What book(s) are you reading right now?

[zj]

I'm currently reading The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins!!
Prior to that I re-read the original Hunger Games triology, needed a refresh from when I read them at 12 when they came out. Before reading, I thought I wouldn't like this book due to how horrible of a person Coriolanus Snow, the main character of this book (age 18) and the main antagonist (as an old man) in the original triology is. But it's been interesting to see not only how he differs from his peers in the Capitol yet blends in, but also the general society at the time, as this book is set 64 years before the original triology.

The technology available is much more limited, the capitol citizens' views of the games as a concept only 10 years into it is interesting and several characters show their dislike. In the original trio, most of the living population has had the games as a part of their entire lives, while in this one, it's fairly new of a concept. And Even Coriolanus finds the cheery demeanour of the host seconds after a dead body is shown, to be ghoulish. But then he reminds himself that "he is no Sejanus", that being a classmate who publicly opposed the games. It's very interesting to see how everyone interacts with each other and society at large! can't wait to see the movie afterwards and compare to my reading experience.

After this one I'll read the next book about the 50th games, where the mentor in the original trio won. I know just a little about it, and it will be interesting to see how much things have changed in 40 years. With the games, tech, public opinion, the regime.. Maybe when I'm done that movie will be out or close to out :D kind of sad to run out of books after that, but I am still glad I got these!! I love Suzanne's social commentary on real life fascism through her books.