THE HUNGER GAMES

I just finished The Hunger Games. Actually, I finished it last night. MY daughter read part of it to me on the way to Troy to help move my other child. I love traveling with Ricki. She reads as I drive. I love listening to her read.

Collins did awesome job with this book. I really enjoy young adult novels due to the fact that they tell so much in less space. I can usually read one in an evening which I like so I do not have to sit up all night. This book reminds me of so many things. First, I see touches of THE Giver and "Survivor," the television show. There are also elements from the "Most Dangerous Game" and oh gosh what is the book where the kids live on an island. GRRRRRRRRRR. We all read it in high school. I thought of it earlier but it has slipped away. It shall come ot me. The book moves quickly and magically into interesting territories.

My new book club meets for the first time next Tuesday night and we will be discussing the book then. I will continue my thoughts after our discussion

Diana Gabaldon

Diana and I have become well acquainted over the last 14 or so years. I have followed Claire throughout the world following her life and caring for she and Jamie. Diana has not made it an easy love of her novels because she actually takes time to write them which then means I have to take a lot of time waiting for the next one to follow. The current treasure is not as lovable as the previous volumes. An Echo in the Bone has been hard for me to find myself deep inside of. Usually, when I begin one of her voyages, I put aside every other book and focus just on her. Thishas not been the case with this novel. I have read four other books while reading this one because it requires that I get away because my interest has just not been there. I keep hoping, just one more page and I will be moved not to put the book down. Hopefully, I shall turn that page today.

Cathy Lamb

I feel as though I have become good friends with Cathy Lamb in the past week. I have read all of her books this week and adore her writing. It makes me cry, laugh, and smirk just a touch. Her books remind me of The Secret Life of Bees. She takes her characters on a trip through hardships that most of us do not have to endure and makes them thrive through the troubles. The humor is wonderful as is the charm of her characters. the main characters are not the usual beauties, they are beautiful inside.