Barney's Online Book Club -- February 2010 Discussion

Welcome to the sixth discussion post of Barney's Online Book Club. This month we will be discussing Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. The following questions are used to start the discussion, but please feel free to raise your own questions in the comments section. Please note that the questions and comments may include spoilers so read at your own risk.

Let the discussion begin!

1. What are you overall impressions of Katniss? How does she grow and change as the novel progresses?

2. What are your thoughts on the Hunger Games? Do you think that the author uses the games to make the reader think of the reality competitions that are prevalent on television today? If so, what message do you think she is trying to convey?

3. How did you feel about the romantic relationship between Katniss and Peeta? Was it a strategic move or do you feel that Petra truly loves Katniss?

4. Discuss the supporting characters such as Cinna and Haymitch. What does each one bring to their friendship to Katniss? Do you feel that each character has an alternative motive for the relationship that they forge with others?

5. Tell us your overall impressions of the book. Would you recommend it to teens? Why or why not? Will / have you read the sequel, Catching Fire?

Friday Finds -- 2/26

My two finds from this week aren't even published yet, but I am looking forward to reading them when they come out!

I read about The Red Thread by Ann Hood over at Lori's Reading Corner. Loved The Knitting Circle and am looking forward to this new book. I absolutely loved The Virgin of Small Plains by Nancy Pickard, so I am really looking forward to picking up her newest book, The Scent of Rain and Lightning. Thanks to Jenn's Bookshelves for bringing this novel to my attention.

Friday Finds is hosted by Should Be Reading.

Reading Strategies?

I am currently reading a book for the library book club that I am a member of. I am struggling with this particular book and have been brainstorming ways to motivate myself to read it.

Here are the issues:
1. It is a paranormal book for a contemporary literature book group. I have read paranormal fiction before (love you Charlaine Harris!) but this book is very confusing and over the top.
2. The plot feels like it is going no where. Mind you, I am only 40 pages in, but we are still meeting the main characters and being confused by their possible 'powers'.
3. I (inwardly) groan everytime I pick it up. Not a good sign.

So I have 2 weeks and here are my ideas:
1. Divide the remaining pages over the next 2 weeks and motivate myself to reach my goal everyday.
2. Read 50 pages total, if still struggling then just go to the meeting without finishing the book -- life is too short to read books you are not interested in!

So what do you think? Do you have any strategies for reading difficult books? Please help and share your wisdom!

Barney's Online Book Club -- Discussion Reminder

Just a quick reminder that the Barney's Online Book Club discussion of Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is this Sunday, February 28th! All are welcome. Have a great week and see you on Sunday!

Review -- Smash Cut

Smash Cut
by Sandra Brown

Summary: When wealthy businessman Paul Wheeler is shot in an elevator during a supposed robbery, his companion and nephew quickly become suspects. The Wheeler family hires defense attorney Derek Mitchell to keep Paul's nephew, Creighton, out of prison. But an encounter brings Derek and Wheeler's companion, Julie, together as they try to solve Paul's murder.

Review: Sandra Brown books are so entertaining. I love that I easily spent a good chunk of the weekend on the couch reading Smash Cut. The plot is intense, lots of twists and turns. The characters are likable and interesting. The villain is crazy and out of control. There are no surprises with this book, just a really entertaining read. Rating: *** out of 5. (I borrowed this book from the library.)

It's Monday! What are you reading? -- 2/22

This is a meme hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World of Books.

Over the weekend I finished Smashcut by Sandra Brown, which I really enjoyed. I am hoping to post a review later today. For the library book club, I am reading Powers by John B. Olson, which is quite the abnormal read for our contemporary literature book group. Finally, I started The End of Overeating by David A. Kessler. It is a very interesting book about how and why people struggle with food on a daily basis. I know that I do, so it is making for an intriguing read! I am also preparing for Barney's Online Book Club meeting on Sunday. We will be discussing Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and all are welcome to join us.

What are you reading?

Review -- Consumption

Consumption
by Kevin Patterson
Knopf Publishing, 2008
400 pages

Summary: The story of Victoria, a woman who as a child has tuberculosis and how it changes the course of her life and the community in which she lives.

Review: Kevin Patterson has written an interesting and insightful book about the Intuit tribe who live on the tundra of the Rankin Inlet. The story follows the lives of three generations of Intuit while foreigners from the South come and change an entire community's way of living. Through the use of a variety of characters, Patterson shows the reader how progress corrupts a small tribe leading to disease, murder, and suicide. This novel is very well written, but the scope and variety of characters sometimes takes away from the plot. Many of the characters are a challenge to understand, especially the heroine Victoria, whose childhood disease and treatment leads her to be an outsider in her own community. It is the coldness of the character and the decisions she makes for herself and her family that make her hard to embrace. Overall, a educational novel that makes you think about how good intentions can corrupt. Rating: *** out of 5.

Barney's Online Book Club -- February 2010 Selection

The selection for the February 2010 post of Barney's Online Book Club is Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins! Thanks to everyone who voted. The discussion questions will be posted on Sunday, February 28th and all are welcome to participate. Have a question or want to be added to the email list? Then let me know in the comments section!