What are you reading? "Sunrise on the Reaping" by Suzanne Collins

 Noelia's contribution

The book

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I return to the world of The Hunger Games with Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins, this time following Haymitch Abernathy twenty-five years before he becomes the mentor we know from the original trilogy.

At first, I expected this book to feel very similar to the previous novels, and in some ways it does. However, Collins introduces new layers that make the story stand out. The novel explores the manipulation of the media in the service of the government, as well as the use of fear and emotional coercion to control the population. These themes feel especially relevant and add depth to the narrative beyond the action and survival elements.

That said, the book is not without its flaws. Some chapters felt slow and, at times, fairly predictable, which affected the pacing for me.

Despite this, I would still recommend it. Beyond expanding the history of Panem and giving me a deeper understanding of Haymitch, the novel raises thought-provoking moral questions about resistance, sacrifice, and the price of fighting against an oppressive regime. One question stayed with me long after I finished the book: how much would you be willing to lose to bring down a dictatorship?

Overall, Sunrise on the Reaping is a worthwhile addition to the series, offering both an engaging story and plenty of food for thought.


The Author

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Suzanne Collins is an American author best known for writing The Hunger Games series, one of the most successful young adult dystopian franchises of all time. Before becoming a novelist, she worked as a writer for children's television programs. Her books are praised for combining fast-paced storytelling with thought-provoking themes such as war, political oppression, media manipulation, and social inequality. Since the publication of The Hunger Games in 2008, Collins has become one of the most influential contemporary authors in young adult literature.

What are you reading? "Born a Crime" by Trevor Noah

 Ana Melendo's contribution

The Book

Amazon
Through this book, we discover the History of South Africa during and just after apartheid. There is also the story of people, so many and so different. And eventually, of some persons leaving around the protagonist, emphasising the figure of the mother.  The book relates very well the complexity of the relations between different communities. 

Through this biography we understand quite well life after the end of apartheid. It’s at the same time a scathing portrait of South Africa and a magnificent story of filial love. And what’s more, it is written in a very clear style.

It would be a pleasure for me to talk about this book if anyone else read it.

And thank you to Marta who recommend it in our last meeting!

Ana Melendo

The Author

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Trevor Noah is a South African comedian, writer, television host, and political commentator. Born in Johannesburg in 1984 during the apartheid era, he grew up in a society deeply divided by race. His unique background and sharp observational humor helped him build a successful career in stand-up comedy, first in South Africa and later on the international stage.

A major turning point in Noah’s career was the publication of Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood in 2016. The memoir takes its title from the fact that his birth was technically illegal under apartheid laws because his mother was Black and his father was White. The book combines personal stories, humor, and social commentary, earning widespread critical acclaim and becoming an international bestseller.

The success of Born a Crime greatly expanded Noah’s global reputation, establishing him not only as a comedian but also as a respected author and storyteller.

What are you reading? Fifty Words for Rain, by Asha Lemmie

 Noelia's contribution

The Book

Amazon
Fifty Words for Rain, written by Asha Lemmie, is set in Kyoto in 1948. Noriko lives with her mother until one day she is told that she must go and live with her grandmother. The only condition is simple: ‘Promise me. Promise me that you will obey in all things. Do not question. Do not fight. Do not resist’ (Asha Lemmie, 2020, Fifty Words for Rain)

From that moment on, her life changed completely. Forced to live in the attic of the family home, she is kept out of sight and subjected to unusual “beauty” treatments. Her skin is constantly exfoliated in an attempt to lighten it, while her naturally curly hair is straightened to conform to Japanese beauty standards.

This is a compelling novel that explores themes such as racism, abandonment, honour over love, the suppression of critical thinking, and the struggle to define one's identity. People are treated as tools to be controlled, their personal desires sacrificed to protect the family's reputation.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its use of both first-person and third-person narration. Noriko’s story captures the reader’s attention from the very beginning, creating a constant desire to discover what will happen next. The book also encourages reflection throughout. For that reason, it is not a particularly fast read. There are moments when certain passages deserve to be reread, as the author conveys complex ideas with remarkable precision and without relying on excessive description. Another highlight is the number of unexpected twists that genuinely catch the reader by surprise.

