Suzanne Collins provides the third and final installment of the dystopian series, The Hunger Games, in Mockingjay. Katniss Everdeen has survived both the 24th and 25th Hunger Games, but she has also established herself as an enemy to the State, against the Capitol and tyrannical President Snow. Her wins have inspired rebellions across Panem Districts as she has become the symbol of freedom against the oppressive government.
Catching Fire is the second book in The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. In this novel, Katniss Everdeen continues in her battle for survival in the post-apocalyptic world and tyrannical rule of Panem’s Capitol. Katniss and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark have just won the 74th Hunger Games, defiantly and in their own way, angering the Capital and sparking acts of rebellion in several Districts.
The Hunger Games is a dystopian novel by Suzanne Collins that tells the story of Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in poverty-stricken District 12 of Panem. Set in what is assumed as futuristic North America, the ruling Capital chooses teen tributes, one girl and one boy, from each district each year to participate in the Hunger Games as punishment for their part in an uprising against the city decades before.
Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, originally published in 1890, details the life of exceedingly handsome Dorian Gray, who comes to live a decadent lifestyle in Victorian London. While initially innocent, symbolized by his alluring countenance, he becomes obsessed with a desire for eternal youth and beauty. Through his acquaintance with mysterious aristocrat Lord Henry Wotton, he enters a bargain in which he will remain handsome and youthful, while a painting of him, created by artist Basil Hallward, ages.
Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a powerful story following the life of Kambili, a fifteen-year-old girl living in Nigeria. The novel explores many themes, including identity, faith, family, resilience and politics. Kambili lives with her religious and oppressive family, and is required to make painful decisions for survival of both her home-life circumstances as well as her country’s changing political climate.
Franz Kafka's novella The Metamorphosis follows Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman, who awakens one morning to discover he has transformed into a giant insect. The story details the secondary conflicts Gregor experiences as a result of this new physical form, including his familial relationships, identity, and isolation.
The Road by Cormac McCarthy is an engrossing novel filled with suspense and drama that takes readers on an intense, emotional journey. It follows the lives of two characters, a father and son, as they travel across a stark and hostile post-apocalyptic world in search of a better life. The story has a strong moral message which is thought-provoking and the characters’ struggles in the face of adversity are quite moving.
Macbeth, a tragedy play written by William Shakespeare, tells the story of a Scottish general Macbeth who receives a prophecy from three witches that he will become the king of Scotland. Driven by ambition and his wife's encouragement, he murders King Duncan and takes the throne. However, his guilt and paranoia lead to further acts of violence, and he eventually meets his tragic end.
The Bean Trees is a novel written by Barbara Kingsolver about a young woman, Taylor Greer, who leaves her hometown of Pittman, Kentucky and sets off on a journey of personal growth in search of a better life. The story follows Taylor as she strikes out alone and takes charge of her life, meeting various people who influence her growth and transformation, including a orphaned Cherokee infant, Turtle, whom she takes under her wing.
The book follows Winston Smith, a low ranking member of the ruling Party in London in the nation of Oceania. The Party watches the citizens through telescreens. Everywhere he would look there was the party’s leader, Big Brother. The Party would control citizens’ minds and they would erase history to make the past what they wanted it to. Winston did not want to follow the Party’s strict rules and wanted to take down the Party. Winston met a woman who he soon began a secretive relationship with and they joined the Brotherhood, a group that would do anything to take down the Party.
