karen.d

Thanks! I also hope that I enjoy the other two books. Having not seen the film I can't really comment too much on how the director handles the violence in this, but I would say that if they had shown all of the violence as described in the novel, the rating would have to be raised, thus missing the target audience. I can comment better about this, once I have seen the film.

I have just finished 'The Hunger Games' and it's the best book for young adults I have ever read. Not only is it sinister and compelling, but the writing within this is slick. Suzanne Collins is able to pack this book with so much detail, without waffling on. One question though, do you think that 'The Hunger Games' should be labelled as 'Young Adult' fiction? Yes the book features children/teenagers, but in my opinion, the content within this novel pushes the boundaries of what content is acceptable in a Young Adult novel. This could easily be aimed at adults, I'm 31 and found this extremely mature/graphic for its audience. Anyway, I'm looking forward to watching the film version of the novel (I've heard lots of good things about it) and to reading the rest of this trilogy.

There's a hint of it in the first book, I'm glad that it doesn't continue! Do you think it should have been a YA book in the first place? Yes the book features children, but the content within it suggests a more mature audience. For me it certainly pushes the boundaries of what is acceptable content in a YA book.

I'm slightly worried that the following books in the trilogy are going to turn into a teen angst type of thing, like Team Edward/Team Jacob was in 'Twilight'. I will see what happens with the rest of the books, but will be disappointed if it does.

Toast and jam

Have you read the rest of the trilogy? Did the other two books live up to the first? I'm really looking forward to the film now.

I've just finished reading 'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins and I thought it was the best book for Young Adults that I have ever read. Being in my thirties, I was a little unsure whether or not I would like this, but I loved it. I can't wait to the see the film version of this novel and reading the other books in this trilogy. Now I'm just about to start 'The Passage' by Justin Cronin

I'm coming to the end of 'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins and I must say, that this is the best book for Young Adults I have ever read....even though I'm in my thirties. It's not always comfortable reading in fact, some elements are brutal; but the suspense and slick writing that Suzanne Collins uses, makes this novel compelling. This afternoon, some friends of mine are off to see the film version of the novel and I have had to decline their invitation to see it just because I want to read the book, before I compare it with the film version. Have you seen the film? Did you enjoy it? If you have read the book, did the film live up to your expectations? Anyway, as soon as I finish 'The Hunger Games', not only am I going to watch the film, but rush out to buy the remaining books in this trilogy. As I am nearing the end of this novel, there may be descriptions which give away important events within this book. So here's the first paragraph of the novel: Page 3:' When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold. My fingers stretch out, seeking Prim's warmth but finding only the rough canvas cover of the mattress.She must have had bad dreams and climbed in with our mother. Of course she did. This is the day of the reaping.' 'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins

I finished 'I Capture the Castle' by Dodie Smith this afternoon and I thought that it was a very good book. Now I'm reading 'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins. Although I'm only on chapter 2, I feel slightly uncomfortable with the idea of this book but I will read on to see how it progresses.

I have less than 100 pages until finishing 'I Capture the Castle' by Dodie Smith. Whilst I am enjoying this novel, my opinion of the characters has changed considerably in the last few chapters. I'm not sure whether the main character Cassandra is as innocent as she first appears. I think when characters change throughout a novel (whether from unpleasant to reformed or the other way around), this can create some interesting complexities within a novel. What do you think? Here's a snippet: Page 324: I shall never forget it- the thick carpet, the brocade-covered walls, the bright lights staring back from the gilt mirrors, everything was so luxurious- and so meaningless, so lifeless.' 'I Capture the Castle' by Dodie Smith.

Wow that's cool! I have a copy of 'Treasure Island' that my grandad was given at school. It must be at least 80 years old. I love the smell of old books.

Hi Sue welcome to the forum!

I'm almost halfway through 'I Capture the Castle' by Dodie Smith. I love the way this is written and it is proving to be a very enjoyable read.

Welcome to the forum Lou!

Hi Kerryjewel welcome to the forum! Your work sounds really interesting. What type of books do you enjoy reading?)

