Catching Fire

One of the things that I love about the Hunger Games series is that it's motivated so many people to read the books.  Take Darlin Arlin for instance.  In the sixteen years that we've been married, I've seen him read very little besides his computer manuals.  After he saw the Hunger Games movie, he told me that he was going to try to read the sequel to it before the next movie comes out.  (in the Fall of 2013....Yes, we have to wait that long.  Dang!)  I have to admit that I was a little doubtful, but I'll have you know that he's already started reading it.  It's great to be able to discuss this book with him...something I could never do when it comes to computer manuals.

A fifth grade girl recently came into the library holding her own personal copy of Catching Fire, so we started talking about the book.  I told her that I couldn't wait to start reading Mockingjay (the sequel), because Catching Fire left me quite confused and that I was sure the next book would make things clearer.  (Authors are tricky like that, you know.)  The student sweetly said, "Mrs. Hobbie, after I finish reading Catching Fire, I'll explain it to you."  Love it!

Here's the scoop on Catching Fire.

Sparks are igniting, flames are spreading and the Capitol wants revenge. 

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol-- a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before... and surprising readers at every turn.
(review taken from www.goodreads.com)