Best Read Stories

  Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins offers so much that would draw in readers—the unthinkable what if there’s a lottery from which the “winners” must fight to the death whether the competitor is a muscle-bound 18-year-old or a frail 12-year-old. The garish Capital City citizens have so much while some districts (regions) live in abject poverty.  (How have they lived with so much when many more live without the basics?) And doesn’t the setting remind the reader of America? I swear I saw some West Virginian mountains. Katniss’s bravery and self-sacrifice are enthralling as she steps in to save her little sister from the fight (But wait, won’t her sister’s name be entered in the lottery again for years to come? Can Katniss volunteer again if Primrose is selected again? Anyway…). All of it makes for a great novel and a blockbuster movie. I purchased the novel because I saw the movie trailer. I read the novel first. Well, full confession, I read a few chapters before I abandon...

Horror isn’t my go-to bedtime reading even though I enjoy most genres. As a result, I’ve probably missed many fabulous books, like most of Stephen King’s bookshelf. Yep, despite forty years, a book, and a movie, The Shining is new to me. Sure, I knew the premise because the story has existed so long, but the story is one that I never longed to delve into. Thus, not reading the genre-redefining cult classic became a badge of pride. However, after reading The Shining, I realize I missed out on greatness but not because of the plot—I could have done without the creepy bushes and angry ghosts. And while the enormous empty hotel in the middle of nowhere was unique, its one hundred ten rooms, kitchen, boiler room, etcetera were too much for me to track. I know. I know. Jack's personality and emotional spiral are enhanced by the creepy setting and the murderous plot. I cannot picture The Torrance achieving the depth of character in a meandering drama or a flirty rom-com. Howeve...