I like the so called "fantasy novel", specially when it is a sharp criticism of our world. The Hunger Games Trilogy is exactly that, a sharp critique of the world we may be creating. I enjoyed Katniss's company, she's a much deeper character that the movies portray (it's not that easy, believe me, that girl is a well of conflictions!). But most of all, I enjoyed the idea of the book. When asked how she came up with the idea for the book, Suzanne Collins said she was doing some mindless zapping one night and on one channel she watched some kids doing crazy things for money is some reality show; on the next channel, a news report showed other kids fighting a war which is always about money. This was how the story started to unfold in her mind and The Hunger Games shows just that, as well as so many other things that may be a very real consequence of what we are doing today.

I am a HUGE fan of Gillian Flynn. After Gone Girl (see enthusiastic post here), I was hooked on her writing, even though I usually don't like this dark, macabre style, Gillian can make any story so compelling you can't seem to put the book down. Normally, i'm not in the best of moods when I read her books, it's like I have this dark cloud over my head, but they are worth it. Dark Places is her second book and is really in between her first, which I also read recently (see below) and Gone Girl. It is as great as the other two and as dark, but in a way a little lighter. I don't know how to explain it except to say it was easier (not sure if this is the right word, but I'm going for it) for me to read this one than the other two. I highly recommend it, specially after reading Charlize Theron will be the star of the movie which will be based on this book (I can totally see her as Libby Day!!)

This was hard, like really, really hard to read. But one of the most amazing, dark, sad, disturbing stories I have ever read. There was this black cloud around me, my boyfriend even threatened to burn the book, because I was so affected by it. But isn't that what great literature is all about?!?!

This was a great surprise for me! I adored this book. It's such an honest account, such a contemporary and pertinent story. And the way it is written really allows you to get into the psych of the main character and you really understand him... And by understanding him, you start to understand other fundamentalists who may as well be reluctant fundamentalist and who have very solid reasons to be and act as they do. Just one warning: DO NOT watch the movie!!! I have never seen such a bad rendition of such an amazing story!!! But do read the book, it is worth it and it will make you think!!

What can I say... how can I express what was the experience of reading this amazing, wonderful, touching story?

Maybe some quotes from the book will help, because I really do not have the words:

As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.

My thoughts are start I cannot fathom into constellations.

You don't get to choose if you get hurt in this world... but you do have some say in who hurts you. I like my choices.

Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.

There were others, but I leave you with these, hoping you find some worthy suggestion for some much needed escape from our worlds and lives!

Be back soon!

xx