Tag Archives: Katniss Everdeen

May 31, 2012 · 7:34 pm

Preparing my book list

There’s just over a week until the 48 Hour Book Challenge.  I’ve already worked out most of the logistics-including where I will spend most of my time (near the Internet to be able to blog during the challenge and far away from Katniss and all other major distractions), what I will eat (yummy vegan salads and easy finger foods), and why I am participating (to support Reading is Fundamental, to get to work on my “to be read” list, and to have fun).

Now I need to work on the most important aspect of this experience.  What will I read?  My strategy for completing this challenge is to choose books that I can’t put down.  Then, reading for over 30 hours in one weekend won’t seem like a chore, but a necessity (as in “I must drop everything else in my life and finish this book!”)  Here are some of my choices (yes, I have devoted a book shelf to this challenge :) )

I have no idea how many books I can read in one weekend, but I’m guessing that it’s better to be over-prepared, so over the next week I will be looking for more books.  Do you have any suggestions for great books that I won’t want to stop reading?  I’m looking for page turners similar to The Hunger Games (I’m almost at the end of Divergent and can’t wait to read the next in the series!) and also adult fiction that is well-written and captivating (that last description is a bit vague, I realize).  So, if you have a book recommendation for me, please tell me about it in the comments.  I can’t guarantee that I will read the book you suggest, but it’s nice to have recommendations for the future, as well.  Also, do you have any tips for marathon reading?  I know it will be important for me to get some exercise at some point, or I’ll go crazy.  We are allowed a break every 5 hours to blog/network, which I’m sure will be welcome.  Any other thoughts or tips you have on this subject are always appreciated.

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April 16, 2012 · 12:05 pm

Katniss in the Kitchen

As anyone who has read The Hunger Games (or has seen the movie) knows, times are tough in District 12.  Luckily, Katniss Everdeen is a skilled hunter and is capable of providing for her family.  What would she do if she couldn’t hunt?

Pair the dire circumstances in Panem with Katniss’ bravery and self-sacrifice, and you have a recipe for…

Katniss stew?

Apparently my Katniss would solve a food shortage problem by offering herself up as the main course.  She loves to voluntarily climb into all sorts of cooking containers and devices and make herself at home.  In fact, when I caught her in the act, she first attempted to curl up inside the pot (to take a nap?  to hide?)  Unfortunately, I could not capture this moment (which was hilarious because she was just a little bit too big to accomplish it and got stuck about halfway into the pot) because half of me was thinking “Grrr, cat, should you be in there?  Where is that squirt bottle when you need it?” and the other half was thinking “Where’s the camera?!”  By the time I took the picture, she had figured out her limits and assumed the dignified seated pose featured above.

Katniss in a Colander

Not only does she love curling up in a colander, she adores being photographed.  By the third or fourth shot, she’s usually hamming it up for the camera and purring loudly.  Her affinity for the camera may have something to do with the red light that blinks right before the flash goes off and the dangling wrist cord.

Katniss nuzzling up against the side of the colander:

Kitty Diva:

I must admit that in moments of extreme frustration with my feline friend, I will ask if we can have kitty stew for supper.  It’s a bad joke that doesn’t even make sense, considering that I’m vegetarian, but maybe Katniss has taken it to heart.  I will be sure to clear up this misunderstanding…I wouldn’t want her to get the wrong idea.  I’ll make it up to her by singing “Someone’s in the Kitchen with Katniss.”  It’s one of our favorite songs :)

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March 31, 2012 · 7:16 pm

Fairytale to movie review: Mirror, Mirror

***CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS***

Fairytale remakes seem to be en vogue right now. Last year, there was Red Riding Hood, Beastly and I read on GreenBeanTeenQueen‘s blog that there’s a Beauty and the Beast TV show in the works.

Mirror, Mirror with Julia Roberts as the evil stepmother and Lily Collins as Snow White premiered yesterday, just a few months before Snow White and the Huntsman, which comes out in June.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, which is the best Snow White adaptation of them all?

