Taking The World On With A Smile!

My book club is reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. This young adult science fiction novel grips you immediately from the get-go. It did me anyway. It is the first of a trilogy, set in the futuristic world of Panem, a post-apocalyptic country that was once the United States. At the heart of the plot is the heroine, Katniss Everdeen, a sixteen-year old citizen of District 12 in Panem. Panem is governed by the “Capitol”. Each year, the Capitol chooses by lottery, one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 from each of the 12 districts to take part in a massive televised battle they call the Hunger Games. The games are broadcast live from the Capitol’s arena to all of Panem. The winner and only living survivor receives exemption from future games, better housing for them and their family, money and food for a year for their entire district.

The book is not for the feint of heart. The subject matter is not light and even though it’s officially classified as a young adult read, I loved it!

When my book club decided to invite the young adults in our lives to read The Hunger Games with us and participate in our monthly discussion, I was excited. When my son actually expressed an interest in doing so, I was thrilled. Let’s face it, the areas of common interest between a mom and her 13-year old boy can be pretty limited. In fact, it seems with each passing year now, it gets harder and harder to find a meeting place, something in the middle, a common bond to share with my boy. It’s nature’s natural separation process and it’s meant to be that way.

I get it but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.

I just got back from enjoying nearly two weeks of sun and adventure, beautiful sights, amazing art and fantastic food in Mexico, bringing home many memorable days with me. The one day that stands out the most in my mind however, the one day I’m truly grateful for and will cherish more so than all the others, is the day I spent reading The Hunger Games, poolside in Puerto Vallarta, for nearly eight hours with my boy; just the two us, exchanging commentary and opinions, speculating on what was to come next and discussing with intensity, the plight of the characters.

We ended up devouring all three books while we were away. It became the common thread that kept our conversation going and going. So if you have a young adult in your life that your eager to connect with and you haven’t already done so, I highly recommend reading at least the first book of The Hunger Games with them.

No doubt it will absolutely leave you hungry for more! If you don’t have a young adult to share it with, read it anyway!

And may the odds be ever in your favor.

~ Suzanne Collins

Have you read the books and if so, what did you think?

Photo Credit #1: Trilogy

Photo Credit #2 & 3: Karen Szczuka Teich & http://www.takingtheworldonwithasmile.com