Suzanne Collins - Hunger Games, Catching Fire & Mockingjay

Well, I've read them. It took me only 4 or 5 days and I have to admit right up front, I loved them. So much fun. Just googled them to make sure I had Collins name right and her website describes them as... Gladiator” meets “Project Runway” in Suzanne Collins's gripping dystopian novel “The Hunger Games." Ha. Funny but somewhat pretty spot on. If you haven't succumbed to what I imagine is a teen-sensation, do it. It's fun. It's addicting and it's the kind of read that just takes you away. M. turned me on to them and I thank her for it, so much fun Seus!

White Noise, Don Delillo

Mom picked me up at JFK on Friday. Had been about a month since I'd seen her and we were rapidly catching up on everything we could because we only had about 14 hours together this visit. I mentioned that I read White Noise while I was down in the BVI's, and asked if Mom had read it. She has read it. She read it while she was in the hospital, between Meg and I. Don Delillo weaves a hysterical, theatrical tale that truly made me laugh out loud repeatedly. This was the same for Mom, and she associates White Noise with anger towards my Dad - for giving her such a funny book, that caused her excruciating pain each time she laughed.

I originally sought out White Noise because it is one of the books on Jonathan Franzen's favourite books that I posted early. Was thinking of making this my summer reading list... but I have already started to stray from that. There are just so many good reads out there. Too many to chose from.

The Help, Kathryn Stockett

Called the 'other-side' of Gone With the Wind, this was a great summer read. Took me a long time to get into it (I think I was past the 150 page mark when I finally felt like I had a stake in the story), but once I got to that point - I could hardly put it down. It is a story of courage, conviction, compassion and cruelty. I know the movie version is in production now, and I am glad for that. It was a good read, but a great story that I think will make a very good movie.

Read this on H. & L.'s recommendation while we were sailing down in the British Virgin Islands. I got through most of it during the long, hot nights on the boat after the very quick sunsets (no twilight down there!) It was a great trip, very beautiful and fun to learn about sailing.

I really want to re-read Gone With The Wind now. I read it while on a Bio-Ethics trip down in Florida and remember being totally enthralled. The Help motivated me to start doing a bit of reading about American History. Especially about the civil rights movement, but also just about American history in general. There are very large gaps in what I know. Am also hoping to find some other Southern stories - they always get me. All in all, suggest reading The Help before it comes out in theatres.

Body of Evidence, Patricia Cornwell

After The Corrections, a serious mid-west downer, I needed a light read. So, I picked up a light, fluffy, somewhat morbid crime-thriller. Best part of this read was the similarity in the title to Dad's last show. Otherwise, was glad to finally read one of L.'s favourite authors. Not sure if I'll continue on with the series, but it was a fun one!