The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

In the distant future, the former North America, having risen above years of natural disasters, famine and plagues, has formed a new nation, Panem. The capitol citizens wallow in luxury, spending their days eating and altering themselves with paint, clothing and surgery. The price of the capitol's decadence comes on the backs of the laborers in the surrounding districts.

There were 13 districts. District 13 was destroyed by the capitol in an attempted revolution that occurred 70+ years ago. The capitol squelched the revolution instantly through this example of their strength and ruthlessness.

Now, the districts serve as slaves to the capitol, starving in their own fields and orchards, forced to give all that they produce to the capitol to be redistributed.

Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old poacher, has learned to live with hunger. She has taken up poaching to feed her family, although hunting in the forest that surrounds her district is an offense punishable by death.

We step into this story on "Reaping Day," a false holiday created by the Capitol. On this day each year, the names of every child between the ages of 12 and 18 are entered into a drawing. One boy and one girl from each district are chosen to compete in the Hunger Games, a nationally televised American-Idol style fight to the death. The last "tribute" living is allowed to go home to their district and take with them fame, a life of ease and certain prizes (mostly food) to the citizens of their district. The capitol forces the districts to send their "tributes" as a reminder that their rebellion failed 70 years ago.

Tragically, the one person Katniss loves, her little sister, is chosen as the female tribute. But Katniss won't allow it. She volunteers in her sister's place without hesitation. She is taken to the capitol to be trained and groomed in order to win the national audience and hopefully win sponsors, who can save her life by sending her gifts in dire situations.

Once Katniss enters the arena, she must tap all of her resources. Her poaching skills, her familiarity with hunger, even her acting ability. Constantly under attack from fellow tributes and bored "gamemakers," Katniss is running to the finish.

This book is a heart-stopper. I was anxiously biting my nails with every twist and turn. I was shouting out loud at the unfairness of it all. I was...well I won't spoil the adventure for you.

This was one of the best books I've read all year. I suggest it to anybody.