The Hunger Games - Guest Post!

Have you read The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins yet? My husband and I just finished reading all three books, and we are pretty enamored by them. I haven’t seen Kevin this excited about a book since he read American Wife a few years ago. Due to his overwhelming enthusiasm for the series, I asked Kevin to guest blog on my site. You can see his blogs here: personal and the Utah Jazz blog if you’d like to learn more about his other favorite thing, sports.

We’re planning to build an online book club to salute these books. If you’re interested in participating, add a comment to this post, and I’ll send you the information!

For me, I loved book #2, Catching Fire, the best. If you’ve read Ender’s Game, The Giver, or 1984 you will like The Hunger Games books. Now, read on for Kevin’s take on this dystopian society.

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NOTE: The below contains multiple plot spoilers. If you have not already finished The Hunger Games trilogy then this probably isn’t the post for you. However, if you have finished all three books, then I welcome your thoughts on my review.

One of the first things anyone says about The Hunger Games book series is that it is very addicting. From the beginning you are thrown into the world of Panem, and are immersed in the strange names, rules and social norms that are essential to the story. The vivid descriptions of the brutality of the Capital are epitomized by the “competition” that comes from the title The Hunger Games. Every year each of the 12 Districts ruled by the Capital have to send two children (called tributes) to fight to their death until only one child remains as the victor. These games are barbaric in design and also in execution, since they are televised in a way that would remind some people of March Madness. As a reader, you are introduced to the games by the narrator and first person perspective of the District 12 tribute, Katniss. The defining personality traits of Katniss are her problem with authority, protectiveness of her family, naivety of people’s emotions and ultimately her ability to survive. How she uses these personal traits helps make her an inspirational character in a world devoid of many role models.

The fact that Panem felt completely foreign wasn’t much of a surprise considering the unique nature of the world. However, what was not expected was that this dystopian world also felt relatable. One of the main analogies that I took from the series was how the world of Panem related to corporate culture in America. The Capital could be a stand in for corporate headquarters in the same way that the individual offices represented the Districts. Also, while there weren’t any reapings or Hunger Games in corporate America there are earnings reports (broadcast for everyone to see) and furloughs/lay-offs. It might be a stretch to make that comparison, but I saw some parallels.

Anyway, that was one thing I took away from the book, but the other main themes I found prevalent were the importance of context, luck and intelligence as well the examples of sacrifice and the commentary on reality TV. Below is each theme in a little more detail.

Importance of Context
Most of the characters act as you would expect based on the situation they are in, whether the character is in the Games, in the streets of the Capital or in the District. Their actions are a direct result of their surroundings. When “kill or be killed” is the context, then it isn’t surprising when kids act like blood thirsty maniacs. However, the author does a great job with the main characters, who do not conform to the behaviors you might expect based on the context. When a character zigs when they are supposed to zag, it helps reveal an important moment or personality trait. One of the main characters, Peeta, talks about this in the first book on the night before he is supposed to enter the arena. He describes how he wants to die in a way that shows that the Capital hasn’t changed him. Despite the context of a brutal arena, he wants to stay authentic to himself. This was a powerful moment in the book because it is one of the few examples of someone being aware of how their surroundings affect them.

Importance of Luck
This one seemed the most obvious of all the themes. Katniss had the bad luck of growing up in District 12 and watching her sister, Prim, get picked for the Hunger Games. However, she also had the good luck of escaping death numerous times throughout the books. That leads to another theme of the book, and that is managing luck. Katniss was one of those characters, who often seemed to have the wrong side of luck, but through determination and persistence she was able to survive. Other characters weren’t so fortunate. Luck’s fingerprints were all over the book as Collins seemed to be saying that no matter what you do, sometimes things don’t work out. The last example of the importance of luck in the books has to be the Hunger Games catchphrase “May the odds be ever in your favor.”

