Surely by now you've heard about The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. The first book, printed in 2008, has been a favorite in the young adult world for years, but it was never something I felt compelled to read. The story of a futuristic society in which each of the 12 districts of North America sends a boy and girl into a gladiator dome of survival wasn't something I thought I would enjoy...until I decided to read it. The Hunger Games and it's sequels is the story of a Big Brother government bent on dominating its citizens not only for survival, but also entertainment. Katniss, the 16-year-old heroine of the books, is a resourceful survivor and you can't help but root for her to get everything she wants in life, even if she isn't sure what she wants should she survive the games. Peeta, the other tribute from District 12, is someone you also want to root for and sure enough you find yourself pitted in the struggle with them against the government of Panem.
At their core these books about war and the toll it takes on individuals and society as a whole. They are a quick read simply because you find yourself compelled to get to the end to find out what happens to these characters. Although the main characters are teenagers, these books are also great, easy reads for adults who are so inclined. If you decide to jump into the Hunger Games series just prepare yourself for a haunting journey with these characters. As a bonus, the movie was great and a very close adaptation to the book.
