Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

This is the first book in Suzanne Collins "Hunger Games" series, but not,
however, the first of her books I have read. Besides the crime of reading the
series out of order, I also saw the movie first, due to the popularity of the books and the long wait list at the library. So reading the book clarified a few questions for me, namely, how to spell Katniss and Peeta! It also explained the comments made by others when the movie came out a few weeks ago that the actress who played Katniss was too fat. I thought the comments were just typical of Hollywood body weight expectations, but now I see from Collins descriptions that Katniss should have been a1most skeletal due to the deprivation in her home district in Panem.

I thoroughly enjoy Collins narrative style, which reads like Young Adult fiction. I
enjoyed reading about Katniss' typical teen struggle of shifting loyalties and new found understanding. She struggles between which young man to love, Gale or Peeta. She is also working through a difficult relationship with her mother after the tragic death of her father, but in time comes to understand that while her mother is fallible, she also has great gifts. The most difficult struggle for her is actually her loyalty to her country, which is shown by her disobedience of the- hunting laws, her willingness to deal on the black market, and finally, her actions during the Hunger Games.

I find the story even more engaging than I found the movie, as the book goes into more depth regarding all her new experiences in the Capitol, including the food, which sounds delicious, ·as well as her privations at home and her life and death struggle during the Hunger Games. I enjoy meeting the other participants from the other Districts, as well as getting a better look into Katniss' thought processes while she goes through her various struggles. The writing adds a richness and
complexity which is ignored or lost in the movie.

I enjoy reading about how the female protagonist endures and triumphs over each challenge. I enjoyed meeting her mother and sister in more depth, but wondered why the origin story of the Mockingjay pin was altered for the movie version. I miss the character of Katniss' friend Madge in the movie, and also liked how Peeta's father was kind to her in the book, due to his love and respect for
her parents, but now miss him in the movie.

In summary, I am very pleased with both of the Collins books I have read, and look forward to having my questions answered in the 3^rd book, "Mockingjay" which I hope to pick up from the library this week. 

 Submitted by Gerti 

Jane Bites Back by Michael Thomas Ford

 This is the first book in the so-far three book series Michael Thomas Ford has written with famous British author Jane Austen as a modern day vampire. I like Ford's treatment of Austen as one of the undead, mainly because he also casts several other literary geniuses as vampires, including Lord Byron and Charlotte Bronte. It is amusing to see that Austen now "lives" as a New York bookseller ironically named Jane Fairfax, a name Janeites know as one of Austen's least likeable characters.

The first third of the novel is just set-up, but the action really starts in the middle of the novel. That's when we meet Austen's literary and romantic rival for the affections of vampire Lord Byron, vampire Charlotte Bronte. We find out why in the next book in the series. For now, though, Bronte is portrayed as a crazed blogger who keeps the rest of her family mummified in a creepy house in New Orleans. Jane runs into her when they are both in town for a romance novel convention.

You see, Jane Fairfax/Austen has written and finally (after 116 rejections) published a best-selling novel called "Constance". Vampire Bronte, calling herself Violet Grey, threatens Jane's reputation during the convention, as Bronte claims Austen's book is plagiarized from an undiscovered Bronte novel. Before true awkwardness can begin, Jane decides to steal the original manuscript back (as she knows it is the copy she left with Lord Byron decades before). However, in the process of burning it, she also sets Bronte on fire. Although Jane thinks Bronte is now dead, the "gloomy one" comes back at the end of the book to kidnap the whole Scooby gang (Jane, her agent Kelly, her store manager Lucy, and her boyfriend Walter), and threatens to reveal to the humans Jane's true nature. Luckily, Lord Byron shows up to save the day and chases Bronte away. Everything ends happily for all as Byron agrees to break up with Kelly's live-in boyfriend, and Jane's boyfriend Walter reveals his love for her.

So no, it's not a classic work of literature. But it's amusing that this author has taken famous Brit Lit authors and jammed them all together in a clever, tooth- baring modern mashup which can be enjoyed as a quick summer read by Austen fans as well as those who know nothing about her. I would recommend it to an~one except Austen scholars or purists who might look for more hints of her18 h century life or more references to her books. 

Submitted by Gerti 

On a Stick: 80 Party-Perfect Recipes by Matt Armendariz

On a Stick: 80 Party Perfect Recipes by Matt Armendariz is full of recipes of food that you eat on a stick.  I'm sure everyone has had a corn dog or a shish kabob but have you had pizza or waffles on a stick?

