Suspension of Disbelief

Several years ago my boyfriend told me that I believe so strongly in what I am watching or reading that it somewhat shocked him. It is probably the single most reason I love fantasy and science fiction. I really don’t know where it comes from though, my family enjoys nonfiction way more than I do. I’ll shout out to my younger sister, Kurin, though-her suspension of disbelief is about as formidable as mine.

I’m bringing this up for two reasons. First, I started reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Somehow, only 22 pages in I was already taken aback by the actions that occurred, frightened and brought to tears. That has never happened before. It usually takes me a while to get into a book, a while meaning about 150 pages. This is surely a credit to Collins, the writing has been more than I was expecting, especially for a young adult scifi novel. Or maybe I haven’t read enough…suffice it to say, I am hooked and will be reading the two books that follow it. Thanks to Courtney, good friend and fellow Whedonite confidant, I will always trust and take her recommendations! So to inspire you to read the book, I’ll talk about it a bit. Don’t worry I won’t spoil anything.

Katniss Everdeen, breadwinner (not of money but of actual bread) and barter extraordinaire, lives in District 12 of Panem, once known as North America. She protects and supports her mother and sister, Prim, by entering her name in the hunger games as much as she is allowed to. These hunger games are no small feat either. If chosen via lottery, you are thrown together with 23 other candidates, or tributes as they are called, and fight to the death! There can only be one victor of the annual hunger games. So besides surviving, what do you win? You win food and necessities for your district. The games are run by the Capitol…basically, big government that controls everyone through fear by controlling their food rations, forcing them to play in the games and a number of other things. So what is so great about this book? I’m about 2/3rds of the way through it, and I can’t stop reading it! Pick it up at your local library or buy it! Because it is totally worth it. I may buy them just so I can loan them out!

Turns out The Hunger Games is going to be a film, squee much, and I haven’t even finished it! And Jennifer Lawrence is cast for the role of Katniss. Now I haven’t seen her in Winter’s Bone, but I will now. I saw a clip during the Oscars and definitely was inspired to see it solely on her performance. Netflix que updated. Plus, some rumors are going around that Chloe Moretz’s next big film may be The Hunger Games. If you haven’t seen Kick Ass, you must make it your next mission. Also, since I’m a geek that enjoys getting books signed, Collins will be at the Elliot Bay Bookstore on Nov. 6! Check out her full schedule here if interested.

Second, Volume #3 of Invincible: Perfect Strangers since read. Wow. Blown away. I teared up a little and the only other comic that I’ve cried over was The Saga of Rex! Which I will discuss at some point in the near future. Back to the world of teenagers and superpowers: Omni-man, Invincible’s dad, revealed a huge secret that was so upsetting, I had all the same reactions as Invincible. Lots of truth comes out in this volume and it makes for good reading. I think it’s my favorite so far and there is a great bit in the beginning mimicking Star Trek TNG! Wow I’m a sucker.

And remember the first issue is free! So get your superhero suit on and start reading Invincible! Or whatever you normally wear.

And get this! The owner of the coffee shop I work for saw me reading Invincible and was super excited to tell me her 10 year-old son who doesn’t really get into reading, loves The Walking Dead. It’s the only thing with text he has really gotten into! YAY Image, good job.

Until next week!