March Book Suggestions

We are going to start something new over here on the blog! Are you ready for it? We will be suggesting a new book each month! We will include a bit about the book and why we chose it. We will each be giving a book suggestion so you get two each month! BOGO baby! Don’t forget to let us know what you thought of the book and anything you’d like to discuss about the book(s). If you’d like to suggest a book for us to read feel free to leave it as a comment, or e-mail us (n3rdcastblog@gmail.com).

Now for the fun stuff!

Shannon’s choice: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I’m going to select The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins for this month. I’m choosing this book because the movie is coming out at the end of the month. There’s been debate on whether it is better to read a book before you watch the movie, or after it. I know if I’ve seen the movie I don’t usually have the urge to read the book afterwards, unless the movie captivated me that much that I want to know more, which is usually included in the book. What do you prefer? Read the book before the movie, or see the movie and then read the book?

For those of you that may not know, The Hunger Games is the first book in a trilogy. The books are set in a Dystopian world. There are 12 districts and the Capitol that rules the districts. Each district excels at different things, technology, livestock, mining, fishing, etc. Each year since the Dark Ages a drawing is completed in each of the districts to choose one boy tribute and one girl tribute. These 24 are sent to the Capitol to prepare themselves for the Hunger Games. Once they enter the Hunger Games they stay in the arena until only one victor remains. The people of the Capitol watch the games, and send in obstacles for their own amusement. For the book, we come in on the 74th Annual Hunger Games. The main character is Katniss from District 12. She volunteers as tribute when her sister’s name is called. The book follows her on this journey of the Hunger Games.

When I first heard about this book I wasn’t too sure about reading it. Sending kids in to kill each other? What? But this book is so much more. Suzanne’s writing is poignant and powerful. The book evokes emotions as you are reading it that I cannot even fathom to describe. I would be highly surprised if you do not continue reading the series after reading this first book. Most people I know have read the series in under a week because they were so engrossed with the story. There are many twists and turns along the way that will have you anxious to read what happens next!



Kim’s choice: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Apparently it's "Dystopian Month" around here in March. :c)

So here's the synopsis: In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris, and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together, they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes-fascinating, sometimes-exasperating boy fits into the life she’s chosen. But Tris also has a secret: one she’s kept hidden from everyone, because she’s been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly-perfect society, she also learns that her secret might be what helps her save those she loves . . . or it might be what destroys her.

Roth's book is so interesting and intriguing. I believe that is every bit as wonderful as The Hunger Games and a very different take on a dystopian future. The characters are great and I love that there isn't an over-emphasis on a love story for the protagonist. It's about everything that's happening around her and how she deals with it all as an individual who is not like everyone else.

The Divergent Trilogy is one that you will want to devour from the first page. Read the first book now before Insurgent (book 2) is released May 1st! I can hardly wait to join Tris and Four again!


As we mentioned above don’t forget to let us know what you thought of the book and anything you’d like to discuss about the book(s). If you’d like to suggest a book for us to read feel free to leave it as a comment, or e-mail us (n3rdcastblog@gmail.com).



Stay nerdy!