The Hunger Games

 I loved this series.  The first book--The Hunger Games--I consumed in less than 24 hours. I almost literally couldn't put it down.  The next two I read over the course of a week.  Set in the future in a place formerly known as North America, a teenage girl must fight to the death on reality tv for the entertainment of the wealthy and powerful--and also to ensure their power and domination over the poor, starving districts. The series goes on to follow the rebellion of the districts and deals with some significant questions of power, war, and violence.  These books aren't for the squeamish or the goraphobe, but it does promote themes of humanity, idenitity, and a commentary on our culture.  It's an excellent read full of suspense.