Hidden Beneath the Bookshelf

Written By: Alexandra Calzadilla

Hunger Games series published by Suzanne Collins, photograph taken by Elin Melaas

As I was collecting all my books during my moving process, I stumbled upon the book that started my love for reading. The pages were discolored and loose, and upon opening it, I was hit with an aroma of different smells. As odd as it sounds, it smelled old yet comforting. The cover, reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, had scratches and was folded in half. Flipping the loose paper to the first page, I saw my name under the title. It was written as neatly as a 7-year-old could write, but it filled me with such nostalgia to see. I imagined the little girl who was so proud to possess this “young adult” novel and the pride she had when she finished it.

I lived vicariously through Katniss, always wanting to be like her when I got older. Every Halloween, until I was ten, I dressed up as her. Looking back in time and reminiscing, the reason I admired Katniss so much was because I held similar traits to hers. Stubbornness often gets confused with being strong-willed. She stood her ground for what she believed was right and never put up a façade, even when an entire nation was watching her every move. This is a trait I strongly resonate with and, in my opinion, is why she is one of the strongest and most powerful fictional characters ever created. She had a rebellious nature that I was drawn to as a kid never doing things to please others. As someone who grew up being a perfectionist, I was always doing things to please others or seek validation in different areas. This is something many people struggle with, and sometimes I still do. However, through the trials and tribulations life has thrown at me, I’ve learned that the only person I should please is myself. By letting go of that toxic mentality, I was able to gain more confidence—the type of confidence I admired from Katniss.

The Hunger Games series is more than just another book on my shelf. It holds much more sentimental value to me than any other book I own. That first book in the series marked the beginning of my love for reading. While completing my transfer applications, one school asked, “What is something that brings you joy?” I didn’t have to think hard because I knew the answer: reading.