Reminiscing on my book bucket-list introduction blog post, I’ve come to realize that springing into binge reading takes a newfound passion of reading to manifest; not only reading, but a manifestation of curiosity of unknown stories. Prior to my reading slump, my pastimes not only consisted of reading (obviously), but of ransacking pinterest pages dedicated to posting the next best reads, seeking the highest Goodreads reviews, and inquiring about people’s favorite book recommendations.

Reading hadn’t just been about the exciting story, but rather what the story could teach me, prompting a different way of viewing a particular feeling. In fact, in addition to opening my mind, reading likewise evokes a unique feeling at the end of each story whether it be sadness, disappointment, surprise, excitement, or frustration; each represents an integral aspect of growing and thinking differently. On the basis thereof, I brilliantly decided to add The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins to my book bucket list to propel my dwindling interest in tearing apart synopses, eager to select a new story to devour.

I believe that Suzanne Collins’ most acclaimed books can induce my desired love for reading by going back to what started it, The Hunger Games. Although reading had been immensely important to me in elementary school as well, this trilogy affected me distinctively in that succeeding its end, I had prayed for a time machine to take me back to the beginning, I had refused to seize thinking about it, I had the inability to go a day without a new novel in an attempt to move on from the dystopian world I got lost in. I was seriously obsessed with every part of it– the story, the characters, and the world they had lived in. I may not love it as much as I had exploring it initially, but I can try to utilize its profound creativity to make reading a part of my schedule again.

Admist inspiring strength in a corrupt, crumbling government, I couldn’t help but withdraw from the real world and delve into main character, Katniss Everdeen’s, mind as she overcame extreme hardships in a world where it was do or die. So intrigued by how she was going to manage to survive among older, stronger, and more qualified fighters, I tore through the trilogy in just three days (one book per day) due to its thrilling plot, filled with shocking twists despite its predictable ending. However, although I succumbed to the gripping story (as did everyone), I learned to appreciate it more as I got older and how relatable it is in today’s society. Although the games weren’t established due to overpopulation, it is a big problem in today’s world, making the possibility of real-life games extremely far-fetched, but not impossible. Well, pretty much impossible, but not an extreme fantasy. Additionally, reality tv, social media, and entertainment dominating the world connects today’s audience to the intrigue of the games as they were a form of reality television in their dystopian society.

Similar to how seeing “based on a true story” before the start of a horror movie is terrifying yet fascinating simultaneously, reading a seemingly fictive, extraordinary story and then acknowledging the parallels to reality ensues the same effects. For instance, Sheknows.com outlined 7 different obvious parallels that heighten the trilogy’s significance:

• Starving children
  • The story divides the country into different “districts,” with some extremely rich and others extremely poor. Katniss’s strength originates from providing for her family as they battle starvation every day of their lives. In effect to their hardships, Katniss not only wants to fight for her life in the games, but for the life of her family. Like Katniss, many kids are forced to seek out their own food and fight for their lives every day.
• Crumbling World
  • The book evidently showcases a corrupt world and while ours isn’t nearly as detrimental, we still have a myriad of issues to find solutions to.
• Dangers of coal mines
• Promotion of entertainment
  • Due to the games representing a highly-reviewed television show, the participants and winners experience press tours promoting the games.
• Enormous division between rich and poor
• Exploitation of children
  • This one is obvious even without reading the books. 
• Gestures as a sign of protest
  • The article explains how symbolic gestures are becoming in Thailand to portray protest, leading to arrest.

As an admirer of her witty repartee, I’ve wondered how main character, Rory Gilmore, of the show, Gilmore Girls, acquired the intellect to spit out impressive facts on pop culture and literature or her ability to respond with swift comebacks during confrontation with either her old-fashioned grandparents or snobby classmates. Although genetics is predominantly the reason behind these skills, her books make up the remaining influence of her knowledge of innumerable facets of life.

Undoubtedly, Rory Gilmore’s most prominent character quirk is her unceasing love for books. Not only is this quality admired by many viewers of the show, but many have pondered which books she reads, anxious to know how they have shaped her into the cultured intellect the show portrays her as from the very first episode to the last. In fact, many fans of the show have gone as far as rewatching each episode of the show with enough precision to conduct a list of the 339 books read or referenced by Rory Gilmore. Now, not only do fans have access to her superb reading list, but it has actually developed into the “Rory Gilmore Book Challenge” as people attempt to be as well read as Rory herself.

As a fan of the show (like I previously mentioned), I have scoured the list, reading synopses and reviews of each book, unflagging in my efforts to compare my literary interests to Rory’s. Unfortunately, there aren’t many books that I can cross off the list, but after rigorous evaluating, I concluded that I would love to read Rory’s favorite novel, Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. Yes, it is 864 pages so between that and The Stand by Stephen King, I won’t be doing much else but delving into worlds of both ruin and contemporary life in Russia– very different, but both highly praised.

Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina was not only considered his best novel, but many authors believe it to be the world’s greatest novel to date and Rory would most certainly attest to that claim. After her boyfriend deems it too long, confusing, and depressing, Rory implores that he give it a second chance, claiming that it was a story written for everyone, not geniuses. On the basis thereof, Dean agrees and ultimately admits his admiration of the book. 

Although centered around an ill-fated love affair with a tragic ending due to the negative consequences of betrayal and guilt, the haunting, psychological themes interest me greatly. Rated 4.04/5 stars on Goodreads and being highly praised by one of my fictional characters is enough for me to want to submerge myself into Anna Karenina’s world.