All together now

Hunger Games Trilogy

1. How is the society of Panem like others you have seen in movies or read in books?

In my GoodReads review, I commented that the book "was a unique mix of 'The Lottery' (which I love) + 'The Most Dangerous Game' + 'Lord of the Flies' + '1984' with even a little 'Truman Show.'" Panem was a lot like the society in 1984. Confinement to social status and employment. Being watched (though not to an extreme until they were in the Games). Some bigger power crushing the people and their wills and right to freedom. Hmmm...that last bit is starting to sound like....our own government. And some others in this world. I know for many this story being like unto our world is a stretch. But to me, it was not. Too many similarities, often symbolic. I don’t know if Collins meant to write that, but it’s what I saw. And it’s one of the main reasons this trilogy got to me as much as it did. (Which is rare, because I don’t look for the political when I’m reading fiction. I’m trying to escape it!!)

2. How did you feel about Katniss’ self-image throughout the trilogy?

Well, she’s like a teenager in being unsure and faltering and being human. But there were a few times that I wanted to shake her to see that she had great qualities and needed to see them and accept them. Huh—I wonder how many people want to do that concerning me. So, yes, her self-image issues were annoying. But they were also a smack toward me to stop being that way myself!

3. Overall thoughts and feelings about the actions and directions Katniss’ relationships were with the competing males?

Thought #1: Stop taking wonderful Peeta for granted!

Thought #2: Leave poor Gale alone!

Thought #3: You’re botching it all up! Leave the story and let me step in so I can treat Peeta the way he deserves.

4. What would you have done the same or differently as various characters in the books? (Pick whatever character and situations you want to discuss here.)

Inside the games, I leave Katniss to her own choices and actions. She did well there and I would never have succeeded. But outside of it, that’s a very different story. I think I would have changed most of what she did or didn’t do. But that’s me, and I’m also the outsider looking in. Of course I would think/want my choices and actions would/to be different!

If I were Peeta, I might have been less timid in the beginning to let Katniss know these were my true feelings. But then, he didn’t realize until later that she really wasn’t getting it. And it wouldn’t be like Peeta to be that way.

If I were Gale, I’d just walk away from the Katniss thing. But that’s because I thought it was obvious he didn’t stand a chance—Peeta or no. It wouldn’t have worked once Katniss endured the first games, because he didn’t know how to understand and she didn’t know how to communicate about it. Sure that’s something that could be learned, but I don’t think she was very willing for that.

5. Favorite part(s)?

Loved seeing the tributes work together in the 2nd games. Anything where Peeta showed his feelings and concern for Katniss. (Though I have my errr about the sleeping parts.) And as awful and even gory as it was, I liked it when they were trying to infiltrate the capital in Book 3. The fragility of life and their situation and everything was so real. So well-written.

6. Least favorite part(s)?

Katniss taking Peeta for granted. Anything with Coin or Snow—I didn’t like either of them. 

Tweet Tweet...at Last!

I decided to bite the bullet and push forward with the Hunger Games book discussion(s). I was rather abbreviated and can't believe I've already forgotten some things. But, I answered. Perhaps some of your comments will remind me of some of my thoughts and feelings--as well as the book. Or they may bring out what I'm trying to keep under control! :-)

Mockingjay

1. What did you think about District 13? Did you have any idea about it?

Well, there were the hints about it still existing in the 2nd book. So I guess I wasn’t shocked about 13 being there, but was relieved that it was there. Besides, what would the story have been like without 13?

As far as 13 itself, it definitely had its creepy qualities. And I often felt like hyperventilating. That was either because the district was so restrictive, or because of my slight claustrophobia.

2. Did you agree with Katniss becoming the Mockingjay? 

Not really. But it wasn’t her decision as much as it was there needing to be a Mockingjay at all. I don’t trust movements or such that rely solely on a symbol that has been created and which others must scramble around, stretch, and bend over backwards to keep up. Act on your own convictions people—don’t wait to stand up and fight for your beliefs and for your freedom!

Oh. Sorry. Carried away there.

3. What did you think of the “Peeta development?” 

I definitely did not expect that aspect at all. And it frustrated me so much because I wanted my Peeta back. I wanted to hear my Peeta’s words and see my Peeta’s actions. ‘Cause, yeah, I’m kinda in love with my Peeta. It also hurt me so much, to see him not being...him. That was good writing and creative story develpoment to get me all worked up in so many ways where Peeta was concerned. I did like the development in Katniss where he was related, because now she couldn’t take him for granted and came to see just how wonderful and amazing Peeta was/is. And that she fought for him (she needed to). But I couldn't bear to see Peeta in such pain and confusion. *sniff*

4. What did you think of Katniss and Gale’s relationship? 

I don’t care how much was written in the 2nd book, I still feel like Gale was an after-thought to throw in so there could be a love triangle. And if you take that away, then there is the fact that no matter what was alledgedly possible between Gale and Katniss, after the games Peeta is not only much better for her, but he’s the only one who fully and truly tries to understand her and be there for her the way she needs someone. And take THAT away, and it boils down to that I just never liked Gale. Ever. There's more to a man than just being brawny and bringing home the bacon (or hunting or whatever). There's compassion and consideration and gentleness and understanding and selflessness and....oh wow. I am way too much in love with a non-existent person.

