The Hunger Games Live On: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is Almost Here!

By the way, you can read The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes if you haven’t read the previous Hunger Games novels, but now is a PERFECT time to dig into the series. You’ll devour all three of the earlier novels with plenty of time to be a part of the conversation around Songbirds and Snakes – they’re just that good. This is the series that ushered in a new era of dystopian fiction, one that’s character motivated in an extraordinary world filled with action, suspense, romance and social commentary – it’s basically got it all, and nothing is off limits.
So after you’ve read and re-read all four books in the Hunger Games series, and joined us for our live event on B&N Instagram (Friday, 5/29 at 7PM ET) to discuss all of your  theories with co-editors of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, David Levithan and Kate Egan, what’s next on the TBR pile?
We have an idea…or thirteen.
As with any great ensemble series readers will gravitate toward a certain character, or group (Team Peeta or Team Gale?), and they’ll also know which District feels most like home. The Capital may think it’s taken away a District’s personality by assigning a number instead of a name – but readers know that’s just not true. And since each District with its unique characteristics and functions is so essential in shaping the personalities of the characters they produce, we’re highlighting a few series we know you’ll also enjoy, based solely on the District(s) you most identify with.
But we all agree we hate spoilers, right? So, after you tear through all four books in the Hunger Games series, here are a few more giving us all the right tribute vibes that aren’t your typical dystopian thrillers.
If you’re District 3,4,7, or 12 read the Aurora Cycle Series:

You might be thinking “that’s quite a district mix you got there”, so we’ll explain. In Aurora Rising (book one) we meet the 2380 class graduates of Aurora Academy and more specifically a group of misfits just trying to save the universe. This band of eccentric and offbeat heroes took us back to Catching Fire and the unlikely alliances formed to take down the force field of the third Quell and later join the rebellion. With a cocky star pupil, a tech wiz, and a trigger-happy sociopath set out to rescue a girl from interdimensional space who may be the “catalyst that starts a war millions of years in the making”, we couldn’t help but see a few similarities. This riveting science-fiction epic is fast-paced with a perfect balance of humor and suspense, and just a touch of romance. It might not be what you’d expect as a recommendation, but the character dynamic is perfect with a plot that’ll suck you right in. The sequel, Aurora Burning was also just released so you can get in early on this one.
If you’re District 1,2,5 or 13 read the One of Us Is Lying Series:

While strength is a great asset for the games, we all know you need to play a good mental game to win. The “careers” or “the Capitol’s lap dogs” as they’re more affectionately known, are highly trained at getting under your skin and twisting the knife at the same time. “Foxface” was clever until she ate the berries and District 13 was able to convince everyone they didn’t exist… SO, if it’s the mental challenge that’s your fancy, One of Us Is Lying might be a perfect fit; five strangers walk into detention and only four walk out alive. This addictive whodunit is another great ensemble thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. And the sequel, One of Us Is Next starts a new mystery with a whole new set of rules – around a deadly game of truth or dare. This one delivers all the twists while racing full speed toward a shocking conclusion you’ll never see coming.
If you’re District 6,8,9,10, or 11 read the Red Queen Series:

These are by far the underdog districts – mostly agricultural, and some only briefly mentioned throughout the series. These districts are under the strict thumb of the capitol and have felt the harsh force of the Peacekeepers. In Red Queen we also see a world split in two – the haves and the have nots or in this case, the common Red bloods that serve the Silver-blooded elites. So, when a young Red Blood scraping by as a thief in a poor, rural village, discovers she has an ability of her own, the Silvers will do whatever it takes to cover up this impossibility. Using her new rank to help a growing rebellion proves to be a dangerous game in this intriguing fantasy novel of power and ultimate betrayal.  The fourth book in the series, War Storm was just released in paperback and is the heart-racing, edge of your seat finale to this epic battle for justice.
Now that you’re TBR list is full we would say “Happy Reading”, but as the saying goes in Panam, “Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor…”