Of course, we will have to wait until this summer to answer the question, but my bet is on Snow White and the Huntsman, despite my lack of enthusiasm for any movie with Kristen Stewart. I saw Mirror, Mirror last night and it wasn’t that bad, but it wasn’t fantastic, either. I guess between these two adaptations, it will really depend on what you’re looking for.

With so many fairytale movies out there, it begs the question: what is the appeal of these retellings? I think people can easily identify with fairytales because they know them so well already and they speak to universal themes. Also, these tales have strong visual components, for example, the bright red apple featured in Snow White or the sharp needle on the spinning wheel in Sleeping Beauty. These iconic images (along with fabulous, elaborate costumes) give the filmmakers a chance to create a visually stunning motion picture.

Mirror, Mirror is rated PG, but there is nothing in it that is objectionable, in fact many of the viewers I saw last night were tweens, or a bit younger. I must admit that I was interested in seeing the movie for the dresses. I knew that going in, so I was prepared for the kind of experience I got (and the dresses were more than I could have dreamed of). During the first part of the movie, I thought “Wow, this is actually a retelling of Snow White. There’s no twist or anything.”

If the movie had continued in that vein, I would not have enjoyed it very much. Besides creating a visually stunning motion picture (as I mentioned above) fairytale retellings also have the opportunity to show a different side to the classic story. The example that instantly springs to mind is the book Wicked by Gregory Maguire. These stories are interesting because they give a voice to another character or change another aspect of the fairytale in some way.

So, what was the twist to Mirror, Mirror? Snow White sees right through her stepmother’s disguise and does not bite the poisoned apple. Therefore, she doesn’t need to be saved by the prince. She informs him (when she is in another dangerous situation) that the princess will be the hero this time. It’s always refreshing to see a strong female lead in movie, especially in a fairytale, where women are known for being damsels in distress, not saving the kingdom. However, I didn’t really respond to the girl power, probably because I was still thinking about the awesomeness that is Katniss Everdeen (who was kicking butt and taking names in the next theater over) and let’s face it, few girls can compete with the Mockingjay.

From what I’ve heard about Snow White and the Huntsman, the movie will tell the “true story” of Snow White. I’m expecting a grittier movie, more special effects, and huge armies on horseback (from what I’ve seen in the preview) and much less “happily ever after.” At first, I had little desire to see this remake, but after seeing the preview, I must say, I’m intrigued.

That said, I did actually enjoy Mirror, Mirror. The dwarfs (played by every famous little person actor you can think of) were surprisingly funny. The dresses, as I mentioned, were amazing:

I think I would have really, really liked this movie when I was a tween. When I was about twelve years old, a Cinderella adaptation called Ever After came out in theaters. I loved that movie when I saw it then, but watching it years later (yes, I own it) isn’t quite the same. I noticed how certain characters drop their fake British accents twenty minutes into the movie and the major, obvious plot holes. Being older, these things bother me although twelve year old me was just happy to watch what I thought of as a “grown-up version of Cinderella.” So, I suspect that twelve year old girls will go to this movie with their friends and be excited to see a “grown-up version of Snow White.” For the rest of you (who aren’t drawn to the theater by the promise of elaborate gowns) the premiere of Snow White and the Huntsman is only a couple of months away.

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March 24, 2012 · 5:42 pm

Book to movie review: The Hunger Games

*CONTAINS SPOILERS*

I was a little apprehensive about seeing The Hunger Games.  On the one hand, I was extremely excited to see the movie, but I was also nervous because I had enjoyed the book so much.  I was prepared for the fact that some events from the book would be cut out.  Personally, it doesn’t bother me if a movie doesn’t follow the book word for word.  Books and movies have different strengths and weaknesses in terms of their storytelling ability.  Here are some strengths and weaknesses of the movie adaptation of The Hunger Games.