Importance of Intelligence
The tributes in the Hunger Games did not have the Capital upbringing and most of them weren’t trained for the competition. However, so many of the characters showed remarkable intelligence despite being in a high stress environment. Katniss was certainly clever in how she competed, but one can also look at Foxface, Beetie and Peeta as well. Each one of them had skills they learned in day to day life and were able to utilize in the arena. It would have been a much different book if the Hunger Games focused more on strength and athletic ability. Those both were worthwhile attributes, but it seemed clear to me that the most important characteristic to survival was intelligence.*

*That being written, I have some reservations about Katniss intelligence. She seemed to be oblivious to many things, such as Gale and Peeta’s romantic feelings towards her. Also, her rational mind seemed to wilt when she was agitated. However, she did have some very intelligent moments and lest we forget she is 16 years old in the book. Was Katniss intelligent? I would certainly put her behind Gale and Peeta with one of them showing incredible analytical skills (Gale) and the other showing great interpersonal skills (Peeta). I would say that yes she was really smart and that maybe the only reason I am thinking she might not be is because the book was written from her point of view. First person allowed us an insight into her doubts, questions and insecurities. Sometimes people (myself included) equate doubt with a lack of intelligence, but I don’t think that is generally or in this case true.

Examples of Sacrifice
The story starts off with a great sacrifice story as Katniss steps in for Prim to compete in the Hunger Games. Considering there was a 96% chance (23 out of 24) that Katniss was going to die, then it is clear she was giving up her life in order for her sister to life. After that moment there are many other examples of people sacrificing themselves for others. The main beneficiary of this was Katniss, who had people like Peeta, Mag and Finnick willing to give up their lives in order for her to live. As the Mockingjay, she was the symbol for the cause to defeat the Capitol. The rebels wanted her to survive, and they readily sacrificed themselves to save her.

Commentary on Reality TV
Quoting Wikipedia “Collins says the idea for The Hunger Games came from channel surfing on television. On one channel she observed people competing on a reality show and on the other she saw footage of the Iraq War.” This was a constant theme as every aspect of the Hunger Games was televised and how acting was considered such an important part of survival. Also, the propos introduced in Mockingjay were considered highly critical to the Rebel’s success. Reading the book, I could almost hear certain people say “perception is reality.”

Other thoughts on The Hunger Games:

• What happened to the rest of the world? Asia? Europe? Does the Capital talk to them? How does Panem relate in the global world?
• Was Prim’s death at the end necessary to the plot? I know that plenty other people had died, but that was the final straw that solidified that the there was going to be no happy ending to the Hunger Games. The main character failed her primary goal in keeping her family safe. Maybe that was the point that there was no happy ending in a place like Panem.
• Rue’s death was probably the most compelling part of the book. Her character occupied only a small part of the overall trilogy, but she was critical in the plot and the themes.
• I was angered by the Quarter Quell in Catching Fire, since a 2nd straight Hunger Games for Katniss seemed a little excessive. Also, the vote at the end when President Coin suggested the Hunger Games for the Capital kids was ridiculous. I didn’t believe for a second that these victors would vote yes after having gone through two Hunger Games.
• The ending of the final book saddened me – the trio of Katniss, Gale and Peeta was broken down to a duo and a solo. The fact that a choice had to be made, and that Gale made it for Katniss made the conclusion bittersweet.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading the three books. There were captivating and certainly a conversation starter with a lot of friends. I had some complaints about the plot twists and turns (too many in my opinion), but those are minor. Now, my curiosity turns to how the book is turned into a movie. Opening in March of next year, it will hopefully be a good representation of the book.

Favorite Books from my Childhood

Inspired by the facebook 30 Books in 30 Days challenge, I loved the idea of thinking through my favorite books. I am not typically someone who re-reads books, so it's usually just one really impactful read that I remember for years. I find that I can't normally remember the whole story end to end, but there are moments and passages that resonate with me. In no particular order, here are my top books/series from my childhood. Keep your eyes peeled soon for my top list for adult reads.

