I finished The Ruins, by Scott Smith tonight, and what a memorable way to start my year of reading. I can't really say much about the story without giving away too much to those of you who haven't read the novel. Smith is definitely not one to shy away from the inevitabilities of a bleak situation. There was a stretch toward the end of the book's first half when I became impatient because nothing was happening, yet once I reached the midway point suddenly several horrific things happened all at once. A very good book, and as a result I probably won't be taking up gardening anytime soon.