I have a date with Katniss Everdeen. I have broken my date with her many times, and each time I do, I feel bad, but I just can't bring myself to visit with her again. I am afraid that whatever happens to Katniss and her wonderful supporting cast of characters, it is going to make me cry like a baby.
For those of you who have not met Katniss, she is the heroine of The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. It is a series for young adults, and it has taken the world by storm. I read the first book, The Hunger Games, for my book club, and it prompted one of our best discussions in months. The second book, Catching Fire, came with me on an international flight, and I carefully hid my tears while I devoured it on the 18-hour plane ride.
You would think that when Mockingjay (the third book in the series) arrived, I would turn off everything and dig in. But something is holding me back. The series is simply fantastic - original, creative, and well written - and both uplifting and heartbreaking by turn. It translates beyond a young adult novel into just good literature. It will be so hard to say goodbye to this fabulous group of characters, and to Katniss in particular. I will miss her terribly, and that is biggest reason why I keep breaking my date with this fascinating young woman. For now, Mockingjay sits on my coffee table, until I am ready begin the journey towards saying farewell.
