Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I just finished the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. I read the first two back-to-back and the last installment did not disappoint. Here is the summaries for each book in order of publication

Hunger Games (2008)
From the Publisher
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlaying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one girl and one boy between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has also resolved to outwit the creators of the games. To do that she will have to be the last person standing at the end of the deadly ordeal, and that will take every ounce of strength and cunning she has.

Catching Fire (2009)
From the Publisher
Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

Mockingjay (just released)
From the Publisher
Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what's worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss's family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins's groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to beone of the most talked about books of the year.

Summer Reads

I'm shocked that I haven't written since April. Taking my first course towards my DPA took away my focus (not marks to date). I have however, read a number of books during my two week vacation in July (no Internet access):

• Girl with the Dragon Tatoo, Stieg Larsson
• Outlander, by Gabaldon (again)
• Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay
• Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet(again - I love father Phillip)

Five seconds at a time

Here is an interesting new book that caught my attention. I've just started it but already some points resonate with me. The opening is gripping and the author makes connections to his major theme.

One section was particularly poignant. It discusses the pursuit of excellence as opposed to perfection. To strive for excellence cultivates a culture of achievement and innovation. He goes on to espouse that excellence is not to be confusion for perfection. A culture that values perfection will also create a culture of fear. People do not strive if they will criticized for not being perfect. It makes me think of the mantra, "only Allah is perfect."

I'm looking forward to continuing my reading.

From the Publisher: When a tragic mountain-climbing accident left business professor Denis Shackel stranded on Mount Ruapehu in New Zealand, he turned to the leaderships principles that he'd been teaching for years to survive the longest night of his life.

Alone, with temperatures plunging to -30 degrees Celsius, Shackel first broke the night into five thousand five-second intervals. He decided to deal with only one interval at a time -- a strategy based on his knowledge that effective leaders break big challenges into smaller, more manageable ones. Then, stepping back to see the bigger picture, he relied on vision, intuition, and faith to keep him alive. Shackel emerged from this harrowing experience having cemented his belief that the principles fundamental to leadership are also key to tackling any challenge. Since his mountain-top experience, Shackel has been helping students, executives and corporations use the proven "five seconds at a time" approach for success in business and in life.

At a time when many leaders are feeling overwhelmed, Five Seconds at a Time provides effective tools and strategies to excel. With its compelling mix of survival, leadership principles and real-life stories, it will inspire readers to achieve the seemingly impossible.