The 'Fantasy Diet'

There are four main book diets that I have come across. A book diet is sort of like an involuntary or voluntary selection process that you go through every time you decide what book to read. Like how some girls can go "Is that milk low-fat?" or some guys can go "Does that come with an extra-large fries?", book readers can have varying tastes when it comes to books. They are as follows:

1. The Fantasy Diet
2. The Non-Fiction Diet
3. The Fence-Sitters Diet (more like a platter, but still.)
4. The I-dont-read-unless-coerced-or-threatened-to Diet

The one I'm focusing on today is the fantasy diet. The symptoms or characteristics include: 

• You need magic in it somewhere
• An adventure or a quest
• Good vs Evil
• A good romantic love interest
• Sword fights
• Pirates/Gypsies
• A defined start, plot, problem/solution and end (either tragic or happy)
• Talking animals or things that aren't meant to talk that do
• People die and come back from the dead (though technically you can find that in the Bible)

If you have any or more than one (or all) of these symptoms than you are officially a member of the fantasy diet. You like books that take you on a journey - the kind you'd never ever get to experience in real, boring, life. And let's face it - who wouldn't like to attend Hogwarts or fight alongside Finnick Odair in the Hunger Games?! 

If you get stuck on what to eat/read, here are some suggestions:

Skulduggery Pleasant

By Derek Landy 

"So you won't keep anything from me again?" He put his hand to his chest. "Cross my heart and hope to die." "Okay then. Though you don't actually have a heart," she said. "I know." "And technically, you've already died." "I know that too." "Just so we're clear."

When Stephanie Edgley’s Uncle Gordon – a writer of horror novels – passes away, she meets his one-time friend Skulduggery Pleasant…who just happens to be a skeleton wizard-detective, that believes he is invincible and has the world’s biggest ego (not that he believes that part). 

He drags her into a world of magic and chaos, introducing her to a whole range of characters: Tanith Low, a stunningly pretty and deadly master swordswoman, Ghastly Bespoke, an amazing tailor who is also a boxer, China Sorrows, who is not only lovely but collects things with magical properties (usually by corrupt and illegal means) and more. 

Together, Skulduggery and Stephanie explore the mysterious circumstances around her Uncle’s death, meeting danger at every turn. And as this world tightens its clutches around her, Stephanie starts to believe that though her Uncle’s novels were horror, they were definitely not fiction.

Lightened up by the funny and sarcastic lines from Skulduggery (like, "For a guy with no internal organs, you've got quite the ego." "And for a girl who can't stand up without falling over, you're quite the critic." "My leg will be fine." "And my ego will flourish. What a pair we are."), this is a book that really makes you consider that if these are the good guys, then how bad are the bad guys?!

(This has to be one of those books that needs the words, “BEST BOOK EVER” written on the front cover)

Also in the series is: Skulduggery Pleasant: Playing With Fire, Skulduggery Pleasant: The Faceless Ones and Skulduggery Pleasant: Dark Days and Skulduggery Pleasant: Mortal Coil - and coming out soon, Skulduggery Pleasant: Deathbringer.)

The Hunger Games

By Suzanne Collins:

“Here’s some advice. Stay alive.”

Meet Katniss Everdeen, a 16 year-old who lives in District 12- one of the twelve remaining districts of the nation Panem. Here, everything exists only to entertain those in the Capital…through the annual Hunger Games. 24 contestants or “Tributes” are selected lottery-style – 2 from each district. They are placed in an outdoor arena controlled by the Capital, and the crowds gather to watch as the Tributes battle to the death in order to survive. When Katniss volunteers to take her sister’s place, her life changes forever

Strategy and awareness are everything – everyone is an enemy, no tree or creature is what it seems – and only one Tribute can remain. But can Katniss decide who matters most, who the real enemy is and whether or not it is possible to fight back?

A relatable team of characters: Gale - Katniss’ life-long friend - , Peeta, who's the other Tribute from District 12 – who holds a special secret - , Haymitch – whose bark is worse than his bite –, Effie – whose efficient personality is not always appreciated  - as well as many more. Some are good, some silly, some bad. Good, silly, bad, most are doomed to die or be forever in the grip of the terrible Capital and its President…unless someone can stand up and fight for the freedom of Panem and its people.

Best book in a long time, which keeps you hanging on every word - with heaps of laughs - and most likely reading under the covers late at night. Also in the series: No#2 Catching Fire and No#3 Mockingjay. 

For those who are feeling a bit more adventurous, Isobelle Carmody's books are a great place to start. They're complex, magical, thick and the characters enthralling. A great way to expand your fantasy diet and to see just how much reading you can handle!

Happy Reading!

Cool Beans