It has been a very long while indeed since we have done a book list based on what we think characters from a beloved franchise would like to read. But with the new Suzanne Collins “Hunger Games” book “Sunrise on the Reaping” finally out, we were inspired to bring this back once again! Here are some books that we think would pair well with some of our favorite characters in Panem!
Katniss Everdeen: “The Lord of the Rings” by J. R. R. Tolkien
We’re pretty sure that we’ve recommended this classic fantasy to other fictional characters before, but it was just too on point to not pick it for our reluctant hero Katniss Everdeen, who ends up being the symbol of a revolution in a brutal dystopian world. Katniss and Frodo Baggins, after all, have a fair amount in common, at least in terms of how their journey progresses. Both find themselves with a huge amount of responsibility that they never wanted or anticipated, with Katniss becoming the Mockingjay and Frodo becoming the Ringbearer. Both are devoted to their loved ones, whether it’s Katniss’s fierce protectiveness over sister Prim, or Frodo’s love for his community in The Shire. And both find themselves deeply traumatized and carrying a heavy burden as their journey gets harder and harder, and more and more loss and despair is heaped upon them. But like Frodo, Katniss knows that she can’t give up, and after all is said and done, while she is still haunted by her ordeal, much like Frodo she does, ultimately, find peace.
Haymitch Abernathy: “The Simple Sabotage Field Manual” by the OSS
Haymitch Abernathy was Katniss’s mentor during her first Hunger Games, and was a winner of his own (and is the protagonist in “Sunrise on the Reaping”), and while he was helping train Katniss and Peeta, he was also working within the system to start the rebellion against Panem during “Catching Fire”. And because of his inner workings before the full on rebellion, I think that he would have found value in “The Simple Sabotage Field Manual”, a guide written by the United States OSS to resist against Nazi/authoritarian rule in Nazi occupied/ wartime Europe. It’s a quick read, with lots of practical and easy information on how to gum up the works and resist against authoritarian oppression, and it was declassified in 2008 for anyone to read. As a rebel working inside as a mentor who ends up playing a huge part in overthrowing Snow’s regime, we think this would be a good choice for him.
Johanna Mason: “Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women’s Anger” by Soraya Chemaly
Johanna is one of Kate’s very favorite “Hunger Games” characters, and one of those reasons is how angry she is from the moment we meet her until the moment we say goodbye. And rightfully so! Like so many victors, she was subjected to a horrific Games, and even as victor she still lost everything and everyone important to her thanks to Snow and the Capitol. Only to be thrown into the Quarter Quell, into a rebellion, and into a hostage situation thereafter. Of COURSE she was angry. And because of that, she would probably really enjoy, or at least relate to, “Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women’s Anger” by Soraya Chemaly. In this non-fiction book, Chemaly examines the reasons a woman may be enraged, from microaggressions and mild sexism that she is subjected to every day, to outright violent misogyny that leads to pain and harm. It also encourages women to turn that anger into a tool against their oppressors. And man, would Johanna REALLY love that.
Peeta Mallark: “Legends and Lattes” by Travis Baldree
Peeta is the OG soft boy king. And as such, he deserves all the nicest things, including one of the most wholesome cozy fantasies currently published! Really, I think the entire cozy fantasy genre was made for this character. And while there are plenty of books in this subgenre featuring bakeries, I thought that the coffee shop found in this one would fit just as well. Beyond the coffee/pastries of it all, I think the strong focus on re-creating a life for oneself after many previous years of violence would appeal to a character like Peeta. The found family aspect, I think, would also appeal, for a character who naturally inspired trust and friendship from others.
Coriolanus Snow: “Vicious” by V.E. Schwab
This is a quote from the book: “Plenty of humans were monstrous, and plenty of monsters knew how to play at being human.” I mean, can that be more perfect for a character like Snow? While Snow definitely goes the straight villain route, most of the characters in this book take the anti-hero route. But as the prequel shows us, characters who turn down dark paths often have many moments when they could have chosen a different direction. The book also has a strong emphasis on themes of ambition and the risks we are willing to take in the pursuit of power. What’s more, we see what happens when these risks go wrong, and the lessons that are (and are not) learned. Themes that definitely hold true for Snow, though we know where it all leads for him, and it’s not great.
Effie Trinket: “The Selection” by Kiera Cass
Effie is an interesting character, in that she clearly cares for Katnis and Peeta in her own way and has brief heroic moments. But she’s also fully bought in to the Hunger Games system and revels in all the benefits that she reaps from her involvement in it. And, of course, she is something of a trend setter in the fashion world! That being the case, the blending of ruthless competition and glittering ballgowns found in “The Selection” would be a perfect fit for Effie! If given the choice, I’m sure she would have preferred a competition that focused on jewels and gowns all in the pursuit of a handsome prince, rather than the brutality of the Hunger Games. Rather than perhaps empathizing with the heroic main character of this trilogy, however, Effie would likely have preferred the role of the party master behind it all!
The Library Ladies 