The Suspicions of Mr Whicher - Kate Summerscale

I don't usually read mysteries and I would have never picked this book up had a friend not recommended it. Even when recommended I thought, "Hmm, really - what could be so special about it - other than that fact that it won the Samuel Johnson Prize?".

This is a true story told like a novel. THE story that started the mystery genre and the novels that would come out of England in the late 1800's - including the famous Sherlock Holmes.

The beginning is captivating as the story unfolds to tell of a brutally murdered baby in a country home just outside of London. Mr Whicher is the detective whose keen instinct points him to the murderer very early.

Although I did appreciate Mr Whicher, that's not what made the book for me - it was the last few chapters that detailed the lives of the suspects. This was absolutely fascinating!! I could have a read an entire book on these characters (mostly, brother and sister of Road Hill House, William and Constance).

William, a Marine Biologist, captured me with amazing watercolours, drawings of marine life and his interest in the communication between sea horses. Constance, a not-so-nice girl (to put it light), went on to become a nurse, giving her time freely to lepers and those in need. Ironic.

A very interesting topic at the end, told by Constance - who went on to live to be 100 - was about the bowel obstruction that killed many of her family members due to her father's possible past with syphilis. The description of the hereditary teeth which suggested this was fascinating!!

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

I decided to read this novel after a few blogs listed it as a favourite for 2008 and Catching Fire (part two) for 2009. I was intrigued as to why.

What an interesting plot - something different, that's for sure. I thought it might be gruesome... It was not at all.

Basically, in a futuristic, fascist society, one boy and girl are taken each year from each village, based on draw results, to fight until death. The winner will have it all - money, fame and comfort for his/her family. Of course, like real life, emotions get in the way of pure ambition and survival.

The Hunger Games are very similar to our current reality T.V. shows - display it all and relish in others misfortune and misgivings in the spirit of entertainment and competition.

I like the idea of intellect, physical strength, emotions and morals battling it out. In the end, what matters most is still survival, though, and the one guaranteed to do this is not necessarily the one most prepped, pampered or endowed.

An easy and entertaining read.