The Lonesome Gods

The Lonesome Gods by Louis L'Amour

Well who'd a thunk I would be reading a Louis L'Amour book? This is another book on a list of books that I am determined to undertake.

I really liked finding out what the title meant. Young Johannes is traveling west with his dying father. They are headed across the desert to California where Johannes estranged grandfather lives. Hannes father hopes that once he dies and is out of the picture that the grandfather will be able to overcome his hatred for him and take Hannes in. Johannes and his father leave the wagon and other travelers as they are informed that Don Isidro (the Spanish grandfather) still seeks both of their lives. They live in an what they believe to be an abandoned Native American house in the desert. Johannes learns that the lonesome gods are the gods that have been long forgotten and are no longer worshipped by anyone.
Johanness grows up with the Indians and stays in the house in the desert after Don Isidro has his father murdered. Years later he is invited to live in California with Miss Nesslerode, another traveler from the wagon that he abandoned as a very young child.
Johannes is bright and moral. The tale weaves a good lesson about standards, education, and ingenuity. Also a great deal is spoken of about desert survival and Native American folk lore.

It surely wasn't the best read I have ever picked up yet it was a good red blooded, meat and potatoes kind of book. A great read for a young boy.

Rating 3
Rating PG murder

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins


Katniss Everdeen lives in the not far off future. North America is divided into 13 districts and the Capitol. In order to keep the peace and remind the population of the Capitol's control, the Hunger Games are staged every year.
The Hunger Games are like a freaky spin on reality T.V. (I'm pretty sure something like this could happen.) Each district has a lottery. They pull the names of one boy and one girl. These 'tributes' go to the Hunger Games and fight to the death........until only one victor stands.
Katniss has been illegally hunting game outside of her district in order to feed herself, her broken shell of a mother, and her little sister Prim. There is not much food to be had in District 12...the Coal District. Katniss teams up with a boy she meets out in the forest. She and Gale help each other hunt.
When the lottery rolls around Katniss is worried that she or Gale could be drawn out. You can receive more food for your family if you allow your name to be entered more times. As the whole district gathers for the drawing of the tributes..........amazingly Prim with only one entry is drawn as the girl tribute. Katniss knowing that Prim will die puts herself forward in place of Prim.
Katniss and Peeta (the male tribute) are quickly whisked away to the Capitol to have make overs and interviews where they will be rated and try to pick up sponsors for the games.
The games are different every year. This year luck is with District 12 and Katniss as the arena is a forest.
Peeta and Katniss become friends. How will they be able to fight to the death? Will they even make it to the end of the games? I desperately want to give a blow by blow so that I can relive the book......but I don't want to spoil.

Good gravy I loved this book. I loved that Katniss was such a good provider and that her love was so great she sacrificed herself. I loved the relationship between Katniss and Peeta. Peeta turns out to be a great guy. Neither character wants to be a killer. They strive for a way to live through the games but not let the government turn them into cold blooded scheming killers.

I highly recommend this book for teens up. Book two should be out in September of this year.....yippee!

Rating 5 I WILL read this again........in fact I borrowed it and I will buy it now.
Rating PG There is killing...that is the point of the games, but I didn't feel like it was too graphic or unwarranted.