Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay
Suzanne Collins
2010, Scholastic, London
9781407132105
455p.

The final in The Hunger Games trilogy.  Katniss continues the rebellion, working for District 13 in their quest to overthrow the Capitol.

This was an awesome final book.  I love the moral questions Katniss has, it's genuinely thought-provoking - this is a mature book for teenagers.  The ending was sad though. :(

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire
Suzanne Collins
2009, Scholastic, London
9781407132099
472p.

The second of The Hunger Games trilogy sees Katniss Everdeen entering a second Hunger Games as the Capitol forces previous winners back into the game.

This book is just as heart-breaking as the first.  I enjoy the increasing tension of Panem and the start of the rebellion.  And that clock-work arena is terrifying!

Various Pets Alive and Dead by Marina Lewycka

Various Pets Alive and Dead
Marina Lewycka
2012, Kindle e-book
978-1905490912
384p.

Serge is working in stocks in London making lots of money but has to hide his occupation from his ex-commune hippy parents.  This story goes back to those commune days and the present day insanity of his life, and those of his sisters and parents.

The characters in this book are all delightfully insane.  I loved reading about the 1960s commune and how they live in the present day.

Quarantine by Greg Egan

Quarantine
Greg Egan
1992, HarperCollins, New York
0061054232
280p.

One night, all the stars in sky go out.  On investigation, it is discovered that a 'bubble' has been placed around the solar system, encasing the Earth with its sun and planetary neighbours.  I can't go into too much more without giving away the plot!

This was amazing - as Egan always is.  Quantum mechanics and neural biology are the main themes.  I LOVED his ideas on eigenstates and the interconnectedness of other worlds. :)  I read this book slowly because it was so good and I wanted to make it last.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins
2008, Scholastic, London
9781407132082
454p.

Set in the near future, The Hunger Games is a sort of reality TV show devised as a punishment for the rebellion of 13 districts in the nation of Panem. One boy and one girl from each district are put into an arena from which there will be only one survivor.

I had seen the movie recently, so decided to pick up the book. I found the movie had a good premise but was mediocre - the book however, was excellent. It is written in first person, present tense, which normally I don't like, but the author has pulled it off really well.

Garden of the Purple Dragon by Carole Wilkinson

Garden of the Purple Dragon

Carole Wilkinson

2005, Black Dog Books, Fitzroy

187632656

350p.

This is the second book in the series. Ping is a young imperial dragon keeper who has charge of a baby dragon named Kai. They fight off evil and have adventures.

Aside from a couple of continuity errors, this was excellent! The characters are so well written and the scenery evocative. It was a little slow to start (recapping what had happened in the first book), however, once it got going, I found it hard to put down.

Link to journal at bookcrossing

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

A Clockwork Orange
Anthony Burgess
1962, Penguin, Kindle Edition
9780141908328
154p.

Alex is a young delinquent in charge of a gang who beat people up, steal, rape and generally terrorise the populace. When he kills an old lady, he is caught and sent to jail where he is subject to cruel punishment.

This is a little hard to read because of the made-up slang language it is written in, however, it doesn't take long to get used to it and it definitely adds to the story. I thought the story itself was a little lacking in depth, but I can appreciate it for what it is trying to say.