving against the odds, they are feeling like they don't know their place within the society they have returned to. Quickly though the story returns to the Hunger Games and the environment we are familiar with, not failing to deliver on the suspense we found in the first book.

I can't rave about this series enough and will be forcing my Mum read these as soon as she has the time, along with anyone else who will listen to me about how good they are!! I can't wait for the film to come out!

Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Published: 14th December 2009
Series: The Hunger Games #1
Source: Own Kindle Copy

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. - From Goodreads

I have been sitting on this review for a while as I was unsure just how to express my passion for this book. I picked it up off the back of lots of good reviews. Reading the back of the book it sounded like a teen version of Battle Royale which is right up my street. I love a story which is a fight for survival which is exactly what this book held and more. I actually can't wait for the film to be made and I keep pushing this book on everyone I know (and some people I don't know!!)!

Every year there is a draw in every district surrounding Capitol where 1 boy and 1 girl are chosen to fight to the death in a televised event called the Hunger Games. Unsurprisingly we find the lead character in this story, Katniss Everdeen, chosen to be the girl from her division. Katniss is everything you want from a heroine. She is headstrong, stubborn, smart and often questions herself.

The book feels like it is split into sections. The first being with her family in her district, then going through prep and training, and finally the games themselves. I dont' want to give too much away from the story as to me the whole book was a joy with new delights on every page. All I can say is that if you have not read this already, do it now!!

Debut Authors Update

  
As I posted a while back I have chosen to participate in the 2011 debut author challenge. The details of the challenge are as follows from The Story Siren's website - 

The objective of the DAC is to read at least twelve novels from Young Adult or Middle Grade Authors. While twelve is the minimum there is no maximum limit! I encourage readers who can read more than twelve to do so!
This must be the authors debut with a release date in 2011.

So with that in mind I have put together a list of debut novels that I have either already read this year, have on my to be read list or that are on my wishlist. I will be updatign this from time to time and I have the feeling that I will probably surpass the 12 book minimum!

1. The Iron Witch - Karen Mahoney

2.Entangled - Cat Clarke

3. Across The Universe - Beth Revis

4. Haven - Kristi Cook

5. Where I Belong - Gwendolyn Heasley

6.The Demon Trapper's Daughter - Jana Oliver

7. Liar Society - Lisa and Laura Roecker

8. Bumped - Megan McCafferty

9. The Goddess Test - Aimee Carter

10. Hourglass - Myra McEntire

11. ?

12. ?

I better get reading now...

My Second Challenge

So after lots of careful consideration i have decided to take on another challenge this year. Challenge number 2 is the wonderful debut authors challenge hosted by The Story Siren. The aim is to read at least 12 novels by authors debuting a YA novel. My next step is to choose which of the wonderful books being released this year to read...

2011 Challenge - Read 100 books

I am so excited to be participating in the 100 books in 2011 challenge and I expect this will be the motivation I need to make a large dent in my massive pile of books to read. The challenge is hosted by the wonderful Book Chick City.

Challenge Details

• Timeline: 01 Jan 2011 - 31 Dec 2011

• Rules - Read 100 or more books in 2011

• All books can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.

• Only print books and ebooks count (no audiobooks).

• You can join anytime.

 

As this is a new blog I over the next few days I will review all of the books I have read so far in 2011 and I will also be seeing which other reading challenges out there I want to attempt this year.

Happy reading!