The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Again as a result of hype and recommendations, I read the first of the Hunger Games trilogy.  I was pleasantly surprised I have to admit.  The Hunger Games is a futuristic look at America whereby it is split into 12 districts each with its own specialty product i.e. coal or graphite.  As a reminder of who is in charge of the districts, the Capitol host "The Hunger Games" each year.  This involves 2 contestants from each district (one male and one female) who are between the ages of 12 and 18.  The contestants have to compete against each other until the last person is standing.  The novel follows the Hunger Games in the eyes of Katniss Everdeen, a young girl who takes her sisters place as a contestant. . .the harrowing tale has ups and downs and unexpected twists which left me eager to read on. The novel is widely aimed at a younger audience however it is a very widely accessible story and will appeal to the younger generation as well as the more mature reader.

I literally read this in a night partly because it is like I mentioned, aimed at a younger audience but also because it is a very enjoyable read and Suzanne Collins has a very gripping way with words.

Overall, 4/5 and in reading this I realised I was FAR too generous in giving One Day a 3/5. . .consider that revoked and replaced with a 1/5 :)
Meg xxx

One Day by David Nicholls Review

So since yesterday, I have been reading David Nicholls' "One Day" after all the hype etc I wanted to find out for myself what the book was really like.  Gotta say, it is definitely not on my 100 books to read before I die list but like I said, all the hype lead me to think it was worth a shot.

The plot is a little different as the chapters are all dated a year on from the last one which seems a bit like it is trying too hard to be different (in my opinion!).  The whole book is based upon the relationship between Dexter and Emma who, in the beginning, spend one night (asleep!) together after graduation.  The book progresses through their life as they head down separate life paths; growing apart at times and closer at others. The disastrous life of Dexter in contrast to Emma's goody two shoes (yet unhappy) life.  Naturally, the two are helplessly in love with each other but have many obstacles in the way of their love (mainly self-imposed obstacles at that).  As standard with these types of romance, they predictably end up married after 20 years or so of chasing one another.  Then fate throws a cruel twist into the mix with devastating results.  (Guessed the end yet?)

This book was definitely not for me, I do feel it has been completely over rated and although David Nicholls is a fabulous author, this was not his best piece.

3/5 (being very generous!)
Meg <3

Bucket List

Lifestyle:
1. Be a size 10
2. Own a Mini Cooper
3. Be happy with the way I look
4. Write a list of 100 books I want to read
5. Have more self-confidence
6. Write a diary every day for at least 1 year
7. Become more fluent in Italian
8. Fly in 1st class
9. Own a turtle
10. Throw a proper dinner party
11. Write a list of 50 films to see
12. Achieve the "Complaint Free World" challenge
13. Get an anchor tattoo

Love and Family:
1. Fall in love
2. Get married
3. Build sandcastles with a loved one
4. Discover my family tree
5. Be kissed in the rain

Travel:
1. Visit the Great Wall of China
2. See the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)
3. Go to The Louvre
4. Celebrate New Year in Times Square
5. Go on Safari in Africa
6. Visit Auschwitz
7. Visit Ireland
8. Climb the Eiffel Tower

Spiritual:
1. Own a home with a crystal/meditation room
2. Have a past life regression
3. Have Shamanic Soul Retrieval
4. Start a meditation journal

Achievements and Extras:
1. Write a book
2. Buy a plant and don't kill it
3. Solve a Rubik's Cube
4. Learn to Ice Skate
5. Go fire walking
6. Learn to make candles
7. See a West End Show
8. Graduate from Uni
9. Start a blog