The book is split into two parts: savory foods on a stick and sweet foods on a stick.  None of the recipes seem that complex and require easy everyday ingredients. There are many recipes in the book that would be great for kids.  Who wouldn't enjoy Pizza Skewers or s'mores (using the recipe from the book on homemade marshmallows).

One of the most unique recipes is for Frozen Elvis.  You take frozen bananas and roll them in melted chocolate.  Then roll the banana in chopped cooked bacon and peanuts.  Place it in the freezer again and you have a great frozen treat.

Another great thing about the book is it includes recipes for the dips used-cucumber yogurt and spicy garlic soy are two that I will be trying soon! 

Taken by Storm by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Reading Level: Young Adult
(3 out of 5)

This is the third book in the Raised by Wolves series and I am crossing my fingers that it is not the last.  I was less than pleased with this one.  Ms. Barnes resolved many of the ongoing story lines but I was screaming silently at some of the resolutions.  I think that the end of the book leaves you hanging.  I want more.  I really hate to talk about the book so that I don't give anything away.  It just didn't sit well for me.  I love this series and the characters and like I stated above I just want more.

Body and Soul by Stacey Kade

Reading Level: Young Adult
(4 out of 5)

I'm sad.  This series is over.  It is only a trilogy and it was oh so good.  I would have been happier if Alona and Will would have been a little less argumentative with each other but that's kind of how their relationship is.  They just spent more time upset with each other than I would have liked since this is the last book and all.  More love, less argue is what I'm talking about.  Other than that Ms. Kade didn't disappoint.

In Body and Soul Alona is still in Lily Turner's body.  While it might be nice having a body Alona is having a hard time adjusting and so is Lily's family.  They can tell Lily woke up from the coma not quite herself.  Will is struggling also.  He thinks Alona isn't appreciating her situation and he is having a hard time sorting out his feelings for Alona/Lily or as Alona wants to be called, Ally.

So Alona and Will are on the hunt for someone who can safely pull Alona out of Lily's body without killing Lily.  That leads them to Malachi the Magnificent, who isn't so magnificent and his crazy ghost sister Erin.  Let the fun that only the Ghost and the Goth novels can bring you begin.  See why I am going to miss them :).

Mod Podge Rocks! by Amy Anderson

I have used Mod Podge a few times to for paper crafts.  When I saw the book Mod Podge Rocks! by Amy Anderson at the library I decided to check it out expecting to find some more ideas for crafts using different paper.  What I found was a whole bunch of different things that you use mod podge for.

Mod Podge Rocks! has instructions for 41 projects.  The project ideas are split into three groups: wearables (who knew you could decoupage cowboy boots!), home decor, and holiday.  Every page is filled with colorful step by step pictures and a picture of the final project.  The list of items you need for the craft are available with every one and instructions are easy to follow.

Since I have just used mod podge a few times I didn't realize how many different types were available.  There's matte and glossy, outdoor and fabric mod podge-basically there is an mod podge for everything you may want to decoupage.  I'll definitely be trying the sparkle mod podge soon which makes everything look glittery.  Being only used to decoupaging with paper, I was surprised to see many of the craft ideas using fabric.  For example, the book gives instructions on how to decoupage a bike helmet using any fabric scraps you may have around (page 30) and also tells you how to decoupage an suitcase (page 86).  Holiday themed crafts included gift tags (page 112) and gift bags (page 114).

One of my favorite craft projects is the retro floral outdoor chair (page 82). Using outdoor mod podge and fabric an old chair can be made to look like new. The bright floral fabric makes the chair really pop.

Anderson also writes the blog Mod Podge Rocks (http://www.modpodgerocksblog.com/) which contains much more craft ideas.

Decoupage is an easy craft to do with all ages.  If you never done it before or do it all the time check out this book filled of ideas.

Nothing But Trouble by Rachel Gibson

Reading Level: Adult
(4 out of 5)

This is the first book I have read by Rachel Gibson and I really enjoyed it.  But whats not to love when you have a bad boy ex-jock and a pint sized, pink-haired bombshell giving each other trouble!

Mark Bressler's glory days are over as a superstar hockey player.  He was in a serious car accident that sidelined his career.  Chelsea Ross's acting career never really got off the ground, but leaving Hollywood to become the personal assistant to a famous hockey player with a bad attitude could be her stupidest career move ever.

Chelsea is determined to put up with Mark's rotten attitude because she needs the money and it doesn't hurt that he is so darn sexy.  Soon sparks are flying and I'm ready to read more books by Ms. Gibson.