Tessa Fox Reads
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Me

Why I'm finally reading 'The Hunger Games' trilogy and what took me so long to do so

7/16/2015

0 Comments

 
If there's one thing I absolutely hate, it's being told what to do — what to read, especially. Back during Twilight's reign of werewolves and vampires and when Fifty Shades of Grey first hit the scene, I couldn't count the number of times I was told "YOU HAVE TO READ THIS!" No. I actually don't.

And just to prove that to you, I won't.

Now, normally I embrace my quirks as part of who I am, but sometimes it backfires on me ... which leads me to why I am kicking myself for not reading The Hunger Games trilogy sooner.

The Hunger Games was one of those series that everyone was talking about — and I mean everyone! I think Suzanne Collins came as close to being the next J.K. Rowling as humanly possible (after all, that woman is a deity). And because of my darn stubbornness, I avoided picking up The Hunger Games for that exact reason. Maybe I just wasn't mentally or emotionally prepared to invest in a new world where I knew a lot of characters would be killed off one by one (The jokes on me because George R. R. Martin has ruined my life that way many-a-time since then).
Picture

I give this book:
★★★★★

But being that I'm particularly interested in working in a public library's youth services department and I didn't take any online classes this summer (I probably should have), I've assigned myself some fun homework until the fall semester begins: Read some of the most popular contemporary fiction for middle grade and high school students. I'm generally going to be reading more young adult books because, as I've said many times before, I LOVE YA! But I'll definitely also revisit a few classics stories that I read (or wish I had) in my younger days.

Why not start this summer reading shindig off with a bang? My first self-inflicted assignment was to finally read one of the the biggest book-turned-movie successes since Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings: The Hunger Games. And all I have to say now is I finally understand what the fuss was all about.

I think one of the reasons I enjoyed the first book so much and am about to fly through the second one is because of Collins' ability to create such a strong and dynamic female main character that young girls everywhere needed (and still do) so badly. Katniss Everdeen is the definition of badass. Not only is she strong physically and mentally, her emotional strength yet simultaneous vulnerability can't help but make you fall in love with her (I get you, Peeta). As if to prove how awesome and beloved Katniss is, the amount of girls who took up archery skyrocketed following the release of the books and movies. I'm not at all shocked, but I know from high school gym class that archery is not my strong suit. I'll stick to reading and writing.

With themes like politics, wealth, technology, violence and love, The Hunger Games has a little bit to offer everyone. I already have Book II checked out from the library, but have to finish rereading To Kill a Mockingbird and Go Set a Watchman before I return to Panem. I've never seen the Catching Fire movie either, so I'm in for some surprises, I'm sure! May the odds be ever in my favor!

Now, obviously when a book generates as much buzz as The Hunger Games did, it is probably well worth your time to read the books and watch the inevitable movies. But why wait? You're not proving anything to anybody by holding out. The only person missing out from your choice not to read something is you (and maybe the author). Don't make the silly stubborn mistake I did and avoid a book because everyone else is talking about it. It's not like you have to like it. In fact, you might hate it! But it also might win you a bunch of money if you ever get on Jeopardy!
Picture
This picture of Y'Jazzmin Christopher, 7, appeared in NPR's story "More Girls Target Archery, Inspired By 'The Hunger Games.'" Image credit Grace Hood/KUNC.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Tessa Fox is the Early Literacy Librarian at the Kenosha Public Library. After working in the journalism and publishing fields, Tessa decided to dedicate her life to books and public librarianship, and went back to school to get her Master's in Library and Information Science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she graduated in December 2016. Tessa has been working in public libraries since 2014. Disclaimer: The views expressed here are mine alone and do not reflect those of my employer.


    Connect with me online!

    Picture

    Picture
    Picture

    Picture

    Tweets by @TessaFoxReads

    Archives

    April 2020
    December 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    July 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014


    Categories

    All
    Adult
    Audiobooks
    Banned Books
    Best Picture Books Of The Year
    Book Contests
    Book Crafts
    Book Displays
    Book Lists
    Book News
    Book Reviews
    Books
    Bookshelves
    Bookstores
    Booktalking
    Book Trivia
    Children
    Children's Books
    Community Library
    Diversity And Inclusion
    DIY
    Fantasy
    Favorite Books
    Feminism
    Fiction
    Girl Power Books
    Halloween
    Historical Fiction
    Horror
    Humor
    Kenosha
    Kenosha Public Library
    Librarian
    Librarianship
    Libraries Now A Day In The Life
    Library
    Library And Information Science
    Library Contests
    Library Ideas
    Library Internships
    Library News
    Library Programs
    Mainstream Fiction
    Mike De Sisti
    Milwaukee
    Milwaukee Public Library
    MLIS
    Mobile Libraries
    Movies
    MPL Express
    Mystery
    Nonfiction
    Personal
    Picture Books
    Poetry
    Politics
    Public Library
    Quotations
    Reading
    Refurbished Furniture
    Representation
    Romance
    Science Fiction
    Sci-Fi
    Seasonal
    Self-publishing
    Social Media
    South Milwaukee Public Library
    Storytime
    Summer Reading Programs
    Technology
    Television
    The Journal Sentinel
    Thriller
    UWM Grad School
    UWM School Of Information Studies
    Video
    Webinars
    Western
    What I'm Reading
    Why Books Matter
    Why Libraries Matter
    Women's Fiction
    Writing
    Young Adult
    Youth Services

    RSS Feed