Ep 400 - The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins

Published in 1998, 'Paradise' is Toni Morrison's longest novel and concludes a trilogy that includes 'Beloved' and 'Jazz'. The story is set in the all-black town of Ruby, Oklahoma, which was founded by nine African American clans in the 1940s. The novel explores the town's self-imposed isolation and its rigid hierarchies, as well as the tension between Ruby and the nearby Convent, a former mansion inhabited by a group of women with troubled pasts. The narrative is structured into nine sections, each named after a female character, and it delves into themes of community, violence, and the search for a utopian 'paradise'. The book also examines Christian theology, particularly through the contrasting visions of two reverends, and highlights the importance of love, self-determination, and freedom.

Set in a post-apocalyptic North America known as Panem, The Hunger Games follows Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old girl from District 12, who volunteers to participate in the 74th Hunger Games to save her younger sister Prim. Alongside Peeta Mellark, the other tribute from District 12, Katniss must use her hunting skills and wits to survive the arena. The Games are a tool of oppression by the Capitol to remind the districts of their defeat in a past rebellion. As Katniss and Peeta navigate the treacherous arena, they also manipulate the audience and sponsors to gain advantages, while sparking the beginnings of a rebellion against the Capitol's tyrannical rule.

In 'The Westing Game', Ellen Raskin crafts a complex mystery involving sixteen diverse characters who are brought together to solve a puzzle left by the late millionaire Samuel W. Westing. The story unfolds as these characters, paired in seemingly random groups, work to unravel the clues and uncover the truth behind Westing's mysterious death. The novel is known for its intricate plot and diverse cast of characters.