The stories you always return to

What brings you back to books, movies & art?

Every once in a while I get the itch to re-read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and/or to rewatch the films. I’ve currently been feeling this itch once again for about the past month, and it’s been so bad that ya girl has tested the waters of fanfic (The Hunger Games trilogy from Peeta’s point-of-view? TWIST MY ARM). The recently released trailer for the prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, has only thrown more fuel on this Panem fire.

In high school I had d read some of the Battle Royale manga and was excited to see a twist on this already twisted tale become more mainstream. When The Hunger Games was all the rage in the early 2010s, like many others, I loved seeing a female main character who was imperfect, brash, reluctantly the hero, and who, more than anything, just wanted to protect those she loved. I loved the nuanced characters who came to life on every page. And try as much as I did to focus on the storylines of survival, sacrifice, and strength, I also loved (and still love) the love triangle.

I don’t revisit The Hunger Games for pure nostalgia, though (although that’s a perfectly fine reason to reread/rewatch/re-experience anything). Suzanne Collins did a masterful job with The Hunger Games—the books are really, really good (okay, the trilogy is really, really good—I have mixed feelings about the prequel), so that means there’s always something more to dig into upon a reread. It took me rereads to realize Katniss was actually quite an unreliable narrator, to comprehend some of the social statements Collins made with the plot (like citizens not objecting to sending kids off to slaughter each other, but once Katniss is pregnant then there’s an uproar—and what that says on a deeper level), and that I am not Team Gale like I thought, but Team Peeta, all the way.

But beyond getting to know the books better, I revisit THG over and over because there is something I love about the universe Collins created. It’s an arguably nasty one to live in as a character, but it’s such an interesting one to visit. And it’s compelling to watch characters make tough, sometimes questionable choices to try and make their universe better.

It’s wonderful to consume new or new-to-you art and stories, of course. But I think it’s nice to look at what stories have a grip on our hearts and lure us back, time and time again, and why. Those favorite books, tv shows, movies, places, and artists that we have an ongoing relationship with. What do they say about us? And how do they influence what we make?

I’d love to hear some of your favorites, and what makes them so loved by you. Comment below and let me know!

ps here are some other things I like to return to:

• The Secret Life of Walter Mitty — An ordinary man goes on an extraordinary journey. Gives me those traveling-for-the-first-time-to-a-new-place butterflies. Plus, amazing Icelandic scenery (one of my favorite places!).

• The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver — A beautiful book about grief, which doesn’t sound all that great for a book marketed as a romance…but trust me, it’s amazing. This book is cathartic, and it’s so rewarding to see the main character struggle, stumble, and eventually find peace. Have tissues handy.

• 1984 by George Orwell — An all-time fave. I love the extreme that it presents (which, in some ways, doesn’t feel all that far-fetched).

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art — I lived in New York for years and never once set foot in this museum. When I visited NYC in December I went for the first time and it was incredible, I can’t believe it took me so long to finally get there. I’m heading back to New York at the end of the month and hope to stop by again. I love the possibilities this place presents.

• Burning Man — The best place on earth, and for one week only. A place as weird as it is wonderful, and I always leave feeling amazed at what people can do and create.

• The Desired Effect by Brandon Flowers — The Killers is fun, but Brandon Flowers’ voice on its own has a truly transcendental effect.

Thanks as always for being here!

- Theresa