Image via WikipediaI haven’t blogged yet this year, partially because I’ve been engrossed in one of the most fascinating book series I’ve read in a while: The Hunger Games. To count the ways I love this series would be impossible. The subplots, overarching themes, character development, worldbuilding, and brilliant writing technique have left me nearly speechless.
I typically don’t read young adult literature. I’ve made some exceptions here and there, but for the most part, I prefer adult fiction and nonfiction. And I almost never read science fiction, much less dystopian science fiction. I bought the first book in the series because I’d heard so much about it. But it was months before I actually cracked the cover to discover what was inside. And to be honest—and this is a superficial nitpickiness on my part—I didn’t like the cover. I like feminine, girly covers when it comes to books by female authors. Sounds like a horrible cliché, right? Judging a book by its cover? Well, that’s exactly what I did. I’m not proud of it, but I absolutely did. Imagine my surprise when I discovered the complexities of these novels, the emotional journey I took with the characters, and the heart-wrenching turmoil caused by the rebel war in the country known as Panem.
Told from Katniss Everdeen’s point of view in first person, I was completely transported into her world. I felt the closeness of her family, her turmoil at needing to choose between her best friend Gale and her new friend Peeta, and the numerous losses of life at what she believes is at her hands. At points, Katniss is both traumatized and inspired, and because Suzanne Collins has such a wonderful voice on the page, I forgot my own world and dived straight into hers.
I honestly believe these books will become classics. They’re already headed to the big screen in another year or two. Read them. And then read them again.
