The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

From the Timely and Timeless book discussion group on September 24, 2013.

We rated this book with a 4.5 out of 5 on 8 votes.  While primarily a children's book author, Ms Collins wrote this book, and the two following it in the series, for a teenage audience.  But it is also a favorite of adults.  This story introduces us to Katness Everdeen, a sixteen year old girl, who because of the death of her father and the ensuing severe depression of her mother, must assume the role of provider for the family.  She is devoted to her younger sister, Prim, and Katness makes choices throughout the book in an effort to protect her and their mother from harm and hunger.  The book is filled with characters who are written with diverse personalities and goals.  A romantic triangle between Katness, Gale, her hunting partner, and Peeta, a school friend and fellow "Tribute," forms one of the plotlines in the book.  The challenges faced in the Hunger Games arena are at times horrifying and at other times we see humanity and caring that q    makes us to believe in the heroes.  The story is filled with subplots and differing agendas.  It is a captivating read.

Those in our group who have not read the two following books (The Mockingjay and Catching Fire) showed interest in continuing on with the series.  The Hunger Games is another departure from some of our personally favorite genres.  And though this is a well know series, it might never have found its way onto some of our shelves if it had not been on our agenda.  So, thank you to Starr for selecting the book. 

COMING UP

The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon.

This is Ms. Simon's sixth book.  This is an excerpt from her essay on creating the story of "Beautiful Girl":

When The Story of Beautiful Girl came out, I kept getting asked two questions. Why was I drawn to writing disability-themed literature? And was it hard to write from the point of view of characters with disabilities?

My answer to the first question begins with this basic fact: for one month every year, I am a twin.

My sister Beth, who has an intellectual disability, was born eleven months after me. So every year when I visit her for her birthday, the first thing we both say is, "Now we’re twins!" And for the next thirty days, as she gleefully moves through her days wearing the Tweety Bird shirts and using the Scooby Doo stickers I bought for her big celebration, we are indeed twins. Then my birthday rolls around, and when I visit her for that admittedly more secondary occasion, and she thrusts dozens of handmade cards at me, all of which express her happiness at my coming to see her, the first thing we both say is, "Now we’re not twins."

The story starts out in the remote farmhouse of an elder widow who lives alone.  A young woman and man show up one evening during a large storm wearing thin, worn clothes and looking very desperate.  Warily she takes them in and makes several astounding discoveries.  This book tackles societal issues in how people with developmental and physical challenges have been treated and how many still manage to grow into their lives. 

Catherine the Great by Robert Massie on November 26th at Maria's at noon.

This is a very readable biography of this fascinating woman.  It is interesting to read about the royal connections between nations through this period of time. Born as a minor Prussian (German) Princess, her name was changed when she arrived at the court if Elizabeth II from Sophia to Catherine.  She was an intelligent, well read, well educated and independent woman who ultimately brought the Russian throne to great power in the world.  Being a woman, she broke the mold of what was expected.  She was ambitions and used all of her considerable powers to expand the Russian Empire.  She could be ruthless or charming, and she had voracious appetites.  Though her marriage to the King, a weak child-man, ended with his murder, she took several lovers.  She is described as a "serial monogamist."

 

Meticulously, dramatically rendered.

--O: The Oprah Magazine
 

Reads like an epic Russian novel

--San Antonio Express-News

Will transport history lovers.

--People

Join the discussion for more interesting twists and turns in her life and reign.

 

--Susan