Book Review: "Hunger Games"

"Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins is the first book I've read on our new Nook. I had been steering clear of the e-readers, but we took the plunge and got one. In fact I'm sure I blogged about wanting to hold an actual book once, but I can't find that blog now. Anyway, the Nook is actually a nice way to read a book, though I did think I read slower...maybe the added "page turning" time.

Ok, so "Hunger Games." This is a science fiction book with a different take on a post apocalyptic United States. In the country of Panem (old United States) the Capitol rules the people with an iron fist. The country is divided up into 12 districts, though prior to some earlier rebellion there were 13. Every year, as a show of the Capitol's power, each district is forced to send 2 of their children, ages 12-18, to compete in the Hunger Games. Think TV's "Survivor" but instead of voting each other off the island, they end up killing each other. When 16 year old Katniss Everdeen's younger sister is selected to compete, Katniss volunteers in her place. Now, she's off to the arena to face 23 other "tributes" from around the district.

I liked "Hunger Games" but I'm not sure I loved it. The concept is an interesting one, and it certainly was an exciting read. What is throwing me off a little is there is slightly more teenage angst going on then I would really like to read about. However, I did like the story enough that I plan to read the other 2 books in the series, "Catching Fire" and "Mockingjay," though I predict some depressing things ahead.

I don't want to give too much away. My wife recommended I read this book, and I do like it...she's really good at picking books for me. I wouldn't recommend "Hunger Games" for anyone under about 16 years old...it's somewhat intense at times.

Affirming What I Already Knew

I've known for a long time that all incumbents need to be voted against in the next several elections...at least 2010, 2012 and 2014. Today, Senator Bernie Sanders affirmed what I knew to be true when he wrote an opinion piece on the Politico, essentially saying that the only thing wrong with Social Security is that people aren't taxed enough.

Really? It's not a problem that very soon there will be 2 workers for every one retiree? It's not a problem that people are living longer than ever, but the retirement age isn't moving to adjust? The fact is, people who will be retiring in the next 10 years get full retirement benefits somewhere between the age of 65-67. Figure that the majority of those people are going to make it to 80 and you have people living off the government for 13-15 years. When Social Security was instituted, most people didn't live much beyond 60, and the Social Security retirement age was 62...it was almost a reward for living long enough. I understand the people who pay into Social Security their whole life want something out of it, but come on, where is it written that you should spend 13+ years retired?

This highlights an obvious problem in Washington. We keep sending the same people back year after year, and these people all have their "sacred cows" that they won't even think about changing. For Senator Sanders, it's Social Security, for others it's Medicare and still others, defense spending. If we are ever going to fix what the Department of Defense is calling our greatest threat to National Security (it's the debt, in case you hadn't guessed), everything needs to be on the table...there can't be any "sacred cows!" That's why this year, I won't be casting a vote for any incumbents at the federal level and only 1 at the state level. We need new ideas, not the same old tired ones. Remember, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.

Book Review: "I Am Number Four"

"Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books—but we are real.

Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and become one, and fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running. Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in. We have lived among you without you knowing.

But they know.

They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They killed them all.

I am Number Four.

I am next."

I can't possibly give you a better preview of this book then the synopsis from Barnes and Noble. "I Am Number Four" by Pittacus Lore is the hardest to put down book that I've read since the 7th book in the Harry Potter series. I started reading on Saturday afternoon, and finished on Sunday night, after 3, two hour reading sessions. Yes, 439 pages in 6 hours...I used to speed read. Thanks to my wife for recommending this book and for allowing me 3, two hour reading sessions this weekend.

"I Am Number Four" is the first in a planned 6 book series by Pittacus Lore. Pittacus Lore is the pseudonym adopted by the writing duo of Jobie Hughes and James Frey. There is also a movie planned for next spring based on this book. The second book in "The Lorien Legacies" series is supposed to be released in the Spring of 2011, and I for one can't wait.

I can't recommend "I Am Number Four" highly enough. It has everything you could want in a book...super powered alien heroes, super powered alien villans, likable characters, action, humor and a love story. They packed so much into one story that I can't wait to see what they can get into 6 books. Hands down, one of the best books I've read in recent memory. There is some strong language, so it's definitely PG-13. I hope you'll give it a shot, I think you'll like it.