Monday, August 8, 2011

The Uglies

The Uglies, by Scott Westerfield, is the first in a series. It is also the only one out of the series that I have read, or care to read. The book is about a dystopian society, that in order to create equality, gives all citizens an operation to become a "pretty" at age 16. The book centers on Tally, who is about to turn 16, and is excited to become pretty. At least that is what she thought, when her new friend Shay disappears, Tally is forced to make some quick, and vital decisions, that could not only affect her, but the ones she loves as well.
This girl doesn't look ugly enough to be on the cover of a book called "Uglies," but I guess that's kind of the point.
 The book was decent, it took me a while to get through because I got bored at a few parts. A part of me wants to read the series to see what else happens, but as of now, it's not priority on my reading list. A couple of my high school students really loved this series though, so don't let my opinion stop you.

An Abundance of Katherines

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green, is a funny, unconventional love story.

Colin, a child genius, only dates girls named Katherine. Katherine #19 has just broken up with him, and he is lethargic. His friend, Hussain, has no life either, and together the two 19 year olds embark on a directionless journey.

They don't get very far before meeting Lindsay, and ending up with a summer "job," meanwhile Colin works on his formula for love trying to prove that he's still a smart guy.

John Green is a very funny person as well, look him up on youtube, you will be pleasantly surprised.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay

The entire series, by Suzanne Collins, is amazing. The first book, The Hunger Games, is about a dystopian future, where the government, in order to stay in control, has twenty-four contestants ages 12-18 fight to the death in a battle called, The Hunger Games. The entire country watches the games live, on television, as if it were the Olympics. The winner of the Hunger Games is the only contestant to survive. If the summary wasn't enough of a warning for you, this book has violent, gorey imagery. I suggest kids be at least 13 before they read the book.
Catching Fire is the second book in the series

Catching Fire is about a special Hunger Games edition, where past tributes compete against each other...and it's amazing. This book doesn't end, because the third book continues the story. Good thing all three books are out!

The third, and final, book in the series is Mockingjay. This book is just as action-packed as its predecessors; it has a bizarre love triangle, power-hunger leaders, and a few surprises along the way.






Here are the German book covers. Aren't they intriguingly beautiful?



And here is some fan art
*Sorry this post is so poorly formatted, it is really being difficult.