As for its weaknesses, some secondary characters could have been developed more fully. By the end of the novel, it is not always clear what happened to them or why they made certain decisions.

Overall, this is a highly recommended book for a reading club. At fewer than 300 pages, it offers plenty to discuss, including motherhood, abandonment, and, above all, love. After all, everyone needs to feel loved, whether by parents, siblings, or a partner.


The Author

Amazon
Asha Lemmie is an American author best known for her debut novel, Fifty Words for Rain, published in 2020. She studied English literature and developed a strong interest in stories that explore identity, family relationships, and cultural heritage. Inspired by her own mixed-race background, Lemmie often writes about characters who struggle to find their place between different cultures. Her work has been praised for its emotional depth, vivid storytelling, and exploration of themes such as belonging, race, and resilience.




List of Our Favourite Books - May 26 Meeting

Last Friday, May 15, 2026, we held the final meeting of the 2025-2026 season for our Book Club. During this meeting, we discussed some of the books that club members are currently reading or have already read. Below is a list of the books discussed (you can click on each image for more information).


What are you reading right now?

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Trust
 
by Hernan Diaz

Rosa M.






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abbooks.co.uk
The Unbereable lightness of being
by Milan Kundera
Rhetorics, 
by Aristotle 
The speaker 
by Cicerón.
Luisa


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Fifty words for rain 
by Asha Lemmie

Noelia






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Nourrices
 
by Séverine Cressan

Marta
Maria P. 
Ana M.




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Julio Cesar.EL arte de la política
by Francisco Uria.

Jose S.






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The Minds of Billy Milligan 
by Daniel Keyes

Anastasiia






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Atomic Habits 
by James Clear
Katya







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Oro Rojo 
by Patricia Schonstein  

María L.






A perfect day for banana fish 
by J.D. Salinger,  
A Wizard of Earthsea 
by Ursula K. LeGuin, 
Lolita 
by Nabokov
María Esther


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East wind, west wind 
by Pearl S. Buck
Sonia F.






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The Blind Sunflowers 
by Alberto Méndez.
Ana Melendo






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Infinite Jest
 
by David Foster Wallace 

Juan









Which book changed your life?

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The Lord of the Rings 
by Tolkien

Rosa M.






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The series of books My Brilliant Friend
by Elena Ferrante

Luisa






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Amazon
El Corazón Helado
 
By Almudena Grandes
Never Let me go 
by Kazuo Ishiguro

Noelia




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Rich Dad Poor Dad
 
by Robert Kiyosaki

Marta






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Misericordia.
 
By Pérez Galdos

Jose S.






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The Painted Veil 
by Somerset Maugham

Anastasiia






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Amazon
Martin Eden 
by Jack London , 
The Monk who sold his Ferrari 
by Robin Sharma

Katya




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Amazon
The Age of Innocence
The House of Mirth
by Edith Wharton

María Esther





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The Fifth Woman
by Henning Mankell

María L.






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Little women 
by Louis May Alcott

Sonia






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Buddhism without Beliefs
by Stephen Batchelor

María P.






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Memoirs of a dutiful Daughter 
by Simone de BEAUVOIR

Ana M.






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Plato, No Prozac
by Lou Marinoff

Juan










Which book makes you laugh?

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The Quixote 
by Cervantes

Rosa M.






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Last Evenings With Teresa
by Juan Marsé.

Luisa






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Born a Crime 
by Trevor Noah

Noelia
Marta





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The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared
by Jonás Jonasson.

Jose S.





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Things My Son Needs to Know about the World 
by Fredrik Backman

Anastasiia






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Tom Jones 
by Henry Fielding
María Esther 







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Juegos de la Edad Tardía
by Luis Landero

María L.






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Más respeto que soy tú madre. 
by Hernan Casciari.

Sonia F.






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The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir Who Got Trapped in an Ikea Wardrobe
by Romain Puertolás

Maria P.





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Some of the Roald DAHL’s tales.

Ana M.







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A Confederacy of Dunces 
by John Kennedy Toole  

Juan