Positively Ancient, But Well Read

As someone who works with kids/teenagers, I try to keep up with what they read.  I want to see what the fuss is about.  That's how I roll.  Poking my nose into the popular lit has led me to some pretty cool reads.  I even liked Twilight, although I grew to loathe Bella and her passivity.  I really wanted Edward or Jacob to just eat her and put us out of her misery.  THAT would have been an even bigger bestseller, in my opinion. But I digress.

I read The Hunger Games trilogy last summer, and I loved it.  When I love a book, I want everyone to read it.  It's not fair that I should have all the fun, right?  I started off recommending the book to my family, friends, and then moved on to my coworkers, many of whom are younger than me.  I tried very hard to described the book without giving away any of the major plot points; nothing starts a brawl faster than revealing plot points.  A brawl would have been less painful.

This is the sum of all the conversations that I have had about The Hunger Games in an effort to get people to read them.

"It is derivative of Logan's Run," I offered helpfully, thinking that that would take care of the matter. 

"What is that?" came the response.

"You know, Michael York? Science Fiction? Farrah Fawcett's first movie?" I was a little incredulous.

"Who is Farrah Fawcett?"

"Really? You don't know who Farrah Fawcett is? Charlie's Angels? Poster girl?" I was more incredulous.

I got polite blank looks.  I tried again.

"Did you ever read the short story The Most Dangerous Game?" 

"What is that?"

"How about The Running Man?" I finally tried, thinking that everyone has read Stephen King. 

More blank stares.

"The Running Man? Stephen King novella?  Movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger?"

"Nope."

I gave up after that, picked up my walker, and made my way to the nearest Old Folks Home.  At least SOME of those people will know what the hell I am talking about!