Strength:  The movie captures Panem in detail

When I read the book, I was aware that the citizens District 12 were living in extreme poverty, but to see it portrayed on the big screen really made an impression on me.  The opening scenes, which serve mostly to introduce us to Katniss’ life, are devoid of bright color.  As Katniss walks through the streets on her way to the forest, we see an old man greedily eating a small animal and piling the bones up next to him.  The overall feeling is one of despair.  These people are hanging on-but just barely.   The review in this week’s Entertainment Weekly says “director Gary Ross does a tight job of establishing the future-meets-1984 vibe in Panem: the slog of daily life, the hopelessness that dulls the citizens, the fear that returns each year at the Hunger Games lottery known as the Reaping. “

On the other side of the spectrum is the Capitol.  As those who have read the book already know, the people who live in the Capitol are characterized by their hedonism and devotion to excess in every aspect of their lives:  they eat extravagant food, have every luxury money could buy, and are obsessed with fashion.  They even go so far as to have extreme plastic surgery to stay en vogue.  The scenes depicting the citizens of the Capitol may not have matched up exactly with the descriptions of the book, but the overall atmosphere was the same.  Effie Trinket’s looks seemed tame next to some of the other characters’ fashion choices (Katniss’ stylist with the impossible long eyelashes really freaked me out!)  To see a bunch of people from the Capitol together really gave a sense of what it would be like to live there (or in Katniss and Peeta’s case, visit briefly).

Weakness:  Flashbacks

One of the most important flashback scenes in the book is Katniss’ memory of Peeta giving her a loaf of bread.  Since the book is told in first-person narration, Katniss can describe to us exactly what happened and how she feels about it.  In the movie, this memory is more difficult to get across.  There are many brief, wordless flashbacks of “the bread incident” but it is not fully explained.  This is not a problem for someone who has read the book, but people who are new to the story would mostly likely be confused.

Katniss also has flashbacks and hallucinations about her father’s death and her mother’s subsequent decline.  These scenes are choppy and would be difficult to understand without knowledge of the storyline.

Strength and Weakness:  Casting

Jennifer Lawrence was the perfect choice to play Katniss Everdeen.  I had seen her in Winter’s Bone, so I knew she could pull of the strong, self-sufficient personality that is necessary for the role.  I was pleasantly surprised by Elizabeth Banks (Effie Trinket), Woody Harrelson (Haymitch), and Stanley Tucci (Caesar Flickerman).  I couldn’t quite picture any of them in their roles, but they did a great job bringing the characters to life.

I was a little disappointed with some of the other characters, however.  It may be because they were not given a lot of screen time (I felt like we hardly saw Prim or Gale) but something didn’t quite fit.  I was most disappointed by Peeta because I enjoy the character so much when I read the book.  One minute he’s professing his love for Katniss on national television, and then he has teemed up with the Careers (who are determined to kill Katniss).  Katniss has a hard time trusting him, and I did too, when I read the book.  As the review in EW puts it “In the book, interesting edges rough up his niceness; he’s not quite so easy to peg.”  Josh Hutcherson didn’t quite capture Peeta’s complexity.  He portrays him as a nice, sensitive boy who is hopelessly in love.  This is an important aspect of the character, but certainly not the whole picture.

As a fan of the book, I felt that the adaptation stayed true to the spirit of The Hunger Games.  The film has been criticized for its mild approach to the violent scenes, but I don’t think this detracted from the story at all.  The idea that children must fight to the death each year is enough to make an impression; seeing every death isn’t necessary.  Even though I had already read the book, I found myself getting nervous during certain scenes (the Reaping, in particular).  So, even if you’re familiar with the story, watching the movie is still a captivating experience.

Recommendation: 4.5 out of 5 lupines

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March 23, 2012 · 7:58 am

A Propo for The Hunger Games

If you have not read The Hunger Games, what are you waiting for?