5. Did you have any kind of hope in this book, and what was it for? 

I had hope for Peeta. That he would turn out all right. I had hope that the stupid war would end. I had hope for the cat, of all things. I had hope that happiness could be found. I actually had hope for quite a few things, but I think that’s because I’ve come to face life with looking for whatever hope I can. Life would be unbearable without things to hope for.

6. What do you think really happened with the children near the end? 

It’s been a while and I’m forgetting exact details of the end, and what exactly was meant by this question. But I think I thought that Snow was telling the truth. That Coin was behind it all. Because that would be so like her twisted, conniving, cruel, using-others, selfish self.

7. How did you feel about the way things ended up? 

Still shocked about some people’s ends. But I was actually very happy about how the war “ended,” and most especially about Katniss and Peeta. Though parts of my Peeta are forever gone, I like that that was "realistic"--war touches everyone and everything. And nothing is the same after it.

For my next tech task...

I have to say, Animoto.com is not a happy thing to work with when you are trying to go the free route. They are so limiting! I had such visions of this book trailer and I how I wanted it to be. But I ended up having to cut about 20 of my photos out, and condense 15 text slides to 3 or 4. I had to choose one of their "backgrounds." And I was limited to their music selection since I was not at home to have selection of mine. I also had no control of the timing for each slide/text/pictures, and thus lost a lot of possibilities in use of pictures, etc. Paying would allow me to have more than 30 seconds and some alteration in speed, but I'm not sure what else.

Conclusion: I much prefer my video maker on my Mac. And as I am still rather connected to my vision of this book trailer, stay tuned. I may very well still create it.

Until then, what do you think of my first ever Book Trailer.


Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

This is the one I prefer the most. Remember: it is extremely limited. I went through so many versions until I was happiest this. So, I guess it is better for me to say that this is my first officially santioned Book Trailer.

On a whim, I just now decided to see how different things can end up. So, I changed the background to one I hadn't looked at and used a song I'd been debating. (This literally took me about 2 minutes to change.) And the results?


Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

This rendition was not bad at all, actually. I rather like it. Takes even more away from what I had in mind in the beginning, but the ending is closer.

I did it again with a new background and the song I had wanted most out of their selection, and got this:

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Again, not too bad. I actually like the background and the song together. But I don't like the jerkiness of the images--it doesn't flow. Not like water should.
But this? This was one of my former tries. To me it brought a whole different kind of meaning to The Blue Castle! (I do like that is has some of the other photos I'd tried to fit in.)


Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.


Your thoughts?

P.S. To see what other photos I had in mind, you can see the photomosaic I also created for a different task completion. Now this site I could certainly use!!

Me--in a Comic!

More Tech fun tonight. One of the tasks I've given the teens is to create a comic strip using http://www.bitstrips.com/.

My first impression (when I only had a few minutes to browse the sight) was not very favorable. It seemed so restrictive.

But I had more time to play with it this evening.

And had a lot more fun.

Especially as I thought of something to work around the fact that they have absolutely no props for books. (I know!!!!!!)

So, here is my first comic strip. Enjoy!

He wrote "Christine" a lot.

My friend mentioned one of my favorite books on her blog recently.

The Phantom of the Opera.

So much better than the musical, though I do love the musical.

And since I was creating my own Wordle for Teen Tech Month--and you know I love Wordles...turtles....--I thought I'd combine the two.

And share it with you.


I also did one for one of my favorite scenes in Northanger Abbey, but I forget to get a link to it after I printed it.

What the Seuss is That?

Yes, everyone. It is the ever wonderful Dr. Seuss' birthday! I liked him before. Of course!. But now as a full-fledged Children's Librarian (for I have been for over a year now--yay!) I can appreciate and love Seuss even more!!!

Thus, we are going to celebrate Dr. Seuss. (This would probably be a good time to be familiar with Seussical, don't you think? Oh well.)

First, I shall post the Google image from a couple of years ago that celebrated Seuss. I loved it so much, I had to save it.

Fabulous!!!!!

Next, we shall play...

Name That Seuss!



I shall post quotes or passages from his works. You name the book they come from. Post your answers/guesses in the comments. The winner will get all-around Seuss Bragging Rights. (I'd offer to give you a Seuss work of your choice, but I can't even afford to buy a book for myself. Maybe next year!)

1. "A person's a person no matter how small."

2. "You have brains in your head."

3. "I am I."

4. "Jerry Jordan's Jelly Jar"

5. "...but down on the bottom we, too, should have rights!"

6. "Not on a train."

7. "Think left and think right and think low and think high."

8. "He can TICK"

9. "'Cause you never can tell What goes on down below"

10. "Oh the things you can find if you don't stay behind!"

And finally we have...

Fill in the Seuss!

Complete each Seuss quote or passage and you will get TWO pats on the back from Thing One and Thing Two.

1. "That cat is a bad one, ________________________."

2. "I meant what I said and I said what I meant. _______________________________."

3. "You're in pretty good shape __________________."

4. "Unless someone like you care a whole lot, _______________________________________. _______."

5. "When I say that I __________________________."