What I think about the Hunger Games series

Probably the most boring blog post title ever, but hey, at least you won't be surprised at the content of this post! I've been mulling over a few things recently--namely, that I need to think more and challenge myself intellectually more--that will probably manifest themselves on Ye Olde Blog in the coming weeks and months.
Now you're probably thinking, "but Ashley! How can reviewing a young adult fiction series possibly be thought provoking and challenging?" Baby steps, folks, baby steps. You see, I've been in a lovely little Lillian cocoon for the past few months. It's a wonderful place to be, but I'm seeking to transform that cocoon into more of a nest since a nest is influenced more by the outside environment. Okay, enough with the bad metaphors. All I'm saying is that I have been challenged by this verse which was brought up in this study:

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. "
-Romans 12:2

There is obviously a lot to say about this verse, and my goal is to convey my thoughts gradually as I meditate upon what Paul is saying. Sometimes as Christians we get trapped in the "heart/emotions only" box and forget to truly think through things with the rational minds that God has given us.
And there may be people reading this who think that Christianity in general is a check your brains at the door sort of venture. I probably won't be able to change your mind about that, but I can throw some ideas out there and be transparent with you in terms of my thought processes. Phew. I know that my thoughts are all jumbled up, and there is a time when I would have just hit delete! instead of publishing this random smattering of thought. But if I don't start here, if I don't start where I am, then how will I ever get anywhere?

Okay, the Hunger Games. ( I linked up with a synopsis on Amazon). I just finished the three books and in general, I think that the speed which I progressed through each book reveals my true thoughts about it. The Hunger Games, 1 day. Catching Fire, 2 days. Mockingjay, 5 days. I found the first book to be brilliant. An innovative concept, well-plotted and paced with believable characters and situations. I was excited to read about the Hunger Games themselves, which freaked me out. How barbaric and twisted that I would want to do that! But I feel that is Collins' point--it's easy to judge the citizens of the Capitol for putting together the Hunger Games with all of their gory pomp and circumstance. How am I any different or better, though, for wanting to see what happens. For cheering for certain children to die. In this light, I think that this popular series is dead on about our sin nature. Our total depravity. That, as my pastor likes to say, we are all one step away from totally blowing it. T
he Hunger Games bears out a primary tenet of my worldview, namely that we are all sinners in need of redemption. But redemption never arrives in this series, much as it doesn't for many people, I suppose. How sad to be stuck in the darkness and deception of sin with no hope of change or joy. Therefore, I think I would have been satisfied if the Hunger Games were a stand alone book. I found the second and third book to be entirely "too much" and "too little." Way too much violence and too much teen whining. Too little hope and too little change.

So if you're looking for an excellent YA series, check out Narnia, Harry Potter, the Dark is Rising or Anne of Green Gables. If you're looking for a good YA series with lots of action, kissing and blood, then read the Hunger Games. Skip Twilight altogether (although, major props to Stephanie Meyer as a stay at home mom turned author).

I promise the next post will have pictures of my precious baby, who has blissfully napped the entire time I've spent writing this post. Hallelujah!