I will definitely be buying as I want to see how J.K Rowling deals with adult fiction. However I'l wait until the paperback version comes out.

I have found Jessie J to be a tad annoying at times, but not enough to switch off. As you say, she clearly knows what she is talking about. I find 'The Voice' refreshing, because it doesn't rely on humiliation and putting people down, to provide entertainment. I'm looking forward to seeing what the coaches do to help their acts.

Just finished watching 'Jurassic Park 3'. It was ok, but not as good as the first one.

This week I have been ill with a cold; I never knew that it could wipe me out quite as much as it did. I'm a lot better than before, but still trying to shift this cold grr! On the positive, being forced indoors for the best part of a week has given me some good reading time and I have completed 'The War of the Worlds' by H.G Wells and 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' by Robert Louis Stevenson. Now, I'm reading 'I Capture the Castle' by Dodie Smith. This is the May read for the 'Book Circle' and I'm enjoying the novel so far. Although the previous 3 books seem to have nothing in common, it's interesting the way in which each of the novels is from a one person perspective, but for me, only Dodie Smith' I Capture the Castle' seems to be able to use the first person perspective sucessfully. Here's a snippet of my latest read: Page 47: ' Little did I think what the evening was to bring- something has actually happened to us!' 'I Capture the Castle' by Dodie Smith

Welcome back brida!

I'm not a big fan of James Herbert, but I remember enjoying this book. I agree 'The Magic Cottage' is rather far fetched, but I think that this is a great escapist novel. Great review.

'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde' by Robert Louis Stevenson Publisher: Feedbooks Length: 80 Pages Opening Line: 'Mr Utterson the lawyer was a man of a rugged countenance that was never liughted by a smile; cold, scanty and embarrassed in discourse; backward in sentiment; lean, long, dusty, dreary and yet somehow lovable.' What's good about this novel? I like the idea of this novel. The fact that this novel is examining the multifaceted nature of human beings is interesting. Everyone has two sides to them, the good and evil and it's up to the individual to choose whether to repress or embrace the darker elements of their nature. What's wrong about this novel? I think that the promising idea of the story is delivered in a dull way. From the beginning, I didn't feel inspired to continued reading this story. However I was determined to persist with this novel, thinking that it would improve. For me, it didn't. The writing often waffled and I felt my interest wane throughout. Even though this novel is a mere 80 pages this novel dragged, I couldn't wait until I had reached the end. Is this worth a read? I don't think this was particularly worth a read. Maybe science fiction isn't my thing, but this and 'The War of the Worlds' was unable to capture my imagination. This is possibly worth a read however, to make your own mind up about it.

'The War of the World's By H.G Wells Publisher: Feedbooks Length: 182 Pages Opening Line: 'No one would have believed in the last years of the nineteenth century that this world was being watched keenly and closely by intelligences greater than man's and yet as mortal as his own; that as men busied themselves about their various concerns they were scrutinised and studied, perhaps almost as narrowly as a man with a microscope might scrutinise the transient creatures that swarm and multiply in a drop of water.' What's good about this novel? What I really liked about this novel is the overall message that this novel is trying to convey. This novel is about the power that nature has over mankind and that we as humans, should respect it and not become too consumed by our own importance. I also liked some of the descriptions of the landscapes the main character travelled through. The desolation and loneliness the character encounters, gave impact to the novel. What's wrong with this novel? I think the fundamental problem I had with this novel, was it's placing in time. Due to the fact that the accounts of the alien invasion were told in the past, I felt that this gave distance to the action and discouraged me as a reader from being drawn into the story. Having listening to the Orson Welles radio adaptation of the novel, I feel that if the story had been presented in the present, this book would have worked a lot better. As it is, the straight commentary of events gave no immediacy or drama to the story. Is this worth a read? To be honest, I would recommend listening to the Orson Welles radio adaptation, rather than reading this novel. I feel that 'The War of the Worlds' has too many flaws, for me to enjoy it.