The Hunger Games has something for everyone. I see library patrons as young as 9 and as old as “senior citizen” request this book every day. So, why the wide-spread appeal?

For starters, the story features the classic love triangle. The suspense of who Katniss will choose (Gale: the strong, silent type, or Peeta: the sensitive one) is enough to keep some readers going. The Hunger Games series is dystopian fiction, a genre that is very popular right now. Many people enjoy reading a “thought experiment” about what the future could be like if we continue to abuse the environment and engage in war. Also, unlike some popular YA series, The Hunger Games is well-written, which takes away the guilt that some adult readers may feel when reading a book marketed to a teen audience.

These are all good reasons to explain the appeal of the trilogy, but I think there’s a better one: the concept of people as hunter and prey. I first read about this idea in the popular short story, “The Most Dangerous Game.”

In my middle school, out of all the short stories that we were required to read, this was the one that people actually read. In this thrilling tale, a man finds himself stranded on a remote island. He has dinner with General Zaroff and believes that he is there as his guest, until the general tells him that tomorrow morning the hunt begins. The man is somewhat confused until he realizes, to his horror, that the he is the prey, not the hunter. The next morning, with a three hour head start, he charges through the forest, trying desperately to act on his “animal instincts” to protect himself.

I remember reading this story with a mixture of fear and fascination. I felt sympathy for the main character. Even though the man hunting him was insane, that didn’t change the fact that he was being hunted. He had to adapt to his surroundings and try to outsmart his opponent. As I read on, I became fascinated by his situation. I was eager to find out what would happen…could he figure out a way to survive even though all the odds were against him?

The Hunger Games is structured differently, but the hunter-prey relationship is still a strong theme in the series. Katniss is a skilled hunter, but she has never killed another human before and is not sure that she is capable of it. To save her own life and to keep her promise to Prim (to win the games) she must become a murderer. In most cases, readers wouldn’t sympathize with a killer, but Katniss’ situation is unique. She has not chosen this predicament, she must participate in the hunger games to save her sister.

Much like my experience while reading “The Most Dangerous Game”, The Hunger Games evoked fascination in me. I was rooting for Katniss, hoping that she could stay one step ahead of the other tributes. But, as Collins mentions many times throughout the series, Katniss’ enemies are not in the arena, but outside of it: the gamemakers, the government, and especially President Snow. Even knowing this, it was easy to get swept up in the story and start choosing favorites among the tributes. Katniss and Peeta are likable underdogs whereas the tributes from the wealthier districts are spoiled and too over-prepared to compete fairly against the others. While reading, I would get sucked in to this aspect of the story (much like watching a reality show, I must admit) and then come to my senses, remembering everything that is at stake for this characters and the horrors of the world they are forced to inhabit.

If you’ve read The Hunger Games, what do you think is the most appealing aspect of the book? If you haven’t read it, you still have several hours to do so before you see the movie after work :) Stay tuned for a book-to-movie review over the weekend!

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March 22, 2012 · 6:22 pm

Preparing for The Hunger Games

In preparation for the theatrical release of The Hunger Games, I have been working my way through The Girl Who Was on Fire:  a collection of essays from YA authors.  Each essay focuses on some aspect of the trilogy.  Some are about the relationships in the book (including the Katniss-Peeta-Gale love triangle), another analyzes the elements of surveillance, and one about the possibility of creating “muttations” in the real world looks especially interesting.  For more information about this particular essay, check out this site.

I’m just starting an essay that talks about the fact that the citizens of Panem are tuning in to watch their children kill each other like it’s a reality show.  I read The Hunger Games a while ago, but I seem to remember that the citizens were required to watch the games…did anyone else get that impression?  For me, if they were required to watch the games, it takes away the implication of schadenfreude.

I like these essays because they give me the opportunity to think about the trilogy without re-reading them.  There are so many different ways to read these books and the essays point to different themes, some of which I hadn’t really considered while reading the books.  At some point, I may want to go back and re-read the trilogy, but for now I’m content with The Girl Who Was on Fire.

