Honestly, that's about the time I stopped as well, but for me, it was because the character completely regressed, and the writing was atrocious (though a bit better than half the second book, which was all "Tell" and no show).

The funny thing about it is this series has become the first set of books whereby the movies are better than the books.

 

I haven't yet seen the movies, so I'll ask. Is this just your viewpoint, or do people in general feel this is the case?

 

I don't know if it's consensus, but I do agree that the flicks are better. Mockingjay Part 1 was the first of the movies that didn't get pretty great reviews, for what it's worth.

 

Completely my opinion.

 

William Gibson?

 

I've seen the movie am I missing out by not reading the book?

 

Andy Weir's The Martian. An astronaut is injured during a dust storm on Mars, and is presumed dead by the rest of his team as they leave. He isn't, and has to try to find a way of surviving on Mars until the next manned mission...in four years time.

One of the best books I read last year. Gripping stuff, compelling central character, and the general consensus seems to be that it's scientifically solid.

 

Honestly I've found the more recent sci-fi pickings to be rather slim. The only thing I'd recc off the top of my head written in the last decade would be Old Man's War which is frankly one of the best military sci-fi I've read, ever.

Something that isn't quite so recent (but is pretty unknown so I doubt you've read it) would be the Saga of Pilocene Exile and its sister series The Galactic Milieu Series both by Julian May. The Saga of Pliocene Exile is about a group of people from the somewhat near future who end up in the past 40,000 years ago.

EDIT: Ohh thinking on it a little more the Vorkosigan Saga is definitely worth a read. Start with The Warrior's Apprentice.

 

I think so. Book had a lot more nuance and characterization than the movie, and the plot made more sense. I liked both, but if I had to pick it would definitely be the book. Plus I enjoyed the little things, like the way the author titled chapters. "41 Remaining." "40 Remaining." "37 Remaining..."