• The Phantom Tollbooth by Jules Feffier - I read vividly remember reading this book in EPP class in elementary school. I loved the cities of Digitopolis and Dictionopolis, the literalness of the reasoning in the towns. I can practically still taste the letters the main character Milo bought at the market. I remember the slow bummer of the Doldrums, thinking how easy it can be to slip into a major case of the dumps. The characters represented many different personalities, like main character "everyman" Milo, the princesses Rhyme and Reason, the watchdog Tock, and the Humbug. This is one book I have read over and over, it's all tattered. Early in our relationship Kevin and I asked each other to read our favorite books. This was what I gave him, he gave me Moneyball. Needless to say, neither of us finished either book since our styles are so different.
• Anne of Green Gables series by Lucy Maud Montgomery - This was a book series that I actually saw first as a TV movie that I loved. My friend Amanda and I would watch this repeatedly on summer vacations. Once I learned that the story was initially a book series, I devoured my mom's copy of book #4 Anne of Windy Poplars. Just looking this book up for a link, I discovered that there are actually 13 books about the precocious orphan, Anne. I may have to check a few of those out of the library. The main character has such spunk and confidence, I can't help but think that a bit of her rubbed off on me.
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum - Another book from elementary school, I remember sitting in my forth grade teacher's reading circle. She would read to us every day, funny kid books like Bunnicula and one about a terrible teacher the kids always outsmarted. But my favorite she read was Oz. I would disappear into the story, not feeling connected to my body (even though girls used this time to braid each other's hair and draw on backs) and being in awe of this magical place. I read several of the other books in the series as well, but none captured me the way The Wonderful Wizard of Oz did.
• Andrew Lang's Fairy Books - The Brothers Grimm were a bit to intense for me as a child, so I developed my love of fairy tales by reading Andrew Lang's "colored books". My school library had the Red Book and the Yellow Book, and I remember checking these books out repeatedly to lose myself in the tales of animals, kings and queens, and witches. I always have a place in my heart for this genre, and it led me to The Once and Future King, about King Arthur and the Sword in the Stone.
• Miss Hickory by Carol Sherwin Bailey - This was a random book I checked out many times, and I found it a couple years ago at a bookstore going out of business sale. I instantly remembered the cover, and couldn't wait to read the book again. But then I remembered, it's such a crazy book! The main character is a stick doll who gets her nut-head plucked off and eaten by a squirrel! Check out the link to the book, it's a really funny review by someone who obviously read this book and remembered the quirkiness in a rosy light, just like I did!
• Shel Silverstein poetry books - Who didn't love The Giving Tree, Where the Sidewalk Ends or A Light in the Attic? I read these books many times with a reading light late at night. Some of my favorite poems include Jimmy Jet and his TV Set, Hector the Collector, Sick, The Crocodile's Toothache, Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out, Melinda Mae, The Meehoo with an Exactlywatt, It's Hot, Little Abigail and the Beautiful Pony, Twistable Turnable Man, Deaf Donald, Skin Stealer, Ladies First, and Almost Perfect. Silverstein's drawings are unforgettable and add so much to the silly poems.
• Berenstein Bears books - My favorites were Too Much Junk Food, Get the Gimmies, The Truth. Good morals, characters I could relate to, and you could even meet them in person at the amusement park Cedar Point! Berenstein Bear Country was open from 1985-98, and how now been replaced by Camp Snoopy, an even more wonderful cast of characters.
• Matilda and The BFG by Roahl Dahl - Dahl's books are magical. I know a lot of people probably loved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or James and the Giant Peach more, but my favorites were these. The books are empowering to children, full of interesting characters and zainy storylines. I have even read some of his adult stories, including Henry Sugar and Six More and Boy. He's a gifted writer who takes us away from normal life and into a fantasy land. The drawings added so much to the story too, that is exactly how you envisioned the story taking place.

So that's the list. Any one else fall in love with these books? What are your favorites?