Kitty Katniss has also been preparing for The Hunger Games on her indoor jungle gym:

I am very excited to see The Hunger Games tomorrow evening!  Is anyone else planning to see it opening weekend?

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March 8, 2012 · 4:27 pm

Katniss Everdeen: the cat who was on fire

As promised, here are a couple pictures of Katniss (named after Miss Everdeen, of course).  I was reading The Hunger Games when we adopted her, and the name seemed fitting.  By using her full name I can construct little songs, like “Katniss Everdeen, Katniss Everdeen, she’s the cutest little kitty that you ever have seen!”  Of course, these are sung spontaneously when she is actually being the cutest little kitty you ever have seen.  On the other side of the spectrum, calling her “Bratniss” draws attention to how annoying jumping up on the counter for the 50th time is without resorting to harsh name calling.

Part of me wants to adopt two more cats and name them Peeta and Gale and see which one wins her affections, but that’s probably not a good idea.  We also thought about staging a simulation of The Hunger Games in the attic…it wouldn’t be fight to the death, of course, but I’m sure there are many adventures to be had up there.  24 cats in an attic together…who knows what could happen.  It would make for a compelling reality show/YA book franchise/blockbuster for sure.  Katniss does resemble her literary namesake in some ways though.  She is perfecting the art of the sneak attack, and pounces on me every time I turn a corner.  I’m already dreaming up kitty sized hunting boots and a bow and arrow for Halloween.

Here is a picture of Katniss hanging out in her favorite spot- the sink.

And if you didn’t know better, you might think that she literally is “the cat who was on fire.”  I have never seen a cat who loves water this much:

 

(Literary aside, I just got The Girl Who Was on Fire for my birthday, has anyone read it?  It’s a compilation of essays from YA authors weighing in on The Hunger Games trilogy and the general mania surrounding it.  I’ve only just started it, but so far, very interesting.  I will post a review…perhaps essay by essay as I read them.)

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February 29, 2012 · 5:18 pm

Pros and cons of audiobooks

Audiobooks Rock

Audiobooks Rock (Photo credit: Lester Public Library)

Until recently, I have not been a big fan of audiobooks.  Part of the joy of reading, for me, is being able to choose the pace.  If a book is action packed, I’m more likely to tear through it, reading as fast as possible (The Hunger Games, for example).  If a book has a slower plot, and is lyrically written, I tend to read slowly.  I take breaks and think about word choice and sentence structure.  I might even flip back to a previous passage.  I found it difficult to rewind an audiobook to find one line that I hadn’t heard.  I also tend to space out while listening and miss huge chunks of the plot.

Katniss Everdeen changed all that.  When I finished reading The Hunger Games, I NEEDED to read the next book in the series.  Unfortunately, the print copy of Catching Fire was out, but the audio was available.  I decided to give it a try.  Although listening to an audiobook took some getting used to (the narrator’s voice didn’t jive exactly with how I had pictured the main character’s voice)  I noticed the benefits of listening right away.  I put in the first disc and put the dishes away.  I swept the floor and folded laundry.  When all the housework was done, I had time to play with Katniss (our new kitten).  By the way, there will be pictures of her coming soon!!!

I then moved on to Delirium by Lauren Oliver.  This book got me through the worst flu/cold/virus I have ever had.  My next audio pick is Pandemonium (the sequel to Delirium) and I’m sure it will entertain me while I go on a mini-road trip this weekend.

Many of our child and tween patrons love listening to books on CD during long car rides or while doing chores around the house.  Following along to an audiobook while reading can be a good way for ESL students to work on pronunciation.

While I still prefer to read books, I’m glad that I have found a place for audiobooks in my life.  I prefer to listen to fast-paced stories that are narrated in first-person.  Do you enjoy audiobooks?  Feel free to leave a recommendation in the comments.

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