Friday, June 5, 2009

Fantastic Reads: Book Recommendations

Happy Friday!


This week I finished two amazing books, and have to share in case you haven't read one or either. As you may know, I love science fiction and fantasy. Those are my favorite genres to read and write in.


Recently, thanks to Christine F's love of the book, I picked up THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collines. I was already in the middle of reading the fabulous book, A DOOR INTO OCEAN by Joan Slonczewski, but got horribly distracted and devoured Hunger Games in its entirety before I could pick A Door Into Ocean back up.


The Hunger Games is about a dystopian future America where 12 Districts revolted against the Capitol, were stamped down, and are now forced each year to select "tributes" to battle it out to the death on national television to remind them of their subservience. The tributes are children, and are selected by a lottery called the "reaping."


In case you haven't read it, you have to put it into your eyeballs immediately. Seriously. It's amazing.


Once I glanced casually at the first page, I couldn't put it down, and it definitely delivered. Tense, fantastic writing and plotting all the way through.

A Door Into Ocean is a science fiction novel that, at first glance, is about a race of lesbian space mermaids, but at second glance is an intricate and beautifully wrought world where the author leads us to question not only what makes us human, but what makes humanity free. It is a slower read than Hunger Games, but absolutely worth it. It's incredibly well thought out, and the world the author builds is emmersive and breathtaking. I struggled with questions while I read this, which is a fantastic feeling. This book will challenge you while telling a great story.

I'd love to hear what books you've been reading. Any recommendations for my Summer reading list :)?

4 comments:

Nayuleska said...

My TBR list keeps growing! The 2nd book isn't for me, but Hunger Games sounds dark and interesting.

Books to read....can be found on my review blog :)

Nayuleska said...

Stupidly pressed send - I recommend Devil's Kiss (again, on my blog) by Sarwat Chadda. Templar Knights in the modern world.

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

I just finished the ARC for Catching Fire the sequel to the Hunger Games. Loved it! just took a peek of the first page at like 1AM and then ended up going to bed at 5AM.

Rebecca Knight said...

Thanks, Yunaleska! I will be checking out your book list ;).

Ello--I can't believe you were one of the few lucky ducks to get an ARC of Catching Fire! I've been wondering if it can possibly be as exciting/addictive as Hunger Games, and you've just answered my question.

When I saw you could pre-order it, my credit card popped out of my wallet like bread from a toaster.