The Poisonwood Bible

Have you ever been to Africa? Have you ever wanted to? It isn't a country I wanted to see, other than the Pyramids in Egypt. But after reading The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, I was transfixed by the vivid colors, scents, and sounds of Central Africa.

This was an amazing read set in the Congo from 1960s-1980s. It's about the Baptist Price family that goes to the Congo for a mission. The Price family is overwhelmed by changes from their lifestyle in Georgia, for seemingly simple things like shopping at the market and preparing meals, to dealing with more dramatic events such as droughts, floods, and ant plagues. Add in Father Price's incessant "my way or the highway" preaching, things just don't go right for the family.

The country breaks free of Belgium rule during the mission, and this changes life for all. There is civil unrest in the country and all whites are encouraged to leave. But most of the Price family stays, and their lives are forever changed by the pivotal events that follow.

I really liked how the narrators of the book were the mother and four children (all girls). Each chapter was told from the perspective of one of these women. I found it really interesting how as the girls grew into women, their voice maintained the same confidence, but their perspective changed based on all that they had experienced. I resonated with Leah the most when she was a girl, and with the mother as all of her chapters were written after she left Africa.

I'd rank this is one of the best books I have read in the last six months, maybe even the last year. It was a great read and I'd recommend it to anyone who is looking to learn about a new part of the world.

I'm reading Catching Fire, the second in the series about The Hunger Games. Nest post coming soon!

Vacation Reading

Kevin and I just got back from an 8 day trip to Mexico with my family. It was awesome to relax, sightsee, spend time with my parents, and eat and drink lots of wonderful things. Check out Kevin's blog for photos from our trip. Many photos are posted on facebook too.

On the trip, I had lots of time for reading! Here are the books I was able to get through...

The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston
This non-fiction account of the serial killer in Florence for over two decades was a pretty good read. I can't believe that the real killer hasn't been caught! The book was written by fiction writer Preston and the primary reporter of the story. I was more drawn in for the first half of the book, than the second half. Who dunnit? We don't know.

Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafini
There are a lot of books about women's plights in the Middle East, but I thought this memoir had an interesting point of view. The author is a professor (in Islamic Republic of Iran for the story, currently in the US). She tells of the life of herself and her students during the tumultuous time of the Iranian revolution and Iraq/Iran war in the 1980s-90s. I loved how she broke the book into four sections, based on the books she taught in class: Lolita by Nabokov, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Henry James books, and Jane Austen books. I have ready Lolita (see my blog post on it here) and The Great Gatsby in high school. I found the writing a bit over my head, she does a very intellectual deep dive on the novels. But I enjoyed the comparisons of Iranian life to the novels and all the wonderful character description Nafini did.

Madame Tussaud: A Life in Wax by Kate Berridge
This biography felt like stepping into time in France in England during the times of Marie Antoinette. I was captivated by the first third of the book, learning about the life and times in France and England in the late 1700s to early 1800s. The book is quite a deep study on Madame Tussaud, but I remember seeing the museum in college, and being amazed at how life-like the models looked. In Madame's time, she touted her show as anatomical replicas, not wax figures, and she used the show to illustrate the prominent figures and news of the time. I thought this was an interesting read, out of my normal zone.

Room by Emma Donoghue
We read this for July's book club (my pick). I am really underwhelmed. I thought this was going to be a fantastic eye-opening read. I correctly guessed the reason the boy Jack was in his situation before even starting the book, and the whole story lacked the deep emotion I was expecting. I liked how the story was told through the voice of five-year-old Jack, that was a nice take. Overall, I'm pretty disappointed, since this book is a top seller.

I just started The Poisonwood Bible today (our flight got cancelled from Chicago to Minneapolis yesterday, sop I had ample reading time today). I'm enjoying it a lot so far.

Keep your eyes peeled for a guest blog soon - Kevin just read The Hunger Games and can't wait to discuss!